Is Free Music Archive safe for YouTube?
Free CC libraryShort answer
Mostly usable, but not claim-proof: we've logged 3 sourced Content ID claim reports on Free Music Archive content (claimants named in reports: TuneCore, Rights holder of 'Turulu' (not named), Universal). Read the license, keep your proof of license, and follow the library's claim process.
License summary
Per-track Creative Commons license (CC BY, BY-SA, BY-NC, BY-ND, CC0).
Credit: Depends on track
Content ID & claims
Some artists register free music with Content ID to spot uses without credit; adding the exact credit line usually clears it.
Claim history (3)
- Unnamed Free Music Archive track — Aug 2016; outcome: Video deleted
- Wavy Glass — Feb 2021; outcome: Unresolved in thread
- The Entertainer (1902, piano) — Jan 2018; outcome: Not disputed by uploader
Compare
FAQ
Is Free Music Archive copyright free?
No library is "copyright free" — tracks stay copyrighted and you use them under a license. Free Music Archive's license in short: Per-track Creative Commons license (CC BY, BY-SA, BY-NC, BY-ND, CC0).
Can Free Music Archive music get a Content ID claim on YouTube?
Yes. We have 3 publicly reported claims involving Free Music Archive in our database (linked below, each with its source). Some artists register free music with Content ID to spot uses without credit; adding the exact credit line usually clears it.
Do I need to credit Free Music Archive?
Depends on track. Always check the individual track page, since requirements can differ.
What should I do if I get a claim on a Free Music Archive track?
A Content ID claim is not a copyright strike. Gather your license or proof of download, follow Free Music Archive's own claim instructions, then dispute in YouTube Studio only if you are confident you have the rights. See our dispute guide for steps.