What Social Media Creators Should Know About Music Agreements

Music is everywhere in influencer content. Whether it’s a quick product review, a behind-the-scenes reel or a dance trend making its rounds on TikTok, music can give content more energy and impact. But using those songs legally is not as simple as adding a track and hitting post.

Most music use on social media is tied to rights and permissions. When you post a video with a song in the background, you’re not just sharing content, you’re using someone else’s work. That’s where music agreements come in. These agreements handle the rules around how music gets used in creator content. If you’re working with sponsored campaigns or making branded videos, these details matter even more. This guide explains how music agreements work, especially for creators around Toronto where content ties into real legal limits.

Why Influencers Need To Think About Music Rights

Music is protected in Canada under copyright law, even if it’s just a short clip. Any piece of music you add to a video is treated as someone’s intellectual property. Just like you’d expect credit or payment for your own creative work, the same applies to music makers.

Some creators assume they can use music freely if they found it online or used it in a remix. But platforms like Instagram, X and TikTok often have built-in scanning tools that detect songs without cleared rights. When that happens, videos get muted or taken down. In some cases, they get flagged or cause issues with sponsors.

This becomes a bigger issue when the music is attached to a brand deal. A muted or removed video can break a contract or stop a campaign from going live. That's why having music agreements in place before posting is important for anyone working with paid content or wider distribution.

What Goes Into a Music Agreement

A music agreement isn’t just a yes or no about using a song. It sets the legal terms that say how and when the music can be shared. Most of the time, you’ll need two kinds of permission.

• Master rights let you use the actual sound recording. These usually come from whoever recorded or released the track

• Publishing rights give you access to the melody or lyrics. These are controlled by the songwriter or their publisher

A full music agreement can also cover platform use, licensing terms and time limits. Some agreements only allow use on certain channels like YouTube or Instagram. Others might have geographic limits or expire after a set number of months.

If you create your own version of a song, like a remix or cover, you may still need a licence. Even if it sounds different, the original owner could have rights to how the work is changed and reused in your post.

We have experience handling music licensing and copyright matters, supporting creator projects at any stage from independent releases to major campaigns.

Common Problems When Agreements Are Missing or Unclear

When music rights aren’t clearly set out in writing, problems can follow quickly. One of the most common is when a post starts getting attention and then gets flagged. That can shut the content down, pull it from search or remove sound completely.

Brands working with creators may stop campaigns when the music usage isn’t clear. If they worry about copyright claims, they might ask you to remove the post or delay payment. In some cases, they might pull out of the partnership entirely.

Many creators try to avoid these issues by using free music libraries, but even those can carry terms. If you don’t have a record of where the track came from or how it’s cleared, you could still face copyright claims down the road. The safest way to protect your posts is treating every musical work or recorded track like copyrighted material, whether paid or unpaid.

Handling Music in Sponsored Posts and Collaborations

Music in paid posts deserves extra care. If you’re working with a brand or launching a promotion, everyone involved needs to be clear about how music is used. One common issue comes up when a brand assumes the influencer will provide the licences, while the influencer assumes the brand already cleared it on their end.

To avoid that confusion, it helps to agree on the following up front:

• Who is choosing the track and who is responsible for getting permission

• What platforms or regions the post will run on

• Who will take responsibility if the post is flagged or taken down due to music

When both parties are clear and everything is in writing, it’s easier to plan ahead. That leaves more time for audience building and less worry about the content being pulled later.

When Legal Support Helps Keep Content Safe

Music agreements can get complicated, especially when there are more than two people involved. Sometimes a label owns part of the track, a songwriter owns another part and someone else owns the recording. That makes it harder to know who to ask for approval, or which rights still need covering.

A Canadian lawyer can help figure out which licences apply and see if the language in an agreement matches the planned use. Having a set agreement means you can post with confidence. It also gives you something to show sponsors, platforms or collaborators if questions come up later.

Getting those details sorted ahead of time often gives creators more freedom. Instead of holding back or guessing what’s allowed, you can move forward with the post knowing the music usage is covered. That allows more room to grow your reach without worrying about account flags or takedowns.

A Smarter Way to Use Music Online

Music can turn a simple video into something people remember. But it comes with legal limits creators can’t ignore. Whether you’re remixing a beat, creating a film-style trailer or building a partnership with a brand, music agreements help protect your content and the people involved.

Understanding what those agreements include, knowing what to look for and when to get support becomes part of the planning process. That way, your content can stay live, stay shared and keep working the way you intended.

Getting the right permissions for music in your Toronto sponsored content or creative posts is important to keep your videos live and your brand partnerships strong. Our team at Sanderson Entertainment Law ensures your content aligns with Canadian copyright law and platform guidelines. To see how music agreements can support your business, reach out to us today.

The above article does not constitute legal advice. In any legal situation, skilled legal advice should be sought.