Creator brief template: music rules for sponsored content
Short answer
Put the music rules in the brief, not just the contract. Creators read briefs; they skim contracts. A good music section tells creators which sounds are fine, which to avoid, what to send back with the video, and what changes if you'll boost it. The template below is short on purpose and written in creator language. Paste it into your briefs and adjust the highlighted parts.
Why creators use risky music
Creators aren't trying to get your brand sued. They pick trending sounds because trending sounds perform, and the algorithm rewards them for it. Most have never been told that a sponsored post is commercial use, or that the song they can select on their personal account isn't cleared for your brand. Some think “original sound” means the audio is theirs. The brief is the moment to fix that, before the video is shot.
It also protects the relationship. Asking a creator to re-cut a finished video because of the music is awkward and costs them time. Telling them up front is easy.
The template
Paste this into your brief. It's written to the creator, in plain language.
Music for this collaboration
This video promotes [Brand name], so it counts as commercial content. That means the music has to be cleared for brand use, even if it's posted on your account. Thanks for helping us keep this right; it protects you as well as us.
Great choices:
• Sounds from TikTok's Commercial Music Library (on TikTok)
• Meta's Sound Collection (on Instagram and Facebook)
• Your own voiceover, talking, or natural sound
• Tracks from our approved list: [link to list]
• Music from your own library plan, if it covers sponsored content and brand ads (tell us which one)
Please avoid:
• Trending songs or chart hits from the regular music library
• Sped-up, slowed, remixed or nightcore versions of known songs
• “Original sound” clips that contain someone else's song
• Singing or covering well-known songs
• Music playing in the background where you film (radio, store, gym)
• AI-generated tracks, unless you tell us the tool and plan first
When you send the video, please tell us:
1. The name of the sound or track you used, and where it came from.
2. Whether any other music is audible in the video.
3. If you used a library, which one and which plan.
If we boost your video: we may run it as a [Spark Ad / partnership ad / whitelisted ad] from [start] to [end]. Paid use needs music cleared for ads, so please stick to the choices above. If you'd like to use a different sound, ask [contact] first.
If something gets muted or flagged: let us know the same day, and please don't re-upload the same video. We'll sort out a replacement together.
Tips that make creators follow it
- Give them good options. A list of five to ten approved tracks that fit your brand makes the right choice the easy choice. Refresh it monthly so it doesn't feel stale.
- Explain the why in one line. “Sponsored posts are commercial, so the music needs to be cleared for brand use” lands better than a wall of legal text.
- Ask for the track name on delivery. One question in your delivery form catches most problems before anything is posted.
- Re-check before boosting. If you'll run the video as an ad, check the music again and confirm the usage rights cover the whole run. See can I use a song in a Spark Ad.
- Back it up in the contract. The brief explains; the contract enforces. Our influencer contract music clause has matching wording.
For affiliate programs
TikTok Shop affiliates often post without a formal brief, which is where a lot of brand risk sits. Put a shortened version of the music rules in your affiliate program description, in sample-request messages and in any affiliate onboarding. Prioritise the creators whose videos you're most likely to boost, and keep an eye on the rest. Our guide on affiliate music risk covers this in more depth.
An example
A supplement brand sends 60 creators a brief for a product launch, with the music section above and a list of eight approved tracks. Fifty-four use an approved track or voiceover. Four use trending songs anyway; the delivery question catches them and they re-cut before posting. Two never answer the question; their videos aren't boosted until they do. Compare that with the previous launch, where nobody asked and a third of the videos used chart songs.
Where OKtoRun helps
Briefs cover new content. We check what's already live: your posts, creator and affiliate videos and running ads, each marked green, yellow or red with a fix and confirmed by a reviewer. The first check is from $500 for up to 100 posts, free if there's nothing to fix.
General information, not legal advice. Pair this brief language with contract terms your lawyer has reviewed.
Common questions
Should music rules go in the brief or the contract?
Both. The brief is what creators read when they make the video; the contract is what you rely on if something goes wrong.
Can creators use songs from their personal TikTok library for sponsored posts?
Not safely. Sponsored posts are commercial, and the general library is licensed for personal use. Use the Commercial Music Library or original audio.
What if a creator insists a trending sound performs better?
Offer approved tracks with a similar feel, or a voice-led format. If a specific song really matters to the campaign, license it properly.
Do we need these rules for UGC creators who don't post on their own accounts?
Yes. You'll post or run their videos as your own content, so the music must be cleared for your brand use.
How do we handle affiliates who never see a brief?
Put short music rules in your affiliate program description and sample messages, and check affiliate videos before boosting any of them.
Part of: Creator and affiliate rights
Related guides
General information, not legal advice. Platform rules and licenses change; check the current terms or ask your lawyer about your situation. Lawsuit figures are as reported and represent claims, not findings, unless noted.