Copyright tips

In many countries/regions, when an individual creates an original work, they automatically own the copyright to the work when it’s created. Copyright isn’t decided by YouTube, it’s decided by law. It gives the creator of an original work some legal rights in deciding how that work is used. Copyright protects original works that are creative, expressive, and fixed in a tangible medium (like YouTube videos!)

Copyright and Content ID: YouTube’s Rules of the Road (Part 2)

Things to keep in mind

• Sometimes you can use someone else’s content without infringing their copyright, such as in cases of fair use. You can also use someone else’s content when you have permission from them.
• Videos uploaded to YouTube are scanned against a database of audio and visual content that are submitted by copyright owners. This automated checking system is known as Content ID.
• If you upload a video that contains someone else's work, your video could get a Content ID claim. Your video could also get removed due to a copyright takedown request.
• If your copyright-protected content was posted on YouTube without your permission, you can submit a copyright removal request. Note that submitting a copyright removal request starts a legal process.
• YouTube doesn’t decide copyright ownership or mediate ownership disputes.

Best practices

• Make sure you own the rights to the content you’re uploading. If you’ve used someone else’s content, get permission from the copyright owner or make sure it qualifies as a copyright exception.
• Learn about common copyright myths so you can avoid common errors. 
• Get to know the difference between copyright removal requests and Content ID claims and your options for resolving them.
• Visit the World Intellectual Property Organization for country-specific copyright info.

Next: check out community guidelines tips