Audio Liberation From YouTube: Three Safe Methods

How to Rip Audio from YouTube in 3 Ways [Free and Safe]

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Top lectures, top debates, and top music are present on YouTube. But watching them is time-consuming. This is where people want to rip audio from YouTube videos. The ability to extract audio from YouTube will allow them to listen to these audios anywhere, anytime.

Many online websites are famous for extracting audio from YouTubevideos. They let you choose the available audio formats like MP3, WAV, etc. Then, you can download the converted file on your device. And the best part is that it is completely free.

Here, we will show you 3 ways of how to rip audio from YouTubeusing ‘free and secure’ websites:

• Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3
• Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software
• Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube - [Video Tutorial]
• A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube
• Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Rip Audio from YouTube

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Secure Download

Rip Audio from YouTube

For macOS 10.14 or later

Secure Download

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3

Another easy program to rip audio from YouTube is Ytmp3. This tool is ‘free and safe’ and easy to use. You can convert YouTube videos into mp3 and mp4 formats. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Copy YouTube video URL and Paste into Ytmp3

Firstly, copy the URL of the YouTube video you wish to convert. Then, go to the Ytmp3 website and paste the URL into the box shown on the home page.

Step 2: Choose the format and convert

Secondly, you can choose the available formats. The website offers two formats; mp3 (audio) and mp4 (video). As you want to rip audio from YouTube, choose the mp3 format. Afterward, click the convert button to start the process.

Step 3: Download the converted file

Lastly, you can click on the Download or Dropbox button. Clicking on the button will get your file downloaded. Additionally, you can choose to convert more. Otherwise, you can access the downloaded file.

Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software

Sometimes you watch a YouTube video and happen to like the audio but not the video. To just listen to the audio in the video, you need torip audio from the YouTube video. For this purpose, the 4K Video Downloader is the best desktop software for ripping audios. The software can extract audio from YouTube videos and convert it into an mp3 file. This software is available both free and paid. A step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Launch 4K Video Downloader and paste the URL

Firstly, launch the software. Then, copy the YouTube URL. Now, click the Paste Link option on the top left corner. Then, a pop-up will appear where you have to select Extract Audiooption.

Step 2: Choose the quality

After that, you have to choose the quality for the to-be-extracted file.

Step 3: Choose the format and extract

Lastly, choose the format (MP3, M4A, OGG) of your file. Afterward, hit the Extract button to extract audio from the YouTube video. After the process is complete, you can access the file.

Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube

Here is another way to extract audio files from any videos included YouTube.

Step 1: First Download Filmora Video Editor from the button below and use the ‘Screen Recorder‘ feature to record the YouTube video that you want to rip to audio.

Extract Audio from Video

Extract Audio from Video

Step 2: Import the recorded video to Filmora and right click on the video track, select ‘Detach Audio‘ to extract audio track. Then choose the audio track and click the ‘Export‘ button to save ripped audio files.

Here are more features of Filmora Video Editor:

• Edit screen recorded video and audio with various tools.
• Record screen with high quality.
• Export video and audio with multiple formats.
• Offers cool effects, filters and stickers to make your video professional.

A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube

Is the downloading of YouTube videos, including ripping audio from YouTube videos, legal? Here, we’ll have a brief discussion regarding the legality of downloading and converting YouTube videos.

According to YouTube’s Terms of Service , it is completely illegal to download, convert, or share the video without getting the appropriate permission from the owner.

However, there are some types of videos that are legal to download, and you can extract audio from YouTube videos falling into these categories:

• Public Domain: These videos’ copyright is either expired or abandoned. So, there is no owner, and the public can use the video for any purpose.
• Creative Commons: These videos are owned by the artists, but they have allowed the public to reproduce and share the content.
• Copyleft: These videos are granted free rights to change, share, and reproduce as long as the same rights apply to derivative content.

Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Usually, the audio of your video is not clear. Sometimes the background music is irritating, and you want to replace it. In short, the point is to edit and enhance the audio track of your video. All these changes can be achieved by using Filmora.

Wondershare Filmora is a video editing tool equipped with many features. Along with video editing options, this tool is perfect for audio editing. This software allows you to trim, add effects, or replace the audio track of your video. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Step 1: Import the media

Firstly, after downloading and installing the software. Click on Files, then select import media files.

Step 2: Add Audio from the Audio Tab

Then, click the Audio tab to add audio or background music to your video.

Step 3: Set the Speed and Duration

To set the speed and the duration, right-click on the audio timeline or press CTRL+R. Now you can modify the settings.

Step 4: Adjusting the audio

The next step is to adjust the audio setting by double-clicking on the audio timeline. You can modify Pitch, Fade in/Fade out, etc.

Step 5: Add your own voice via Voiceover

You can add your own voice too. Just click on the voiceover icon on the right side to record your audio.

Step 6: Export the media

Lastly, click on the Export button to save your project where you want.

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

• 100 Million+ Users
• 150+ Countries and Regions
• 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
• 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Top lectures, top debates, and top music are present on YouTube. But watching them is time-consuming. This is where people want to rip audio from YouTube videos. The ability to extract audio from YouTube will allow them to listen to these audios anywhere, anytime.

Many online websites are famous for extracting audio from YouTubevideos. They let you choose the available audio formats like MP3, WAV, etc. Then, you can download the converted file on your device. And the best part is that it is completely free.

Here, we will show you 3 ways of how to rip audio from YouTubeusing ‘free and secure’ websites:

• Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3
• Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software
• Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube - [Video Tutorial]
• A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube
• Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Rip Audio from YouTube

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Secure Download

Rip Audio from YouTube

For macOS 10.14 or later

Secure Download

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3

Another easy program to rip audio from YouTube is Ytmp3. This tool is ‘free and safe’ and easy to use. You can convert YouTube videos into mp3 and mp4 formats. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Copy YouTube video URL and Paste into Ytmp3

Firstly, copy the URL of the YouTube video you wish to convert. Then, go to the Ytmp3 website and paste the URL into the box shown on the home page.

