Welcome to the world of YouTube, a platform where creativity knows no bounds! But with this endless potential comes the responsibility of navigating legal and platform-specific rules.
One question many new content creators ask is: can I upload public domain videos to YouTube? Or services like Kartoffel Films
This blog post aims to demystify this question and take you through everything you need to know about copyright, public domain, YouTube’s upload rules, and how these factors intertwine.
Understanding Copyright Laws
In simple terms, copyright law protects original works of authorship, including videos. When a video is copyrighted, the owner has the exclusive right to use, reproduce, or distribute the work.
Infringement occurs when someone uses, reproduces, or distributes copyrighted work without the owner’s permission.
Violating copyright laws on YouTube can lead to consequences, such as video takedowns or even channel suspensions. In extreme cases, you could even face legal action from the copyright owner.
What is Public Domain?
The public domain comprises works that are not protected by intellectual property laws, either because the copyright has expired, the work was not eligible for protection, or the copyright owner has explicitly relinquished their rights.
These works can be freely used, reproduced, and distributed by anyone.
Using public domain content is an excellent way to access and share creative material without fearing copyright infringement. However, it’s crucial to verify a work’s copyright status before using it.
The Intersection of Public Domain and Copyright
How do copyright laws apply to public domain videos? In essence, they don’t. But the tricky part is determining whether a video is truly in the public domain.
Works can be mistakenly labelled as public domain, or they may contain elements that are still under copyright.
Therefore, it’s important to do thorough research and, when possible, consult with a legal expert.
How to Find Public Domain Videos
Numerous resources offer public domain videos, such as the Prelinger Archives or the U.S. National Archives.
However, before using a video from these or other sources, verify its copyright status.
Check for any indications of copyright, research the creator, and consider the date and country of publication, as copyright laws and durations can vary.
Projected Public Domain Additions (Based on U.S. Copyright Law)
Year
Description
2019
Works published in 1923
2020
Works published in 1924
2021
Works published in 1925
2022
Works published in 1926
2023
Works published in 1927
Please note that this is a simplified representation. In reality, determining whether a specific work is in the public domain can be complex and depends on factors like the date of the author’s death, whether copyright was properly renewed, and the laws in different countries.
Internet Archive Statistics (As of September 2021)
Content Type
Items (Approximate)
Texts
20 Million+
Video
4 Million+
Audio
3 Million+
Images
3 Million+
The Internet Archive, which includes resources like the Prelinger Archives, is one of the biggest repositories of public domain and Creative Commons-licensed content. This gives you an idea of the sheer volume of such content available, although not all of it may be suitable or legal to upload on YouTube.
Can I Upload Public Domain Videos to YouTube?
Yes, you can upload public domain videos to YouTube, but there are some considerations.
YouTube wants creators to add their own unique spin to the content they upload, rather than simply reposting existing material.
How to Upload Videos on YouTube
Sign in to your YouTube account.
Click on the video camera icon at the top and select ‘Upload Video.’
Select the public domain video file you wish to upload.
Fill out the necessary information, like title, description, and tags. Make sure to accurately describe your video and use relevant tags to make it easier for others to find.
Click ‘Publish’ to complete the upload.
Remember, the description, tags, and metadata play a crucial role in search visibility, so take your time to fill these out accurately.
Monetization of Public Domain Videos on YouTube
While you can monetize public domain videos on YouTube, the platform’s policies require that you add significant original commentary or educational value to the content.
Simply re-uploading a public domain video may not be eligible for monetization.
Understanding YouTube Analytics
YouTube Analytics is a powerful tool that can provide insights into your video’s performance. Key metrics to track include:
Watch Time: This shows how long viewers watch your videos. The longer the watch time, the more likely YouTube is to recommend your content to others.
Audience Retention: This metric shows how well your video keeps viewers engaged. Higher retention rates indicate that viewers are watching most or all of your video.
Use these metrics to understand what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your content strategy accordingly.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
One challenge when using public domain content is ensuring the material is genuinely free from copyright. To mitigate this risk, do thorough research and consider seeking legal advice.
Additionally, some viewers may not be interested in watching public domain content that’s widely available elsewhere. To attract viewers, consider how you can add unique value or provide a fresh perspective on the content.
Conclusion
Uploading public domain videos to YouTube can be a unique way to share valuable content, but it’s essential to understand the nuances of copyright laws, YouTube’s policies, and best practices for adding unique value to these works.
With thorough research and a touch of creativity, you can leverage public domain content to create engaging, legal, and potentially profitable content on YouTube.
Resources
For further reading and exploration, here are some useful resources:
Can you use copyrighted music on YouTube if you don’t monetize? The blunt answer: no.
Copyright applies whether or not you make a penny. Not running ads doesn’t exempt you — YouTube’s Content ID can still claim the video (often putting ads on it and paying the rights holder), mute it, or block it, and a strike can hit your whole channel. Here’s exactly how it works, and how to use music the safe way.
⚠️ Please note: this is general information for creators, not legal advice. Copyright law and “fair use” vary by country and depend on the specific facts, and YouTube’s systems change over time. For anything with real stakes, check YouTube’s current copyright policies and speak to a qualified lawyer.
Why trust this? I’m Alan Spicer — a YouTube Certified Expert with two decades on the platform and six Silver Play Buttons. I’ve dealt with Content ID claims and copyright rules more times than I can count, so I can give you the practical reality without the myths.
⚡ QUICK ANSWER: Can you use copyrighted music if you don’t monetize?
