Local business operators who use YouTube should not fear being flagged for music use, but should instead follow these steps to validate original work has been choreographed. Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to create and distribute music, videos and other digital content. It has also made copying, repackaging and misusing original work much easier. In response, platforms such as YouTube rely heavily on automated systems to identify copyrighted material.
These systems serve an important purpose. However, they can also make YouTube feel like a “guilty until proven innocent” environment. A business may legally license a song, upload its finished marketing video and still receive an alarming copyright notice.
If this happens to a video produced by Matty D. Media, do not panic. In most cases, the notice is an automated Content ID claim—not a copyright strike. Matty D. Media keeps records of its music licenses and can help determine the proper response.
How Matty D. Media uses copyright free music in video productions
Music is such an important production element in videos. Each story has its pacing and tone, which is often accentuated with the beat. Matty D. Media video producers treat sound equally to the value of the picture. The same way that a font type or color represents a brand, so too does the genre of music they play.
Matty D. Media producers pick songs on the behalf of their clients. We also often give clients a short-list of selections that match the vibe of their video.
Below is a curated section of songs that selected for a real client for an active virtual tour.
Why Musicians and Other Artists Protect Their Work
A song may last only two or three minutes, but creating it can require years of training and many hours of work. Songwriters, musicians, producers and sound engineers all contribute to the finished recording.
Their music is also part of their livelihood. When someone uses it without permission, the artist may lose licensing income or control over where the work appears. Automated copyright systems help artists find unauthorized copies across millions of online videos.
Matty D. Media is a human-based creative services agency. Our videos are planned, recorded and edited by real people. We understand what it takes to create original work. Respecting the artist—and securing the proper permission to use that artist’s work—is one of our core values.
That is why we obtain music through professional licensing services such as Motion Array. “Royalty-free” does not mean that nobody owns the music. It means the track can be used under the terms of a specific license without paying a new royalty for every view or use.
Why YouTube May Flag Music That Was Legally Licensed
YouTube scans uploaded videos through a system called Content ID. It compares the music and images in each upload against files registered by copyright owners and rights-management companies.
When the system finds a match, it may automatically place a Content ID claim on the video. The technology recognizes the recording, but it may not know that Matty D. Media obtained a license to use it.
In other words, the system sees the copyrighted music first. The license holder may then need to provide proof that its use was authorized.
Motion Array acknowledges that some music in its library is registered with Content ID. Its contributors use that registration to protect their work from piracy and unlicensed use. A legitimate customer can still use the music, but a license may occasionally need to be presented after an automated match.
A Content ID Claim Is Not the Same as a Copyright Strike
This is the most important distinction for a small business owner.
A Content ID claim usually means YouTube detected copyrighted material in the video. Depending on the copyright owner’s settings, the owner may track the video, place advertising on it, receive its advertising revenue or restrict it in certain locations.
A copyright strike is more serious. It generally follows a valid copyright removal request and can affect the standing of the entire channel.
According to YouTube’s explanation of Content ID claims, receiving a Content ID claim does not give the channel a copyright strike. YouTube also allows a channel owner to dispute an incorrect claim when the necessary usage rights have been secured.
Therefore, do not assume that a message containing the word “copyright” means your channel is in trouble. First, determine exactly what type of notice you received.
What Should You Do When You Receive a Claim?
Start by opening YouTube Studio and selecting Content. Find the affected video and look under Restrictions. Select the copyright notice to review:
- The music or portion of the video that was identified
- The person or company making the claim
- Whether the video remains visible
- Whether monetization or geographic availability is affected
- The response options provided by YouTube
If the notice is only a Content ID claim and the video remains available, there may be no urgent emergency. A small business that does not monetize its videos may decide to leave a harmless claim in place.
However, not monetizing a video is not, by itself, proof that copyrighted music can be used. The real justification for disputing a claim is that the music was properly licensed.
If Matty D. Media provided a license for the song, the client may submit a dispute using that documentation. YouTube says a claimant generally has up to 30 days to respond to an initial Content ID dispute.