Step 2: Choose the format and convert

Secondly, you can choose the available formats. The website offers two formats; mp3 (audio) and mp4 (video). As you want to rip audio from YouTube, choose the mp3 format. Afterward, click the convert button to start the process.

Step 3: Download the converted file

Lastly, you can click on the Download or Dropbox button. Clicking on the button will get your file downloaded. Additionally, you can choose to convert more. Otherwise, you can access the downloaded file.

Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software

Sometimes you watch a YouTube video and happen to like the audio but not the video. To just listen to the audio in the video, you need torip audio from the YouTube video. For this purpose, the 4K Video Downloader is the best desktop software for ripping audios. The software can extract audio from YouTube videos and convert it into an mp3 file. This software is available both free and paid. A step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Launch 4K Video Downloader and paste the URL

Firstly, launch the software. Then, copy the YouTube URL. Now, click the Paste Link option on the top left corner. Then, a pop-up will appear where you have to select Extract Audiooption.

Step 2: Choose the quality

After that, you have to choose the quality for the to-be-extracted file.

Step 3: Choose the format and extract

Lastly, choose the format (MP3, M4A, OGG) of your file. Afterward, hit the Extract button to extract audio from the YouTube video. After the process is complete, you can access the file.

Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube

Here is another way to extract audio files from any videos included YouTube.

Step 1: First Download Filmora Video Editor from the button below and use the ‘Screen Recorder‘ feature to record the YouTube video that you want to rip to audio.

Extract Audio from Video

Extract Audio from Video

Step 2: Import the recorded video to Filmora and right click on the video track, select ‘Detach Audio‘ to extract audio track. Then choose the audio track and click the ‘Export‘ button to save ripped audio files.

Here are more features of Filmora Video Editor:

• Edit screen recorded video and audio with various tools.
• Record screen with high quality.
• Export video and audio with multiple formats.
• Offers cool effects, filters and stickers to make your video professional.

A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube

Is the downloading of YouTube videos, including ripping audio from YouTube videos, legal? Here, we’ll have a brief discussion regarding the legality of downloading and converting YouTube videos.

According to YouTube’s Terms of Service , it is completely illegal to download, convert, or share the video without getting the appropriate permission from the owner.

However, there are some types of videos that are legal to download, and you can extract audio from YouTube videos falling into these categories:

• Public Domain: These videos’ copyright is either expired or abandoned. So, there is no owner, and the public can use the video for any purpose.
• Creative Commons: These videos are owned by the artists, but they have allowed the public to reproduce and share the content.
• Copyleft: These videos are granted free rights to change, share, and reproduce as long as the same rights apply to derivative content.

Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Usually, the audio of your video is not clear. Sometimes the background music is irritating, and you want to replace it. In short, the point is to edit and enhance the audio track of your video. All these changes can be achieved by using Filmora.

Wondershare Filmora is a video editing tool equipped with many features. Along with video editing options, this tool is perfect for audio editing. This software allows you to trim, add effects, or replace the audio track of your video. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Step 1: Import the media

Firstly, after downloading and installing the software. Click on Files, then select import media files.

Step 2: Add Audio from the Audio Tab

Then, click the Audio tab to add audio or background music to your video.

Step 3: Set the Speed and Duration

To set the speed and the duration, right-click on the audio timeline or press CTRL+R. Now you can modify the settings.

Step 4: Adjusting the audio

The next step is to adjust the audio setting by double-clicking on the audio timeline. You can modify Pitch, Fade in/Fade out, etc.

Step 5: Add your own voice via Voiceover

You can add your own voice too. Just click on the voiceover icon on the right side to record your audio.

Step 6: Export the media

Lastly, click on the Export button to save your project where you want.

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

• 100 Million+ Users
• 150+ Countries and Regions
• 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
• 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Top lectures, top debates, and top music are present on YouTube. But watching them is time-consuming. This is where people want to rip audio from YouTube videos. The ability to extract audio from YouTube will allow them to listen to these audios anywhere, anytime.

Many online websites are famous for extracting audio from YouTubevideos. They let you choose the available audio formats like MP3, WAV, etc. Then, you can download the converted file on your device. And the best part is that it is completely free.

Here, we will show you 3 ways of how to rip audio from YouTubeusing ‘free and secure’ websites:

• Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3
• Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software
• Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube - [Video Tutorial]
• A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube
• Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Rip Audio from YouTube

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Secure Download

Rip Audio from YouTube

For macOS 10.14 or later

Secure Download

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3

Another easy program to rip audio from YouTube is Ytmp3. This tool is ‘free and safe’ and easy to use. You can convert YouTube videos into mp3 and mp4 formats. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Copy YouTube video URL and Paste into Ytmp3

Firstly, copy the URL of the YouTube video you wish to convert. Then, go to the Ytmp3 website and paste the URL into the box shown on the home page.

Step 2: Choose the format and convert

Secondly, you can choose the available formats. The website offers two formats; mp3 (audio) and mp4 (video). As you want to rip audio from YouTube, choose the mp3 format. Afterward, click the convert button to start the process.

Step 3: Download the converted file

Lastly, you can click on the Download or Dropbox button. Clicking on the button will get your file downloaded. Additionally, you can choose to convert more. Otherwise, you can access the downloaded file.

Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software

Sometimes you watch a YouTube video and happen to like the audio but not the video. To just listen to the audio in the video, you need torip audio from the YouTube video. For this purpose, the 4K Video Downloader is the best desktop software for ripping audios. The software can extract audio from YouTube videos and convert it into an mp3 file. This software is available both free and paid. A step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Launch 4K Video Downloader and paste the URL

Firstly, launch the software. Then, copy the YouTube URL. Now, click the Paste Link option on the top left corner. Then, a pop-up will appear where you have to select Extract Audiooption.

Step 2: Choose the quality

After that, you have to choose the quality for the to-be-extracted file.

Step 3: Choose the format and extract

Lastly, choose the format (MP3, M4A, OGG) of your file. Afterward, hit the Extract button to extract audio from the YouTube video. After the process is complete, you can access the file.

Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube

Here is another way to extract audio files from any videos included YouTube.

Step 1: First Download Filmora Video Editor from the button below and use the ‘Screen Recorder‘ feature to record the YouTube video that you want to rip to audio.

