What You Need To Know About Licensing Music For Sponsored, Corporate & Brand Videos

Are you a creator trying to legally license music for a sponsored YouTube video or brand campaign? Or are you part of a marketing team making sure your company’s next video is copyright-safe and ready for social media?

You might be wondering:

• “Can I use that trending song I saw in another creator’s video?”
• “If a track is in the TikTok Sounds library, is it safe for my business to use?”
• “What if I’m just reposting a creator’s UGC that already has music – do I still need a license?”
• “Is my video even considered commercial use if it’s just for my personal channel or a small business?”

These are common (and important) questions. And in the age of the creator economy, the line between personal content and commercial use is blurrier than ever.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help. This post is here to answer your questions about music licensing and how it works for sponsored, corporate, and brand videos. We’ll break down what counts as commercial use, how to secure music rights legally, and what kind of copyright-safe music your brand videos require.

Whether you’re working with influencers, reposting UGC, launching a product, or simply trying to add background music to your next social campaign, we’ve got you covered ✅

Table of Contents
(Click to jump to a section)

• What Music License Do I Need for a Brand Video?
• Why Music Licensing Matters for Sponsored, Brand & Corporate Content
• The Blurry Line: Commercial vs Non-Commercial Use
• Thematic’s Approach to Music Licensing
• Platform Comparison: Thematic vs YouTube Audio Library & Others
• Real Examples: Where Things Go Wrong Without Licensing
• Final Takeaway: Use Music Safely, Without the Legal Risk
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Music License Do I Need for a Brand Video?

To legally use music in a brand, corporate, or sponsored video, you need a license that explicitly allows for commercial use. Platforms like Thematic offer copyright-safe music for this purpose.

This is sometimes called a “sync license,” “music rights,” or “commercial music clearance.”

Why Music Licensing Matters for Sponsored, Corporate & Brand Videos

Using trending songs or background music in your sponsored or brand video without the right license can expose you to real risks, such as copyright takedowns, lost monetization, content removal, or even lawsuits. What looks like a harmless snippet of a popular song can quickly become a major headache if the music isn’t cleared for your specific use.

📋 Important note: Just because a track is available in the Instagram, YouTube or TikTok Sounds library doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe for brand videos. Many sounds available here are cleared only for personal or non-commercial use within the social media platforms. If you’re creating a brand video or making sponsored content, you’ll want to check each platform’s licensing terms carefully to look for brand-friendly music options that explicitly allow commercial use (such as TikTok’s Commercial Music Library, of which Thematic is a partner).

Similarly, reposting a creator’s UGC video that includes music doesn’t automatically transfer the music rights to you. You will still need explicit permission or a valid sync license to legally use that music across your brand’s own social channels.

Brands, companies, and creators who produce commercial or sponsored videos need to understand that music licensing is not optional – it’s mandatory for any type of video, especially those with sponsorships, branding, or commercial intent.

Recent legal issues faced by well-known brands have proven that improperly licensed music in brand and company videos can cost time, money, and reputation. Take for example, shoe retailer DSW or cookie company Crumbl, both of which faced lawsuits after using music in social videos failing to secure the necessary music rights. These incidents highlight the fact that even globally recognized companies aren’t immune to copyright consequences.

The Blurry Line: Commercial vs Non-Commercial Use

Determining whether your video counts as commercial or non-commercial use isn’t always straightforward. Many creators and businesses assume that if they’re not running a formal ad or selling a product directly, their content doesn’t require a commercial music license. But in today’s creator economy, the lines are far more nuanced.

Some music platforms still differentiate between “non-commercial” and “commercial” licenses. Typically:

• Non-commercial use typically means personal or unmonetized videos
• Commercial use covers videos that generate revenue, promote brands, or involve sponsorships (like monetized YouTube videos, branded content, or company marketing materials)

However, even content that looks personal can be commercial if it promotes products, involves sponsorships, or supports a business goal. For example, creators posting sponsored videos or brand videos might assume they’re personal, but they may actually fall under commercial use. Similarly, company videos for marketing, training, or sales are clearly commercial but often overlooked when it comes to music licensing.

Furthermore, in today’s creator economy, many creators are brands themselves or launch their own products and services. This means even videos on a personal channel can have commercial intent, since the creator may be promoting merchandise, offering courses, or partnering with affiliates or sponsors.

Because these lines blur, it’s important to choose a licensing platform that supports commercial, corporate, sponsored, and brand videos, without confusing licensing terms or unrealistic fees.