What Does a Music License Look Like?
A music license is often a simple PDF rather than a formal certificate with a seal. It normally identifies the licensed asset and explains the rights granted to the subscriber and client.
License example: See how a Motion Array music license PDF is obtained and what information it provides.
Matty D. Media saves these license PDFs with the project records. For a one-time client who uploads the finished videos independently, we provide the applicable licenses so the client has proof of authorized use.
Save these files somewhere connected to the project. A folder containing the final videos, music licenses and other production materials can prevent confusion months or years later.
How to Dispute a Licensed-Music Claim
Only dispute a claim when you have a legitimate reason and supporting documentation. If Matty D. Media licensed the music through Motion Array, the response can explain:
This channel hired Matty D. Media LLC to produce this video. Matty D. Media maintains a Motion Array subscription, and the music used in this production was downloaded and licensed through that service. Therefore, this video has permission to use the identified track. The applicable asset license information is included below.
If additional verification is required, please contact Matt DeSarle at mattydmedia@gmail.com.
Motion Array recommends including both a subscriber statement and the text from the applicable license PDF. YouTube’s dispute form does not accept a PDF attachment, so the relevant license text may need to be copied and pasted into the form. Motion Array provides step-by-step instructions for handling YouTube claims involving its music.
Credits in the video may also show that the production team made a good-faith effort to recognize its creative sources. However, attribution alone is not a substitute for permission. The music license is the central evidence.
How Matty D. Media Helps One-Time Clients
Some clients hire Matty D. Media for one project and manage their own YouTube channels. In those situations, we typically:
- Deliver the finished video files.
- Provide the licenses for music used in the production.
- Explain that an automated claim is possible.
- Help the client identify whether the notice is a claim or a strike.
- Provide dispute language when the licensed use should be verified.
A client can also send Matty D. Media a screenshot of the notice. Be sure the image shows the song, claimant and stated effect on the video.
How Matty D. Media Helps Recurring Clients
For recurring clients, a Matty D. Media producer may be invited to serve as an editor on the client’s YouTube channel. This is a courtesy that allows us to help maintain a consistent publishing process.
With the proper channel permissions, a producer can upload and publish finished videos. The producer can also review a music claim and help submit the licensing information needed to dispute an incorrect match.
YouTube channel permissions allow this access without giving Matty D. Media the owner’s Google password. The client remains in control of the channel and can change or remove access later.
This arrangement can be particularly helpful for small businesses that publish frequently but do not have an employee dedicated to YouTube. Instead of asking the client to interpret a confusing copyright notice, we can manage the production-related issue using the license records we already maintain.
A real-life copyright claim looks like this on the backend of YouTube’s Creator Studio. You can see it isn’t a copyright strike.
A Simple Checklist for Small Business Owners
If YouTube flags music in your Matty D. Media video:
- Do not immediately delete the video.
- Confirm whether the notice is a Content ID claim or a copyright strike.
- Check whether the video is blocked, monetized by someone else or still unaffected.
- Identify the song and the claimant.
- Find the music license supplied with your project.
- Contact Matty D. Media if you need help reviewing the notice.
- Dispute the claim only when the license or another valid reason supports the dispute.
- Keep the license after the issue is resolved.
Licensed Music Should Not Be Frightening
Copyright protection is not the enemy of creative video production. It allows musicians, videographers, photographers, writers and other artists to control and benefit from the work they create.
The frustration begins when automated technology cannot immediately distinguish between piracy and properly licensed creative work. That is when documentation matters.
Matty D. Media combines human-based creative services with responsible licensing practices. We preserve music licenses, help clients understand YouTube notices and, for many recurring clients, assist with uploads and disputes directly inside their channels.
If your Matty D. Media video receives a copyright notice, forward the message or a screenshot to mattydmedia@gmail.com. We can help identify what YouTube found, locate the applicable license and determine the appropriate next step.
