AI-generated video content is rapidly becoming standard across social media, marketing, and online publishing. From text-to-video platforms and AI avatars to automated video editors, creators are using artificial intelligence to produce videos faster and at a larger scale than ever before.
However, music licensing for AI-generated video content follows the same copyright rules as traditional video production. The use of AI does not remove the need for proper music licenses, nor does it shift legal responsibility to the AI tool itself. Many creators only realize this after facing copyright claims, demonetization, or content takedowns.
This article explains what is legally allowed when using music in AI-generated videos, what is not, and how to license music correctly for commercial and online use-without relying on assumptions or legal gray areas.
Does AI-Generated Video Change Music Licensing Laws?
From a legal perspective, AI-generated video is treated the same as any other form of video content. Copyright law does not distinguish between visuals edited by a human and visuals generated by an algorithm. If copyrighted music is used without authorization, it constitutes copyright infringement regardless of how the video was created.
A common misconception is that AI-generated content exists outside traditional copyright frameworks. In reality, the individual or company publishing the video is legally responsible for the music used, not the AI platform that generated the visuals. AI video tools function as software providers and generally do not grant music rights unless explicitly stated in their terms.
Fair use is another frequent source of confusion. While AI-generated visuals may appear innovative or transformative, fair use analysis focuses primarily on how the music itself is used. Automated editing or AI-assisted creation does not change the legal requirements for using copyrighted audio.
In practical terms, AI simplifies video production- but it does not simplify music licensing.
Music Rights You Need to Know for AI-Generated Videos
When licensing music for AI-generated video content, two separate copyrights are always involved. Ignoring either one is one of the most common reasons creators receive copyright claims, even when they believe they are properly covered.
The Master Recording Right
The master recording right applies to the specific audio recording used in a video. If you use a particular track-whether it is a popular song, a stock music file, or a piece of AI-generated music-you need permission to use that exact recording.
Using a recording without clearing the master recording right can trigger automated enforcement systems such as YouTube Content ID, regardless of whether the visuals are AI-generated, heavily edited, or used only in the background.
The Composition (Publishing) Right
The composition right covers the underlying musical work, including the melody, harmony, and structure of the music. This right exists independently from the recording itself.
Even if a song is recreated or generated using AI, the composition may still be protected by copyright. This is why producing “sound-alike” music with AI can be legally risky if the result is clearly derived from a copyrighted composition.
Why AI Does Not Bypass These Rights
AI video tools do not clear music rights on a creator’s behalf unless this is explicitly stated in a license. The same applies to AI music generators: unless users are clearly granted rights to both the recording and the composition, the music may not be legally usable in commercial or monetised videos.
For AI-generated video content, both rights must be owned or properly licensed, just as they would be for any traditional video production.
What Music You Can and Cannot Use in AI-Generated Videos
Using music legally in AI-generated videos is not complicated-but it requires clear, explicit rights. The following scenarios cover both safe uses and common mistakes.
Properly Licensed Stock Music
Stock music is one of the safest options for AI-generated video content, provided the license explicitly allows:
- Use in online video
- Commercial and monetized content
- Paid advertising
- Distribution across platforms
- Use in AI-generated or automated video content
Not all stock music licenses are equivalent. Some restrict use in advertising, client work, or resale-based projects-categories that many AI-generated videos fall into by default. A valid license should be platform-agnostic and not tied to a specific AI tool.
Creators should always retain proof of license, including invoices and license terms, in case of copyright claims or platform reviews.
Original Music You Own or Commercial Music
Music you compose yourself can be used freely in AI-generated videos, as long as you retain full rights. The same applies to music created for you under a work-for-hire agreement or an exclusive license.
Commissioning music without written confirmation of rights does not automatically transfer ownership. For commercial AI video content, ownership or exclusive licensing should always be documented.
Public Domain Music (With Limitations)
Public domain music can be used without licensing only if both the composition and the recording are in the public domain. Many recordings of public domain works are still protected by copyright.
