Copyright Free Music
People often get confused and refer or search for 'non-copyright’ music but this is an incorrect term. The right term is ‘free-to-use-music’ or 'copyright free music'.
Non-copyrighted music or free-to-use-music is music that is not protected by copyright. This means that any person can use, perform, or sell the song since it is not registered under copyright laws. Common examples of non-copyrighted music include:
· Songs personally composed by individual or independent performers
· Informal 'jingles' or tunes composed for specific purposes
Songs associated with tradition or common use
Songs which are in the public domain
If a work is old enough, it is likely that the copyright protection for that work has ended and it will be considered in the public domain. The term “public domain” refers to creative materials that are not protected by intellectual property laws. The public owns these works, not an individual author or artist. Anyone can use a public domain work without obtaining permission, but no one can own it.
The same term of "non-copyrighted music" is "copyright-free music". Nowadays, many Youtubers try to seek for copyright-free music for their videos without being punished by Youtube for copyright infringement. The phrase "copyright-free" does not suit in this position, because whatever the distribution or license of music, the creator possesses his/her copyright on the music until its expiration. Therefore, "copyright-free" means that a piece of music could be downloaded freely without being tracked by the Youtube system. In other words, copyright-free music can be used freely in Youtubers' videos without getting copyright claims. In this case, the owner of copyright is offering you the right to copy his music for your purposes. Copyright-free music should be distinguished with Royalty-free Music. The term "Royalty-free" does not mean that the music is free of charge, but it means that you pay only once for the product and you can make use of it as long as you desire.