Extract Audio from Video

Extract Audio from Video

Step 2: Import the recorded video to Filmora and right click on the video track, select ‘Detach Audio‘ to extract audio track. Then choose the audio track and click the ‘Export‘ button to save ripped audio files.

Here are more features of Filmora Video Editor:

• Edit screen recorded video and audio with various tools.
• Record screen with high quality.
• Export video and audio with multiple formats.
• Offers cool effects, filters and stickers to make your video professional.

A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube

Is the downloading of YouTube videos, including ripping audio from YouTube videos, legal? Here, we’ll have a brief discussion regarding the legality of downloading and converting YouTube videos.

According to YouTube’s Terms of Service , it is completely illegal to download, convert, or share the video without getting the appropriate permission from the owner.

However, there are some types of videos that are legal to download, and you can extract audio from YouTube videos falling into these categories:

• Public Domain: These videos’ copyright is either expired or abandoned. So, there is no owner, and the public can use the video for any purpose.
• Creative Commons: These videos are owned by the artists, but they have allowed the public to reproduce and share the content.
• Copyleft: These videos are granted free rights to change, share, and reproduce as long as the same rights apply to derivative content.

Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Usually, the audio of your video is not clear. Sometimes the background music is irritating, and you want to replace it. In short, the point is to edit and enhance the audio track of your video. All these changes can be achieved by using Filmora.

Wondershare Filmora is a video editing tool equipped with many features. Along with video editing options, this tool is perfect for audio editing. This software allows you to trim, add effects, or replace the audio track of your video. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Step 1: Import the media

Firstly, after downloading and installing the software. Click on Files, then select import media files.

Step 2: Add Audio from the Audio Tab

Then, click the Audio tab to add audio or background music to your video.

Step 3: Set the Speed and Duration

To set the speed and the duration, right-click on the audio timeline or press CTRL+R. Now you can modify the settings.

Step 4: Adjusting the audio

The next step is to adjust the audio setting by double-clicking on the audio timeline. You can modify Pitch, Fade in/Fade out, etc.

Step 5: Add your own voice via Voiceover

You can add your own voice too. Just click on the voiceover icon on the right side to record your audio.

Step 6: Export the media

Lastly, click on the Export button to save your project where you want.

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

• 100 Million+ Users
• 150+ Countries and Regions
• 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
• 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Top lectures, top debates, and top music are present on YouTube. But watching them is time-consuming. This is where people want to rip audio from YouTube videos. The ability to extract audio from YouTube will allow them to listen to these audios anywhere, anytime.

Many online websites are famous for extracting audio from YouTubevideos. They let you choose the available audio formats like MP3, WAV, etc. Then, you can download the converted file on your device. And the best part is that it is completely free.

Here, we will show you 3 ways of how to rip audio from YouTubeusing ‘free and secure’ websites:

• Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3
• Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software
• Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube - [Video Tutorial]
• A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube
• Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Rip Audio from YouTube

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Secure Download

Rip Audio from YouTube

For macOS 10.14 or later

Secure Download

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

Method 1: Rip Audio from YouTube Online with Ytmp3

Another easy program to rip audio from YouTube is Ytmp3. This tool is ‘free and safe’ and easy to use. You can convert YouTube videos into mp3 and mp4 formats. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Copy YouTube video URL and Paste into Ytmp3

Firstly, copy the URL of the YouTube video you wish to convert. Then, go to the Ytmp3 website and paste the URL into the box shown on the home page.

Step 2: Choose the format and convert

Secondly, you can choose the available formats. The website offers two formats; mp3 (audio) and mp4 (video). As you want to rip audio from YouTube, choose the mp3 format. Afterward, click the convert button to start the process.

Step 3: Download the converted file

Lastly, you can click on the Download or Dropbox button. Clicking on the button will get your file downloaded. Additionally, you can choose to convert more. Otherwise, you can access the downloaded file.

Method 2: Extract Audio from YouTube Using Desktop Software

Sometimes you watch a YouTube video and happen to like the audio but not the video. To just listen to the audio in the video, you need torip audio from the YouTube video. For this purpose, the 4K Video Downloader is the best desktop software for ripping audios. The software can extract audio from YouTube videos and convert it into an mp3 file. This software is available both free and paid. A step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Step 1: Launch 4K Video Downloader and paste the URL

Firstly, launch the software. Then, copy the YouTube URL. Now, click the Paste Link option on the top left corner. Then, a pop-up will appear where you have to select Extract Audiooption.

Step 2: Choose the quality

After that, you have to choose the quality for the to-be-extracted file.

Step 3: Choose the format and extract

Lastly, choose the format (MP3, M4A, OGG) of your file. Afterward, hit the Extract button to extract audio from the YouTube video. After the process is complete, you can access the file.

Method 3: Record YouTube Screen and Extract Audio from YouTube

Here is another way to extract audio files from any videos included YouTube.

Step 1: First Download Filmora Video Editor from the button below and use the ‘Screen Recorder‘ feature to record the YouTube video that you want to rip to audio.

Extract Audio from Video

Extract Audio from Video

Step 2: Import the recorded video to Filmora and right click on the video track, select ‘Detach Audio‘ to extract audio track. Then choose the audio track and click the ‘Export‘ button to save ripped audio files.

Here are more features of Filmora Video Editor:

• Edit screen recorded video and audio with various tools.
• Record screen with high quality.
• Export video and audio with multiple formats.
• Offers cool effects, filters and stickers to make your video professional.

A Legal Warning for Ripping Audio from YouTube

Is the downloading of YouTube videos, including ripping audio from YouTube videos, legal? Here, we’ll have a brief discussion regarding the legality of downloading and converting YouTube videos.

According to YouTube’s Terms of Service , it is completely illegal to download, convert, or share the video without getting the appropriate permission from the owner.

However, there are some types of videos that are legal to download, and you can extract audio from YouTube videos falling into these categories:

• Public Domain: These videos’ copyright is either expired or abandoned. So, there is no owner, and the public can use the video for any purpose.
• Creative Commons: These videos are owned by the artists, but they have allowed the public to reproduce and share the content.
• Copyleft: These videos are granted free rights to change, share, and reproduce as long as the same rights apply to derivative content.

