Licensed music library, and what you confirm for songs from elsewhere
TikTok USDS Joint Venture offers users a library of licensed music from which songs can be selected for videos. If you include a song that you did not choose from that licensed library, you confirm that you are the creator of the music and/or that you have all the rights and permissions needed to use it in your video.
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TikTok USDS Joint Venture offers its users a library of licensed music from which songs may be selected for inclusion in videos.
If you include in your video a song that was not chosen from the licensed library, then you confirm that you are the creator of that music and/or that you have all the rights and permissions needed to use that music in your video.
Qualifications & exceptions
The confirmation applies to songs not chosen from the licensed library
Creator status and holding all needed rights are joined by "and/or"
Not stated here
The text does not say how or when TikTok checks the confirmation.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No rights in music are licensed to you except as these terms expressly say
You acknowledge that, except as the Music Terms expressly provide, neither the TikTok Terms of Service nor the Music Terms license you any rights in music. This covers both the sound recordings and the underlying compositions embodied in them.
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Except as expressly set out in these Music Terms, you acknowledge that no rights in the music—either in the sound recordings or the underlying compositions embodied in them—are licensed to you under the TikTok Terms of Service or these Music Terms.
Qualifications & exceptions
Exception: rights expressly set out in the Music Terms
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Include music only if you are sure you have the rights or permissions
Section 3 describes ways you may choose to include music in videos. In short, TikTok says you should only include music in a video if you are sure that you have the rights or permissions to do so. The wording is "should", an expectation stated in plain terms rather than a defined penalty.
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In short, you should only include music in a video if you are sure that you have the rights or permissions to do so.
Qualifications & exceptions
Phrased as "should"
Not stated here
The page does not state consequences for including music without rights in this passage.
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Sounds from the general music library are for personal, non-commercial use
Music in TikTok's general music library, called Sounds, is made available to individual users to include in their videos so long as the videos are only for personal entertainment and non-commercial purposes. You shouldn't use a music recording from Sounds for any commercial purpose, including associating the music with or promoting a brand or business, unless you have obtained the necessary rights to use the music in that manner.
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Sounds are made available to individual users to include in their videos, so long as the videos are only for personal entertainment and non-commercial purposes.
You shouldn’t use a music recording from Sounds for any commercial purpose–including associating the music with, or promoting, a brand or business–unless you have obtained the necessary rights to use the music in that manner.
Qualifications & exceptions
Available to individual users
Only for personal entertainment and non-commercial purposes
Commercial use needs the necessary rights obtained separately
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Commercial Sounds are for Commercial Users, with their own terms and an on-Platform sharing limit
TikTok also has a Commercial Music Library, whose music is called Commercial Sounds. Unlike Sounds, Commercial Sounds are made available to brands, businesses, commercial entities, advertisers or other Platform users, including individuals, who may be using the Platform for commercial purposes; together these are defined as a "Commercial User". Recordings chosen from this library can be used to promote a brand or for other commercial purposes. Your use of Commercial Sounds is governed by the separate Commercial Music Library Terms. Videos that include Commercial Sounds created on the Platform may be shown or shared within the Platform and through its sharing features; uses outside the Platform need separate permission and licenses from all necessary rights holders unless the Commercial Music Library User Terms otherwise authorize them.
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Commercial Sounds are made available to brands, businesses, commercial entities, advertisers or other Platform users (including individuals) that may be using the Platform for commercial purposes (collectively defined as a “Commercial User”).
Music recordings selected from the Commercial Music Library can be used to promote a brand or for other commercial purposes.
Your use of the Commercial Sounds is governed by the Commercial Music Library Terms
You may show or share videos that include Commercial Sounds created on the Platform within the Platform and using the sharing features on the Platform. Any uses outside of the Platform require you to obtain separate permission and license the necessary rights directly from all necessary rights holders unless otherwise authorized by the
Qualifications & exceptions
Commercial Sounds are available to a "Commercial User"; an individual using the Platform for commercial purposes can qualify
Sharing is permitted within the Platform and through its sharing features
Uses outside the Platform require separate permission unless authorized by the Commercial Music Library User Terms
Not stated here
The Commercial Music Library User Terms are linked but not supplied in this saved source, so what they separately authorize is not stated here.
