Can I use excerpts from movies in my own videos?
July 9, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Chloé Tressel
Dear lawyer,
My name is Erwin Koch and I run a YouTube channel where I regularly publish videos on various topics. In one of my upcoming videos, I would like to use excerpts from different movies to illustrate the content and entertain my audience. However, I am unsure whether I am legally allowed to do so.
My situation is as follows: I did not produce the movies myself, but I would like to use short excerpts to create my own content. The current state is that I do not own the movies, but would like to use them in my videos. My concern is that I may potentially violate copyright laws and face legal consequences.
Therefore, my question to you as an expert in copyright law: Am I allowed to use excerpts from movies in my own videos? Are there specific rules or restrictions I need to be aware of to avoid infringing on third party rights? Are there possible solutions or alternatives to ensure that I am acting legally and avoiding any legal issues?
I look forward to your assessment and advice on this matter, and I thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Erwin Koch
Dear Mr. Koch,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding copyright in relation to the use of film clips in your YouTube videos. It is understandable that you are concerned about whether you are legally entitled to use such clips and what potential consequences this could have.
Copyright exists to protect the rights of creators of works and ensure that they are appropriately compensated. Therefore, if you use clips from films that were not created by you, you are infringing on the rights of the creators. This could potentially lead to legal consequences if the creators take action against this use.
In general, using film clips in your own videos without the permission of the creators is not allowed. However, there is the possibility to rely on the so-called fair use doctrine to make this legal. This allows for the use of excerpts from protected works if it is done in the context of discussing the work and the purpose of the use is in a specific context.
It is important to note that the use of film clips in the context of a quote should only be done in a reasonable amount. This means that you should only use as much of the film as necessary for illustration or to connect with your own content. Additionally, you should always attribute the source of the clips to respect the rights of the creators.
Another way to ensure that you are not violating the rights of third parties is to use royalty-free or Creative Commons-licensed film clips. These are available for free use and can be used in your videos without any concerns.
Overall, it is possible to use film clips in your YouTube videos as long as you adhere to the legal framework and ensure that you do not infringe on any copyright. If you are unsure, I recommend seeking legal advice before using clips from films to avoid potential issues.
I hope that this information has been helpful and I am available for further questions.
Best regards,
Chloé Tressel
