Music & Social Media: How to Avoid Costly Legal Pitfalls

Let’s face it: social media without music would be like Paris without croissants—unthinkable! From TikTok dance trends to Instagram reels, music sets the mood and hooks your audience. But here’s the kicker: using your favorite tune could cost you big if you’re not careful.

Let’s explore how companies have landed in hot water recently and, more importantly, how to avoid falling into the same trap. Trust me, a lawyer knocking on your door is never as fun as a trending video.

In May 2024, Sony Music Entertainment cranked up the volume by suing Marriott International for using unlicensed music in promotional videos. The claim? Marriott's social media content featured Sony’s tracks without proper permission. The result? Sony is demanding a cool $139 million in damages. Ouch!

Marriott isn’t the only one who hit a sour note. A baseball team felt the burn after using a famous Space Jam song in a Facebook post in 2023. Even though it was just a short clip, they were smacked with legal action. Moral of the story? Even a brief musical moment can lead to a costly encore in court.

What You Need to Know

When it comes to music on social media, there are two key copyrights you need to be aware of: the composition copyright (the song itself) and the sound recording copyright (the recorded version). Different parties usually own these, so using a track in your social media content often requires a synch license. This applies whether you’re creating TikToks, Instagram reels, or even just showing off your cat’s latest antics.

The Cost of Not Playing By the Rules

If you’re caught without the proper licenses, the fines can be eye-watering. We’re talking $750 to $150,000 per song—yes, you read that right. And if the copyright holder believes the infringement was intentional, the price tag can skyrocket. Imagine ordering a baguette and ending up with the whole bakery’s bill!

Before you hit “post” on your next masterpiece, here’s how to ensure you’re in the clear:

1. Double-check your licenses. Even if the platform provides music, confirm it’s licensed for commercial use.
2. Regularly audit your content. Make sure every track you’ve used has the correct permissions.
3. Influencers beware. If you work with influencers, they need to follow the same rules.
4. Use a monitoring software. These tools can help flag unlicensed music before you’re in trouble.

Hudba dělá sociální sítě živějšími, ale také může pěkně zatížit vaši peněženku, pokud nebudete opatrní. Se správnými opatřeními můžete svůj obsah udržet legální a zároveň zábavný.

Sdílejte s rozumem, zůstaňte v právu a šířte dobré vibrace. Protože co je lepšího než virální hit bez právních následků, že?