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Audio you upload yourself (Original Sounds) is governed by the TikTok Terms of Service
You can also upload audio from your own device, such as audio that contains music TikTok has licensed for use on the Platform or your own original work, by including that music directly in your TikTok video. TikTok calls this "Original Sounds". Your use of Original Sounds is governed by the TikTok Terms of Service.
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you can also upload audio from your own personal device, such as audio that contains music we’ve licensed for use on the Platform or your own original work, by including such music directly in your TikTok video ("Original Sounds").
Your use of Original Sounds is governed by the TikTok Terms of Service.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to audio you include directly in your own video from your own device
Not stated here
The page does not say how licensed music in uploaded audio is verified.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Commercial Users and Original Sounds: do not reuse others' sounds; confirm your rights for your own
If you are a Commercial User, you should not use an Original Sound uploaded by another user. If you are a Commercial User and you upload an Original Sound to your video, you confirm that one of three things is true: (i) you own all the rights to the music in the video; (ii) the music is otherwise permitted by law; or (iii) you have permission from all necessary rights holders to use the Original Sound on the Platform.
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If you’re a Commercial User, you should not use an Original Sound uploaded by another user.
If you're a Commercial User and you upload an Original Sound to your video, you confirm that (i) you own all the rights to the music included in the video; or (ii) the music is otherwise permitted by law; or (iii) you have permission from all necessary rights holders to use the Original Sound on the Platform.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to a Commercial User
The confirmation is satisfied by any one of the three alternatives (i), (ii) or (iii)
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
You must follow the Section 4 music rules, which sit alongside legal uses of music
To use music on the Platform you must follow the rules listed in Section 4. Section 8 adds a qualification: while you must comply with the Music Terms, not all music is protected by copyright and not all uses of copyrighted music would be unauthorized or require obtaining permission. Examples given are public-domain works and uses that qualify for an exception or limitation to copyright infringement, such as parody or pastiche, in jurisdictions that recognize fundamental user rights.
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to use music on our Platform, you must follow a few rules.
While you must comply with these Music Terms, not all music is protected by copyright and not all uses of copyrighted music would be unauthorized or require obtaining permission.
Qualifications & exceptions
Complying with the Music Terms is still required
The legal-use examples depend on the jurisdiction recognizing the exception or limitation
Not stated here
The text does not say how TikTok treats a legally permitted use that breaks one of the Section 4 rules.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Outside Commercial Sounds, music is for personal, non-commercial purposes only
Unless you have selected a sound from the list of Commercial Sounds, music should only be used for personal, non-commercial purposes. Any other use of music to sponsor, promote, co-brand or advertise, or in a way that creates an association between the music and a brand, product, good or service, is prohibited unless you have obtained separate permissions and all necessary rights.
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Unless you’ve selected a sound from our list of Commercial Sounds, music should only be used for personal, non-commercial purposes.
Any other use of music to sponsor, promote, co-brand or advertise or in a way that creates an association between the music and a brand, product, good or service is prohibited unless you have obtained separate permissions and all necessary rights.
Qualifications & exceptions
Exception: a sound selected from the Commercial Sounds list
Exception: separate permissions and all necessary rights obtained
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Music duration may be limited; up to one minute is generally permitted
TikTok's global music license agreements may require it to place limits on how long the music in your video can be. Specific limitations vary, but uses of music up to one minute in length are generally permitted.
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Our global music license agreements may require us to place limits on the duration of music that can be used in your video. While specific limitations vary, uses of music up to one minute in length are generally permitted.
Qualifications & exceptions
Limits "may" be required
Specific limitations vary
One minute is described as "generally" permitted
Not stated here
The specific limits that apply to a given piece of music are not listed.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Do not alter the fundamental character of copyrighted music without rights
You cannot edit or alter the fundamental character of any copyrighted music, unless you created the underlying music or otherwise have the rights or permissions to do so.
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You can not edit or alter the fundamental character of any copyrighted music, unless you created the underlying music or otherwise have the rights or permissions to do so.
