Can I play music without paying royalties?
Asked by: Vernie Gaylord | Last update: February 8, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (7 votes)
Yes, you can play music without paying royalties by using public domain music, music with specific Creative Commons licenses, music from reputable royalty-free libraries (where you pay a one-time fee or subscription), or sometimes by playing radio/TV broadcasts in small businesses, but you must avoid copyrighted recordings unless licensed, as even small clips can require permission. The safest methods involve using music explicitly licensed for free use or getting direct permission from copyright holders.
How much of a song can you play without having to pay royalties?
Remember: There's no hard and fast minimum amount of music you can use without getting permission when you need it.
How can I legally play music in my business?
But, it's important to know that under federal copyright law, when copyrighted music is performed in any establishment, permission must be granted from the copyright owner. In most cases, that permission comes in the form of a music license.
What music is considered royalty-free?
Royalty-free music is music you can use in projects without paying ongoing royalties, often by purchasing a single license or subscription, and it covers many genres like cinematic, lo-fi, pop, and rock from platforms such as Soundstripe, Epidemic Sound, and PremiumBeat, with options ranging from free-to-use (like some on YouTube Audio Library) to premium subscriptions for commercial use, but it's crucial to understand licenses, as "royalty-free" doesn't mean "free".
Can I use a song if I give credit?
If you're taking someone else's copyrighted music, adding your own lyrics, and performing or recording it as your song -- no. Simply ``giving credit'' isn't enough; you would need to get written permission from the copyright holder, and split any royalties or earnings with them.
How To Copyright a Song - With the Library of Congress
How many seconds of a song can I use to avoid copyright?
Unfortunately, there are no fixed standards as to how much of a song you can use without infringing the song owner's copyright. Of course, the shorter you can make the clip, the stronger your argument for fair use protection.
What is the 30 second rule on YouTube?
The "30-second rule on YouTube" refers to two key concepts: first, the crucial first 30 seconds of a video to hook viewers, as YouTube counts a view after this mark; and second, a content editing guideline where something engaging, like a visual change or new topic, should happen at least every 30 seconds to maintain audience interest and prevent them from clicking away. It's about grabbing attention immediately and continuously refreshing the content to match short attention spans, ensuring viewers stay engaged long enough for a meaningful view and to improve watch time, a key factor for the YouTube algorithm.
What famous songs are copyright-free?
Famous copyright-free songs are typically old classics in the public domain, like "Happy Birthday," "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," "Amazing Grace," and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," whose copyrights have expired, alongside modern royalty-free tracks available on platforms like YouTube Audio Library or PremiumBeat, offering creative freedom for content creators.
Does Taylor Swift own the copyright to her songs?
By re-recording, Swift is technically covering her own songs as new recordings, resulting in new masters she fully owns, enabling her to control the licensing of her songs for commercial use, known as synchronization, by evading the owners of the older masters and subsequently devaluing them.
How can I tell if a song is royalty-free?
To know if a song is copyright-free, check for explicit "Public Domain" or "Creative Commons" licenses, search databases like the U.S. Copyright Office, use YouTube's Audio Library, look for licensing details on streaming platforms, or use music recognition apps like Shazam to find rights holders; however, if you can't find explicit clearance, assume it's copyrighted and seek permission or use royalty-free libraries like Epidemic Sound or Artlist.
How do I do a poor man's copyright?
A "poor man's copyright" is an informal, ineffective method of proving creation date by mailing a copy of your work (lyrics, manuscript, etc.) to yourself and keeping the unopened envelope with its postmark as evidence, but it provides no real legal protection and is not a substitute for formal registration, though the postmark might offer slight evidence of existence date in a dispute. To do it, you'd place your work in an envelope, address it to yourself, and mail it, leaving it sealed. For actual copyright protection, you must register with the U.S. Copyright Office.
What is the 3 minute rule in music?
The "3-minute rule" in music refers to the traditional length of hit pop songs, rooted in the physical limitations of early vinyl records (78 rpm) and the commercial needs of radio for ad space, creating a standard ~3-minute format that became ingrained in listener expectations and songwriting structure, though modern technology allows for longer tracks. This convention encouraged concise, catchy songs with clear hooks and verse-chorus structures that fit the format, influencing artists for decades.
Can I play music in my coffee shop?
Tip#1 – You need a license for background music.
The music licensing tip number one is dead simple: if you play licensed music in your restaurant, bar, coffee shop., bistro or pub, you need to get a license to comply with the law!