Thematic’s Approach to Music Licensing

Simple. Clear. Brand-safe.

Thematic was built for creators and modern brands as a straightforward music licensing model designed for creators, brands, and companies alike. No confusing commercial vs non-commercial limitations. No inflated fees. No stock or production music.

As long as you:

• Post your content on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, social media, or podcasts
• Include the required credit to the artist
• And follow our creator terms of use (such as not making audio-only content)

You can use the music from Thematic in your sponsored, corporate, and brand videos ✅

There’s no separate license or payment required for:

• Sponsored YouTube videos
• Corporate promo videos shared on your company’s YouTube or social media channels
• Branded TikTok videos
• Promoted social media content

“Thematic is modern music licensing for creators and brands, designed to provide a simple and brand-safe way to license trending music for YouTube, social media, podcasts, and more.”

The best part is, creating an account on Thematic is totally free. Whether you’re creating personal YouTube videos, sponsored content, or branded videos, Thematic’s license covers you under one simple, brand-safe agreement.

Use Cases: What You Can Do With Thematic

Using Thematic’s licensing, brands and creators can confidently add licensed, high-quality music to a wide range of video content without worrying about copyright issues:

• ✅ Sponsored YouTube videos
• ✅ Branded TikTok and Instagram Reels
• ✅ Corporate explainers and product promos shared on YouTube
• ✅ Podcast intros, ads, and segments
• ✅ Shorts, reels, and UGC for brand partnerships

Creators are building brands. Brands are embracing creator-style content. Thematic is designed to support both seamlessly.

Platform Comparison: Thematic vs YouTube Audio Library & Others

Here’s how Thematic compares to other platforms creators and businesses often turn to for music – like YouTube’s Audio Library, Epidemic Sound, or Artlist.

While there are various options available (from free libraries to paid subscription services) each comes with its own limitations, restrictions, or hidden costs. It’s important to understand how these platforms differ so you can choose the best fit for your specific video projects and licensing needs.

Platform	Commercial Use Allowed?	Music Quality	Cost	Restrictions
Thematic	✅ Yes (all content types)	Trending songs from real music artists	Free & Premium plans	Must credit artist + post on approved platforms
YouTube Audio Library	⚠️ Varies by track	Mostly generic or stock	Free	Often restricted to YouTube only
Epidemic Sound	✅ With paid plan	High-quality production catalog	$15+/mo	Additional fees for business use & client work
Artlist	✅ With paid plan	Cinematic & royalty-free production tracks	$199+/year	Separate licenses for commercial/brand videos
Soundstripe	✅ With Pro plans	Stock-heavy selection	$12.50+/mo	Must upgrade for branded or commercial work

✔️ Only Thematic:

• Doesn’t charge extra for commercial use
• Lets creators and brands license music under the same terms
• Offers access to music used by real YouTubers and influencers

This is a powerful advantage for brands looking to connect authentically with niche communities. By licensing the same music that popular creators and influencers are using in their videos, brands can align their messaging with the culture and trends of those audiences. This shared musical connection can help brands build credibility, increase engagement, and tap into communities in a way that feels natural and relevant.

Real Examples: Where Things Go Wrong Without Licensing

Many creators and brands face costly setbacks when using unlicensed music in sponsored or brand videos. As noted earlier, major labels and rights holders are increasingly cracking down on unauthorized use of their music, especially on platforms like TikTok and other popular social media channels where corporate content is a common marketing strategy.

Here are some real-world scenarios illustrating how quickly things can go wrong without proper music licensing:

• 🚨 A sponsored YouTube video uses background music sourced from TikTok’s trending audio library → the video is demonetized and flagged, discouraging future brand collaborations with the creator.
• 🚨 A startup releases a product launch video using “no copyright” music found on SoundCloud → the company receives a takedown notice and DMCA strike, resulting in the video being completely removed.
• 🚨 A podcaster incorporates their favorite music from Spotify into a branded segment → the episode is flagged and removed from Apple Podcasts and Spotify, preventing it from reaching their audience.

👉 All of these situations could have been avoided by using properly licensed, copyright-safe music from a trusted platform like Thematic.

Many creators and brands mistakenly believe that simply giving attribution or claiming “fair use” protects them. It doesn’t. Without a proper license, using music puts your videos at serious risk of copyright infringement and related penalties.

