What are the legal consequences of using third-party videos on YouTube?
January 28, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Sandra Altmann
Dear copyright lawyer,
My name is Erwin Gerdes and I run a YouTube channel where I regularly publish videos. Recently, I have been using more and more videos from other YouTubers in my own videos without obtaining their explicit permission. I am aware that this may constitute copyright infringement, but I am unsure about the exact legal consequences.
The situation is as follows: I have downloaded some videos from other YouTubers and used parts of them in my own videos to make my content more interesting. These videos include music, graphics, or even entire sequences from the original videos. However, I have not obtained permission from the creators to use their material.
My concerns are that I may have to face legal consequences for my actions. I fear that the creators of the videos could take legal action against me, such as enforcing damages claims or deleting my videos. I would like to know what legal consequences I may face and how I can make my videos legally compliant to avoid future problems.
Therefore, my question to you is: What are the legal consequences of using third-party videos on YouTube? How can I ensure that I do not commit copyright infringement and make my videos legally compliant? I would like to know what steps I need to take to revise my existing videos and make future videos legally compliant.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards,
Erwin Gerdes
Dear Mr. Gerdes,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of third-party videos on your YouTube channel and the legal consequences associated with it. It is important to understand that using materials from other creators without their permission typically constitutes a copyright infringement. This can lead to various legal consequences, depending on the extent and manner in which the third-party material was used.
Firstly, the original creators of the videos can take legal action against you if they discover that their content has been used without permission. This may result in claims for damages, where you would be required to provide financial compensation to the creators. Additionally, the creators may demand that your videos be removed and may even obtain an injunction to prevent further distribution of your videos.
To avoid future issues and ensure that you do not commit copyright violations, it is important that you only use material for which you have the necessary rights or for which you have obtained a license or permission from the creators. This may mean using only your own material or obtaining permissions before using third-party material.
To revise your existing videos and ensure that your future videos comply with the law, I recommend taking the following steps:
1. Review all your existing videos and remove any content for which you do not have permission from the creators.
2. Use only material for which you have the necessary rights or for which you have obtained a license or permission.
3. If you wish to use third-party material, obtain permission from the creators. This can be done through licenses or written agreements.
4. Familiarize yourself with copyright laws and adhere to them to avoid future copyright violations.
I hope this information helps you and assists you in legally creating your videos. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Sandra Altmann
Copyright Lawyer
