What should I know before using copywritten music for home videos?

Answer by  monkeyz (3150)

The FBI aren't going to knock down your door if you use copyrighted music on your home videos. Just make sure you don't charge money or show your video publicly.

Answer by  Zeeta (261)

If you are using copywritten music anywhere in public, you should at least pay royalties for using it. But if you are using the music only for home videos that will not be shown in public places like classrooms, hospitals, army camps etc. , you will not have to pay for it.

Answer by  technogeek (6640)

As long as the videos that you are making are not being made for the purpose of making money, then you do not have to do anything, but if you are going to be making money, you have to get permission from the person who owns the publishing rights and reach a financial agreement.

Answer by  jewlie (105)

Know what the terms of the copyright; does it prohibit such use? Will it be just for your private use, or will you publish it on something such as YouTube?

Answer by  Thatguy50 (69)

If you are using a song to make a non profit video then there would be no problem. Otherwise you will have to get the permission from whoever currently owns the rights to the music. Most of the time you will have to pay for the use of a song but its up the the owner.

Answer by  Tombo (106)

You should plan on not ever selling, or making a profit, on your home videos if you use any copywritten material in them.

Answer by  Monsawrath (38)

There's nothing to know, really. As long as you don't use it offensively, you should have no problem with the record company. The one BIG thing, you must provide credit to the artist SOMEWHERE in your video if it is to be publicly shown. You could get in big trouble if you didn't. Copyright laws and whatnot.