Can I use music and film clips in content I create and post online?

It is likely that permission will be needed from the copyright owner.  Some websites that allow you to post such material may already have licences in place to cover the use of copyright protected material.  You should check this before posting any content.

Collecting societies represent  groups of copyright owners.. A collecting society will be able to agree licences of particular rights with users on behalf of owners and will collect any royalties the owners are owed. In many cases a collecting society will offer a blanket licence for all the works by owners it represents.

There are different types of copyright associated with music recordings and different collecting societies for each right. There is the copyright in the underlying music and lyrics - which is generally licensed for public performance by MCPS- PRS Alliance who act on behalf of their songwriter, composer and music publisher members. And there is the copyright in the sound recording itself and also performers rights - which are generally licensed for public performance by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) who act on behalf of their performer and record company members.

Filmbank or Motion Picture Licensing Corporation may be able to offer a licence for the use of films.

In other cases you will need to approach the owner of rights in the film, often the producer or UK distributor, for permission to use the material. You should note that you may need to get permission from the owners of copyright in the content of a film as well, particularly those who own rights in the music.