Can I share videos from other YouTubers on my channel?
December 8, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Christiane Melzer
Dear lawyer,
My name is Leon Ahlert and I run my own YouTube channel where I regularly publish videos on various topics. Lately, I have been considering whether it is legally allowed to share videos from other YouTubers on my channel.
The current situation is as follows: I have already seen some videos from other YouTubers that I really like and that I would like to share with my own viewers. However, I am unsure if I can do so without facing legal consequences.
My concern is that I may be violating copyright laws if I share videos from other YouTubers on my channel. I do not want to take any risks and would like to know if there is a way to legally share such videos.
Therefore, my question to you is: Am I allowed to share videos from other YouTubers on my channel without violating copyright laws? Are there any specific rules that I need to follow to ensure that I do not encounter any legal issues?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could assist me with this matter. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Leon Ahlert
Dear Mr. Ahlert,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding sharing videos of other YouTubers on your channel. The topic of copyright in relation to YouTube is indeed very important, and it is understandable that you are concerned about it.
In principle, videos created by other YouTubers represent their intellectual property. This means that you generally need permission to share these videos on your channel. Otherwise, you would be violating copyright law.
However, there are exceptions and ways in which you can legally share videos from other YouTubers. One option is to directly contact the creator of the video and obtain written permission to share the video on your channel. This way, you have the explicit consent of the creator and avoid legal issues.
Another option is to share videos under certain conditions that fall under the so-called fair use policy. This means that you can use short excerpts from the video to, for example, reference or comment on another YouTuber's video. It is important that the use of the video is within the fair use policy and does not constitute a copyright infringement.
It is also important to note that some YouTubers publish their videos under a Creative Commons license, which allows other users to share, edit, and use the material as long as certain conditions are met. In this case, you can share the video of another YouTuber on your channel as long as you comply with the terms of the Creative Commons license.
In any case, it is advisable to ensure that you have the necessary rights before sharing videos of other YouTubers on your channel, or that the use of the video falls under fair use or a Creative Commons license. This way, you can avoid legal issues and ensure that you are acting in accordance with copyright law.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Best regards,
Christiane Melzer