No. Copyright applies whether or not you monetize. YouTube’s Content ID system scans every upload, and if it matches copyrighted music the rights holder can monetize your video for themselves (yes — ads appear even if you’re not monetized), mute the audio, or block the video. In some cases you’ll get a copyright strike, and three of those can end your channel. Not making money is no protection.
The Blunt Reality
Using copyrighted material on YouTube has always been a contentious area, and music is the most common flashpoint. So let’s be direct: you cannot freely use copyrighted music just because you don’t monetize. Copyright protects the rights holder regardless of whether you make money from the video. The “I’m not monetized, so it’s fine” belief is one of the most common — and most costly — myths on the platform.
The reason is Content ID: YouTube’s automated system that scans uploads against a database of copyrighted content. It doesn’t check whether you’re in the Partner Programme or running ads. If it matches the music in your video, the rights holder gets to decide what happens next — and that decision is out of your hands.
Why “Not Monetizing” Doesn’t Protect You
Here’s the part that catches people out. When Content ID matches copyrighted music, common outcomes include:
The rights holder monetizes your video. Ads get placed on it and the revenue goes to them — even if you’re not monetized and never chose to run ads. You did the work; they collect.
The audio is muted. Your video stays up but the sound is stripped where the music plays.
The video is blocked. It may be unavailable in some countries, or worldwide.
Notice that none of these depend on your monetization status. “Not making money” doesn’t switch off copyright — it just means that when ads do appear on your video, someone else pockets them.
Content ID Claims vs Copyright Strikes
These two get confused constantly, and the difference matters a lot:
Content ID claim
Copyright strike
What it is
Automated match by the rights holder’s system
A formal legal takedown request
Penalty on channel?
Usually not — affects that video only
Yes — hits your channel’s standing
Typical outcome
Video monetized for the owner, muted, or blocked
Video removed; features can be lost
Worst case
Lost revenue / availability on that video
Three strikes = channel terminated
So a Content ID claim is annoying but survivable; a copyright strike is a genuine threat to your whole channel. Neither is worth risking for a background track you could licence cheaply or replace for free.
Myths That Get Creators in Trouble
If you’ve heard any of these, unlearn them now:
The myth
The reality
“It’s fine if I don’t monetize”
Copyright applies regardless; Content ID still claims it
“I credited the artist”
Credit isn’t permission — it gives you no protection
“I only used a few seconds”
No safe threshold exists; short clips still get flagged
There is a genuine exception, but it’s narrower than people hope. Fair use (US) and fair dealing (UK) allow limited use of copyrighted material without permission for things like commentary, criticism, review, news or parody. Two hard truths, though:
Background music almost never qualifies. Playing a song under your vlog isn’t commentary on the song — it’s just using it. That’s not fair use.
The good news: legal music is easy and often free. Your safe options:
YouTube Audio Library. Free, cleared-for-YouTube tracks and sound effects built right into Studio — and you can even use them beyond YouTube in many cases.
Licensed royalty-free services. Subscriptions like the popular creator libraries give you big catalogues cleared for use.
Lickd and similar. Services that licence popular, mainstream tracks specifically for creators — the way to use famous songs legally, covered in using copyrighted music with Lickd.
Direct permission or a licence. Contact the rights holder or buy a licence for a specific track.
Cover songs? You generally still need a licence — see making money from covers before you post one.
The rule of thumb is simple: if you don’t have the rights, don’t use it. There’s so much great, legal music available that risking your channel for a copyrighted track makes no sense.
Copyrighted Music on YouTube: FAQ
Can you use copyrighted music on YouTube if you don’t monetize?
No. Copyright applies whether or not you monetize your channel. Not running your own ads doesn’t exempt you — YouTube’s Content ID system can still detect the music and claim the video, which often means the rights holder places ads on it and takes the revenue, or the video gets muted or blocked. In some cases you can also receive a copyright strike.
Does not monetizing protect you from copyright claims?
No. Content ID scans videos regardless of whether you’re in the Partner Programme. If it matches copyrighted music, the rights holder decides what happens — commonly monetizing your video for themselves (so ads appear even if you’re not monetized), muting the audio, or blocking the video in some or all countries. Your monetization status is irrelevant to that.
What’s the difference between a Content ID claim and a copyright strike?
A Content ID claim is automated and usually not a penalty on your channel — the rights holder just controls or monetizes that video. A copyright strike is a formal legal takedown request, is far more serious, and affects your channel’s standing. Three copyright strikes can get your channel terminated.
Does crediting the artist make it OK to use their music?
No. Crediting the artist is not the same as having permission. Copyright is about rights, not acknowledgement, so adding ‘no copyright infringement intended’ or naming the artist gives you no protection. You still need a licence, permission, or a genuine fair-use basis.
Is there a number of seconds of a song I can legally use?
No. There’s no safe threshold — the ‘a few seconds is fine’ idea is a myth. Content ID can flag even short clips, and copyright doesn’t have a free-use time limit. Any recognisable use of a copyrighted track can be claimed, whatever its length.
How can I use music legally on YouTube?
Use YouTube’s free Audio Library, a licensed royalty-free service, or a platform like Lickd that licenses popular tracks for creators. You can also buy a direct licence or get the rights holder’s permission. For cover songs you generally need a licence too. The safe rule is: if you don’t have the rights, don’t use it.
