Using Podsafe Music
- What is podsafe music?
- Using podsafe music
- 1. Music of signed artists
- 2. Music of unsigned artists
- 3. Music of which the copyright has expired
- Websites that contain podsafe music
What is podsafe music?
Podsafe refers to a track that is legally permissible to use in a podcast. This is possible, because the band or artist is either not signed to a label or recorded their tracks under the Creative Commons licence. Independent artists often make their compositions available as podsafe music in order to get free publicity and airplay.
Artists can submit their own podsafe music on certain websites. Podcasters can sign up on those websites and use the music for their shows.
Using podsafe music
In order to use music in your podcasts, you need to be aware of the fact that there are 3 types of music:
- Music of signed artists
- Music of unsigned artists
- Music of which the copyright has expired
1. Music of signed artists
These artist are signed by record labels. Using this type of music in your podcasts means you have to pay royalties. So don't use it for free!
2. Music of unsigned artists
This kind of music contains everything you create yourself and all music from musicians who are not signed by any record label.
3. Music with expired copyright
The copyright on music is temporary: It expires after a curtain term. The overall rule is: There is copyright on music tracks until seventy years after the first release.
This rule is not as easy as it looks, so read more about this one at our Legal section!
So, the easiest way to put music in your podcast is by using podsafe music. You don’t have to pay royalties or whatsoever. There are only two things to do: Register the music you are using on the podsafe music website (so the artists knows how much airplay they are getting) and mention the name of the artist and the site you got it from in your show.
Websites that contain podsafe music: