• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

KPPB LAW

Corporate Law Firm

  • About Us
  • Attorneys
  • Practices
    • Asset Based Lending
    • Bankruptcy Law
      • Chapter 7
      • Chapter 11
      • Purchasing Assets
      • Creditor Committee Representation
    • Business Debt Collection
    • Commercial Loan Workouts
    • Commercial Real Estate Finance
    • Commercial Real Estate Transactions
    • Construction Law
      • Construction Project Planning
      • Construction Claims and Disputes
      • Construction Contracts
    • Contract Law
    • Corporate Governance
      • Formation of Entities
    • Cross — Border Transactions
    • Hotel Law
    • Immigration Law
    • Intellectual Property
    • Labor & Employment Law
      • Employment Litigation
    • Landlord/Tenant Law
    • Litigation & Dispute Resolution
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Securities
    • Tax Law
    • Technology Law
    • Trusts & Estates
  • Firm News
  • Legal Blog
  • 1-678-443-2244
  • Contact Us

Intellectual Property · June 24, 2020 · by Roy Banerjee

How to Avoid Copyright Infringement on YouTube

› Intellectual Property › How to Avoid Copyright Infringement on YouTube

Copyrights are intellectual property rightsCopyrights are intellectual property rights that protect the creator of an original work of authorship. The creator has the exclusive right to determine whether, and under what conditions, this original work may be used by others. The copyright owner has the exclusive right to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.

The Growth of Copyright Infringement Issues with the Use of YouTube

Many people think copyright infringement occurs only when someone plagiarizes someone’s written work or music. They do not realize that posting a video or media on YouTube also affects copyrights. When someone posts a video to YouTube with background music or clips of video footage filmed by someone else, copyrights are directly implicated. If the creator of the video uses anyone else’s musical material, photography, performance, or any other original work without the creator’s permission, the YouTube poster or creator is probably violating the Copyrights Act.

The Copyrights Act Protects Videos on YouTube

The Copyrights Act provides legal protection for “original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.” A YouTube video is clearly protected by the Copyright Act to the same degree as video and audio recordings created for television, cinema, radio, or other device.

The Copyrights Act gives the copyright owner the exclusive rights to engage in any of the following activities:

  • Reproduce the copyrighted work in copies or phono records.
  • Create other work derived from the owner’s copyrighted work.
  • Distribute copies or phono records of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending.
  • Perform publicly the owner’s copyrighted literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, motion pictures, and other audiovisual works in public, in person or by audio/visual transmission.
  • Display the owner’s copyrighted pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works, including the individual images of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, in public.

In summary, only the copyright owner may reproduce or prepare work that is derivative of the original work unless:

    • The copyright owner gave permission to another person to use the copyrighted work, or
    • Use of the copyrighted work is done under the protection of the “fair use” exception.

“Fair Use” Exception under the Copyrights Act

“Fair Use” Exception under the Copyrights ActThe “Fair use” exception is a legal doctrine that allows someone to use copyright-protected works without the copyright owner’s permission in certain limited circumstances. The fair use exception is probably one of the most frequently litigated defenses in copyright infringement litigation.

What circumstances constitute fair use of copyrighted material is found in section 107 of the Copyright Act. It sets out the factors a court should consider in deciding whether someone’s use of the copyrighted work amounted to a “fair use” of it. The factors the court must consider are:

  • The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes.
  • The nature of the copyrighted work.
  • The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole.
  • The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The law recognizes that a court may consider other factors when evaluating fair use claims. Additionally, the courts will evaluate each claim on a case by case basis– no precise formula applies to a fair use determination. However, commercial uses of the work are less likely to be deemed “fair” by the court.

YouTube’s Own Copyright Policy

YouTube finds itself caught in the middle between copyright owners and video posters. YouTube receives numerous requests to take down a video based on copyright claims. To help protect itself against copyright infringement claims, YouTube has taken the following steps:

  1. Posted fair use guidelines explaining the copyright laws and the fair use doctrine. Their guidelines inform users that merely attributing the copyrighted material to the owner will not absolve the user from copyright infringement.
  2. Implemented Content ID system. YouTube’s Content ID system helps copyright owners identify and manage their content on YouTube. Each video is uploaded and scanned against a database of files that have been submitted by content owners. If it is determined by the system that content in a new video matches that of a previously submitted video by a copyright owner, YouTube allows the owner to:
    • Mute audio that matches their music.
    • Block a whole video from being viewed.
    • Monetize the video by running ads against it.
    • Track the video’s viewership statistics.
    • Allow the work and provide a license to the user.

Tips for Complying with YouTube’s Copyright Policy and the Copyright Laws

  1. YouTube’s Copyright Policy and the Copyright LawsSeek permission from the owner before using someone else’s the work. If you did not create the work, you need to assume that the work is not yours to use freely by posting it on YouTube. Look for the license or get the copyright owner’s permission before you post anything that is not your creation. If you cannot get permission, use work from a website that offers free-to-use music and photos.
  2. Read and understand the licensing agreement. You may be surprised to learn that many creators of original work want to have their work publicized. They frequently share their works for a fee or simply for proper attribution. These terms will be outlined in the licensing agreement.
  3. Try to find a fair use of the work. If your YouTube video uses copyrighted material for educational or non-commercial purposes, you may satisfy the fair use exemption from infringement. Before you post the work, however, you may want to have it reviewed by an expert if you are unsure whether it constitutes a fair use of copyrighted work.

Contact the Intellectual Property attorneys at KPPB LAW for more information.

Protect yourself from being banned by YouTube, or worse, a copyright infringement claim. Consult with the experienced intellectual property attorneys at KPPB LAW about your copyright issues.

If you are considering litigation related to a contract dispute, consider the value range of your matter with the investment of engaging an attorney to be sure your legal action makes fiscal and business sense.

Filed Under: Intellectual Property

Roy Banerjee profile picture
Roy Banerjee

Roy Banerjee helps defend, settle and pursue claims to protect your business interests. He is an accomplished business litigator who specializes in efficient resolution of real estate and business matters.

Legal Disclaimer*

Articles published by KPPB LAW are purely for educational purposes and provide generalized information of the topic(s) covered. These articles should not be considered as legal advice.

Please contact the attorneys at KPPB LAW for more information regarding your case.

Contact Us

Primary Sidebar

Ready to speak with an attorney?

Call Now!

Contact Us

Use the form below. We will review your message and respond in a timely manner.

info@kppblaw.com


Footer

Atlanta, Georgia

One Lakeside Commons
Suite 800
990 Hammond Drive
Atlanta, GA 30328
678-443-2244
[Corporate Office]

Gainesville, Virginia

7330 Heritage Village Plaza
Suite 201
Gainesville, VA 20155
703-594-4040

Chicago, IL


312-857-5263

New York, New York

12 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017
203-875-0808

© 2023 KPPB LAW · All Rights Reserved · Legal Disclaimer

Website powered by 321 Web Marketing