Understanding Music Copyrights in Figure Skating
Understanding Music Copyright in Figure Skating
Music copyright is one of the most confusing parts of the skating world for many families, and understandably so! Most skaters grow up hearing music everywhere – its instantly available online, videos are all over social media, and streaming services make music feel and free. So when skating families suddenly discover that competition videos are muted online, or editors ask for purchased MP3 files, or certain music uses are restricted, the frustration is real and confusing. The important thing to understand is this:
Figure skaters are usually allowed to perform to copyrighted music in competitions and shows because the venue typically holds licenses that allow music to be played publicly inside the arena. But that music can’t be copied, redistributed, livestreamed or reused freely in every other context. Those are different rights entirely.
Who Actually Owns A Song?
A piece of music usually contains multiple layers of ownership. There may be the songwriter, the composer, the publisher, the performer, the orchestra or band, and the owner of the specific recording itself. For example, someone may have written the song years ago, but another artist may later record a completely different version of it. Different people may own different parts of those rights. That is why music copyright can become complicated surprisingly quickly.
Why Competitions Can Play Music
Most organized events operate under licensing agreements through organizations that manage public music performance rights. In simple terms, this means competitions are usually paying for the legal right to play copyrighted music publicly inside the venue. That allows skaters to perform to commercial music during competition. However, those licenses are generally limited to the live event itself. They do not automatically cover, uploading videos online, livestream distribution, social media posting, or selling copies of performances. That’s where many misunderstandings begin.
Why Competition Videos Get Muted Online
One of the biggest frustrations for skating families is discovering that competition videos are muted on YouTube, Facebook or Instagram. This usually happens because online platforms use automated copyright detection systems that scan uploaded videos for copyrighted music. Even if the skater legally performed to the music in competition, the competition itself was properly licensed, and the family filmed the performance legally, the online platform may still block or mute the video because the music owner has not granted permission for public online distribution. The platform is not judging the skater personally. It is responding automatically to copyright law and music licensing agreements.
Why Music Editors Need Purchased Files
Another common question is why do professional music editors ask skaters to provide purchased MP3 or WAV files rather than Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube links? Streaming services are designed for listening, not for downloadable editing use. Most streaming platforms do not legally provide editable audio files. They also often use compressed or protected formats that are not suitable for professional editing. Professional editing requires access to an actual audio file that can legally and technically be worked with properly.
Can Coaches Reuse Music Cuts?
This is another area where confusion happens frequently. A custom skating edit is generally created for one skater, one program, and one intended use. Reusing the same custom edit for multiple skaters, alternate program lengths or entirely new programs may require additional editing work and additional permission, and it’s not about “being difficult.” It’s about respecting creative work. Professional skating edits involve time, technical skill, restructuring, timing work, sound balancing and artistic decision-making. A skating edit is not simply pressing a “shorten song” button. Just as choreographers deserve to be paid for choreography work, editors deserve to be compensated for custom music editing work.
Why The Rules Feel Confusing
Part of the confusion comes from the fact that modern technology has made music feel endlessly shareable. People can stream songs instantly, repost clips, create TikToks, and upload videos constantly. So it becomes easy to assume that all music usage is automatically allowed everywhere. But copyright law has not disappeared simply because technology changed. Music creators still own rights to recordings, performances, distribution, synchronization, and reproduction. Figure skating sits in a slightly awkward middle ground because the sport depends so heavily on commercial music while also existing in highly public competition spaces. That means skating families sometimes encounter copyright issues without fully understanding why.
The Good News
For most skaters and families, the practical reality is fairly simple.
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Purchase your music legally.
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Use professional-quality audio files when possible.
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Understand that competition performance rights are different from online distribution rights.
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Respect the work of composers, performers and music editors.
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And understand that muted online videos are usually the result of automated copyright systems, not personal attacks on skaters or competitions.
Most skating families are not trying to “steal” music. They are simply navigating a complicated system that very few people ever explain clearly. So confusion is understandable. The important thing is simply learning how the system works so that skaters, families, coaches and editors can all work together respectfully, legally and professionally.