Bonus: How to Edit the Audio to Your Own Video

Usually, the audio of your video is not clear. Sometimes the background music is irritating, and you want to replace it. In short, the point is to edit and enhance the audio track of your video. All these changes can be achieved by using Filmora.

Wondershare Filmora is a video editing tool equipped with many features. Along with video editing options, this tool is perfect for audio editing. This software allows you to trim, add effects, or replace the audio track of your video. A simple step-by-step guide is provided for your convenience:

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Edit Audio & Video for Free

Step 1: Import the media

Firstly, after downloading and installing the software. Click on Files, then select import media files.

Step 2: Add Audio from the Audio Tab

Then, click the Audio tab to add audio or background music to your video.

Step 3: Set the Speed and Duration

To set the speed and the duration, right-click on the audio timeline or press CTRL+R. Now you can modify the settings.

Step 4: Adjusting the audio

The next step is to adjust the audio setting by double-clicking on the audio timeline. You can modify Pitch, Fade in/Fade out, etc.

Step 5: Add your own voice via Voiceover

You can add your own voice too. Just click on the voiceover icon on the right side to record your audio.

Step 6: Export the media

Lastly, click on the Export button to save your project where you want.

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

• 100 Million+ Users
• 150+ Countries and Regions
• 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
• 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

The Ultimate Copyright Strategy for Online Video Creators

The Ultimate Guide to YouTube Copyright

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

One of the trickiest terrains for new YouTubers to navigate is the land of copyright rules.

We get it, it’s confusing and stressful, especially when what you want to focus on is making videos, but instead, you are worried about getting your account terminated or being sued.

Can you or can’t you use that song or that clip from the movie? That’s all you want to know.

In this article, we are going to address the key areas that YouTubers need to understand when it comes to YouTube copyright. What is okay and what isn’t? What may be considered risky or what would be worth taking a chance?

Remember that everything discussed in this article is only best practices and shouldn’t be taken as definitive legal advice.

Now that we are set, let’s dive in:

Part 1: What is Fair Use?

When we talk about YouTube copyright, we have to talk about fair use.

Without fair use, there wouldn’t be any flexibility for creators. There wouldn’t be mashups, parodies, or lip dubs. Without fair use, any video with copyright content such as music in the background or a reference to a scene from a famous movie will require approval from the content owner and can be removed. Because of fair use, you can publish a video with copyrighted material in it and not have to ask anyone.

Think of fair use as exceptions to copyright rules.

Part 2: What YouTube Considers Fair Use

There are a few aspects YouTube looks at when it comes to determining whether creators are using copyrighted content that meets the fair use exceptions.

1. Is the copyrighted content being creatively or purposefully used?
2. Are there more original content used than copyrighted content in the video?
3. Will your video benefit the original copyrighted content?

Part 3: Types of Content That Meet Fair Use

Some acceptable styles of videos that allow you to exercise fair use are:

Critiques and Reviews: You can use clips of a movie that you review or play a chorus from a song that you are analyzing in a video and it will be okay to use because it’s serving a purpose of educating the viewer.

Tutorials and Commentary: A YouTube gamer streaming the video games and making comments throughout, that is within fair use, because it can be said that it is giving the video game exposure. Additionally, anything that can be classified as tutorials can also fall under fair use. If you have a video teaching people how to play a famous song, like The Beatles’ Let It Be , on piano, that’s fine!

Mashups: Mashups tend to be built entirely out of copyrighted material, but when done well this style of videos are very creative and often serve to promote the original work as opposed to replacing it.

There couldn’t be two more different movies than Toy Story and Fight Club, but somehow thanks the the creativity of a YouTube creator, there is a now a mashup of it. Some might call it an abomination, but this type of recycled art takes skills and planning, and it wouldn’t exist without fair use.

Parody: Imitation for comedic or dramatic effect is an artistic pursuit as long as it is done in a transformative manner. What does transformative mean? It means in some way, the original is being examined.

In this example from The Hillywood Show, we see a parody of both BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s Thrift Shop. The nuisance of the show and song recreated are there, but nobody who enjoys the originals will sit down and appreciate it in the same way. A parody is in no way trying to replace the original, but rather using the subject, structure, and style of the original as a vessel to another creative work.

Part 4: What To Do When You Get a YouTube Copyright Strike

If you are reading this, you may have already gotten a YouTube copyright strike.

This may have surprised you. Don’t be too concerned. If it was a mistake, the copyright strike merely acts as a warning, letting you know that the content in your video is copyrighted material.

However, if you were to get 3 copyright strikes in 90 days, you may be penalized by:

- Having all your accounts and videos removed

- Not being able to create a new channel

So what should you do? Here are the steps to take after you receive a copyright strike:

1. Review the copyright strike by going into Creator Studio > Video Manager > Copyright notice

1. Click on the “Copyright Strike” link beside the flagged video to see details
2. Decide how to respond to the strike:
   1. Allow the strike to expire after 90 days and complete the YouTube’s copyright school
   2. Contact the person who reported your video and get the claim retracted
   3. Dispute the claim with a counter notification

Part 5: 5 Ways to Avoid Copyright Strike

It’s not always clear what YouTube deems fair use, but there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of meeting the qualification.

1. Use non-fictional copyright content instead of creative and fictional copyrighted content. You’ll have a better chance of meeting fair use if you use footages from a news broadcast than you would from a movie or television show.

The intent is clear when using non-fictional copyright content, such as in Bad Lip Reading. They aren’t trying to rebroadcast the Mark Zuckerberg integration, they are parodying it. The easier it is for the public to recognize that the content is from a source, and understand that the creator isn’t trying to take credit for it, the more likely it’ll pass the fair use qualification.

However, if Bad Lip Reading posted the content without lip dubbing, then one can argue that they are taking views away from the original news sources and that wouldn’t be fair use.

2. Make sure your video with copyrighted content isn’t replacing the original one. Only use enough of the source material to get your point across and ensure you are not negatively affecting the original through views and sales.