Final Thoughts
So, can you use copyrighted music on YouTube if you don’t monetize? No — and the belief that you can is exactly what lands creators with claims, lost revenue and strikes. Copyright doesn’t care whether you’re making money; Content ID scans every upload, and the rights holder holds the cards. The fix is refreshingly easy: use the free Audio Library, a royalty-free subscription, or a licensing service for the famous tracks, and keep your channel clean. Great music that won’t get you claimed is everywhere — there’s simply no reason to gamble your channel on a song you don’t have the rights to.
A note on this guide: this is general information for creators, not legal advice. The behaviour described reflects YouTube’s Content ID and copyright policies and general copyright principles at the time of writing (July 2026); both YouTube’s systems and copyright law vary by country and change over time. For decisions with real consequences, consult a qualified lawyer.
Fair warning, dear reader; this is going to be one of those posts that doesn’t really give you a definitive answer. At least, not in all cases.
The issue of copyright is one that has been a thorn in the side of copyright holders, content creators, and user-generated content platforms since… well, since user-generated content platforms became a thing. Using content that you do not own the rights to is a dicey business, and one that can land you in trouble with YouTube. But at the same time, there are situations where it is perfectly acceptable. And, of course, there are messy grey areas in between.
In this post, we’re going to do our best to cover all the basics, so, if you’ve been wondering how much of a video can you use legally, keep reading!
The Video Matters
The main reason that there is no definitive answer to this question is that how much of a video you can legally use depends entirely on the video, as well as other factors around the video. Let’s start from the good and work our way to the bad.
Public Domain Videos
Public domain videos are the best-case scenario when it comes to video content you want to use. This is because public domain content is completely free for anyone to use for any purpose. You can clip it, remix it… you can even repost it in its entirety, though YouTube will prevent you from monetising that kind of thing.
Public domain means that the copyright has expired, and the work has passed into the public domain. This also means no one can copyright it, however, works that incorporate public domain content can be copyrighted if they have been sufficiently modified from the original content.
Creative Commons
If you can’t find public domain content that suits your needs, Creative Commons is the next best thing. You will need to pay attention to the specific licence, however, because there are several flavours of Creative Commons, and they all have different stipulations.
For example, a CC0 licence is, for intents and purposes, the same as public domain works. CC0 is a “no rights reserved” licence that can be used for anything and does not require attribution. There are also versions of the Creative Commons licence that require attribution, or that are free to use for personal work only, and so on.
Other Types of Free Licence
There are several other types of licence out there that will allow you to use content without worrying about the copyright, but you should always check the specifics of each licence. For example, the Against DRM Licence becomes void if DRM is placed on the work using the licenced content.
Copyrighted Content
And here we get to, unfortunately, the most common type of content you are likely to want to use in your videos. The reality, most of the content will be copyrighted, and, depending on the copyright holder, it may be an almost impossible prospect to get permission.
If the copyright holder is a large corporation—like Viacom, or Disney—you can pretty much kiss goodbye to any hope of legally using the content. It’s not impossible, but if you can even get a response from them, they’ll probably ask for an extortionate amount of money.
If the copyright holder is another YouTuber—especially a YouTuber of similar or smaller stature to yourself—then your chances of getting permission go up somewhat. Whether they say yes will still come down to their preferences and what you intend to do with the content, but you should at least be able to talk to them about it.
Fair Use
Fair Use is a complicated topic that deserves more than a small section in this blog post, so we won’t try to cover everything here. To sum it up, however, the concept of fair use says that you should be able to use copyrighted material for limited and transformative purposes without the permission of the copyright holder. Some examples of fair use include commentary videos, and parody.
Unfortunately, there is no rigidly defined concept of what constitutes fair use, and it is not a law as such, but a defence. That means that fair use would not come into play until after you have been sued, and are in court defending yourself. Needless to say, companies like Disney are not shy about breaking out the lawyers, and they probably have more money than you.
So, while the concept of fair use is appealing, the practical nature of it means you can still fall afoul of copyright holders, no matter how reasonable your interpretation of fair use is.
False Flags
Another problem to be aware of is copyright holders claiming content that they do not have the rights to claim. This can happen in situations where the content has similar audio to some copyrighted content, or where the copyrighted content features some public domain or Creative Commons licenced work. It is nearly always the result of YouTube’s Content ID system, which automatically checks for copyright infringement.
Unfortunately, there are no checks in place to verify that the “copyright holder” actually owners the copyright to the content they are claiming. In most cases, you should be able to counter-claim it and, as long as it was an honest error, the claim will be removed.
Final Thoughts
As a general rule, you should strive to avoid using content that you didn’t create as much as possible. Granted, there are situations where it’s just not possible, but there will always be additional baggage with content you don’t own, even if it’s just YouTube demonetising the video for re-using existing content.
If you do have to use content from elsewhere, be sure to check the copyright status of it, and pay attention to any licencing that might apply.
And, if you are relying on fair use, it’s best not to push the boundaries of the fair use description… unless that’s precisely what you’re going for, of course.
Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube
Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.
1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search
I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.
Within 12 months I tripled the size of my channel and very quickly learnt the power of thumbnails, click through rate and proper search optimization. Best of all, they are FREE!
2. Adobe Creative Suite helps me craft amazing looking thumbnails and eye-catching videos
When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.
Big mistake!
I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.
That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.
Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.
3. Rev.com helps people read my videos
You can’t always listen to a video.
Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.
This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.
A GREAT way to find an audience and keep them hooked no matter where they are watching your content.
4. PlaceIT can help you STAND OUT on YouTube
I SUCK at making anything flashy or arty.
I have every intention in the world to make something that looks cool but im about as artistic as a dropped ice-cream cone on the web windy day.
