Music permissions for social posts, ads and livestreams

Do not assume one music licence covers every place you want to use the video. Ask about the intended use first: a social post, paid promotion and a livestream can each have different terms.

Why does the channel matter?

A licence is permission for a stated use. It can be limited by platform, by period, by territory or by the kind of use. A track cleared for a private screening may not be cleared for an advert.

Copyright in Malaysia is set by the Copyright Act 1987. In practice, the useful step is to ask these questions before the video is edited.

What should you ask for each use?

If your answer is “I do not know yet”, list every channel you might use. Choose music that covers the widest plan, or ask for a version with no music for later use.

Does a licence stop a takedown?

Not always. The Music Authors’ Copyright Protection Berhad (MACP) notes that holding a music licence does not automatically prevent a takedown when other rights or platform rules are unresolved. Rules can also differ between platforms.

So keep the paperwork. Store the track name, the source and the licence terms with the final file. If a video is removed, you can then show what was licensed. Our guide on requests to remove or revise a published event video covers the workflow.

How does this work in practice?

Here is an illustrative example, not a client story. A company holds a launch event and plans three uses: a short clip on its own social accounts, a paid advert from the same footage and a livestream of the keynote.

1. The organiser lists the three uses in the brief before the edit begins.
2. The videographer proposes music that is licensed for all three, or a music-free version for the livestream replay.
3. The licence terms and the source are saved with the delivered file.
4. A sponsor asks to repost the clip, so the organiser asks whether the licence allows it.

Music already playing at the venue is a different question. Read music played at an event and music added to the video for that.

What happens once the video is ready?

We keep the licence details with the file. Platform rules change, so check them again before you post. Rights in the footage itself depend on your agreement, as covered in video ownership, usage rights and raw-file delivery.

If you plan a livestream, see our event livestreaming service. It is available on request and confirmed for each event.

For a legal question about how the Copyright Act applies to your video, ask a qualified adviser.

What we confirm for your event

• The music source and licence terms are given to you in writing.
• Which of your social posts, paid promotion and livestream replays the licence covers.
• Whether you also need a version with no music, or different music, for later uses.
• Who handles the follow-up if a platform removes the video.

The filming and publication responsibilities checklist helps you record the answers. To plan the video with us, see event highlight films or our event videography service.