Credit attribution is an important thing to check before you use music, sound effects, or other audio material in a published work. Being able to download material and being allowed to use it the way you want are two different things. In the end, check the terms of use given by the source that distributes the material.
What it means
Credit attribution is a way of thinking about who may use a work and under what conditions. Do not judge by the credit line alone; check which material it covers, who may use it, how, in which regions, and for how long.
What to check
Check whether commercial use is allowed, whether credit is required, and the rules on modification, redistribution, and selling the material on its own, as well as the media you may use it in. The conditions can differ for video, streaming, advertising, and games.
Keep a record
Save the material name, the source, the date you obtained it, the URL of the terms, and the required credit line alongside the project. That makes it easy to check later when you publish in more places or when someone asks.
Common misunderstandings
Free distribution, royalty-free, and waiving copyright do not mean the same thing. And even when no credit is required, that does not mean there are no other conditions.
When you are unsure
If the terms are unclear or you cannot judge your intended use, ask the distributor or refrain from using the material. This article is general information and does not constitute legal advice for any specific case.
How to check your work
Re-read the terms for each work before you publish. For the basics of audio material, see the article on audio file formats.
