Using Music Online and on Social Media | Event Streaming
Music authors earn royalties also for streamed content, whether it is a social media video, an event stream, a virtual event, or a recorded video of an event. If you use music at a virtual event, please remember to obtain a licence. The licence fees guarantee that composers and lyricists receive royalties from the use of their creative work.
Music in YouTube and social media videos
The use of music in a YouTube or social media video requires a licence if it is published by or on behalf of a company or a corporation. The type of licence depends on the nature of the video. Non-commercial videos of private individuals do not require a licence as the agreement between Teosto and YouTube covers the use of music in videos.
Music in streamed events
Streaming an event is a great way to widen the audience to those who cannot physically attend. Streamed gigs and concerts and videos, virtual events and webinars including music often requires a licence.
A licence is not required: For free-of-charge streamed live events on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok when the live stream is not recorded for later viewing. Private individuals do not need a licence either, since the platforms have already been licenced by Teosto.
A licence is required: Companies and corporations always need a licence for reproductions and streamed live events that are subject to a charge. Private individuals can use music freely on the channels listed above.
We have two licences for streamed events
Live Streaming Licence – for events in which music is the principal content.
Minor Media Licence – for other streams and reproductions that contain music.
Who is responsible for obtaining the licence?
The licence is obtained by the party on whose behalf the event stream, the virtual event or the video is made. The licence can also be obtained by a professional event or production agency either for themselves or for their customers.
The use of music online and on social media is not covered by the framework agreements of municipalities and parishes, so schools, kindergartens, care facilities and similar services managed by municipalities and parishes may also require a separate licence for that purpose.
- Gives you the right to live stream gigs, concerts and other events that are primarily about music
- Required for live streaming all the above content if the stream is subject to a charge for consumers
- Also required for live streaming musical events that are free of charge for consumers if the streaming occurs via a platform other than a platform licensed by Teosto (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are licensed platforms)
- The licence price includes the right to retain a live stream recording for on-demand viewing for 30 days
- The number of viewing rights and the revenue from live-streamed events is reported to Teosto
- No basic fees, invoicing is based on the reports you submit to Teosto
- Gives you the right to use music on the internet, in radio and local TV operations as well as download services
- Does not cover the use of music in advertisement or marketing content published online or on social media
- Only for operators with an annual revenue of up to EUR 50,000 from the above mentioned services
- Covers video and audio content, both free of charge and subject to a charge for consumers, that includes music
- Does not cover live streams or reproductions of gigs and concerts
- Not needed for free live streaming of music content on platforms licensed by Teosto (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
- The obtainer of the licence does not need to report the information about to the use of music to Teosto