If you have created an Instagram Reels or video, before posting that on your social media accounts, you need to know if there is any copyright infringement and if you can use the copyrighted music on Instagram Reels. To make your content engaging, you try using trending songs on Instagram Reels. But can you use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels? Well, Instagram does not approve your content on the app because of using copyrighted music on Instagram Reels, it can get deleted from the app, and even your account can be at risk.
Instagram has been one of the best social media platforms, as it has a number of great features for its users. Among many other features, Instagram Reels is the best! You can make Reels longer than 60 seconds, create Reels from gallery, and even share Instagram Reels audio with your friends and use it in your own Reels. But what if your Reels have any copyright issues?
If you are confused about whether can you use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels or not, then you need to know that you cannot use copyrighted music on your Instagram Reels.
The music copyright law is a little complicated, and Instagram has several guidelines and rules related to copyrighted music that are to be followed by users using the platform.
Can You Use Copyrighted Music On Instagram Reels?
If you are wondering whether you can use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels, then you need to know that the answer is No. Instagram does not allow its users to use any copyrighted music on Instagram Reels. There are just a few situations where it is okay to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
How To Use Copyrighted Music On Instagram Legally?
There are two different methods that can be used if you want to use copyrighted music on your Instagram account legally. Just try any of these ways to avoid any legal troubles.
Way 1: Sound Collection By Facebook
If you want to get rid of the copyright issue and use the music legally, then using the sounds from the sound collection by Facebook, which is a free and easy option to try out. You can find a large variety of unique and popular music with different genres, and all of this is available for free. However, for business accounts on Instagram, there is no access to songs from recording artists through the Sound collection by Facebook. So, you can try the next option.
Way 2: License A Particular Song
Licensing songs from subscription services can be a great option if you don’t want to go for the Facebook Sound Collection. Since you will be purchasing a license for the music by paying for the subscription. So, you can try this option to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
How To Check If A Song Is Copyrighted On Instagram?
There is no way to check if a song is copyrighted by just looking at it. Well, Instagram has an automated system that can easily recognize if a song being played in the background of your Reel or video is subject to copyright or not. However, any user will not be able to find out if a song is copyrighted or not until they post the video on the Instagram platform.
In case there is any copyright infringement issue, then a warning will appear for the same. It will ask you to change the background song or music of your video or Reel to a song that is not copyrighted. This will ensure that you don’t use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
How To License A Song To Use On Instagram?
If you don’t want to go for the Facebook Sound Collection to license a song, you can use some third-party applications or websites such as Track Club. You will have to go for subscription plans and hence pay certain fees on such platforms to license a song. If not, then you can also use public-domain songs.
Songs that have been published before and in 1926 are considered public domain songs. You can use websites such as Open Music Archive or Public Domain Information Project (PDInfo) to search for such public domain songs. Try using such music instead of trying to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
Why Does My Instagram Says “Your Video Was Removed Because It Contain Content Owned By Somebody”?
If Instagram finds out that you are using copyrighted music on Instagram Reels, it will not let you do that, and you will receive an email saying your video was removed because it contains content owned by someone else. Your video will be removed from your account, and you will be receiving a notification from Instagram that will include the name along with the email address of the rights owner.
There can be an intellectual property report submitted to the Instagram platform, your content will get removed from the app, and your account can also be banned if you continue to post such content. In case you feel that the content posted by you does not belong to someone else or has no issues of copyright infringement, then you can directly contact the owner whose email address and other details are mentioned in the email.
What Are The Consequences Of Using Copyrighted Music On Instagram Reels?
If you use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels illegally, a number of restrictions can be imposed on your content. Here is what can happen to your content if you try using copyrighted music.
- Your Content may be removed
- You might get sued
- Your social media presence, influence, and reputation will be affected
The most common thing that Instagram users have to face is the disadvantage of getting their content removed from the platform. If there is a potential licensing violation that has been noted by Instagram, your Instagram content will automatically be removed, and you will receive a notification containing the name and email address of the original owner of the content. Otherwise, the audio of the Reel can also be removed because you cannot use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
What Are The Alternatives To Using Copyrighted Music On Instagram Reels?
You can be in trouble if you copyrighted music on Instagram Reels. So, it is better that you use several alternatives to the copyrighted music on your Instagram Reels.
- Use royalty-free music
- Create your music
- Use Instagram’s music library
Using Royalty free music on Instagram is one of the best ways to use music on Instagram Reels that isn’t copyrighted. Royalty free music is the music that can be used in your content without paying any royalties to the rights holder or artist. You can find a number of songs without worrying about the copyright issue.
Instagram also includes a huge number of songs in its music library. You can check out the songs that have no issues related to copyright infringement and use such music to your Instagram Reels. Well, if not this, then you can create your own music. This is the best way to try out without any issue to use copyrighted music on Instagram music.
What Should You Do If You Receive A Copyright Infringement Notice?
When you receive a copyright infringement notice, even if you know that you didn’t violate any copyright policy of Instagram, you still have to reply to the notice. If you use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels and you receive a notice for the same, you need to immediately take an action for this. Here is what you need to do.
- Remove the content
- Respond to the notice
If the work is not yours or you have not taken any permission to use the music, you need to immediately remove the content from your Instagram profile. Also, never ignore the copyright infringement notice and reply to it immediately to avoid any future issues. You may also get sued if you don’t reply to the notice. So, it is better that you respond to the notice, and in case the work is yours or you have taken permission to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels, then you can attach the proof to your reply.
Wrapping Up
Instagram started as a photo-sharing app, but now it is the Instagram Reels that have been ruling the internet. Users have been using the Reels feature on Instagram and adding music to their Reels. If you are making Reels and want to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels, then you must look for other options, as you cannot use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels. So, keep exploring the Reels feature on Instagram but remember not to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I Use 30 Seconds Of Copyrighted Music On Instagram Reels?
A. Yes, you can. It is possible to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels for 30 seconds or more only if you have permission to do so.
Q2. How Do You Not Get Copyrighted On Instagram Reels Music?
A. You can use royalty free music or even create your own music so that you need not use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels and avoid any legal issues.
Q3. Can You Use Any Song You Want On Instagram Reels?
A. Yes, you can. You can try using any audio from the Instagram music library, as a huge range of songs are available on the app. But don’t use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels, as it can put you in legal trouble.
Q4. Can I Use Copyrighted Music If I Give Credit To The Copyright Owner?
A. No, you can’t. Just giving credits to the owner does not provide you with the right to use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
Q5. Can I Use Short Clips Of Copyrighted Music?
A. Yes, you can. Just using a small portion of someone’s work or using some part of another’s clip will provide you with the right to fairly use copyrighted music on Instagram Reels.
Q6. Can I Use Copyrighted Music For Personal Use?
A. No, you cannot. Even if you want to use copyrighted music for personal use, you need to obtain permission or a license for that; otherwise, it will be considered illegal, and you might get in legal trouble.