Qualifications & exceptions
Exception: you created the underlying music
Exception: you otherwise have the rights or permissions
Not stated here
The text does not define what changes the "fundamental character" of music.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Do not use music as stand-alone audio without a video
You should not use music separately as stand-alone audio without an accompanying video.
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You should not use music separately as stand-alone audio without an accompanying video.
Qualifications & exceptions
Phrased as "should not"
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No illegal uses; no political uses without permission from all rights holders
Do not use music in an illegal manner, in connection with illegal content, or in violation of the Community Guidelines. Music also should not be used in a political context or for political purposes unless you have separately obtained permission from all of the rights holders to do so.
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Don’t use music in an illegal manner, in connection with illegal content, or in violation of our Community Guidelines.
music shouldn’t be used in a political context or for political purposes unless you have separately obtained permission from all of the rights holders to do so.
Qualifications & exceptions
Political use exception: separate permission from all of the rights holders
Not stated here
The text does not define "political context or … political purposes".
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Commercial Sounds can be used for brand, advertising and sponsorship purposes
Music selected from the Commercial Sounds list can be used for business or commercial uses, such as use in association with a brand, logo, trademark or other brand-identifying characteristics. Commercial Sounds are also made available for advertising, marketing, endorsing, sponsoring or publicizing a product and/or service on the Platform, including so-called paid "hashtag challenges". This is the commercial-use permission that the general rule for Sounds and other music withholds.
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Music selected from the Commercial Sounds list can be used for business or commercial uses, such as use in association with a brand, logo or trademark or other brand identifying characteristics.
Commercial Sounds are also made available for advertising, marketing, endorsing, sponsoring or publicizing (including so-called paid "hashtag challenges") a product and/or service on the Platform.
Unlike Sounds, Commercial Sounds are made available to brands, businesses, commercial entities, advertisers or other Platform users (including individuals) that may be using the Platform for commercial purposes (collectively defined as a “Commercial User”).
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to music selected from the Commercial Sounds list
Advertising and similar uses are described as being "on the Platform"
Not stated here
The Commercial Music Library terms that govern use of Commercial Sounds are not supplied in this saved source.
Videos with Commercial Sounds are shared within the Platform; outside uses need separate licenses
You may show or share videos that include Commercial Sounds created on the Platform within the Platform and using its sharing features. Any use outside the Platform requires you to obtain separate permission and license the necessary rights directly from all necessary rights holders, unless the Commercial Music Library User Terms otherwise authorize it.
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Shared only within the Platform. You may show or share videos that include Commercial Sounds created on the Platform within the Platform and using the sharing features on the Platform.
Any uses outside of the Platform require you to obtain separate permission and license the necessary rights directly from all necessary rights holders unless otherwise authorized by the
Qualifications & exceptions
Exception: otherwise authorized by the Commercial Music Library User Terms
Applies to videos created on the Platform
Not stated here
What the Commercial Music Library User Terms authorize outside the Platform is not stated in this source.
AI Music Videos: TikTok sets a few rules for music made with generative AI
TikTok says it respects the expressive value of AI Music and the interests of both content creators and music rights holders, and recognizes that AI can make it harder to tell fact from fiction. It sets a few rules that should be followed if you upload a TikTok video that includes music created with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence technology; such a video is called an "AI Music Video". The rules are grouped below as Do's and Don'ts.
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6. How you can use music created with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence technology ("AI Music")
we've set a few rules that should be followed if you upload a TikTok video that includes AI Music ("AI Music Video"), as set forth below.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to music created with the assistance of generative AI technology
The rules are phrased as "should" and "should not"
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
AI Music Videos: get all permissions; TikTok may mute or remove them
You should obtain all permissions needed for any copyrighted music, trade names or trademarks used in an AI Music Video. TikTok may mute any music included in an AI Music Video and/or remove the video if it violates a third party's rights or if TikTok otherwise has a legal obligation to do so. The Intellectual Property Policy is linked for more information.
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You should obtain all permissions needed for any copyrighted music, trade names or trademarks used in an AI Music Video.
We may mute any music included in an AI Music Video and/or remove any AI Music Video if it violates a third party's rights or if we otherwise have a legal obligation to do so.
