iMovie soundtracks: can they be used on monetised YouTube videos, or are they copyrighted?

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Level 1

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iMovie soundtracks: can they be used on monetised YouTube videos, or are they copyrighted?

I have used the iMovie soundtracks as the background music on some videos that I’ve made.

I like to upload my videos to YouTube. I do not yet monetise my videos but may do in the future, so I want to check whether or not I can use the iMovie soundtracks on monetised videos? When uploading a recent video, YouTube says that the video can’t be monetised due to a copyright claim on part of the soundtrack. (The soundtrack is ‘So Young at Heart’.) However, this message has not appeared with all of the videos that I have made using iMovie soundtracks.

I’d like clarification on whether or not the iMovie soundtracks:

a) come with a licence or permission to use the track on a monetised YouTube video;

b) come with a licence or permission to be used on a YouTube video, but this cannot be monetised; or

c) cannot be used at all on YouTube videos, whether they are monetised or not.

I want to make sure that I only make videos that abide by the copyright rules.

Many thanks for your help.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 17

Posted on Dec 16, 2023 3:46 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rich839

Level 8

48,174 points

Dec 16, 2023 9:20 AM in response to BH303

You would need to consult the iMovie license agreement to determine your rights to use of the soundtrack. Of course, copyright laws being the briar patch that they are, it is always best to consult an intellectual property or copyright lawyer to determine your rights.

Apple has a website where legal questions can be posted re rights and permissions for use of its products. Here's the link:

Legal - Contact - Rights and Permissions - Apple

That being said, one way to find out what You Tube will do regarding copyright is to post a test vid on You Tube that contains the iMovie sound track, and see whether it gets a copyright claim flag. If you get a flag the claimant's name will be shown, along with whatever conditions, if any, that the claimant may grant for you to use the soundtrack. It may be outright prohibition, or restricted use as to geographical area or country, or it may require that ads appear before the video is displayed, or it may prevent monetary use. Usually, but not always, monetary use is prohibited.

You also need to check out whether distributing to the public for monetary use violates any "personal use" restrictions that may be in the applicable iMovie license agreement provisions.

-- Rich

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