Can I download music from YouTube and use it in my own videos?
December 4, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Alice Falk
Dear lawyer,
My name is Andreas Brandes and I run my own YouTube channel where I regularly publish videos. Lately, I have been thinking about downloading music from YouTube and using it in my videos to make them more exciting and interesting. However, I am concerned about whether this is legally allowed.
Currently, I mainly use music from YouTube that is already available in the YouTube Editor's audio libraries. But now I would like to use other, unlicensed music pieces that I have found on YouTube. My worry is that I may be infringing on copyright and may have to face legal consequences.
My question to you as a copyright lawyer is therefore whether it is legal to download music from YouTube and use it in my own videos. Are there any specific rules or restrictions that I need to be aware of? And if this is not allowed, what alternatives are there to use music for my videos without violating copyright?
I would greatly appreciate your expert advice on this matter, as I do not want to cause any legal problems. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Andreas Brandes
Dear Mr. Brandes,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of music in your YouTube videos and the associated legal aspects. As a copyright lawyer, I can gladly assist you and provide some important information on this topic.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that music is generally subject to copyright. This means that the rights to a musical piece typically belong to the composer, lyricist, and/or the music label. Downloading and using music without the appropriate rights can therefore have legal consequences.
If you wish to download music from YouTube and use it in your own videos, you must ensure that you have the necessary permissions. The fact that the music is available on YouTube does not automatically mean that you are allowed to use it. Often, musical pieces on YouTube are only licensed for private use or for specific purposes.
In your case, if you want to use unlicensed musical pieces, it is advisable to check the copyright and, if necessary, obtain the required licenses. This can be done directly from the rights holder or through specialized music platforms that offer licenses for the use of music.
An alternative to using unlicensed music is the use of so-called Creative Commons music. These musical pieces are typically available for free and can be used in your videos under certain conditions, without violating copyright.
In summary, it is important that you inform yourself about copyright before using music in your YouTube videos and, if necessary, obtain the required licenses. This way, you can ensure that you do not cause any legal issues and that your videos are legally sound.
I hope this information is helpful to you and answers your question. If you need further advice, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Alice Falk
Copyright Lawyer
