Can You Use That Music in Your Film? (Even If It’s Just a Cover or You Edited It)

You’ve found the perfect track for your short film. Maybe it’s a famous piece — say, Libertango by Astor Piazzolla. Or maybe it’s a cover version you found online. You drop it into the edit, tweak a few notes, maybe pitch-shift or rearrange it a little. All good, right?

Not really.

Why You Can’t Just Use Any Music — Even a Cover

Here’s the hard truth: using existing music in your film without securing the rights can put your entire project at risk — especially if you plan to submit to festivals, release it online, or sign a distribution deal.

In one of my past projects, a director used a cover version of Libertango in a short documentary. It worked beautifully — until a distribution opportunity came up, and she realized (too late) that she didn’t have the legal rights to use it.

She asked me:

“But it’s just a cover. And I even changed a few notes. That’s allowed… right?”

Unfortunately, no. Here’s why:

There Are Two Rights You Need for Existing Music

When you use a track someone else composed, even a cover or a modified version, there are two main rights you must clear:

1. Composition rights (the melody, harmony, lyrics — basically the “song” itself)

These belong to the composer and/or publisher. Even if you record your own version, you’re still using their intellectual property.

2. Master recording rights (the specific recorded version)

If you use a pre-recorded track, even from a cover artist, you also need the permission of whoever owns that recording (usually the performer or label).

Changing a few notes doesn’t make it “yours.” You’re still using a derivative work based on someone else’s composition — and that requires a license.

What Happens If You Don’t Get the Rights?

• Festivals may disqualify your film for unlicensed music.

• Distributors need clean sync rights — or they won’t consider your film.

• You risk takedowns on YouTube, Vimeo, and streaming platforms due to copyright claims.

• In the worst-case scenario, you could be sued for copyright infringement — and it’s not cheap.

This is especially frustrating if you’ve already locked picture and now need to scramble for replacement music.

What to Do Instead

• Get clearance before you lock your edit — especially for music.

• Use public domain music (like most classical works published before 1925)

• Work with a composer to create original music that captures the same vibe.

• Use properly licensed royalty-free library music or Creative Commons tracks (but check the terms — not all are cleared for festivals or distribution).

• If you really want to use an existing track, budget for the rights and talk to a music supervisor or licensing expert early on.

Final Thought

Music can make or break your film. But using the wrong track — even a cover version, remix, or modified edit — can ruin your release, limit your distribution, and get your film flagged or taken down. Original music is often the safer, more flexible — and ultimately more powerful — choice.

🎵 Need Original Music?

If you’re working on a project and want a score that’s legally safe, emotionally resonant, and tailored to your story — feel free to reach out. Even if you’re still writing, it’s smart to start the music conversation early.

🎧 Listen to my music

✉️ Contact me

Marco Valerio Romano

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Quick FAQ

Can I use a cover song in my short film?

Only with permission from the performer (for the recording) and the sync license from the publisher (for the composition). Most YouTube covers are not cleared for commercial use.

Do I need a sync license if I recorded the song myself?

Yes. If the song is copyrighted, you still need a sync license to use it in a film or video — even if you recorded it yourself.

Is changing a few notes enough to avoid copyright?

No. Modified versions are considered derivative works and still require a license.

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