What is the 80/20 rule in songwriting?
The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) in songwriting means 80% of a song's impact comes from 20% of its core elements, like the hook, melody, and structure, while the rest is polish or filler. It guides writers to focus on those vital 20% (catchy hooks, strong lyrics/melody) for major results, while also suggesting that in production, the final 20% of mixing/arrangement takes 80% of the time, and in business, 20% of your songs yield 80% of plays.
How much to license a Taylor Swift song?
Taylor Swift reacquired the master recordings and rights to her first six albums from Shamrock Capital in 2025 for approximately $360 million, the same price Ithaca Holdings (Scooter Braun's company) reportedly paid for them in 2020. This deal, which includes music videos, artwork, and unreleased material, finally gave Swift full ownership and control over her early catalog after a long dispute.
How many streams does a song need to make $100?
To make $100, a song generally needs around 25,000 to 30,000 streams on Spotify, but this varies by platform, listener (free vs. premium), and artist deals, with Apple Music potentially requiring fewer streams (around 14,000) and Tidal even fewer (around 10,000) due to higher per-stream rates. The exact number depends on the platform's payout rate, which averages fractions of a cent per stream.
Is Scooter Braun still making money off of Taylor Swift?
Yes, Scooter Braun made significant money from Taylor Swift's music; he bought her first six albums' master rights for around $300 million in 2019 and then sold them to an investment fund (Shamrock Capital) for a substantial profit in 2020, reportedly earning a multi-million dollar return and continuing to profit from the recordings. Swift famously opposed the sale, as she was denied the opportunity to buy them herself and Braun's involvement meant he would profit for years, leading her to re-record her albums to regain control.
What did Eminem say about Taylor Swift?
Eminem has expressed significant respect for Taylor Swift, calling her "scary good" and the "future of lyricism" after seeing her rap "Lose Yourself," and used her in recent promos for his album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) to highlight his enduring impact versus artists with different eras, though some fans misinterpreted past lyrics as a diss. He famously included her in a diss track to elevate his target by comparing him unfavorably to pop figures like Swift, which he clarified was a compliment to her stature, not a slight.
Who is suing Taylor Swift for copyright?
Calling it a “frivolous and harassing lawsuit,” Swift's lawyers urged Judge Aileen Cannon to dismiss a case filed by Florida poet Kimberly Marasco, who earlier this year filed her second attempt at a copyright suit against Swift.
How do I know if a song is public domain?
To know if a song is in the public domain (in the U.S.), check if its music and lyrics were published before 1931, as works published in 1930 or earlier are generally free to use, while sound recordings have a different rule (100 years from release). You can verify by searching sites like PDInfo.com, Creative Commons, the Library of Congress for sheet music, or the U.S. Copyright Office database for publication dates.
What 80s songs are royalty free?
Top 10 Royalty-Free 80s Music Tracks on AudioJungle
- Lady of the 80s by DJ_Grand_Studio. ...
- 80s by moonlight_sounds. ...
- 80s by AudioRocket. ...
- 80s Synth by VensAdams. ...
- This is 80s by LumenMedia. ...
- 80s Retro Synthwave by Magic_Tunes. ...
- Victory Rock For Strong Champions by Vlad_Annenkov. ...
- Christmas Pop 80s by SergePavkin.
What music is no longer copyrighted?
Any Song or Musical Work Published in 1930 or Earlier is in the Public Domain in the USA. No Sound Recordings are Presently PD in the USA. Sound Recordings Released in 1922 or Earlier will Enter the Public Domain in the USA on January 1, 2022.
What is the 8 minute rule on YouTube?
The "YouTube 8-Minute Rule" primarily refers to the fact that videos longer than 8 minutes can have mid-roll ads (ads in the middle of the video) inserted by the creator or YouTube, unlike shorter videos limited to pre-roll/post-roll ads, which boosts creator revenue. There's also a separate "8-Minute Friendship Rule," a concept where just 8 minutes of focused connection helps someone feel supported during stress, used as a code word for needing help.
How to avoid YouTube copyright detection?
To avoid YouTube copyright issues, create original content, use music from the YouTube Audio Library, or license tracks from royalty-free libraries like Soundstripe or Upbeat, ensuring you follow all usage terms, and use YouTube's tools to manage claims or disputes if needed. Never assume using a few seconds or adding effects is safe, as copyright holders can still claim your video, but utilizing YouTube's mobile app features for Shorts can grant access to licensed music.