With Facebook Live, you can broadcast live video to your followers on Facebook. This provides a great opportunity to connect with your audience in real time. However, if you want to include copyrighted music in your Facebook Live streams, you need to be aware of Facebook’s rules and restrictions regarding copyrighted content.
Quick Answer
You cannot legally stream copyrighted music on Facebook without permission from the rights holder. Facebook’s Terms of Service prohibit unauthorized use of copyrighted content. If you stream with copyrighted music, your video may be blocked, muted, or removed, and your account may be suspended.
Can I Play Copyrighted Music in My Facebook Live Videos?
The short answer is no. Just like other social platforms, Facebook prohibits the unauthorized use of copyrighted material in live videos and elsewhere on their platform. This includes music, video clips, images etc. According to their Terms of Service:
“You will not post unauthorized commercial communications (such as spam) on or through the Facebook Products.”
“You will not upload, post, transmit, share, store or otherwise make available any content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights of any party.”
So if you do not have direct permission or a license from the rights holder, you cannot legally stream songs or recorded music in your Facebook Live broadcasts. Doing so would be considered copyright infringement.
What Happens if You Use Copyrighted Music in Facebook Live?
If you use copyrighted music without authorization, there are a few things that may happen:
- Your video may be blocked – This means it will be restricted from playing and unable to be viewed by anyone.
- Your video may be muted – The audio containing the unauthorized music will be muted but the video will still play.
- Your video may be removed – Facebook may remove the infringing content completely from their platform.
- Your account may be suspended – Repeat copyright violations could lead to your account being temporarily or permanently suspended.
Facebook uses automated systems to detect when copyrighted content is used without permission. So you may face consequences even if the rights holder does not manually report your video.
How Can I Legally Use Music in Facebook Live Videos?
Here are some ways you can legally include music in your Facebook Live broadcasts:
- Use music from free stock media sites – Many sites like Free Music Archive and Free Stock Music provide copyright free songs you can use.
- Use music you have licensed – If you purchase a license to use a song, you can broadcast it.
- Use music from artists who allow it – Some artists allow non-commercial use of their music.
- Use music under Creative Commons – Songs labeled as CC-BY can be adapted and shared.
- Broadcast live performances – You can live stream your own performances of cover songs.
Always check the terms of any music you want to use to ensure it’s properly licensed for your purpose.
Can I Mute Copyrighted Music in Replays?
Facebook Live videos replay automatically after your broadcast ends. This allows anyone who missed it live to watch the recorded video on your Page or Profile.
If you used copyrighted music in your original live stream, you should remove or mute the audio with the unauthorized content before allowing replays. Otherwise, your recorded video could still be detected and restricted by Facebook.
To edit your Facebook Live video replays:
- Go to your Facebook Page
- Click “Videos” on the left side
- Select your Facebook Live video
- Click the “Edit Video” button
- Use editing tools to mute any sections with unauthorized music
- Save changes and allow the edited version to replay
Can You Use Background Music in Facebook Live Videos?
You may have seen creators streaming on Facebook Live with popular songs quietly playing in the background. Unfortunately, this is still considered unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
Background music in your broadcasts should follow the same rules. Without direct permission or a proper license, you cannot legally include commercial songs, even at a quiet volume in your streams.
Does the Length of the Song Matter?
Whether you play 10 seconds or 10 minutes of a copyrighted song, it still counts as unauthorized use. There is no “free sample” length or duration that you can safely play without permission.
Can I Stream Cover Songs on Facebook Live?
Performing and streaming your own cover version of a popular song requires no approval from rights holders. Live performances of cover songs are generally allowed, even on Facebook Live.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- You cannot use the original studio recording – Your cover performance must be completely unique.
- You cannot imply endorsement from the artist – Don’t suggest the original artist endorses you in any way.
- You cannot change lyrics without permission – Changing words requires approval from the rights holder.
As long as your cover song follows these rules, streaming it live on Facebook would not be infringing on copyright.
Conclusion
Copyright rules apply to Facebook Live just as they do on other platforms. You cannot legally stream copyrighted music without permission from rights holders. Doing so could lead to muting, removal of content, or account suspension.
To safely include music in your Facebook Live broadcasts, use copyright-free songs, properly licensed music, live performances of cover songs, or get direct approval from artists. Following these best practices will help you avoid any issues with unauthorized use of copyrighted content.
| Can I… | Legally Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Stream a full studio recording of a popular song | No |
| Use 10 seconds of a song as background music | No |
| Stream my own live performance of a cover song | Yes |
| Use music from free stock media sites | Yes |
| Use a song I properly licensed | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- You cannot legally stream copyrighted music in Facebook Live without permission.
- Using unauthorized music could lead to muting, removal, or suspension.
- Use free copyright-free music, properly licensed songs, live covers, or get artist approval.
- Music rules apply even for background music or short clips.
- Edit replays to remove any unauthorized music used in the live video.
Following these copyright guidelines will help you safely share music in your Facebook Live broadcasts without issues.