YouTube channel licensing question

#1

We are not 100% clear yet as to what “End Product” means as it pertains specifically to a YouTube channel and using licensed audio from audiojungle, therefore the following question.

Can we use a Standard Audio License (music or sounds) to use unlimited times in our YouTube video’s which may include using a short music intro for our channel logo, sound effects and background music considering we plan on monetizing the channel and its video content. We are not creating an End Product that we re-sell or package for a client or customer.

We want to avoid any confusion as it pertains to how we use the audio license. We want to avoid someone coming in and raising a copyright issue after the fact and try to claim copyright and attempt to monetize our video’s knowing we have a valid paid license. We would appreciate a crystal clear definition on this matter before purchasing any audio from audiojungle.

We’ve read the whole Music and SFX licensing agreement and are apprehensive when we read the part about the author of the music having essentially 4-5 options available to them one of which includes monetizing our channel. If we pay for a license we don’t want issues going forward when monetizing our YouTube channel.

Sorry if this has been adressed somewhere else in the forums but we searched for “YouTube” as a term and found nothing, therefore this forum question.

Any definitve answer to our questions are greatly appreciated. We are on hold with buying any licensed material until we get an answer.

Thank you.

#2

Hello,

The end product, in most cases, is the video.

Music and SFXs have two distinct licensing systems.

For SFXs, you have the SFX (Single Use) and the SFX (Multi Use). The latter does allow for unlimited uses.

For Music, it’s different, there are 5 different licenses. For Youtube, the Music Standard license is the appropriate one. However, the license allows for a single video use. You need a license for each video.

That said, in the case of an intro, if the intro is strictly always the same, with no modification whatsoever, and put in front of the main content as is, then the intro may be considered to be the end product, and can then be used in any number of videos.

There is also the series policy, which allows you to use a single license for up to 52 episodes (or a year, whichever comes first) of a same series. To be deemed part of a same series, the episodes have to be connected, share a same topic and a same format.

Regarding copyright claims, it is an automated process, that issues a copyright notice when the audio content of a video matches a music track registered with Youtube’s ContentID. Your Audiojungle license is the key that allows you to easily clear the claim. You can read more about it here.

Hope this answer your questions.

2 Likes
#3

This is the answer to my question but I have another. What if the song we want to use in our YouTube video is perfect for multiple different videos? If I already purchased a license of a song for one video, but want to use the song in another video which isn’t part of a specific series but still on the same channel, we have to buy another license of the same song? Is that how you’re saying it works? Is that even possible to purchase a license on the same song twice?

I can imagine this issue popping up more and more where people want to use the same background music for videos in their channel that may or may not be in the same series because they like the same background music and want it to be consistent on their channel. But from what I’m understanding, you get one use out of one song and then it’s burnt up and you have to buy the licensing again?

#4

Indeed, the license is for a single end product. So if the music is not used in a same intro, and the videos are not part of same series, you would need a new license for each video. And yes, it is possible to buy as many licenses as you need, there is no limitation there.

#5

Thanks Purple Fog a great response, I too have been wondering about using an animated video and music that I purchased as an intro to the main content on all my videos on YouTube, its great that it would be classed as one end user product, not because of the price but I have clarification on the issue.

I have been searching through the forum for the last 5 hours trying to get a definitive answer on the issue, I found some of the responses confusing and at times conflicting. I did contact customer support and they advised it does come under fair use however, I still needed more clarification. I also contacted the author of the video but he didn’t respond so that wasn’t helpful when you are trying to do the right thing.

From what I have seen and read over the few months regarding copyright especially with Youtube is that the system is broken, fragmented and at best confusing. I see it as a similar thing to the movie industry with complex licensing agreements, fragmented online streaming companies this just perpetuates piracy.

From my understanding, the current systems that is in place is not helping creators or buyers, especially when anyone can make a false claim on a youtube channel without any penalties to them at all. It appears YouTube is very dysfunctional when it comes to rectify false copyright claims, Im certain its not easy for them but they appear to have swung the pendulum to far the other way especially when its an innocent mistake or just plain incorrect.

I know very little about the Content ID system but I believe it could work well. If you could just add the license into a box on YouTube that is automatically synchronized with ADrev or any other copyright system so that the content is automatically verified and the creator and buyer are not bothered would be great.

Thankyou Pandarooz for posting the question and Purple Fog for clarifying, appreciate it.

1 Like
#6

Glad I could help!

I wouldn’t say that the system is broken, though I agree it could work a lot better. The copyright issue is very complex, even more so because the different parties involved do not communicate.

This would be ideal, and something we’ve hoped for and requested for years. But for that to happen, Youtube, AdRev and Envato need to talk. Unfortunately, Envato doesn’t seem to be interested.

#7

Somewhere along the line a smart company will come forward and put forward a proposal to Youtube to create the very system we spoke about regarding a licensing box or similar, both Youtube and that company will charge an added small fee and both will make heaps from it.

Both the creator and the end user will pay for it as it will be beneficial to both parties and for peace of mind. With more startup companies becoming involved in licensing content the industry will be further fragmented.

I guess only time will tell. :slight_smile: