FM:NC (NonCommercial)
FM:NC
Remix and sample for non-commercial use only.
FM:NC allows others to remix and sample your music, but commercial use is not permitted. If someone wants to use your music commercially, they need to negotiate that with you directly — outside of FreeMix.
What’s Allowed
Section titled “What’s Allowed”- Remix, sample, and create derivative works
- DJ sets (non-ticketed)
- Free mixtapes and playlists
- Personal projects
- Educational use
What’s NOT Allowed
Section titled “What’s NOT Allowed”- Selling derivatives
- Using in monetized content (YouTube, Twitch, Spotify)
- Sync licensing (TV, film, ads)
- Ticketed performances
- Any use where money changes hands
Commercial use requires separate negotiation directly with the creator.
Modifier Restrictions
Section titled “Modifier Restrictions”FM:NC is incompatible with the Royalty modifier. No commercial sales means no royalties to collect. You can still add Credit, Mix, ShareAlike, and NoAI.
When to Use FM:NC
Section titled “When to Use FM:NC”- You want people to enjoy and remix your music but not profit from it without your permission
- You’re open to commercial licensing but want to negotiate those deals individually
- You have existing commercial agreements (label deals, sync contracts) that prevent blanket commercial licensing
The Commercial/Non-Commercial Line
Section titled “The Commercial/Non-Commercial Line”The line between commercial and non-commercial can be blurry. Some guidelines:
| Scenario | Commercial? |
|---|---|
| DJ playing at a free house party | No |
| DJ playing at a ticketed festival | Yes |
| Free mixtape on SoundCloud | No |
| Monetized YouTube video | Yes |
| Student film project | No |
| Film with distribution deal | Yes |
| Personal Twitch stream (no subs/donations) | Gray area |
| Twitch partner stream with ad revenue | Yes |
When in doubt, the creator’s interpretation prevails. If you’re unsure whether your use is commercial, reach out to them and ask.