Copyright & Content Licensing for YouTube Streamers - Stay Safe
Avoid copyright strikes and Content ID claims. Learn what content you can legally use for 24/7 streaming and where to find it.
Why Copyright Protection Matters
Using copyrighted content without permission can destroy your channel. Three copyright strikes = permanent ban. Even one strike disables monetization for 90 days and prevents live streaming.
Understanding Content Types & Risks
Original Content
Content you create yourself
- Your own music compositions
- Videos you filmed and edited
- Your voice recordings and podcasts
Public Domain
Content with expired or waived copyright
- Classical music (Beethoven, Mozart)
- Old films (pre-1928)
- Government works (NASA footage)
Creative Commons (CC0, CC-BY)
Free to use with attribution
- Music from Free Music Archive
- Videos from Pexels/Pixabay
- Sounds from Freesound.org
Royalty-Free Licensed
Purchased license for commercial use
- Epidemic Sound subscription
- AudioJungle purchased tracks
- Artlist music library
Copyrighted Music
Popular songs, albums, commercial music
- Billboard Top 100
- Spotify playlists
- Radio songs
TV Shows & Movies
Clips, scenes, or full content from media
- Netflix shows
- Disney movies
- Anime episodes
Best Sources for Copyright-Free Music
Music is the #1 cause of copyright claims on YouTube. Here are legitimate sources for 24/7 streaming:
| Source | Cost | License | Quality | Music Variety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Audio Library | Free | No attribution required | Good | Medium |
| Epidemic Sound | Paid ($15/mo) | Commercial use included | Excellent | Massive |
| Free Music Archive | Free | Varies (check each track) | Good | Large |
| Incompetech | Free | CC-BY (attribution required) | Good | Large |
| Artlist | Paid ($15/mo) | Unlimited commercial use | Excellent | Large |
💡 Pro Tip: For 24/7 lofi streams, Epidemic Sound and Artlist offer unlimited downloads for ~$15/month. The investment pays for itself if it prevents even one copyright strike.
YouTube Copyright Actions: What Happens
Content ID Claim
Low Risk- Copyright owner gets ad revenue from your video
- Video stays live but you earn nothing
- May be muted or blocked in some countries
How to Resolve: Dispute if you have rights, or accept claim and lose revenue.
Copyright Strike (1st)
Medium Risk- Video removed immediately
- Cannot upload for 1 week
- Cannot live stream for 90 days
- Strike expires after 90 days (if no new strikes)
How to Resolve: File counter-notification if wrongful, or wait 90 days.
Copyright Strike (2nd)
High Risk- Cannot upload for 2 weeks
- Lose monetization eligibility
- Both strikes must expire (90 days each) before monetization returns
How to Resolve: Same as above. Be extremely careful.
Copyright Strike (3rd)
Critical Risk- Channel permanently terminated
- All videos deleted
- Cannot create new channels
- Associated accounts also terminated
How to Resolve: Cannot be resolved. Channel is gone forever.
Copyright-Safe Streaming Checklist
Focus on Growth, Not Copyright Issues
TheLoops Dashboard makes it easy to use copyright-safe content. Our team can help you find the right music and content sources for your 24/7 stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Giving credit is NOT permission. You need explicit license or copyright-free music. Saying "No copyright infringement intended" or "All rights belong to..." does not protect you.
Be cautious. Some are legitimate, but many mislabel copyrighted music. Always verify the source and license. If it sounds too good to be true (popular songs labeled "NCS"), it probably is.
No. The "10 second rule" is a myth. Fair use doesn't have a time limit and applies to commentary, criticism, or education - not background music. YouTube's Content ID detects even 3-second clips.
Still infringement. Changing pitch, speed, or adding effects doesn't create a new copyright. You need permission from the original copyright holder to create derivative works.
Depends. Some game publishers allow it (Nintendo generally doesn't), others are fine with gameplay but not isolated soundtracks. Check the publisher's content policy or use music-free versions.