In this example from Screen Prism, we see scenes from Wes Anderson movies all through the video, however, it is not replacing any of the original films. In fact, you can say that because of this video, people will be motivated to go and watch a Wes Anderson movie, those benefiting the original creator.

3. The copyrighted material is essential to your video. Whether the copyrighted content is needed in order to illustrate a point or if that one moment from a well-recognized movie helps tie together the message, as long as the copyrighted material is serving the video in some significant way, then it will be consider fair use.

4. Give the original creator credit. Just because you give the original creator credit doesn’t mean you can rightfully use their content, however, it does give you a better chance at avoiding copyright strike. Most often, the original creators simply want credit for their work. If they see that you have noted that the content was made by them, it will only give them more exposure.

5. Keep it short. There is no precise number of seconds or ratio of copyrighted to original footage you should have in your video to qualify as fair use. But generally, if the copyrighted clip is short and/or broken up, then it stands a better chance at being approved by YouTube.

Part 6: What to Do When Other YouTubers Are Copying Your Content

As a new YouTuber, it’s a little freaky to think that someone is taking your content and republishing it or using your creations in their video without your permission.

If you ever notice that your content is being copied without your approval — if they have duplicated your video completely or is using your video without giving credit — and it is not benefiting your channel in any way, don’t worry, YouTube is designed to protect you.

Steps to Report Copyright Infringements on YouTube

1. View the video that contains your copyrighted material.
2. Click on “Report”

1. Select “Infringes my rights” in the pop up window and click “infringes my copyright” in the dropdown options.

1. Supply additional information to the report form, including the URL of the video infringing your copyrighted content and the URL of your own video.
2. Submit report and wait for an email confirmation that the infringing content has been removed.

Part 7: YouTube Copyright Match

In 2018, YouTube launched a new feature called Copyright Match Tool, which automatically finds videos that are very similar or the same as the ones you’ve created. This gives you the power to determine what to do once you know the video exist.

- You can choose to do nothing.

- You can contact the publisher.

- You can report the video to YouTube for removal.

Key Takeaways

I hope this article has clarified what you can and cannot do with copyrighted content. Here is a quick summary of what we touched on in this post:

- Avoid having 3 copyright strikes on your channel at all costs.

- When using copyrighted material, ensure it is essential to the video and you are not overdoing it.

- Make sure that the copyrighted content does not take views and sales away from the original source.

- Strive to use the copyrighted content in a transformative way, as a parody or a commentary, to educate or inform.

- Give the original creator credit or have it benefit the original by giving more publicity.

- Report any creator that is infringing on your content.

Got any questions on YouTube copyright? Leave a comment below and we’ll help you answer it.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

One of the trickiest terrains for new YouTubers to navigate is the land of copyright rules.

We get it, it’s confusing and stressful, especially when what you want to focus on is making videos, but instead, you are worried about getting your account terminated or being sued.

Can you or can’t you use that song or that clip from the movie? That’s all you want to know.

In this article, we are going to address the key areas that YouTubers need to understand when it comes to YouTube copyright. What is okay and what isn’t? What may be considered risky or what would be worth taking a chance?

Remember that everything discussed in this article is only best practices and shouldn’t be taken as definitive legal advice.

Now that we are set, let’s dive in:

Part 1: What is Fair Use?

When we talk about YouTube copyright, we have to talk about fair use.

Without fair use, there wouldn’t be any flexibility for creators. There wouldn’t be mashups, parodies, or lip dubs. Without fair use, any video with copyright content such as music in the background or a reference to a scene from a famous movie will require approval from the content owner and can be removed. Because of fair use, you can publish a video with copyrighted material in it and not have to ask anyone.

Think of fair use as exceptions to copyright rules.

Part 2: What YouTube Considers Fair Use

There are a few aspects YouTube looks at when it comes to determining whether creators are using copyrighted content that meets the fair use exceptions.

1. Is the copyrighted content being creatively or purposefully used?
2. Are there more original content used than copyrighted content in the video?
3. Will your video benefit the original copyrighted content?

Part 3: Types of Content That Meet Fair Use

Some acceptable styles of videos that allow you to exercise fair use are:

Critiques and Reviews: You can use clips of a movie that you review or play a chorus from a song that you are analyzing in a video and it will be okay to use because it’s serving a purpose of educating the viewer.

Tutorials and Commentary: A YouTube gamer streaming the video games and making comments throughout, that is within fair use, because it can be said that it is giving the video game exposure. Additionally, anything that can be classified as tutorials can also fall under fair use. If you have a video teaching people how to play a famous song, like The Beatles’ Let It Be , on piano, that’s fine!

Mashups: Mashups tend to be built entirely out of copyrighted material, but when done well this style of videos are very creative and often serve to promote the original work as opposed to replacing it.

There couldn’t be two more different movies than Toy Story and Fight Club, but somehow thanks the the creativity of a YouTube creator, there is a now a mashup of it. Some might call it an abomination, but this type of recycled art takes skills and planning, and it wouldn’t exist without fair use.

Parody: Imitation for comedic or dramatic effect is an artistic pursuit as long as it is done in a transformative manner. What does transformative mean? It means in some way, the original is being examined.

In this example from The Hillywood Show, we see a parody of both BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s Thrift Shop. The nuisance of the show and song recreated are there, but nobody who enjoys the originals will sit down and appreciate it in the same way. A parody is in no way trying to replace the original, but rather using the subject, structure, and style of the original as a vessel to another creative work.

Part 4: What To Do When You Get a YouTube Copyright Strike

If you are reading this, you may have already gotten a YouTube copyright strike.

This may have surprised you. Don’t be too concerned. If it was a mistake, the copyright strike merely acts as a warning, letting you know that the content in your video is copyrighted material.

