Remix Regrets: When Your Playlist Breaks the Law

So here’s something nobody tells you when you're putting together a cheer or dance routine: using your favorite song—like, say, a Beyoncé track or a mashup of three different artists—can actually get you (or your school) in serious legal trouble.

Back in the early 2000s, the music industry cracked down hard on people downloading songs for free with Napster and LimeWire. One student got fined over $22,000 for downloading just 30 songs. Another could’ve been hit with $41 million if they hadn’t settled. The courts made it clear: downloading or sharing music without permission isn’t just shady—it’s illegal. And fair use? Doesn’t really apply, especially when it comes to music.

Now, the focus has shifted to how schools and teams are using music at events, competitions, and even on social media. Cheer and dance squads are a big one. If your team is using a remix or mashup made by someone who didn’t license the music, that’s copyright infringement. Sony literally sued a company in 2014 for selling unlicensed mixes to cheer teams across the country, asking for $150,000 per song.

What makes it tricky is that you often need multiple licenses just to use one track in a routine or video—especially if you’re editing it, performing it live, or uploading it online. And no, just because it’s for school doesn’t make it legal.

Long story short: if you’re using music in anything public—even a school performance—make sure it’s properly licensed. Get your songs from approved providers, keep your receipts, and don’t just assume it’s okay because everyone else is doing it. Copyright law might seem old-school, but it’s very much alive and watching your Spotify playlist.

Read More Here: https://nfhs.org/articles/cheerleading-and-dance-squad-music-copyright-law-issues/