That is why I could not live on YouTube without someone like PlaceIT. They offer custom YouTube Banners, Avatars, YouTube Video Intros and YouTube End Screen Templates that are easy to edit with simple click, upload wizard to help you make amazing professional graphics in minutes.
5. StoryBlocks helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways
I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.
And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.
I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.
I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the StoryBlocks website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.
Is screen recording YouTube illegal? Mostly it’s a grey area — and it depends on what you do next.
The act of recording your screen usually isn’t illegal in itself. But saving or sharing someone else’s video generally breaks YouTube’s Terms of Service, and reusing copyrighted content without permission can be copyright infringement. This guide untangles the recording, the Terms, and the law — so you know where the real risk sits.
⚠️ Please note: this is general information for creators, not legal advice. Copyright law and “fair use” vary by country and turn on the specific facts, and YouTube’s Terms change over time. For anything with real stakes, check YouTube’s current Terms and speak to a qualified lawyer.
Why trust this? I’m Alan Spicer — a YouTube Certified Expert with two decades on the platform and six Silver Play Buttons. I deal with copyright, the Terms of Service and content reuse constantly, so I can lay out the practical reality clearly (while still pointing you to a lawyer for the hard cases).
⚡ QUICK ANSWER: Is screen recording YouTube illegal?
The recording itself is not usually illegal — screen recording is a normal device feature. But what you do with it matters: capturing a video to save or share it generally breaches YouTube’s Terms of Service, and reusing or reuploading copyrighted content without permission can be copyright infringement. Private personal viewing is low risk; going public is where the trouble starts.
Is Screen Recording YouTube Illegal? The Short Answer
Questions of ownership and copyright have followed the internet since the Napster days, and YouTube sits right in the grey area. So let’s separate three things people mix up:
The recording — pressing record on your screen is not, by itself, a crime. The tool is neutral.
YouTube’s Terms of Service — a contract between you and YouTube. Saving content via screen recording generally breaks it, but breaking a Terms of Service is not the same as breaking the law.
Copyright law — the actual law. This is where real legal risk lives, and it’s triggered by what you do with the recording, especially if you make it public.
So “is it illegal?” is the wrong single question. The better question is: what are you going to do with the recording? That answer decides everything.
What Is Screen Recording?
Screen recording captures whatever is playing on your device’s screen — video, audio, or both — and saves it as a file. It’s built into most phones and computers and is completely legitimate for recording your own content, tutorials, bug reports, gameplay you have rights to, and countless everyday uses. The technology isn’t the issue; the source material and your intended use are.
What YouTube’s Terms of Service Say
This is the part most people skip. YouTube’s Terms of Service broadly prohibit downloading, copying or reproducing content unless:
YouTube provides a download option (for example, offline viewing within the app), or
the content is in the public domain, or
you have the rights holder’s explicit permission.
Screen recording is a way of capturing a video outside those routes, so it generally breaches the Terms. Important nuance: breaching the Terms is a contract matter between you and YouTube — it can cost you your account, but it isn’t the same as breaking copyright law. The two often overlap, but they’re separate issues.
Copyright — Where the Real Risk Lives
Every video on YouTube is protected by copyright, owned by whoever created it. Screen recording it doesn’t transfer any of those rights to you. The moment you redistribute, reupload, or build your own content around someone else’s video without permission, you’re potentially committing copyright infringement — a legal matter that can bring civil liability, not just a YouTube penalty.
What About Fair Use? Is It Fair Use to Screen Record YouTube?
Fair use (in the US) and fair dealing (in the UK) allow limited use of copyrighted material without permission — for commentary, criticism, review, news reporting, parody or education. It’s why reaction and review channels can exist. But two things trip creators up:
It’s never automatic. Fair use is a defence decided case by case, weighing factors like how much of the original you use, whether your use is transformative, and whether it harms the original’s market value.
It varies by country. The US “fair use” and UK “fair dealing” are different tests, and other countries differ again.
Not all screen recording carries the same risk. Here’s roughly how it stacks up:
What you do
ToS?
Copyright risk
Overall risk
Record for private personal viewing
Breaches
Low
🟢 Low (rarely enforced)
Reupload someone’s video as your own
Breaches
High
🔴 High (claims, strikes, legal)
Use clips in commentary/review
Breaches
Depends on fair use
🟠 Medium (fact-specific)
Record public-domain / your own / licensed
OK
None
🟢 Low (safe)
Getting Caught & the Consequences
What can actually happen ranges from nothing to serious:
Terms of Service action. YouTube can remove content or penalise your account for breaching its Terms.
Copyright claims & strikes. Reupload protected content and you can get a Content ID claim (revenue diverted) or a copyright strike — three strikes and the channel is removed.
Legal action. In serious cases a rights holder can pursue you directly for infringement.
For private, personal recordings, real-world enforcement is rare — but the risk climbs steeply the moment the recording goes public or makes money.
Not sure what’s safe to use on your channel?
On a free discovery call we’ll sort out what you can and can’t reuse — and build a content plan that keeps you on the right side of the rules.
Creative Commons. Some creators license their work for reuse with attribution — always check the specific licence terms.
Get permission. A quick message to the creator can be all it takes.
License it properly or use royalty-free libraries built for creators.
Make your own. The only 100% safe footage is footage you shot or created yourself.
If your format is built on other people’s work — reactions, reviews, compilations — read up on the same principles in making videos from books and using copyrighted music before you publish.
