License is a key term to check before using music, sound effects or other audio material in a published work. Being able to download material is not the same as being allowed to use it the way you want. In the end, always check the terms of use given by the distributor.
Basic meaning
A license is the framework for thinking about who may use a work and under what conditions. Do not judge from a label alone; check the conditions covering which material, which users, which uses, which regions and which time periods.
What to check
Check commercial use, credit requirements, modification, redistribution, selling the material on its own, and the media it may be used in. Conditions can differ for video, streaming, advertising and games.
Keep records
Store the material’s name, its source, the date you obtained it, the URL of the terms, and any required credit alongside the project. That makes things easy to verify when you add release channels later or receive an inquiry.
Common misunderstandings
Free distribution, royalty-free and waiving copyright are not the same thing. And even when no credit is required, that does not mean there are no other conditions.
When in doubt
If the terms are unclear or you cannot tell whether your use is covered, ask the distributor or refrain from using the material. This article is general information and does not constitute a legal judgment for a specific case.
The basics
Re-check the terms for each work before publishing. The basics of audio material are covered in the audio file format article.