Qualifications & exceptions
Muting or removal "may" happen where a third party's right is violated or a legal obligation exists
Not stated here
The Intellectual Property Policy is linked but not supplied in this saved source.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
AI Music Videos: provide clear disclosures
If you upload an AI Music Video, you should provide clear disclosures. Examples given are captions or hashtags such as "[artist] AI cover", "AI generated music" or "AI music cover". You can also add an AI-generated content label to the video.
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If you upload an AI Music Video, you should provide clear disclosures.
You can add an AI-generated content label to your video
Qualifications & exceptions
Phrased as "should"
Captions, hashtags and the label are given as examples
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
AI Music Videos: no false impression of a real voice or performer
You should not upload an AI Music Video with vocals created using a person's voice that are intended to create a false impression that the person's real voice is used. You should also not falsely attribute the performance of the music in an AI Music Video to a person who did not actually perform it.
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You should not upload an AI Music Video which contains vocals which were created using a person's voice and are intended to create a false impression that the person's real voice is used in that AI Music Video.
You should not falsely attribute the performance of the music included in an AI Music Video to a person who did not actually perform that music.
Qualifications & exceptions
The voice rule turns on intent to create a false impression
Phrased as "should not"
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
AI Music Videos: no person's likeness without permission
You should not upload an AI Music Video that contains a person's likeness, such as an image or voice, if you have not received the necessary permission in accordance with applicable laws. TikTok may mute or remove any AI Music Video that misappropriates a person's likeness under the applicable law.
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You should not upload an AI Music Video that contains a person's likeness, such as an image or voice, if you have not received the necessary permission in accordance with applicable laws.
We may mute or remove any AI Music Video that misappropriates a person's likeness under the applicable law.
Qualifications & exceptions
Permission must be in accordance with applicable laws
Muting or removal applies where likeness is misappropriated under the applicable law
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
AI Music Videos: not for endorsements, and other policies still apply
You should not upload an AI Music Video that is used for endorsements or that violates any other policies. This sits beside the general rule that music outside Commercial Sounds is for personal, non-commercial purposes and may not be used to sponsor, promote or advertise.
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You should not upload an AI Music Video that is used for endorsements or violates any other policies.
Any other use of music to sponsor, promote, co-brand or advertise or in a way that creates an association between the music and a brand, product, good or service is prohibited unless you have obtained separate permissions and all necessary rights.
Qualifications & exceptions
Phrased as "should not"
Not stated here
The text does not define "endorsements" or list the "other policies".
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Live streams: Sounds and Commercial Sounds cannot be used
There are limitations on how music can be included in Live streams. You cannot use Sounds or Commercial Sounds, the two TikTok music libraries, in a live stream. To use recorded music or perform music in your Live stream that you do not own, you must have all the rights and permissions you need to use or perform it in the Live stream.
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You cannot use Sounds or Commercial Sounds in a live stream.
To use recorded music or perform music in your Live stream that you do not own, you must have all rights and permissions you need to use or perform the music in the Live stream.
our TikTok music library, which we call Sounds
which we call Commercial Sounds
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to Live streams
Rights obligation applies to music you do not own
Not stated here
The text does not say which music, if any, TikTok licenses for Live streams.
Public-domain works and legal exceptions may allow uses without permission
TikTok acknowledges that music may be used in transformative ways. While you must comply with the Music Terms, not all music is protected by copyright and not all uses of copyrighted music would be unauthorized or require permission. For instance, you may use works in the public domain, and certain uses of copyrighted works may qualify for an exception or limitation to copyright infringement, such as parody or pastiche, in jurisdictions that recognize fundamental user rights.
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While you must comply with these Music Terms, not all music is protected by copyright and not all uses of copyrighted music would be unauthorized or require obtaining permission.
you may use works that are in the public domain, and certain uses of copyrighted works may qualify for an exception or limitation to copyright infringement, such as a parody or pastiche, in jurisdictions that recognize fundamental user rights.
Qualifications & exceptions
You must still comply with the Music Terms
Exceptions and limitations depend on the jurisdiction recognizing them
The examples (public domain, parody, pastiche) are illustrations introduced by "for instance"
Not stated here
The page does not say how TikTok decides whether a use qualifies for an exception.