For AI-generated videos, public domain music is safest when sourced from clearly verified public domain recordings, not from modern or commercial performances.
Using Popular or Commercial Music
Using well-known songs in AI-generated videos requires the same licenses as any other video production. The fact that visuals are AI-generated does not make the music use transformative or exempt from copyright law.
Short clips, background use, or heavily stylised visuals do not automatically qualify as fair use. Copyrighted music is routinely detected on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram through automated systems.
Without proper licensing, this can result in content takedowns, monetisation loss, copyright strikes, or account-level restrictions.
Built-In Music From AI Video Tools
Many AI video platforms include built-in music libraries. These licenses are often:
- Non-transferable
- Limited to use within the platform
- Restricted to personal or non-commercial projects
- Invalid once the video is exported or monetized elsewhere
Creators frequently assume these tracks are royalty-free for any use, when in reality the license may only apply inside the tool itself.
Misinterpreting “Royalty-Free” Licenses
“Royalty-free” does not mean unrestricted. Common limitations include prohibitions on paid advertising, client work, resale, or use in templates and products.
Because many AI-generated videos are commercial by default, misunderstanding these terms is a major source of licensing violations.
AI-Generated Music and Platform-Specific Risks
AI-generated music is increasingly used alongside AI-generated video, but its legal status is more complex than many creators assume.
Is AI-Generated Music Safe to Use?
Some AI music tools claim to produce “copyright-free” or “royalty-free” tracks. In practice, this depends on the tool’s training data, licensing model, and terms of use. If an AI system was trained on copyrighted music without authorization, questions may arise about whether the output infringes existing compositions.
Ownership is another issue. Many platforms do not grant users full or exclusive rights. The music may be non-exclusive, partially owned by the platform, or restricted for advertising and monetization.
As a result, AI-generated music can introduce uncertainty rather than eliminate licensing concerns.
YouTube, TikTok, and Client Work
Even when music appears to be properly licensed, AI-generated videos can still face platform-specific restrictions. Understanding how major platforms handle music is essential for avoiding demonetisation or content removal.
- YouTube and Content ID
YouTube’s Content ID system scans audio automatically, including stock music and AI-generated tracks. Licensed music can still trigger claims if the track exists in Content ID databases. In these cases, creators must be able to provide valid proof of license to resolve the claim.
For AI-generated video content, this means keeping license documentation accessible and ensuring the license explicitly allows monetization on YouTube.
- TikTok and Instagram Reels
TikTok and Instagram differentiate between personal and business accounts. Business or commercial accounts often lose access to popular music libraries, even when the same tracks are available to personal users.
AI-generated videos published for marketing, branding, or monetized purposes typically fall under commercial use. Using trending music without proper licensing can result in muted videos or limited distribution.
- Client, Brand, and Commercial Projects
When AI-generated videos are created for clients or brands, music licensing standards are higher. Brands usually require:
- Clear commercial rights
- Platform-independent licenses
- Transferable usage rights
- Proof of license ownership
Music that is acceptable for personal AI projects may not meet the legal requirements for professional or client-facing content.
How to License Music Safely for AI-Generated Video Content
When publishing AI-generated video content, safe music licensing comes down to clarity-not shortcuts. If you cannot clearly explain what rights you have to use a track, that uncertainty will eventually surface.
Before publishing or delivering an AI-generated video, creators should verify that:
- The license explicitly allows use in video content
- Commercial use and monetization are permitted
- The license applies across platforms
- Paid advertising and client work are allowed
- Proof of license can be provided if challenged
AI-generated visuals do not reduce licensing requirements. In fact, because AI video is often created at scale, unclear music rights create greater risk, not less.
For creators looking for a reliable way to license music for AI-generated videos, using a library with clear, platform-independent licensing terms is essential. Bensound offers music licenses that explicitly cover online video, monetisation, and commercial use, helping creators avoid uncertainty when publishing AI-generated content.
As AI video continues to evolve, choosing properly licensed music remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your work.
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