Using copyright material in your Youtube videos.

[Marty S]

I have been experimenting with video production recently, trying to utilize pop-culture music and videos with my own content. The idea is to increase my channel views and subscriptions on Youtube. I have had some videos blocked or edited in the past due to using pop songs as a background, but since Youtube's agreement with iTunes, the use of music has really opened things up.

Here is a recent video I posted that now has about 9,000 views. Not exactly viral, but a very effective video for me in terms of channel exposure and subscriptions.

As with most of my videos, I must warn of the foul language.

YouTube - bad beat poker

Now in this video I use Bonnie Tyler's song "It's a Heartache". It was a good fit for the concept and it was available on iTunes, something you should confirm first before using any licensed music. The idea here is that if you use an iTunes song, Youtube can place an iTunes pop-in ad on your video for that very song, thereby pushing sales for iTunes and themselves.

Youtube has never came right out and told me I can now use the iTunes songs, but from my last few videos, it is something that I have deduced. If you notice however, in this video, there is NO iTunes pop-up ad. I am not sure but why, but I believe it is because at the end of the video I clearly indicate the song and artist and that it is available at iTunes. I am NOT sure if that is the reason, but I will keep on experimenting in that regard.

In addition, I used movie clips from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and also gave it a mention at the end of the video.

So, so far so good in terms of my video NOT being blocked, but I do have a replacement video ready to go in case that happens.

This could get interesting in regards to licensed material, and am hoping to hear about any of your recent experiences with Youtube, i Tunes, and movie clips so that we could all get a more clear (if unwritten) guideline as to what is allowed.