
When you pay a royalty fee to purchase a song for use on your live stream, the original creator can place restrictions on its use.

If the song is copyrighted and you don’t pay a royalty or get a sync license, you cannot play it on your live stream. The license allows you, as a content creator, to “sync” the music to your video content. When producers want to add songs to commercials, TV shows, movies or YouTube videos, they need a sync license. Royalty-free and sync licenseĪ royalty is a fee you pay one time for the right to use a song in your broadcast. In the United States, any musical work created before 1925 is automatically in the public domain. Popular Christmas carols such as “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells” are in the public domain. How do you know if a song is in the public domain, or if you have to pay a royalty to use it? Songs in the public domain are available for anyone and everyone to use whenever they want. Therefore, even if you paid for the song, you still need permission to play it on your live stream. Purchasing a song gives you a license for personal use only playing it on a live stream is considered public use. Many streamers mistakenly think that if they purchased a song or have access to it via a streaming subscription service, they have the right to play it on their streams.

When you want to add music to your live stream, you have three options: Copyright infringement can get your stream shut down and get you in real trouble. You just have to make sure you add music you have the right to play. Your live stream provides endless opportunities for adding music.

Even if you or your guests are extremely engaging speakers, the right music will put your live stream over the edge.

When added at the right moments, music adds another layer to your broadcast. An upbeat pop song can create excitement, a slow piano solo can invoke sadness, and some EDM will make your viewers feel ready to party. Viewers pay more attention to broadcasts with music, and you can set a tone for your stream with music. Music ups the production value of your live stream.