However, if you were to get 3 copyright strikes in 90 days, you may be penalized by:

- Having all your accounts and videos removed

- Not being able to create a new channel

So what should you do? Here are the steps to take after you receive a copyright strike:

1. Review the copyright strike by going into Creator Studio > Video Manager > Copyright notice

1. Click on the “Copyright Strike” link beside the flagged video to see details
2. Decide how to respond to the strike:
   1. Allow the strike to expire after 90 days and complete the YouTube’s copyright school
   2. Contact the person who reported your video and get the claim retracted
   3. Dispute the claim with a counter notification

Part 5: 5 Ways to Avoid Copyright Strike

It’s not always clear what YouTube deems fair use, but there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of meeting the qualification.

1. Use non-fictional copyright content instead of creative and fictional copyrighted content. You’ll have a better chance of meeting fair use if you use footages from a news broadcast than you would from a movie or television show.

The intent is clear when using non-fictional copyright content, such as in Bad Lip Reading. They aren’t trying to rebroadcast the Mark Zuckerberg integration, they are parodying it. The easier it is for the public to recognize that the content is from a source, and understand that the creator isn’t trying to take credit for it, the more likely it’ll pass the fair use qualification.

However, if Bad Lip Reading posted the content without lip dubbing, then one can argue that they are taking views away from the original news sources and that wouldn’t be fair use.

2. Make sure your video with copyrighted content isn’t replacing the original one. Only use enough of the source material to get your point across and ensure you are not negatively affecting the original through views and sales.

In this example from Screen Prism, we see scenes from Wes Anderson movies all through the video, however, it is not replacing any of the original films. In fact, you can say that because of this video, people will be motivated to go and watch a Wes Anderson movie, those benefiting the original creator.

3. The copyrighted material is essential to your video. Whether the copyrighted content is needed in order to illustrate a point or if that one moment from a well-recognized movie helps tie together the message, as long as the copyrighted material is serving the video in some significant way, then it will be consider fair use.

4. Give the original creator credit. Just because you give the original creator credit doesn’t mean you can rightfully use their content, however, it does give you a better chance at avoiding copyright strike. Most often, the original creators simply want credit for their work. If they see that you have noted that the content was made by them, it will only give them more exposure.

5. Keep it short. There is no precise number of seconds or ratio of copyrighted to original footage you should have in your video to qualify as fair use. But generally, if the copyrighted clip is short and/or broken up, then it stands a better chance at being approved by YouTube.

Part 6: What to Do When Other YouTubers Are Copying Your Content

As a new YouTuber, it’s a little freaky to think that someone is taking your content and republishing it or using your creations in their video without your permission.

If you ever notice that your content is being copied without your approval — if they have duplicated your video completely or is using your video without giving credit — and it is not benefiting your channel in any way, don’t worry, YouTube is designed to protect you.

Steps to Report Copyright Infringements on YouTube

1. View the video that contains your copyrighted material.
2. Click on “Report”

1. Select “Infringes my rights” in the pop up window and click “infringes my copyright” in the dropdown options.

1. Supply additional information to the report form, including the URL of the video infringing your copyrighted content and the URL of your own video.
2. Submit report and wait for an email confirmation that the infringing content has been removed.

Part 7: YouTube Copyright Match

In 2018, YouTube launched a new feature called Copyright Match Tool, which automatically finds videos that are very similar or the same as the ones you’ve created. This gives you the power to determine what to do once you know the video exist.

- You can choose to do nothing.

- You can contact the publisher.

- You can report the video to YouTube for removal.

Key Takeaways

I hope this article has clarified what you can and cannot do with copyrighted content. Here is a quick summary of what we touched on in this post:

- Avoid having 3 copyright strikes on your channel at all costs.

- When using copyrighted material, ensure it is essential to the video and you are not overdoing it.

- Make sure that the copyrighted content does not take views and sales away from the original source.

- Strive to use the copyrighted content in a transformative way, as a parody or a commentary, to educate or inform.

- Give the original creator credit or have it benefit the original by giving more publicity.

- Report any creator that is infringing on your content.

Got any questions on YouTube copyright? Leave a comment below and we’ll help you answer it.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

One of the trickiest terrains for new YouTubers to navigate is the land of copyright rules.

We get it, it’s confusing and stressful, especially when what you want to focus on is making videos, but instead, you are worried about getting your account terminated or being sued.

Can you or can’t you use that song or that clip from the movie? That’s all you want to know.

In this article, we are going to address the key areas that YouTubers need to understand when it comes to YouTube copyright. What is okay and what isn’t? What may be considered risky or what would be worth taking a chance?

Remember that everything discussed in this article is only best practices and shouldn’t be taken as definitive legal advice.

Now that we are set, let’s dive in:

Part 1: What is Fair Use?

When we talk about YouTube copyright, we have to talk about fair use.

Without fair use, there wouldn’t be any flexibility for creators. There wouldn’t be mashups, parodies, or lip dubs. Without fair use, any video with copyright content such as music in the background or a reference to a scene from a famous movie will require approval from the content owner and can be removed. Because of fair use, you can publish a video with copyrighted material in it and not have to ask anyone.

Think of fair use as exceptions to copyright rules.

Part 2: What YouTube Considers Fair Use

There are a few aspects YouTube looks at when it comes to determining whether creators are using copyrighted content that meets the fair use exceptions.

1. Is the copyrighted content being creatively or purposefully used?
2. Are there more original content used than copyrighted content in the video?
3. Will your video benefit the original copyrighted content?

Part 3: Types of Content That Meet Fair Use

Some acceptable styles of videos that allow you to exercise fair use are:

Critiques and Reviews: You can use clips of a movie that you review or play a chorus from a song that you are analyzing in a video and it will be okay to use because it’s serving a purpose of educating the viewer.

Tutorials and Commentary: A YouTube gamer streaming the video games and making comments throughout, that is within fair use, because it can be said that it is giving the video game exposure. Additionally, anything that can be classified as tutorials can also fall under fair use. If you have a video teaching people how to play a famous song, like The Beatles’ Let It Be , on piano, that’s fine!

Mashups: Mashups tend to be built entirely out of copyrighted material, but when done well this style of videos are very creative and often serve to promote the original work as opposed to replacing it.

There couldn’t be two more different movies than Toy Story and Fight Club, but somehow thanks the the creativity of a YouTube creator, there is a now a mashup of it. Some might call it an abomination, but this type of recycled art takes skills and planning, and it wouldn’t exist without fair use.