Screen Recording YouTube: FAQ
Is screen recording YouTube illegal?
The act of screen recording is not usually illegal in itself — it’s a normal feature of most devices. What matters is what you do with the recording. Screen recording to save or redistribute someone else’s video generally breaches YouTube’s Terms of Service, and reusing or reuploading copyrighted content without permission can be copyright infringement. Recording for private personal viewing is lower risk but still against YouTube’s Terms.
Does screen recording YouTube break the Terms of Service?
Generally yes. YouTube’s Terms of Service prohibit downloading or copying content unless a download option is provided by YouTube, the content is in the public domain, or you have the rights holder’s permission. Screen recording to capture a video is a way around that restriction, so it typically breaches the Terms — which is a contract issue with YouTube, separate from copyright law.
Can you get in trouble for screen recording YouTube?
For private personal use, enforcement is rare, though it still breaks YouTube’s Terms. The real trouble comes from what you do next: reuploading or redistributing someone’s content can trigger copyright claims or strikes on your channel, account action from YouTube, or — in serious cases — legal action from the rights holder. The risk rises sharply the moment you make the recording public.
Is it fair use to screen record a YouTube video?
Sometimes, but it’s never automatic. Fair use (US) and fair dealing (UK) can cover limited use for commentary, criticism, review, news or education — but it’s decided case by case on factors like how much you use and whether it harms the original’s value. Assuming fair use as a blanket defence is risky; when in doubt, get permission or use licensed or public-domain material.
How can I use YouTube content legally?
Use content that’s in the public domain, licensed under Creative Commons with attribution, or that you have explicit permission to use. You can also license footage properly, or create your own. If you’re reacting to or reviewing content, keep your use limited and transformative, and understand you’re still relying on a fair-use argument that isn’t guaranteed.
Final Thoughts
So, is screen recording YouTube illegal? The recording itself usually isn’t — but that’s the wrong place to stop. Saving a video almost always breaks YouTube’s Terms, and the real legal risk switches on when you reuse or republish someone else’s copyrighted work without permission. Keep a recording to yourself and you’re in low-risk (if technically non-compliant) territory; publish it and you’ve stepped into copyright’s firing line. The clean path is the same one the professionals use: stick to public-domain, licensed, permitted, or your own content — and when the stakes are real, ask a lawyer rather than guessing.
A note on this guide: this is general information for creators, not legal advice. The rules described reflect YouTube’s Terms of Service and general copyright principles at the time of writing (July 2026); both YouTube’s Terms and copyright law vary by country and change over time. For decisions with real consequences, consult a qualified lawyer.
Music is a powerful tool in video editing. It can add emphasis, emotional impact, and generally change the whole tone of a scene or clip. There is a wealth of free music available, of course.
YouTube itself has a significant library of free-to-use music that you can choose from. But there are times when royalty-free music won’t do.
Whether you’re reviewing songs or you just need a particular song for your content, you’ll no doubt be aware of the minefield that is copyrighted music. You may even be aware of fair use, but don’t worry if you’re not; we’re going to get into all of that soon.
Most YouTubers are aware that you can’t just grab copyrighted music (or any content, for that matter) and put it in your video. At least, not without inevitable consequences. At best you will lose your ability to monetize that video, at worst you will get a copyright strike against your channel, and enough of those will lose your channel entirely!
So, how much of a song can you use on YouTube without copyright coming to bite you in the backside? – The short answer is none! You will need a buy a license to use popular tracks or will need to enter into revenue shares with some artists if they are part of the YouTube Audio Library. If you want music in your videos it is best to use royalty free services or make your own music.
The answer more honest answer is, it complicated – so if you’re with us, we’re about to dive a little deeper.
What is “Fair Use”?
As we’re about to get into a subject matter that strays a little close to legal advice, we must stress that is emphatically not legal advice.
Always seek the advice of a qualified law professional before doing anything that might potentially land you in legal trouble. Now, with that out of the way, let’s get into what fair use is.
Fair use is the name given to the use of copyrighted material in some instances where the use is limited or transformative. You may be wondering what “transformative” means, and you wouldn’t be alone. Inordinate amounts of money have been spent trying to find a clear definition of what constitutes transformative but to no avail.
Established examples of a transformative use of copyrighted material include commentary and criticism, such as news programs showing clips of something accompanied by commentary about that thing. Another example is parody videos.
There is a common myth or misunderstanding that you are allowed to use a certain amount of copyrighted content—a few seconds, say—and you will be protected by fair use. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Fair use covers how copyrighted content is used, not the amount of it.
While it is highly unlikely, it is theoretically possible that the use of copyrighted material in its entirety could be protected by fair use. It would be tough to justify, of course, and the less of a piece of copyrighted material you use, the easier it is to claim that you are using it for transformative means, rather than just stealing it.
It is here that the myth of using only a few seconds comes from; most successful examples of fair use on YouTube are short clips, but the shortness is not what makes them a successful example of fair use. We’ll get more into what these successful examples look like shortly.
To avoid falling into dangerous waters I always use licensing companies like LickD – I pay a small fee per track and know I am covered from all the legal potholes. Go check LickD out, they have a wide selection of popular song and chart music on their website and you can even get one track free!
Fair Use is Not Protection
The main trap people fall into when dealing with fair use is in thinking that it is some kind of protection against copyright claims or lawsuits, but this is not the case.
Fair use is a defence, not a protection. There is no one-size-fits-all application of fair use that a company like YouTube could apply to your usage of copyrighted material. As such, fair use is decided on a case-by-case basis…
…in court.
