Is it legal to use non-royalty free music on my podcast?
Quote from Jaxon Bayldon on March 1, 2021, 10:39 amCan anyone let me know about this please
Can anyone let me know about this please
Quote from Julitta Wysocka on March 1, 2021, 10:58 amI'll answer your questions in order:
Q - Is it legal to use non-royalty free music on my podcast?
A - No. It's copyright infringement.Q - Can I just use any song I have downloaded as the intro/outro of my podcast?
A - No. It's copyright infringement.Q - Is that illegal?
A - Yes. Using other people's intellectual property without their permission is copyright infringement, and that's a criminal offense. There are exceptions (research Fair Use, for example, but remember that Fair Use is a defense you can use once the copyright holder takes you to court, NOT a loophole).Q - Will having non-royalty free music on my podcast prevent me from getting sponsors?
A - Probably? Maybe? But you'll need those sponsors to pay for your lawyer when the copyright holders of that music come after you.Q - What if I don't play the whole song?
A - The "thirty second rule" is a myth, except potentially in the case of reviews or criticism. See "fair use," above.Q -Authors quote other authors all the time - why can a podcaster not "quote" a musician?
A - Among other reasons: Because you're not quoting them, you're making a copy of their music. If you want to "quote" a song, record a cover version of it and pay for that license.--
When I launchedĀ The MWS Media Radio Show PodcastĀ (later calledĀ The DIY Endeavors Podcast) in October of 2004, I was one of the only, if not the only, podcaster who pledged to feature nothing but non-RIAA, DIY, independent, non-licensed music on my show. I had permission to play everything, with the exception of my very first show (when I didn't know any better) and one single song in a later show (because no other song felt more like a tribute to the Katrina catastrophe than Ted Hawkins' rendition of "Biloxi."
I never ran out of stuff to play. Put the word out to independent bands and watch the download links come into your inbox. (Except in my day, he says with one hand on the rocking chair, it was "compact discs" coming into my "post office box." No, really.)
I'll answer your questions in order:
Q - Is it legal to use non-royalty free music on my podcast?
A - No. It's copyright infringement.
Q - Can I just use any song I have downloaded as the intro/outro of my podcast?
A - No. It's copyright infringement.
Q - Is that illegal?
A - Yes. Using other people's intellectual property without their permission is copyright infringement, and that's a criminal offense. There are exceptions (research Fair Use, for example, but remember that Fair Use is a defense you can use once the copyright holder takes you to court, NOT a loophole).
Q - Will having non-royalty free music on my podcast prevent me from getting sponsors?
A - Probably? Maybe? But you'll need those sponsors to pay for your lawyer when the copyright holders of that music come after you.
Q - What if I don't play the whole song?
A - The "thirty second rule" is a myth, except potentially in the case of reviews or criticism. See "fair use," above.
Q -Authors quote other authors all the time - why can a podcaster not "quote" a musician?
A - Among other reasons: Because you're not quoting them, you're making a copy of their music. If you want to "quote" a song, record a cover version of it and pay for that license.
--
When I launchedĀ The MWS Media Radio Show PodcastĀ (later calledĀ The DIY Endeavors Podcast) in October of 2004, I was one of the only, if not the only, podcaster who pledged to feature nothing but non-RIAA, DIY, independent, non-licensed music on my show. I had permission to play everything, with the exception of my very first show (when I didn't know any better) and one single song in a later show (because no other song felt more like a tribute to the Katrina catastrophe than Ted Hawkins' rendition of "Biloxi."
I never ran out of stuff to play. Put the word out to independent bands and watch the download links come into your inbox. (Except in my day, he says with one hand on the rocking chair, it was "compact discs" coming into my "post office box." No, really.)
Quote from Wolfgang Mehler on March 1, 2021, 11:09 amIANAL (I am not a lawyer), so this is not intended to replace real legal advice. But....
No, you can't use music under copyright on your podcast. While I am unaware of any prosecutions that have come from such an action, I can easily see ASCAP taking such a course in the future. The legal concerns would be far worse if you had sponsorship, as ASCAP could (and would) argue that you are making money off the quality level of the podcast, which itself has been affected by using unpaid-for work.
A simple google search for royalty-free, copyright-free, and creative commons music could lead you to some sources for work able to be used in your podcast. (Be sure to credit the artists and creators on your site. That's not a law, just common courtesy.)
The exception to this is if you yourself held the copyright on the music you wished to use, but even then you'd have to make sure you acquired clearance from all participants on the writing and publishing side, as well as other potential legal concerns. Personally, unless you wrote and recorded it yourself (and used no samples), I'd stick to creative commons (and if you're looking for sponsors, make sure the creative commons license on the work you use allows for commercial use).
If you have any further questions, please consider contacting an entertainment lawyer with knowledge of the music industry.
IANAL (I am not a lawyer), so this is not intended to replace real legal advice. But....
No, you can't use music under copyright on your podcast. While I am unaware of any prosecutions that have come from such an action, I can easily see ASCAP taking such a course in the future. The legal concerns would be far worse if you had sponsorship, as ASCAP could (and would) argue that you are making money off the quality level of the podcast, which itself has been affected by using unpaid-for work.
A simple google search for royalty-free, copyright-free, and creative commons music could lead you to some sources for work able to be used in your podcast. (Be sure to credit the artists and creators on your site. That's not a law, just common courtesy.)
The exception to this is if you yourself held the copyright on the music you wished to use, but even then you'd have to make sure you acquired clearance from all participants on the writing and publishing side, as well as other potential legal concerns. Personally, unless you wrote and recorded it yourself (and used no samples), I'd stick to creative commons (and if you're looking for sponsors, make sure the creative commons license on the work you use allows for commercial use).
If you have any further questions, please consider contacting an entertainment lawyer with knowledge of the music industry.
Quote from Adam Jack on April 3, 2026, 3:31 amUsing non-royalty free music in a podcast can raise real concerns, especially when copyright issues arenāt fully understood at the start. Many people assume small projects go unnoticed, but over time it becomes clear how important proper usage rights are to avoid complications. While exploring safer options, some turn their focus toward improving their own audio content, and thatās where western vocal classes online start to feel more relevant in a practical way, often through platforms like Gandharva Music Academy. Learning how to create original vocals or improve sound quality can reduce the need to rely on restricted material. It also brings more confidence in producing content that feels authentic and legally safe. Over time, this shift makes podcasting feel more controlled and less stressful.
Using non-royalty free music in a podcast can raise real concerns, especially when copyright issues arenāt fully understood at the start. Many people assume small projects go unnoticed, but over time it becomes clear how important proper usage rights are to avoid complications. While exploring safer options, some turn their focus toward improving their own audio content, and thatās where western vocal classes online start to feel more relevant in a practical way, often through platforms like Gandharva Music Academy. Learning how to create original vocals or improve sound quality can reduce the need to rely on restricted material. It also brings more confidence in producing content that feels authentic and legally safe. Over time, this shift makes podcasting feel more controlled and less stressful.