Using Nursery Rhymes Without Copyright Issues for YouTube and Commercial Purposes

Sharing classic nursery rhymes on YouTube and other platforms can be a fun and educational activity. However, it is important to ensure that the works you choose fall under the public domain to avoid any copyright issues. In this article, we will discuss how to identify public domain nursery rhymes and the legal rights you have when using them.

Public Domain and Nursery Rhymes

The public domain refers to works that are no longer protected by copyright, meaning anyone can use, modify, or improve upon them without seeking permission. Traditional nursery rhymes are often part of the public domain, as they are typically very old and have been in circulation for an extended period before the establishment of modern copyright laws.

For example, if you want to upload nursery rhymes such as Little Miss Muffet, Little Jack Horner, or Baa Baa Black Sheep, you can use these without fear of copyright infringement. These works were never copyrighted in the first place, or their copyright has long since expired, making them free for anyone to use and re-purpose.

Derivative Works and Public Domain

When using works in the public domain, you can not only perform the original work as-is but also create your own derivative versions. A derivative work is a new creation based on an existing work, such as a musical arrangement, a movie adaptation, or a re-telling of a story. Once you create a derivative work, you automatically hold the copyright over your version.

For instance, if you want to create a video that tells the story of The Little Mermaid using traditional characters and plots from Hans Christian Andersen's original tale, you are free to do so. However, if you incorporate elements from the Disney version, which had some new additions and characters, you would need to get permission from Disney as its work is still under copyright.

Practical Considerations for Uploading Nursery Rhymes

While using public domain nursery rhymes is generally safe, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind:

Questionable Works: While most traditional nursery rhymes are in the public domain, it can sometimes be difficult to verify the copyright status of a specific version. If the source is unclear, it may be best to create your own recordings to avoid any potential issues. Attribution: Even though YouTube allows you to use some of its music tracks without attribution, it is still considerate and recommended to mention the original authors, especially if they are now in the public domain.

Additional Resources for Music and Audio

YouTube offers a vast audio library that includes music tracks suitable for use in your YouTube videos. This library includes a children's genre with numerous nursery rhymes that you can use. When using these tracks, ensure they are set to "Attribution not required," which means you don’t have to mention the author, though it is always a good idea to do so.

To find these tracks, visit the following link:

YouTube Music Library

This resource helps creators find appropriate music for their content, ensuring they comply with YouTube's guidelines while making their videos more engaging and enjoyable for viewers.