Music is one of the key factors that determines how great your content will look or feel. An appropriate soundtrack has the potential to make your content trending or viral. Music helps in evoking the right emotion and keeps your audience engaged. But with the wrong music, it can lead to some serious legal issues. 

So, its crucial to understand royalty-free music vs copyrighted music. Choosing the right option will determine how versatile your creative process is. 

Here in this blog, we'll outline the distinctions between royalty-free music and copyrighted songs. 

Copyrighted music is any tune that is completely under copyright protection. This is to say that the original artist, or the person who owns the rights, determines how you can use the song.

Consider chart-topping hits. These songs belong to recording companies, top music labels and artists. To utilize them lawfully, you generally pay for a license. That license may cost a lot and may also include multiple conditions.

For instance:

In short, copyrighted music is impactful but limiting. Using it without a license may get you in real trouble.

Now let's examine the other side: royalty-free music.

"Royalty-free" refers to the fact that once you acquire the right to play the track, you don't pay royalties every time you play the music. You pay once (or subscribe to a service) and use it under the conditions of that license.

Copyrighted Music: This is owned by music labels and artists. You can't use it without proper licensing.

Royalty-Free Music: It is more about general usage among creators. Once you pay, you generally have long-term usage rights.

Copyrighted Music: May be very costly, particularly for commercial or international use.

Royalty-Free Music: Much cheaper. Pay once or subscribe, then use under clear terms.

Copyrighted Music: You need a proper license. Unauthorized use leads to strikes or legal notice. 

Royalty-Free Music: Usually, there is a reduced risk if you follow the license terms. 

Assumption is the greatest problem with copyrighted music. Most creators think that since a song can be found online, they can use it. That's wrong.

Streaming sites such as Spotify or Apple Music merely grant you the right to hear privately but not use tracks for videos. Buying and downloading a song does not entitle you to use it.

Even if you're not monetizing your content, platforms enforce copyright policies rigidly. The system doesn't consider your motives—it only ensures rightful ownership.

That's why royalty-free music is the preferred solution for so many creators. It eliminates the doubt.

With royalty-free music, you know definitively what you can do. You don't have to be concerned about surprise takedowns or legal hassles.

It's also much more convenient. Think about creating week-to-week content for YouTube. It would be impossible to pay licensing fees on each piece of copyrighted music. But with royalty-free music, you have access to a collection of tracks without breaking the bank.

Aside from legality, there's an artistic perspective to take into account.

Copyrighted songs are identifiable. Placing them can immediately resonate with your listeners because they recognize the tune. But that also makes your content feel less original.

Royalty-free songs, however, tend to be crafted with artists in mind. They allow you to have the flexibility of adjusting the precise tone that you desire—whether upbeat, dramatic, or soothing—without going head-to-head with the expectations attached to a hit song.

In most instances, audiences don't require a popular song. They require the right atmosphere. Royalty-free music provides that without legal trouble.

Conclusion

For content creators, royalty-free music is the key to staying legal while improving engagement. Legis Music is a top platform where you can find top-quality royalty-free tracks.