Videos, livestreams, podcasts, games, and in-store BGM—once you know where you plan to use audio assets, take a moment to review the terms of use before downloading them.
Even when an asset is described as “free” or “royalty-free,” that does not automatically mean every type of use is permitted. The conditions vary by asset site and creator, including which media are allowed, whether monetization is permitted, whether attribution is required, how much editing is allowed, and whether the asset itself may be redistributed.
This article provides a practical checklist of points to review before publishing. Ultimately, always follow the information on the page where the audio asset is distributed and in its terms of use.
First, Define Where and How You Will Use It
Before reading the terms, summarize your intended use in one sentence. This makes the review much faster. For example: “I’ll use this BGM in the opening of a monetized YouTube video,” “I’ll add sound effects to a web video delivered to a client,” or “I’ll incorporate looping BGM into a game app.”
The conditions for the same audio file may differ depending on whether it is used in a social media post, advertisement, store, broadcast, app or game, or client deliverable. Check not only the asset name, but also the medium and method of publication.
Pre-Publication Checklist
1. Is Commercial Use Permitted?
Videos with ad revenue, corporate social media accounts, products for sale, client work, and use in stores or at events may be considered “commercial use” under the terms. However, each distributor may define commercial use differently.
Do not assume that any unmonetized project qualifies as personal use. Check whether the definition includes advertising, sponsored work, tips or donations, promotion, and delivery of commissioned work. Even when commercial use is allowed, a separate plan or individual permission may be required. It is important to understand the meaning of commercial use and evaluate your project against the exact wording of the terms.
2. Is Attribution Required?
Some assets require no attribution, while others require the creator’s name, asset title, or URL in a video description, end credits, website, or another specified location. If attribution is required, check whether a specific format is provided.
Even when no format is specified, recording the creator’s name and a link to the asset page makes it easier to trace the source later. Our glossary entry on credit and attribution also explains when and how to provide credit.
3. Are Cutting, Editing, and Volume Adjustments Allowed?
Common production edits include cutting an asset to length, adding fades, adjusting volume, shaping the sound with EQ or compression, and combining multiple assets. Some licenses, however, restrict modifications or specify how an edited version may be used.
Editing an asset as part of a larger work is not the same as using it in a way that harms its value or goes against the creator’s intentions. Do not stop after seeing that modifications are allowed; also review the prohibited uses and any provisions related to moral rights.
4. Does the Use Amount to Redistributing the Asset Itself?
Redistribution is one of the most important restrictions in many audio-asset licenses. You may be allowed to use the sound as part of a video, game, or podcast while still being prohibited from distributing the audio file by itself, selling it as part of another asset collection, or publishing it in a form that allows others to extract and reuse it.
Examples that require particular care include bundling a BGM file with a downloadable template, repackaging sound effects as a sample pack, or sharing the original data through cloud storage. When delivering a project to a client, explain in advance how far the client may reuse the asset to prevent misunderstandings.
5. Did You Save the Terms and Asset Page?
Terms of use can change. Keep a record for each project of the date used, asset name, asset URL, distributor, terms-of-use URL, and required attribution. For important projects, saving the terms page as a PDF or screenshot provides additional reassurance.
If you manage assets in a spreadsheet, add columns for the work in which each asset was used, the publication destination, the date checked, and the location where the terms were saved. This is especially helpful when using multiple asset sites.
If You Are Unsure, Ask Before Publishing
If your intended use is not covered by the terms, could reasonably be interpreted in more than one way, or involves a corporate project or large-scale distribution, contact the distributor or rights holder. Include the asset name, medium, publication region, whether the project is monetized or sold, and what editing you plan to do.
Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs also explains that, in principle, permission from the rights holder is required to use another person’s copyrighted work. The terms for an audio asset are an important agreement that defines the scope of that permission. The Agency’s copyright system overview is a useful source of basic information when you are unsure.
Final Check Before You Click Publish
- You have a list of the assets used and their distributors
- The publication destination, monetization, and delivery terms fall within the license
- You added attribution wherever required
- You confirmed whether cutting, editing, and incorporation are allowed
- You are not redistributing the standalone audio file
- You saved the asset page and terms of use
Completing this checklist reduces the chance that you will have to search again after publication and wonder whether you were allowed to use an asset. If you would like to start by clarifying the terminology, also see “Royalty-Free, Commercial Use, Attribution, Copyright, and Licensing Basics.”
This article provides general information only. Whether a particular use is permitted depends on the distributor’s terms and license and on the details of the actual use. If you are unsure, contact the distributor or a qualified professional.
