Copyright free music for client videos

Copyright free music for client videos splits into the video and the file. The license follows the video. It does not let you sell the recording.

You can deliver this

An organic YouTube video, Reel, TikTok, or podcast for a client, posted on their channel, using the track inside footage you or they shot. The client gets the same permission you have, because the permission is about the use, not about your invoice. Credit is optional. Tell the client the license URL so they are not guessing.

A freelancer does not need a special seat or a paid plan. There is no plan.

You cannot deliver this

The wav or mp3 as a product. A sublicense that says the client now owns the master. An advertisement, a broadcast spot, or a film. Those need a written yes from arctaholic@gmail.com before you picture-lock. See ads.

If the client later boosts the organic post into a paid ad, they need that yes first. Warn them in the delivery note.

Put the license URL in the delivery email so the client is not relying on a paraphrase of the rules.

Copyright free music for client videos, the edit and not the file

Copyright free music for client videos follows the video. It does not let you sell the recording. You may deliver an organic YouTube video, Reel, TikTok, or podcast for a client, posted on their channel, using the track inside footage you or they shot. The client gets the same permission you have, because the permission is about the use. There is no freelancer seat and no paid plan. Put the license URL in the delivery email so they are not relying on your paraphrase.

You may charge for the edit. You may not charge for the wav as a product, warrant that you own the master, or hand over a sublicense that says the client now owns the song. Say, in the contract, that the music is used under Arctaholic’s public license, and link it.

An advertisement, a broadcast spot, and a film are not the organic delivery. Those need a written yes from arctaholic@gmail.com before you picture-lock. If the client boosts the organic post later, they need that yes first. Warn them in the delivery note, in one sentence, so the boost is their choice and not a surprise.

The Copyright Office fair use FAQ is not what you give the client. Give them the license URL. Fair use is not the grant, and you should not warrant a fair-use theory you do not need.

Put three sentences in the delivery email every time. The music is used under the public license, and here is the URL. The wav is not part of the delivery and is not theirs to resell. An ad or a boost needs a separate written yes before it runs. Then send the exported video. Keep their photo release and your music note as two attachments so a later argument does not mix a face in the frame with the song. Charge for the hours. Do not put the song title on the invoice as a line item you sold. The invoice is for the edit. The song was already free to use inside that edit.

Questions

Should the contract say the music is mine?

No. Say the music is used under Arctaholic’s public license, and link it. Do not warrant that you own the master.

Can I charge the client for the edit?

Yes. Your labor is yours. The charge cannot be for the song file itself.