As a podcaster, finding music that’s safe to use in your podcast can be challenging. The term “Podsafe” refers to music that’s legally safe to use in a podcast—ensuring that any music you use, whether full songs or background tracks, is Podsafe is crucial.
Music in podcasts and copyright
Copyright violations are a significant concern for podcasters. You cannot use someone’s creative work without their permission, including music you hear on commercial radio or TV, which is generally off-limits for podcasters.
Myths about copyright and podcasting
- There is no “10-second rule” in copyright law. Using small portions of copyrighted music isn’t allowed under fair use laws.
- Non-profit or hobby-based podcasts aren’t exempt from copyright laws. There is no non-profit exception to copyright laws.
- Attribution alone doesn’t grant you the right to redistribute someone’s work. While crediting the creator is a common courtesy, you should only do so after obtaining the legal right to use their copyrighted material.
Believing and practicing these myths can lead to serious consequences. Understanding copyright laws and the Fair Use Doctrine can be complex, but staying informed and seeking legal advice when needed to ensure your podcast’s content is compliant is essential.
To learn more about Copyright and other legal issues facing podcasters, check out the Legal Issues section and 3 Copyright Myths That Will Sink Your Podcast.
Sources for Podsafe music
To avoid copyright issues and keep your podcast legally compliant, consider the following steps when selecting music for your show:
- Explore royalty-free music libraries: These libraries offer a wide range of music you can use without worrying about copyright infringement.
- Use Creative Commons licensed music: Creative Commons licenses allow artists to share their work under specific conditions. When using music with a Creative Commons license, ensure you understand and adhere to the license terms.
- Collaborate with independent musicians: Reach out to independent musicians or local bands and ask permission to use their music in your podcast. This can be a win-win situation, exposing the artists while adding unique music to your show.
- Create your music: If you have musical talent or know someone who does, consider creating your podcast music. This ensures that the music is unique to your show and eliminates any concerns about copyright infringement.
While you may not be able to use your favorite hit songs on your show, there are alternative sources for music, that is Podsafe:
- PodcastMusic.Blubrry.com – Extensive Library of podsafe music that can be licensed; official site endorsed by Blubrry
- Free Music Archive – Extensive library of free high-quality, legal audio downloads directed by WFMU.org.
- NEO Sounds – Royalty-free music library.
- Make your own music. Audio-production programs like Apple GarageBand and a proliferation of other apps make it easy to create your own beats, loops, and full songs. These compositions are yours, and you can do whatever you want with them without fear of violating copyright restrictions.