Youtube monetization copyright help

6 replies
So I have an YouTube channel and my videos are monetized.

In some of the videos I use images from Wikipedia to help explain some concepts.
I make sure that the images I use are in the wikipedia commons and in the public domain

I got an email from YouTube about one of my videos which had a graph in it, which I was explaining. The email said they can't confirm I have necessary rights for commercial use of the content in the video due to the following reasons:

- the license you provided does not appear to have been issued by the appropriate rights holder for this content
- the audiovisual material you used was provided through a website whose licensing terms/terms of use do not grant you sufficient commercial use rights.

It then said I have to submit a reply showing an appropriate contract.

I then emailed back with a picture of the wikipedia license info of the image which said the image (of the graph) is listed in the public domain and is free to use for all purposes including commercial use.

I then recieved a reply saying they still haven't been able to confirm that I have the necessary rights to commercially use all the video material from the information I've given. They are then saying I need to provide documentation from a primary (original) source substantiating my claim that the material is in the public domain.

How to I move forward from here?
(sorry for the long post)
#copyright #monetization #youtube
  • Profile picture of the author Write Now
    If it's on Wikipedia (Wiki Commons) then it should be good to use. Obviously, take my advice with a grain of salt as I am not a lawyer of any kind, but I've always been under the impression that if it was found on Wiki Commons, then it's good to go.
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    • Profile picture of the author trickshot
      But I replied showing them that the image is on Wikipedia commons, and they still required more proof. What more can I do?
      Do you know how I can proceed from here?
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  • Profile picture of the author Slade556
    Well, what WriteNow said is pretty much what I was gonna say! However, if these guys keep saying they need more proof, why not just use another image?
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    • Profile picture of the author trickshot
      I would, but the video has already been filmed and uploaded. In fact, I uploaded the video over a year ago so it would be a big hassle for me to change the image and re-film the video.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hackbridge
    Maybe (if it helps) delete the video, if it could cause you to lose your Adsense & Youtube Channel. I've had both accounts terminated, but I got the Youtube one re-instated.

    All the best.

    Brian
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    • Profile picture of the author trickshot
      Originally Posted by Hackbridge View Post

      Maybe (if it helps) delete the video, if it could cause you to lose your Adsense & Youtube Channel. I've had both accounts terminated, but I got the Youtube one re-instated.

      All the best.

      Brian
      I know but annoyingly, I'm not doing anything wrong as all work is in the public domain. Even if it wasn't you can still argue it as fair use as it is for educational purposes.

      I have a feeling there is just some error going on and it's some kind of automated thing
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