Yes, unfortunately, the only way to prove you are using copyrighted content within the remit of fair use is by going to court and having them agree with you. And, unless you have a lot of spare cash and time on your hands, the only way that is likely to happen is if you get sued by a copyright holder. Not ideal.
An unfortunate side effect of this is that large copyright holders tend to bludgeon smaller entities with copyright take-downs, knowing full well that the average YouTuber will not have the means to challenge the claim on a legal footing. Combine this with increasingly automated copyright infringement detection employed by YouTube, and you have a scenario in which it is very difficult to use copyrighted content in any capacity.
There are even instances of YouTubers creating cover versions of popular songs using household objects—such as couch cushions and doors—getting copyright claims against them by the owner of the song they are covering.
How Much of a Song Can You Use on YouTube Without Copyright Issues?
Now that we’ve taken a deeper dive into how fair use works, we hope it makes more sense when we tell you that the answer to how much of a song you can use without copyright problems is, practically speaking, none.
The reason we say this is because the music industry is particularly aggressive when it comes to protecting its intellectual property. They are not interested in the fair use arguments and will go after any use of their music that they become aware of. Couple that with YouTube’s automated copyright infringement detection, and you have a situation where any attempt to use copyrighted music will likely get flagged.
If the infringement exists (that is, the copyright holder attributed does, in fact, own the copyright to the material in your video), then your only recourse would be to take that copyright holder to court.
It would be extremely unlikely to reach a point where the copyright holder would take you to court, however, as YouTube has plenty of mechanisms in place to protect their interests. From monetizing your video and sending them the proceeds, to removing your channel from the platform entirely.
YouTube will not allow you to infringe copyright continually, so it would take an extremely keen legal department at some music label to see you in taken to court before YouTube resolves the issue for them.
Examples of Fair Use
Copying works across a variety of different mediums, including broadcast, is permitted when the use is for examination or instruction, in an academic or industry setting, as long as it meets certain guidelines. Obviously, this is unlikely to apply to your average YouTuber.
An example more relevant to YouTube, however, is using copyrighted content for quotation, critique, or review. Of course, if you post an entire album with little to no commentary, you will struggle to make an argument for fair use. The amount of copyrighted content should be quite limited, and only just enough to get whatever point you are trying to make across.
Other criteria for this kind of fair use include the copyrighted material being publicly available and the source of the content being acknowledged
You can also use copyrighted material of reporting current news, though the situations in which copyrighted music would fit into this category are rare.
Parody, as we mentioned earlier, is also a form of fair use, but this is another area where the boundaries for what constitutes parody are far from clear. Any borderline case may need to be tested in court to receive any kind of definitive decision on the matter.
The final example of fair use involves text and data mining, which clearly doesn’t have any bearing on a discussion about using music in YouTube videos.
Can You Use Music in YouTube Videos at All?
There are certainly situations where you could use music—even copyrighted music—in your YouTube videos. If you were to obtain the permission of the copyright holder, for instance, you would be legally allowed to use that music as long as you stuck to whatever terms you agreed, of course.
As we mentioned earlier, there is also non-copyrighted music or music with an open license such as Creative Commons. YouTube provides an impressive library of such music for the very reason of helping YouTubers make their content without falling afoul of copyright strikes. Remember, they want you to succeed.
Finally, you could, of course, use your own music. If you make music and you have not given the rights to that music to anyone else, you are free to do with it as you please.
Should I Use Copyrighted Music in my YouTube Videos?
The only truly safe option when considering using music in your YouTube videos is to use royalty-free music that is licensed for commercial use.
The commercial aspect is important even if you do not monetize your videos, because you may decide to monetize them someday, and, in any case, some people may disagree with your idea of commercial. They may even be wrong, but you don’t want to have to go to court to prove that.
If you can get permission for the music you should be okay to use it in theory, however, it is worth noting that YouTube’s copyright infringement detection is something of a firehose when it comes to seeking out violations.
There are many examples in the past of YouTubers going to great lengths to obtain permission to use copyrighted material, only to have YouTube flag it as a violation.
In some case, copyright holders themselves have fallen afoul of this system. It has not been uncommon for YouTubers who are part of a content network upload a video of one of their own songs on a private channel and get flagged for copyright because their song was initially played on the content network’s channel.
It is far from a perfect system.
What Happens if I Get Caught Using Copyrighted Music?
The consequences vary depending on things like if you are a repeat offender, or how the copyright holder wants to handle the situation. If you are caught infringing copyright, and it is your first time, you will likely just receive a strike against your account. Enough of these strikes, however, and your account could be removed entirely.
In some cases, the copyright holder will opt to leave your video alone, but monetize it and claim the earnings. In those cases, you will not be able to monetize your video yourself, even if the offending music only makes up a small portion of your video. Unfortunately, this is a risk you will have to accept if you want to use copyrighted music.
As mentioned above, it is unlikely you would ever see a courtroom from infringing copyright on YouTube. But, as mentioned even further above, nothing in this post should be considered legal advice. The fact that it is unlikely that you will end up in court should not be seen as a guarantee that you will not end up in court.
Conclusions
The world of YouTube copyright is a bit of a minefield when it comes to knowing exactly what you can and can’t do.
The only way to be genuinely risk-free is only ever to use royalty-free music that is licensed for commercial use. Any time you use copyrighted material, even if it is as clear cut fair use as it gets, could see you receiving copyright strikes against your channel, or worse.
