Someone Used My Song on TikTok — Your Rights and Options

TikTok is one of the most common places rights holders discover their music being used without a proper license. The confusing part: some uses are covered by TikTok's platform licenses and some are not. This guide breaks down the difference and walks through exactly what to do.

Commercial Music Library vs. general music library

This distinction is the single most misunderstood part of TikTok music rights, and it matters for every business, agency, and brand account:

• TikTok's Commercial Music Library (CML) is a curated catalog that TikTok has pre-cleared for business and brand use. Business accounts and paid ads are generally limited to CML tracks — that is what "commercial use" clearance is designed to cover.
• TikTok's general music library (the "Sounds" catalog you see on regular personal accounts) is licensed only for personal, non-commercial user-generated content posted by personal accounts. It is not automatically cleared for commercial or business advertising, regardless of how popular or "trending" the sound is.

In short: a general-library song appearing in a brand's ad, a business's promotional post, or a paid campaign is a strong signal of unauthorized commercial use — even though the song was technically "available" inside TikTok. The general library is a consumer feature; the CML is the business feature.

TikTok's personal-use license does not cover:

• Business and brand accounts using the song commercially.
• Paid ads (TikTok Ads Manager requires separately cleared music — typically from the CML or a direct license).
• Re-uploads of your original recording outside the Sounds framework.
• Uses that promote or sell a product, event, or service.

Capture the evidence fast

TikTok content disappears quickly. Screen-record the full video with sound, screenshot the account handle, follower count, sound title, view count, and the exact URL. If the account is a business, capture the profile, any linked website, and any product tags.

Your options

1. 1
   TikTok Intellectual Property Report

   Free, informal, and usually the fastest way to remove the specific video. Requires song identification and the exact URL.
2. 2
   Copyright Claims Board (CCB) claim

   A small-claims copyright tribunal capped at $30,000 — useful for a single commercial post or a small campaign.
3. 3
   Federal lawsuit

   The right forum for larger commercial campaigns, repeat offenders, or when statutory damages are important. Requires copyright registration.
4. 4
   License negotiation

   Sometimes the business will pay a sync or usage fee once notified. An attorney can negotiate a settlement.

Registration matters even here

A registered work unlocks statutory damages and attorney's fees. If your song isn't registered yet, register it now — registration is inexpensive and it changes what a court can award.