Parody: Imitation for comedic or dramatic effect is an artistic pursuit as long as it is done in a transformative manner. What does transformative mean? It means in some way, the original is being examined.

In this example from The Hillywood Show, we see a parody of both BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s Thrift Shop. The nuisance of the show and song recreated are there, but nobody who enjoys the originals will sit down and appreciate it in the same way. A parody is in no way trying to replace the original, but rather using the subject, structure, and style of the original as a vessel to another creative work.

Part 4: What To Do When You Get a YouTube Copyright Strike

If you are reading this, you may have already gotten a YouTube copyright strike.

This may have surprised you. Don’t be too concerned. If it was a mistake, the copyright strike merely acts as a warning, letting you know that the content in your video is copyrighted material.

However, if you were to get 3 copyright strikes in 90 days, you may be penalized by:

- Having all your accounts and videos removed

- Not being able to create a new channel

So what should you do? Here are the steps to take after you receive a copyright strike:

1. Review the copyright strike by going into Creator Studio > Video Manager > Copyright notice

1. Click on the “Copyright Strike” link beside the flagged video to see details
2. Decide how to respond to the strike:
   1. Allow the strike to expire after 90 days and complete the YouTube’s copyright school
   2. Contact the person who reported your video and get the claim retracted
   3. Dispute the claim with a counter notification

Part 5: 5 Ways to Avoid Copyright Strike

It’s not always clear what YouTube deems fair use, but there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of meeting the qualification.

1. Use non-fictional copyright content instead of creative and fictional copyrighted content. You’ll have a better chance of meeting fair use if you use footages from a news broadcast than you would from a movie or television show.

The intent is clear when using non-fictional copyright content, such as in Bad Lip Reading. They aren’t trying to rebroadcast the Mark Zuckerberg integration, they are parodying it. The easier it is for the public to recognize that the content is from a source, and understand that the creator isn’t trying to take credit for it, the more likely it’ll pass the fair use qualification.

However, if Bad Lip Reading posted the content without lip dubbing, then one can argue that they are taking views away from the original news sources and that wouldn’t be fair use.

2. Make sure your video with copyrighted content isn’t replacing the original one. Only use enough of the source material to get your point across and ensure you are not negatively affecting the original through views and sales.

In this example from Screen Prism, we see scenes from Wes Anderson movies all through the video, however, it is not replacing any of the original films. In fact, you can say that because of this video, people will be motivated to go and watch a Wes Anderson movie, those benefiting the original creator.

3. The copyrighted material is essential to your video. Whether the copyrighted content is needed in order to illustrate a point or if that one moment from a well-recognized movie helps tie together the message, as long as the copyrighted material is serving the video in some significant way, then it will be consider fair use.

4. Give the original creator credit. Just because you give the original creator credit doesn’t mean you can rightfully use their content, however, it does give you a better chance at avoiding copyright strike. Most often, the original creators simply want credit for their work. If they see that you have noted that the content was made by them, it will only give them more exposure.

5. Keep it short. There is no precise number of seconds or ratio of copyrighted to original footage you should have in your video to qualify as fair use. But generally, if the copyrighted clip is short and/or broken up, then it stands a better chance at being approved by YouTube.

Part 6: What to Do When Other YouTubers Are Copying Your Content

As a new YouTuber, it’s a little freaky to think that someone is taking your content and republishing it or using your creations in their video without your permission.

If you ever notice that your content is being copied without your approval — if they have duplicated your video completely or is using your video without giving credit — and it is not benefiting your channel in any way, don’t worry, YouTube is designed to protect you.

Steps to Report Copyright Infringements on YouTube

1. View the video that contains your copyrighted material.
2. Click on “Report”

1. Select “Infringes my rights” in the pop up window and click “infringes my copyright” in the dropdown options.

1. Supply additional information to the report form, including the URL of the video infringing your copyrighted content and the URL of your own video.
2. Submit report and wait for an email confirmation that the infringing content has been removed.

Part 7: YouTube Copyright Match

In 2018, YouTube launched a new feature called Copyright Match Tool, which automatically finds videos that are very similar or the same as the ones you’ve created. This gives you the power to determine what to do once you know the video exist.

- You can choose to do nothing.

- You can contact the publisher.

- You can report the video to YouTube for removal.

Key Takeaways

I hope this article has clarified what you can and cannot do with copyrighted content. Here is a quick summary of what we touched on in this post:

- Avoid having 3 copyright strikes on your channel at all costs.

- When using copyrighted material, ensure it is essential to the video and you are not overdoing it.

- Make sure that the copyrighted content does not take views and sales away from the original source.

- Strive to use the copyrighted content in a transformative way, as a parody or a commentary, to educate or inform.

- Give the original creator credit or have it benefit the original by giving more publicity.

- Report any creator that is infringing on your content.

Got any questions on YouTube copyright? Leave a comment below and we’ll help you answer it.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

One of the trickiest terrains for new YouTubers to navigate is the land of copyright rules.

We get it, it’s confusing and stressful, especially when what you want to focus on is making videos, but instead, you are worried about getting your account terminated or being sued.

Can you or can’t you use that song or that clip from the movie? That’s all you want to know.

In this article, we are going to address the key areas that YouTubers need to understand when it comes to YouTube copyright. What is okay and what isn’t? What may be considered risky or what would be worth taking a chance?

Remember that everything discussed in this article is only best practices and shouldn’t be taken as definitive legal advice.

Now that we are set, let’s dive in:

Part 1: What is Fair Use?

When we talk about YouTube copyright, we have to talk about fair use.

Without fair use, there wouldn’t be any flexibility for creators. There wouldn’t be mashups, parodies, or lip dubs. Without fair use, any video with copyright content such as music in the background or a reference to a scene from a famous movie will require approval from the content owner and can be removed. Because of fair use, you can publish a video with copyrighted material in it and not have to ask anyone.

Think of fair use as exceptions to copyright rules.

Part 2: What YouTube Considers Fair Use

There are a few aspects YouTube looks at when it comes to determining whether creators are using copyrighted content that meets the fair use exceptions.