If you do have to use copyrighted music, however, remember the guidelines for what constitutes fair use. Only use the absolute minimum of copyrighted music required to get your point across. Make sure the focus of the video is not the content.
Even with some additional commentary, if the point of the video is very clearly just to listen to the music, it will not be considered fair use.
But, most importantly, remember that fair use is not a protection against legal action. If a copyright holder gets a bee in their bonnet about your use of their music and decides to get the lawyers out, you will not be able to hide behind fair use.
You will need to go to court and convince a judge that your use of the content was fair use. It may not be a likely scenario, but it is one you will have to consider if you insist on using copyrighted music in your videos.
Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube
Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.
1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search
I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.
Within 12 months I tripled the size of my channel and very quickly learnt the power of thumbnails, click through rate and proper search optimization. Best of all, they are FREE!
2. Adobe Creative Suite helps me craft amazing looking thumbnails and eye-catching videos
I have been making youtube videos on and off since 2013.
When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.
Big mistake!
I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.
That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.
Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.
3. Rev.com helps people read my videos
You can’t always listen to a video.
Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.
This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.
5. Shutterstock helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways
I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.
And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.
I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.
I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the Shutterstock website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.
“This video was taken down due to copyright infringement.” If you make book content — reviews, BookTube, readings, summaries — that’s the sentence that keeps you up at night. So, is it legal to make YouTube videos from books? The short version: talking about a book is usually fine; reproducing the book usually isn’t. This guide explains where the line sits in 2026, in plain English — copyright basics, fair use, what you can and can’t do, and how to stay safe.
⚠️ Important: I’m a YouTube expert, not a lawyer, and this article is general information, not legal advice. Copyright law varies by country and every situation is different. For anything specific — especially if you’ve been accused of infringement — speak to a qualified copyright solicitor or attorney.
The one principle to remember: copyright protects the expression — the actual words the author wrote — not the ideas, facts or your opinions about them. Share your own thoughts freely; reproduce someone else’s words carefully.
Why read this here? I’m Alan Spicer — a YouTube Certified Expert with two decades on the platform and six Silver Play Buttons. I’ve helped creators navigate copyright claims and strikes for years, so this is the practical, real-world version of how it plays out on YouTube.
⚡ QUICK ANSWER: Is it legal to make YouTube videos from books?
It depends what you do. Reviewing, discussing or critiquing a book in your own words is generally legal — that’s your original content. Reading a copyrighted book aloud, or reproducing large passages, generally isn’t without permission. Public-domain books can be used freely. Fair use and fair dealing can permit limited quotation for criticism and review, but they’re judged case by case — not a blanket free pass. (General information, not legal advice.)
What Is Copyright?
Copyright is the automatic legal protection given to original creative works the moment they’re created — including books. It gives the author (or whoever holds the rights) exclusive control over how their work is copied, distributed, performed and adapted. You don’t have to register it; it exists as soon as the work is written.
Two things are worth understanding. First, copyright protects the author’s expression — the specific words and creative choices — not the underlying ideas, facts or themes. You can discuss the ideas in a book all day; you just can’t reproduce its text. Second, protection lasts a long time — commonly the author’s lifetime plus 70 years in the UK, US and much of the world — after which the work enters the public domain and can be used freely. YouTube’s own copyright resources and the UK government’s copyright guidance are good primers.
So, Can You Make YouTube Videos From Books?
Yes — a great deal of book content is completely legitimate. The whole world of BookTube (channels reviewing, discussing and recommending books) thrives precisely because talking about books is different from reproducing them. When you share your opinion of a novel, break down its themes, recommend your favourites or discuss an author’s career, you’re creating your own original commentary. The book is the subject; the video is yours.
Where it gets risky is when your video reproduces the work itself — reading a copyrighted book aloud, showing pages of text on screen, or copying long passages. That reproduces the author’s expression, which is exactly what copyright protects. The safest book content adds something of your own: analysis, criticism, opinion, humour, education — a transformation, not a copy.
What You Can and Can’t Do (General Guide)
A rough map of common book-content activities. This is general guidance, not a ruling on any specific case — always check your own situation.
Activity
Generally…
Why
Reviewing or critiquing a book
✅ Usually fine
Your own opinion & analysis
Discussing themes, ideas, plot in your words
✅ Usually fine
Ideas aren’t copyrighted
Quoting a short line for review
⚠️ Often OK, keep it minimal
May be fair use / fair dealing
Reading a copyrighted book aloud
❌ Usually not
Reproduces the work
Copying large passages on screen
❌ Usually not
Reproduces the expression
Using a public-domain book
✅ Free to use fully
Copyright has expired
Fair Use and Fair Dealing (In Plain English)
You’ll hear “fair use” thrown around as if it makes anything legal. It doesn’t. Fair use (in the US) and fair dealing (in the UK and many Commonwealth countries) are legal doctrines that can permit limited use of copyrighted material for certain purposes — criticism, review, commentary, news, research and education among them.
In the US, courts weigh four factors: the purpose and character of the use (is it transformative? commercial or educational?), the nature of the original work, how much you used, and the effect on the market for the original. UK fair dealing is narrower — it applies to specific permitted purposes (like criticism and review), and generally requires that the use is really fair and that you acknowledge the source.
The crucial point: fair use and fair dealing are defences, decided case by case — not a checkbox that guarantees you’re safe. Leaning on them means being really transformative, using no more than you need, and crediting the work. When real money or a real dispute is involved, that’s a lawyer’s call, not a rule of thumb.
What Happens If You’re Accused of Infringement?
