Millions of creators on TikTok are used to lip-synching or dancing to any song they choose as background without any legal consequences (

). But using other people’s music in a YouTube video can have serious repercussions. Like getting your channel terminated serious.

YouTube recently confirmed again their policy around using cover songs in your video content with the very clear message that:

If you're singing to, or humming along to, or drumming over a copyrighted melody, then the uploader is wide open to receive a copyright takedown.

Cover Songs on YouTube: What Creators Need to Know

 team from YouTube released a video that breaks down the issues around using other people’s music, including Content ID and copyright claims around cover songs, remixes, and accidental or intentional use of licensed musical compositions. You can watch the video below but here are the main takeaways:

#1 You Can Get a Copyright Claim Just By Humming a Copyrighted Tune!

YouTube confirms that for every song or musical composition there are two sets of copyright: one belongs to the songwriter or the songwriting team behind the melody, the ones that wrote the music and created the lyrics.

The second copyright protection is for the artist and covers the recording and performance of that song. If you upload a video that features you, or anyone else, humming along to a copyrighted melody that you haven’t sought permission for you are infringing on that copyright and may receive a copyright takedown for doing so.

#2 Creating a Lyric Video Can Also Attract a Copyright Claim

Adding lyrics over a background image to a licensed song without permission is also a big no. They could be claimed by the music publisher, that’s the entity that usually owns the copyright to a composition. The publisher protects the songwriter and that includes the use of the music or lyrics on YouTube.

#3 How About Just Playing an Instrument Over a Song?

A recognisable version of a melody is usually referred to as a ‘Master Recording,’ and copyright covers that tangible asset. If, as a creator, you use clips from that master without seeking written permission, then you may attract a copyright takedown. This includes using snippets in a remix, or singing or playing an instrument over it.

#4 But I Played All the Instruments Myself!

Creators will often dispute a copyright takedown by arguing that they recreated the song by playing all the instruments themselves, or recorded a new voice track. But if the musical composition was used then the publisher or songwriter has a valid claim.

#5 What Cover Music Can be Claimed by the Rights Holder?

The copyright team at YouTube confirmed the following actions by a creator can leave them vulnerable to a copyright claim if the music and lyrics belong to a rights holder (i.e. not in the public domain):

Any use of the master recording in a remix/mash-up

#6 Fair Use and Parodies of Licensed Songs

Fair Use is a very complicated topic but a judge will use the following when considering any claims:

The amount and substantiality of the portion taken

The effect of the use upon the potential market

If a video creator uses a song or changes the lyrics in a way that either provides commentary or ridicules the original, there may be an argument for Fair Use. But Fair Use is not a guarantee and depends entirely on how the creator has interpreted the composition. So, parodies can absolutely be subject to claim.

If you are performing a copyrighted song on YouTube, and are in the partner program, the platform has the ability to share revenue between the publisher and the creator who uploaded the video. That’s known as a cover rev share, even though the new version may not necessarily be a straightforward cover. YouTube wanted to find a way to reward creators by allowing them a monetization option, as long as the rightsholder is in agreement.

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Thinking of using someone else’s music in your YouTube video? Here’s what you need to know to avoid a copyright strike.

The Truth About Using Cover Songs in Your YouTube Videos

, Fortnite is one of the most popular and most influential Battle Royale games in the world. Now, Epic Games has just released its 12.0 update which finally adds an option to mute potentially copyrighted audio clips.

In a Tweet, Epic confirmed that the update will allow gamers to mute licenced emote audio, a feature that will help solve the copyright strikes gamers have been experiencing as they stream or upload Fortnite to YouTube:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PC Players: In the 12.00 update, we&#39;ve added the ability to mute Licensed Emote Audio. This option is available in the game&#39;s Audio settings. <a href="https://t.co/UHGYAlXKgH">pic.twitter.com/UHGYAlXKgH</a></p>&mdash; Fortnite Status (@FortniteStatus) <a href="https://twitter.com/FortniteStatus/status/1230163848088428544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2020</a></blockquote>

Fortnite and Copyright Claims: Why Muting Audio is a Big Deal

The ability to mute certain audio clips will be a huge benefit to creators who upload Fortnite gameplay content to YouTube. There have been a number of gamers who have been hit 

 from music publishers for using licensed music from the game, albeit unintentionally.

YouTube’s ContentID system can easily identify any audio files protected by those publishers, triggering a claim against any creator who uses even a few seconds of the track in their content. Many gamers on YouTube have monetized their gameplay content, so to be hit with a copyright strike can be a devastating blow.

Did you know that while Epic Games has licensed any audio featured in the game itself, those licenses only cover the playing of that song or backing track within the game itself. It doesn’t extend to any streaming or uploads of the game on social video platforms like YouTube.

Gamers who publish video content about Fortnite that feature any audio leave themselves wide open to claims from the original rights holder, and that’s why so many videos have been flagged.

New Fortnite Rickroll Emote: Famous Meme Can be Silenced

In the ever-changing Fortnite eco-system, new features are constantly being introduced, and very recently, players were blessed with a brand new emote inspired by the legendary Rickrolling meme. The in-game character dances along to the Rick Astley banger “

” just like Rick himself, and is available from Fortnite for 500 V-Bucks (around $5).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I liked a video on YouTube: Watch How This Bear Made The Unlikeliest Of Friends <a href="https://t.co/iQDd9tB0e9">https://t.co/iQDd9tB0e9</a></p>&mdash; Fortnite (@FortniteGame) <a href="https://twitter.com/FortniteGame/status/1228468970208088064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>

The new emote is one of the first to incorporate such a famous song, and Epic has ensured full licensing rights around its usage within the game. But that didn’t stop the first wave of gamers from getting hit with copyright claims from the start.

The good news is that Epic has released a patch to PC users which allows those gamers to mute the Astley track before publishing or streaming any gameplay content that features it online. The 12.00 patch allows creators to mute the emote, this avoiding potentially revenue-hitting copyright claims.

# How to Mute Copyrighted Music on Fortnite

With the new patch, players should click on the "Licensed Emote Audio" option within their settings, then either confirm the option to mute all copyrighted music, or just mute other players who are using it.

This new setting isn’t just aimed at silencing the new meme-inspired emote though. Epic confirmed that it will give players the ability to mute all licensed audio going forward.

Right now the patch is only available to PC users, but Epic has promised to (Rick) roll-out the feature to consoles soon.

And if you’re really serious about growing your YouTube views and subscribers, sign up for exclusive access to the 

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Gamers who upload or stream Fortnite content to YouTube have been having issues with copyright claims over licensed music within the game. Now Epic has a solution that could tackle that tricky issue.

YouTube Copyright

The Truth About Using Cover Songs in Your YouTube Videos

Fortnite to Allow Gamers to Mute Emotes to Avoid Copyright Strikes