Special offer

Royalty Free music today keeps the lawyers away!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with | Nashua Video Tours

Although the issue of using copyrighted music has been brought up many times, I constantly see videos and slideshows (that have been turned into a video format) with well known, obviously copyrighted music uploaded to Active Rain, You Tube and many other sites.  Recently, Christmas music - everywhere! In fact, it seems sometimes it's the majority of videos that have obvious copyrighted music as a background soundtrack.

YOU CANNOT DO THIS! 

Copyright issues online are being brought front and center recently, and if you think you won't get caught - think again!

If you want music for a background for a virtual tour, a video or use on your website, it's simple to just Google "royalty free music".  There are plenty of companies that will sell you completely royalty free songs in any genre to accompany your tour.  Granted, many are expensive ($25++ per song), but you can use it repeatedly with no repurcussions whatsoever.  There are even some sites that offer free music, although most is a step above rollerskating music!

To cheap?  To lazy?  YouTube now offers this service for free!  It's called "Audio Swap".  Just upload your video to YouTube.  Go into the 'edit your video" area, and there is a choice of "Audio Swap".  You can choose the length of your video and have YouTube automatically substitute your ILLEGAL music for something that is royalty free!  You can choose the genre or the artist. It will [permanently] replace the audio track with legal, royalty free music - just like that! [instructions]

YouTube Audio Swap

 

 

 

Jill McTague
RE/MAX Andrew Realty Serfvices - Medford, MA
DebOnTheWeb & Associates - Medford, MA Real Estate

Hi Fred - thanks for the tip.  I use music that has a creative common license and give the proper credit in my videos, but it's great to know there's another (and easy) resource right on YouTube.

Jan 04, 2009 09:46 PM
Shawn Davis
Home Crossings, P.C. - Davison, MI
Homes For Sale, Genesee County, Michigan

Thanks for sharing this Fred.  I always look forward to your blogs, as they are so imformative!

Shawn

Jan 05, 2009 05:55 AM
Terri Adams-Scott
J. Rockcliff, REALTORS - Walnut Creek, CA
Realtor, Walnut Creek CA Real Estate

Thanks Fred!  That's why I love Active Rain...great tips from the Pros!

Jan 07, 2009 09:32 AM
Tara Jones- Atlanta
Reel Productions TV- Real Estate Video - Dacula, GA
GA

Fred- EXCELLENT post!  We preach this all the time in our video seminars.  This little "detail" is a HUGE one if overlooked.  Good job :-)

Jan 17, 2009 12:08 PM
Fred Light
| Nashua Video Tours - Nashua, NH
Real Estate Video Tours for MA and NH

Tara:  It IS huge - and if you look at real estate videos, I would venture to guess that at least 50% are using OBVIOUSLY copyrighted music!  Software is getting very sophisticated to track this stuff down - audio, visual - they can find you if you steal copyrighted music, images, etc.!!!

Jan 17, 2009 01:28 PM
Fran and Rowena, La Canada Realtors - (818) 952-0077
Dilbeck Real Estate - La Canada, CA

Fred - thank you for this post ... even two months later!  I found it when searching online for information about royalty free music (thank you Active Rain).  It provided exactly the information I needed.  Best wishes, Fran and Rowena

Mar 27, 2009 02:33 AM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

I never saw this post but did see the reblog by Fran and Rowena.  As I mentioned there I have purchased the license to royalty free music from MusicBakery and Music2Hues over the years and relax in the knowledge that I don't have to worry about that virtual knock on the door.  I'm posting this comment here as well in case anyone needs to find good sources.

Mar 27, 2009 03:21 AM
Fred Light
| Nashua Video Tours - Nashua, NH
Real Estate Video Tours for MA and NH

Don't relax Geri...!  

Recently, I've had YouTube and VEOH both dispute videos I have uploaded because of copyright issues.  The content is 100% original and the music was licensed and PURCHASED by me (many at a cost of $50-$75 each!) - yet they still made an issue of it.  I disputed it and won, but it's still a pain in the @#$#@$.  Clearly there is some program in place to recognize what 'they' believe is copyrighted music as the notice comes within minutes after uploading.  Still disputing with VEOH, but so far I'm back in YouTube's good graces.

 

Mar 27, 2009 03:25 AM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Fred, that's frightening.  So even if you do everything right, it can still be disputed?  I have a perpetual license to use the music I purchased from both the above company's libraries.  I keep a copy of the license information and the original CDs they sent.  Is this not enough?

Mar 27, 2009 10:06 AM
Fred Light
| Nashua Video Tours - Nashua, NH
Real Estate Video Tours for MA and NH

Geri:  One would think it would be enough. YouTube disputed 4 videos that used the same song... I disputed it and they agreed it was fine.  VEOH?  Still waiting to hear from them.

I have the licensing info, etc. on the music, so I just sent it to them.

It's annoying to say the least....

Mar 27, 2009 10:27 AM
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

Just what I was looking for...thanks for anticipating my question!

May 23, 2010 06:07 AM