Copyright Best Practices For Creators

Knowledge Guide for Digital Creators utilising the Melodie Platform

Music copyright is complex, even more so in the digital realm where platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok monitor and police potential copyright infringement with automated technology across millions – sometimes billions – of videos and other forms of digital content.

There is a lot of content out there. Using YouTube as an example, more than 300 hours of content is uploaded to YouTube every minute. No human legal team could ever review this amount of data. Thus, digital platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok use technology to automate the process. The technology employed for this complex task is broadly referred to as ‘Music Recognition Technology’ (MRT). YouTube’s proprietary system is known as ‘Content ID’. 

This technology, or MRT, is effectively “Shazaming” uploaded content, comparing the uploaded audio file with a database of registered music, deciding on the fly whether or not that music track can legally be used in that particular video (and yes, it’s checking all 300 hours of content uploaded every minute).

It’s an imperfect process, and like all automation there is a small margin for error. Sometimes MRT raises incorrect copyright flags, which can lead to content being blocked or muted. Unfortunately, even in cases where the uploader has all legal rights to use that music in their uploaded content.

At Melodie, we exclusively control all rights in our catalogue and do not monetise or block any digital platforms (including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch or TikTok). 

Thankfully, this makes it easy for Digital Creators who use Melodie music to resolve copyright issues via third party digital platforms. Depending on the platform raising the copyright notice, and the situation, the below instructions will help you quickly fix any copyright issues that may arise.

1. You receive a warning (before posting a video)

At “Review requirements” stage, you might see a warning like this:

“Not all licences are the same. If you have a licence, make sure that you understand the terms of your agreement. For example, some licences allow you to include a song in your video, but don’t permit you to monetise it.”

If this is the case, you should simply tick the “I have permission to use the content from the copyright owner” box at the end and click Continue. 

2. You receive a Content ID claim

To dispute the Content ID claim you should do the following steps:

1. 1. 1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
      2. From the left menu, select Content.
      3. Find the video with the disputed claim. To refine the list, click the filter bar and select the filter Copyright claims.
      4. In the “Restrictions” column, hover over “Copyright claim” and click SEE DETAILS.
      5. Click SELECT ACTIONS, Dispute.
      6. Select “My dispute isn’t based on any of the reasons above. I would still like to dispute this Content ID claim” and press “Continue”.
      7. Select “License” and click “Continue.
      8. Click “I have permission to use the content from the copyright owner” and “Continue”.
      9. Under “Please include your license information below (required)”, enter the text below under Statement.
      10. Add a tick and your digital signature. Click “Submit”.

You should simply file a counter-notification and provide your User Licence proving that you have all the right to use Melodie tracks in your content.

1. 1. 1. Fill out all fields to the best of your ability.
      2. Under “Why you believe your content was reported incorrectly”, enter the text below under Statement.
      3. For “Evidence to substantiate your appeal or counter-claim”, upload a copy of your  User Licence.
      4. Tick boxes, write your name to sign electronically, click Submit.

1. A copyright match was found in your content  

If you received the message “Your video is partially muted due to a copyright match”, you should follow these steps:

1. 1. 1. Go to your video page.
      2. Select “Your video is partially muted due to a copyright match”.
      3. Click “See details”.
      4. Click “Continue”.
      5. Click “Continue” again.
      6. Click “Continue” again.
      7. Select “Submit dispute” and click “Continue”.
      8. Click “Open form”.
      9. Select “Licensed content”, and enter the text below under Statement.
      10. You can provide your User Licence if needed in “Additional details”.  Click “Submit”.
      11. Click “Close”.

2. Your content was removed due to a copyright claim

If your content was removed, Facebook will have sent you an email with instructions to dispute the claim. You should:

1. 1. 1. Find this email with instructions.
      2. Click the link beside the text “To File a Counter Notice, Click Here.” 
      3. Confirm your email address, name and contact information and enter the text below under Statement.
      4. Click “Submit.”

You should follow these steps:

1. 1. 1. Go to “Activity” (heart icon) in the Instagram app.
      2. Select the video blocking alert, “Video Blocked. Some people can’t view your video because etc…”
      3. Click “Appeal” in “Notice section”
      4. Enter your electronic signature, choose the “I agree” checkbox and click “Appeal”.

You should respond to the notification of claimed infringement that you received from Twitch, or email [email protected], providing the following information:

1. 1. 1. URL(s) where the material that was the subject of the notification of claimed infringement appeared before it was identified, removed or access to it was disabled.
      2. Name of the claimant who submitted the notification.
      3. Your Twitch channel name (e.g. twitch.tv/Username).
      4. Your full legal name.
      5. Your email address.
      6. Your full postal address (Street, Unit #, State, Mailing Code, Country).
      7. Your phone number, including International Code.
      8. Verify these statements by including, and adding your name to, the following affidavit: