Do Lyric Videos Get Copyrighted
If you’ve ever uploaded a lyric video on YouTube and suddenly received a copyright claim, you’re not alone. Thousands of creators run into this issue every day often without realizing what triggered it. So, do lyric videos get copyrighted? The short answer is yes, they can, especially if you use someone else’s song without permission.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how YouTube identifies copyrighted material, what happens when a claim appears, and how to safely upload your lyric videos without risking your channel.
🧠 Understanding How Copyright Works on YouTube
Copyright is a legal protection that gives creators control over how their original works are used. On YouTube, songs, lyrics, beats, instrumentals, and vocals are all protected under copyright law.
When you upload a lyric video that includes someone else’s music or lyrics, YouTube automatically checks it against its Content ID system, a massive database of copyrighted works. If a match is found, your video could:
- Have ads placed on it (revenue goes to the copyright owner),
- Get blocked in certain countries, or
- Receive a full copyright strike.
That’s why understanding copyright rules is essential before monetizing any lyric video.
For more on monetization rules, read can i monetize lyric videos on youtube.
🎵 Why Lyric Videos Get Copyrighted
Lyric videos get copyrighted because they often contain two types of protected content:
- The audio track (sound recording)
This is usually owned by the record label or artist. - The lyrics (composition)
These belong to the songwriter or publisher.
Even if you only display the words on screen, using lyrics from a copyrighted song without permission still counts as using someone’s intellectual property.
That’s why YouTube’s Content ID flags lyric videos almost instantly.
⚠️ What Happens When You Get a Copyright Claim
If YouTube detects copyrighted material, you’ll see a notice under your video saying something like:
“This video contains content owned by [Record Label]. It’s still viewable, but monetization is disabled.”
There are three possible outcomes:
- Monetization claim: The copyright owner earns revenue from your video.
- Video blocked: Your lyric video is unavailable in some or all countries.
- Copyright strike: This is serious and can lead to channel suspension after three strikes.
To learn how to stay profitable while respecting copyright laws, check can i monetize lyric videos on youtube.
🧾 Fair Use — Does It Apply?
Many creators think adding “fair use” in the description will protect them, but it’s not that simple. Fair use only applies when the video transforms the content significantly, like educational commentary, reviews, or parody.
A lyric video, however, usually plays the entire song with the original lyrics, so it rarely qualifies as fair use.
If you want to create a fair use-based video, try adding:
- Commentary or breakdowns of the lyrics
- Educational discussions about songwriting
- Tutorials that use only short snippets of a song
But if your goal is to make a full lyric video, fair use won’t save you from a claim.
🧩 How to Avoid Copyright Strikes on Lyric Videos
If you want to keep your channel safe while still posting lyric videos, follow these steps:
✅ 1. Use Your Own Music
The best way to avoid copyright issues is by using songs you’ve created or licensed. You can make lyric videos for your own tracks freely — and even monetize them.
✅ 2. Get Permission from the Copyright Owner
Reach out to the artist, publisher, or label to request a synchronization license. This gives you legal permission to pair lyrics or audio with visuals.
✅ 3. Use Royalty-Free or Licensed Tracks
There are plenty of royalty-free music sites where you can buy the rights to use songs commercially. This allows you to make lyric videos safely.
✅ 4. Create Instrumental or Cover Versions (Legally)
If you love a song, you can make your own version — just ensure you’ve obtained a mechanical license for the composition.
✅ 5. Always Credit Properly
Even when you have permission, include credits for the original artist, songwriter, and producer in your video description.
🧭 What to Do If You Receive a Claim
If YouTube gives your video a copyright claim, you have three options:
- Do nothing:- The video remains online, but the revenue goes to the rights holder.
- Remove or replace the audio:- You can swap the music using YouTube’s editor.
- Dispute the claim:- Only do this if you have written permission or proof of ownership.
Never file a false dispute; it can lead to channel termination.
🔗 Related Reading
- How to make a lyric video for YouTube:- step-by-step guide to creating professional lyric videos.
- Can i monetize lyric videos on YouTube:- learn how to earn safely.
- Are lyric videos worth it:- see if creating lyric videos pays off.
These will help you understand the creative, legal, and financial sides of lyric video production.
💬 Real-World Example
Let’s say you upload a lyric video using a popular artist’s track. You didn’t remix it or add commentary — just displayed the lyrics in sync with the song.
Even if your video isn’t monetized, the system will still detect it. The rights holder could choose to monetize it themselves, or even take it down.
Now imagine you upload a lyric video for your own original song. YouTube will recognize it as unique content. You can monetize it, promote it, and grow your fanbase without any issues.
That’s the difference, ownership and permission make all the difference.
🎯 Final Thoughts
So, do lyric videos get copyrighted?
Yes. But not all of them. It depends entirely on whether you own the content or have rights to use it.
If you’re an independent artist, creating lyric videos for your songs is one of the best ways to grow your audience on YouTube. It’s fast, engaging, and monetizable. But if you use another artist’s track, expect claims unless you’ve obtained proper licenses.
As you have read about whether lyric videos are worth it, you now understand the pros, cons, and benefits in detail.