1. Is the copyrighted content being creatively or purposefully used?
2. Are there more original content used than copyrighted content in the video?
3. Will your video benefit the original copyrighted content?

Part 3: Types of Content That Meet Fair Use

Some acceptable styles of videos that allow you to exercise fair use are:

Critiques and Reviews: You can use clips of a movie that you review or play a chorus from a song that you are analyzing in a video and it will be okay to use because it’s serving a purpose of educating the viewer.

Tutorials and Commentary: A YouTube gamer streaming the video games and making comments throughout, that is within fair use, because it can be said that it is giving the video game exposure. Additionally, anything that can be classified as tutorials can also fall under fair use. If you have a video teaching people how to play a famous song, like The Beatles’ Let It Be , on piano, that’s fine!

Mashups: Mashups tend to be built entirely out of copyrighted material, but when done well this style of videos are very creative and often serve to promote the original work as opposed to replacing it.

There couldn’t be two more different movies than Toy Story and Fight Club, but somehow thanks the the creativity of a YouTube creator, there is a now a mashup of it. Some might call it an abomination, but this type of recycled art takes skills and planning, and it wouldn’t exist without fair use.

Parody: Imitation for comedic or dramatic effect is an artistic pursuit as long as it is done in a transformative manner. What does transformative mean? It means in some way, the original is being examined.

In this example from The Hillywood Show, we see a parody of both BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s Thrift Shop. The nuisance of the show and song recreated are there, but nobody who enjoys the originals will sit down and appreciate it in the same way. A parody is in no way trying to replace the original, but rather using the subject, structure, and style of the original as a vessel to another creative work.

Part 4: What To Do When You Get a YouTube Copyright Strike

If you are reading this, you may have already gotten a YouTube copyright strike.

This may have surprised you. Don’t be too concerned. If it was a mistake, the copyright strike merely acts as a warning, letting you know that the content in your video is copyrighted material.

However, if you were to get 3 copyright strikes in 90 days, you may be penalized by:

- Having all your accounts and videos removed

- Not being able to create a new channel

So what should you do? Here are the steps to take after you receive a copyright strike:

1. Review the copyright strike by going into Creator Studio > Video Manager > Copyright notice

1. Click on the “Copyright Strike” link beside the flagged video to see details
2. Decide how to respond to the strike:
   1. Allow the strike to expire after 90 days and complete the YouTube’s copyright school
   2. Contact the person who reported your video and get the claim retracted
   3. Dispute the claim with a counter notification

Part 5: 5 Ways to Avoid Copyright Strike

It’s not always clear what YouTube deems fair use, but there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of meeting the qualification.

1. Use non-fictional copyright content instead of creative and fictional copyrighted content. You’ll have a better chance of meeting fair use if you use footages from a news broadcast than you would from a movie or television show.

The intent is clear when using non-fictional copyright content, such as in Bad Lip Reading. They aren’t trying to rebroadcast the Mark Zuckerberg integration, they are parodying it. The easier it is for the public to recognize that the content is from a source, and understand that the creator isn’t trying to take credit for it, the more likely it’ll pass the fair use qualification.

However, if Bad Lip Reading posted the content without lip dubbing, then one can argue that they are taking views away from the original news sources and that wouldn’t be fair use.

2. Make sure your video with copyrighted content isn’t replacing the original one. Only use enough of the source material to get your point across and ensure you are not negatively affecting the original through views and sales.

In this example from Screen Prism, we see scenes from Wes Anderson movies all through the video, however, it is not replacing any of the original films. In fact, you can say that because of this video, people will be motivated to go and watch a Wes Anderson movie, those benefiting the original creator.

3. The copyrighted material is essential to your video. Whether the copyrighted content is needed in order to illustrate a point or if that one moment from a well-recognized movie helps tie together the message, as long as the copyrighted material is serving the video in some significant way, then it will be consider fair use.

4. Give the original creator credit. Just because you give the original creator credit doesn’t mean you can rightfully use their content, however, it does give you a better chance at avoiding copyright strike. Most often, the original creators simply want credit for their work. If they see that you have noted that the content was made by them, it will only give them more exposure.

5. Keep it short. There is no precise number of seconds or ratio of copyrighted to original footage you should have in your video to qualify as fair use. But generally, if the copyrighted clip is short and/or broken up, then it stands a better chance at being approved by YouTube.

Part 6: What to Do When Other YouTubers Are Copying Your Content

As a new YouTuber, it’s a little freaky to think that someone is taking your content and republishing it or using your creations in their video without your permission.

If you ever notice that your content is being copied without your approval — if they have duplicated your video completely or is using your video without giving credit — and it is not benefiting your channel in any way, don’t worry, YouTube is designed to protect you.

Steps to Report Copyright Infringements on YouTube

1. View the video that contains your copyrighted material.
2. Click on “Report”

1. Select “Infringes my rights” in the pop up window and click “infringes my copyright” in the dropdown options.

1. Supply additional information to the report form, including the URL of the video infringing your copyrighted content and the URL of your own video.
2. Submit report and wait for an email confirmation that the infringing content has been removed.

Part 7: YouTube Copyright Match

In 2018, YouTube launched a new feature called Copyright Match Tool, which automatically finds videos that are very similar or the same as the ones you’ve created. This gives you the power to determine what to do once you know the video exist.

- You can choose to do nothing.

- You can contact the publisher.

- You can report the video to YouTube for removal.

Key Takeaways

I hope this article has clarified what you can and cannot do with copyrighted content. Here is a quick summary of what we touched on in this post:

- Avoid having 3 copyright strikes on your channel at all costs.

- When using copyrighted material, ensure it is essential to the video and you are not overdoing it.

- Make sure that the copyrighted content does not take views and sales away from the original source.

- Strive to use the copyrighted content in a transformative way, as a parody or a commentary, to educate or inform.

- Give the original creator credit or have it benefit the original by giving more publicity.

- Report any creator that is infringing on your content.

Got any questions on YouTube copyright? Leave a comment below and we’ll help you answer it.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Also read: