All guides
legalyoutuberights

Karaoke video copyright, in plain English

What you can and can't put in a karaoke video, what D107 does and doesn't do, and how to keep your channel strike-free.

1 min read · Aug 25, 2026

Not legal advice — but here's the practical map most creators wish they'd had before their first strike.

Two separate rights in every song

  1. The composition — melody and lyrics. Owned by the songwriter/publisher.
  2. The recording — the specific studio track. Owned by the label.

A karaoke video typically uses lyrics (composition) and an instrumental (either a licensed re-recording or your own performance). You need rights to both parts you use.

What D107 does and doesn't do

  • Does: sync a lyric sheet you provide to an audio file you provide, and export a video.
  • Doesn't: download songs, strip vocals from commercial tracks, generate instrumentals, or supply lyrics.

That's deliberate. The tool never introduces content you didn't already have the right to use.

Safe sources for the instrumental

  • Your own recording or cover.
  • Licensed backing tracks from stores that state YouTube/sync rights.
  • Public-domain works (generally pre-1929 in the US; check your territory).
Ad slot · blogPostMid · set ADS in src/config.js

Safe sources for lyrics

  • Your own writing.
  • Licensed lyric databases (CCLI for worship, publisher licenses for education).
  • Public-domain lyrics.

YouTube specifics

  • Content ID can match a licensed backing track. Keep your license receipt; dispute with it.
  • Monetization on covers is often shared with the publisher via YouTube's agreements — expected, not a strike.
  • "Karaoke version" in the title doesn't change anything legally. Rights do.

FAQ

Can I use the original studio track with the vocals removed? No, not without a license for that recording. Use a licensed instrumental or record your own.

Do I need a license for a live bar night? Venues generally hold a public performance license. Confirm yours covers displayed lyrics.

What does D107 store or upload? The Builder is offline. Copilot (optional) sends only the lyric sheet for cleanup.

Download D107 Karaoke Studio, bring audio you're allowed to use, and publish without the knot in your stomach.

Ad slot · blogPostEnd · set ADS in src/config.js