Proper music licensing isn’t just about avoiding takedowns; it’s about protecting your brand’s reputation and partnerships 🔐

Final Takeaway: Use Music Safely, Without the Legal Risk

Legally using music in sponsored, corporate, or brand videos requires careful attention to licensing. Here are a few things to remember:

• Commercial use is broad: If your video promotes a product, involves sponsorships, or generates revenue, it likely counts as commercial. Proper licensing is mandatory.
• Don’t rely on attribution or fair use: Giving credit or assuming “fair use” won’t protect you legally. Always secure a valid license for the music you use.
• Trending or free music isn’t always safe: Popular tracks on TikTok, SoundCloud, or free audio libraries may have restrictions that don’t cover commercial or brand uses.
• Music licensing platforms vary: Some charge extra or limit commercial rights, causing confusion and unexpected fees.
• Choose a clear, brand-safe solution: A licensing platform like Thematic offers a simple, all-in-one license that covers commercial, sponsored, corporate, and brand videos without surprise costs.
• Protect your brand and content: Proper music licensing prevents takedowns, copyright strikes, and legal risks – saving you time, money, and reputation.

By keeping these points in mind, creators and brands can confidently produce engaging videos that use music safely and legally – helping you focus on what matters most: connecting with your audience.

TL;DR: If your video is promoting something (whether you’re a creator or a company) it likely counts as commercial use. Don’t risk using unlicensed music. Thematic provides a safe, simple way to legally add music to your sponsored, branded, and corporate videos ✌️

Get Started with Thematic 🎵

Explore Thematic’s curated music library and start adding brand-safe music to your sponsored, corporate, or brand videos today.

You focus on content. We’ll handle the licensing.

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FAQs about using music in Sponsored or Brand Videos

Got questions? We’ve compiled answers to the most common queries about using music in sponsored, commercial, corporate, or brand videos.

What counts as commercial use in music licensing?

Commercial use typically includes any content that promotes a product, service, or brand, generates revenue, involves sponsorships, or supports a business goal. This can include:

• Sponsored content
• Monetized YouTube videos
• Branded social media campaigns
• Company training videos
• UGC reposts used in a brand context

If your content is created for or benefits a business in any way, it’s likely considered commercial use.

Can I use Thematic music in sponsored, corporate, or brand videos?

Yes! Thematic offers both free and premium subscription options designed for creators, businesses, and brands of all sizes. You can use music in sponsored content, brand videos, and corporate projects as long as you credit the artist and post on an approved platform (like YouTube, social media, or podcasts). No separate commercial license is required. Thematic’s clear, all-in-one license covers you for commercial, branded, and monetized use.

What platforms are approved for Thematic music use?

You can use the music from Thematic on:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Podcasts
• Other major social media platforms (such as X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitch)

What are the risks of using unlicensed music in corporate or brand videos?

Using unlicensed music can lead to:

• Content ID claims
• Video takedowns
• Copyright strikes
• Legal action from rights holders
• Loss of brand partnerships or monetization

Even one unlicensed song can put your entire project at risk. Using copyright-safe, licensed music can helps you avoid this.

If I repost a creator’s UGC video that has music, am I covered?

Not necessarily. Even if the creator used the music legally, you still need explicit permission or a valid sync license to repost their video to your own social channels when music rights are involved (especially for branded or commercial use).

Can I use music from the TikTok Sounds library in brand videos?

No. Most tracks in TikTok’s library are only cleared for personal, non-commercial use within TikTok. Using those in ads, brand videos, or reposts can result in copyright issues. Brands that want to use music safely on TikTok should consider licensing music directly or using the sounds available in TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.

👉 Did you know? Thematic is an official partner of TikTok’s Commercial Music Library, and many of our trending songs are pre-cleared for commercial and brand video use. It’s an easy way for brands to access music that’s already popular with creators, without worrying about copyright risk. We recommend always double checking each platform’s specific licensing rules and exploring their brand-safe music options.

How does Thematic differ from other music licensing platforms?

Unlike YouTube’s Audio Library, Thematic features real music from trending artists, not stock audio. And unlike Epidemic or Artlist, Thematic doesn’t charge more for commercial or branded use – our license covers all creator and brand use cases as long as the proper credit is given.

Is crediting the artist required with Thematic’s license?

Yes. Proper artist credit is always required to comply with licensing terms and support the music artists.

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Looking for more free creator tools and resources? Visit Thematic’s Creator Toolkit for additional resources on creating content – including thumbnail and channel art templates, best practices, and of course, great royalty free songs to use in your videos for free with Thematic.

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