What is Royalty Free Music?

There are plenty of inaccuracies and misconceptions about royalty free music that need to be set straight, and this post will help to put things in perspective. First off, it is important to understand the definition of music royalties. Basically, royalty payments for music are paid to the legal owner(s) of the copyrighted works. Royalties are generally instituted as a way of compensating music composers or copyright holders for the use of their music. Royalties, therefore, are legally binding, and to forfeit payment is considered an offense in the eyes of the law.

What Does Royalty Free Mean?

Now that the concept of royalties has been defined, it is indispensable to move a step further and describe what royalty free music means. Many people think that the term royalty free means that no license or fee should be paid to the music copyright owner. In actuality, it refers to a kind of music licensing that enables the music buyer to purchase a one-time license, allowing the music to be used over a stipulated period. For instance, if you’re creating a video for YouTube and need a song to accompany the visuals, you could access a suitable royalty free song by purchasing a one-time license. This payment allows you to legally use the song(s) in your video without additional royalty payments. Learn more about this in our Selecting the Perfect Royalty-Free Tracks for Your Content blog post.

Is Royalty Free Music Free?

There is a misconception that royalty free music means it is automatically free. This is not always the case. For example, selling a tax-free product does not necessarily mean it is free. In many cases, a one-time fee allows the buyer to purchase a license that nullifies subsequent royalty payments. However, when music is offered by an artist or copyright holder for free, the buyer is expected to credit the artist in return. This mutual arrangement benefits both parties—the buyer gets suitable music, and the artist receives promotion through credit attribution.

Is Royalty Free Music Copyrighted?

Any person who creates music is the automatic copyright owner, which means there is no such thing as copyright-free music. In cases where the copyright owner allows their music to be used for any purpose, the final user is granted the “right to copy.” In this scenario, the music is free but not devoid of copyright protection. For more insights, check out our The Right Way to Deal with Copyright Notices blog post.

Quality of Royalty Free Music

Basically, any kind of music can be licensed as royalty free music. The choice of licensing does not inherently affect the quality of the music. The quality ultimately depends on the musician or producer. Many music producers take time to craft high-quality compositions, even when licensing them as royalty free. This means royalty free music does not have to be of a lower standard. You can find high-quality tracks in our music library.

Pricing of Royalty Free Music

The cost of royalty free music varies widely. The price is typically determined by the copyright owner and can range from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars. It is a market-driven sector where prices are based on a willing-buyer-willing-seller basis.

Common Terms for Royalty Free Music

The concept of royalty free music is quite diverse and often described using various terms, such as:

Pre-licensed Music Library
Single Fee Music
Single Fee Production Music
Pre-Paid Production Music
Stock Music Licensing

Why is Royalty Free Music Important?

In the past, royalty free music was primarily used for TV productions because it allowed producers to easily add soundtracks without dealing with the complexities of traditional licensing. Today, the digital era has made royalty free music accessible online, with many composers offering their music on various platforms. This convenience benefits both music buyers and composers. Buyers can legally acquire music for platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or podcasts, while composers gain exposure and direct access to a global audience. Explore more about this topic in our The Power of Music blog post.

Royalty free music encourages the use of legal music for video or sound-based productions, ensuring content creators avoid potential penalties such as content bans or legal action. It’s a straightforward way to access legal music and support composers. Learn why it’s a good idea in our Why Choose HookSounds blog post.