On YouTube, this usually shows up in one of two ways. A Content ID claim is automated — the system spots matching material and the rights-holder can block, track or monetise your video. It isn’t a penalty on your channel, but it can demonetise or restrict the video. A copyright strike is more serious: a formal legal removal request from a rights-holder. Accumulate three strikes and your channel can be terminated.
If it happens, don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. Read exactly what’s being claimed. If you really believe your use is permitted (say, a clear review with minimal quotation), YouTube provides dispute and counter-notification processes — but a counter-notification is a legal step with real consequences if you’re wrong, so get advice before firing one off. This is one of those moments where “general information” stops being enough and a copyright solicitor earns their fee.
Building a book or review channel the right way?
On a free discovery call we’ll plan content that grows fast and stays on the right side of the rules.
The practical playbook for staying on the right side of the line:
✅ Be transformative. Add your own analysis, criticism, opinion or education — make the video about the book, not a copy of it.
✅ Keep quotation minimal. A short line to illustrate a point is very different from reproducing pages. Less is safer, and always attribute.
✅ Use public-domain works. Classic literature whose copyright has expired is free to read, adapt and build on — see using public-domain content on YouTube.
✅ Get permission or a licence when you want to use more than review allows — many authors and publishers are open to it, especially for promotion.
✅ When in doubt, ask a lawyer. For anything commercial or contested, professional advice is cheaper than a terminated channel.
Need ideas that sidestep the whole problem? Reviews, “best books” lists, author discussions and reading vlogs are all low-risk and popular — my content ideation framework can help you generate dozens. And if books are your niche, my roundup of the 50 best books for freelancers is a ready-made source of review material.
Conclusion
So, is it legal to make YouTube videos from books? For the vast majority of book creators — reviewers, BookTubers, discussion channels — yes, because you’re sharing your own commentary, not reproducing the work. The trouble starts only when a video copies the book itself: reading it aloud, or reproducing substantial text without permission. Stay transformative, quote sparingly, lean on public-domain works, and get advice when real stakes are involved. Do that, and you can build a thriving book channel without ever seeing that dreaded takedown notice.
Books & YouTube Copyright: FAQ
Is it legal to make YouTube videos about books?
Usually, yes — if you’re reviewing, discussing or critiquing a book in your own words, that’s your own original content and is generally allowed. The line is crossed when you reproduce the book itself, such as reading it aloud or copying large passages. Talking about a book is very different, legally, from reproducing it. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can you read a book aloud on YouTube?
Generally not without permission. Reading a copyrighted book aloud reproduces the author’s work, which is one of the rights copyright protects, so it typically requires a licence or the rights-holder’s permission. The main exception is books in the public domain, which anyone can read and use freely. If in doubt, seek permission or legal advice.
Is BookTube legal?
Yes. BookTube — channels that review, discuss and recommend books — is generally legal because creators are sharing their own opinions and analysis, not reproducing the books. Showing a cover, mentioning the title and quoting a short line for review are typically fine. Problems only arise if a video reproduces substantial portions of the text.
What is fair use for books on YouTube?
Fair use (in the US) and fair dealing (in the UK) are legal doctrines that can permit limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like criticism, review, commentary or education. They’re judged case by case on factors such as how transformative the use is, how much you use, and the effect on the market. They’re a defence, not a guarantee, so they don’t automatically make any use legal.
Can you get a copyright strike for a video about a book?
It’s possible if a rights-holder believes you’ve reproduced their work. Reviews and commentary rarely trigger strikes, but reading passages or reproducing text can. YouTube handles this through Content ID claims and copyright strikes; a claim may block or demonetise a video, while repeated strikes can risk your channel. Keeping your content transformative is the best protection.
Can you use public domain books on YouTube?
Yes. Once a book is in the public domain — generally when copyright has expired, which varies by country but is often decades after the author’s death — anyone can use it freely, including reading it in full. Classic literature is a rich, legal source of content. Always confirm a specific work’s public-domain status in your country before relying on it.
Sources & disclaimer: general copyright principles reference YouTube’s fair use resources and UK government copyright guidance, current at the time of writing (July 2026). This article is general information and not legal advice; copyright law varies by country and changes over time. For your specific situation, consult a qualified copyright lawyer.
What Is Fair Use On YouTube? — Fair Use For Dummies // Fair Use on YouTube Explained. Fair Use is a US loophole that allows you to use clips of copyrighted material as long as you follow certain guidelines. Fair Use explained and simplified into 3 core points.
1–80/20 Rule — Use more of your OWN content than anybody else’s.
2 — USE MULTIPLE SOURCES — If you can reference more than just one person or clip to illustrate your point then that shows them you are being fair.
3 — CREDIT THE OWNER — Make sure you name drop or name the original content creator in the video or description.
Alan Spicer YouTube Tips Channel — YouTube Tricks, YouTube Tips & YouTube Hacks to Help Grow Your YouTube Channel. I make YouTube Training Tutorials based on my personal experience on How To Increase YouTube Views, How To Gain YouTube Subscribers and How To Grow A YouTube Brand Online.
I have been on YouTube since 2013 growing an Entertainment and News Channel, MrHairyBrit. Within that time I have made many mistakes but have also learnt many YouTube Hacks that I want to share with you to help you Rank Your YouTube Videos On YouTube, Grow Your YouTube Channel and Get Your Brand Noticed On YouTube.
I also have a background in Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation, and Web Design & Development.
We can grow together, We can learn together… Start Creating!
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