Difference between the YouTube license and the Creative Commons license
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Updated on |
8 min reading time
Written by Pablo Olóndriz
Holding a degree in Business Administration and Programming, Pablo established Legis Music in 2016. With a focus on the royalty-free music industry, he has contributed extensively to the field, authoring over 150 articles on various aspects of music licensing. His efforts have been instrumental in developing one of the most straightforward and liberal music licensing frameworks available today.
Key Takeaways
- When uploading a video on YouTube, creators can choose between the standard YouTube license and the Creative Commons license.
- The Standard YouTube license grants full ownership to the content creator, allowing them to maintain control over their content. Others can use the content only with the creator’s permission and must follow set conditions.
- The Creative Commons license enables content creators to share their work with the public under specific terms and conditions, such as attribution, non-commercial use, and sharing.
- The standard YouTube license grants full ownership to the content creator, while the Creative Commons license allows others to use the content under certain conditions while retaining the creator’s ownership.
- The standard YouTube license restricts the download, copying, and modification of content by others, while the Creative Commons license allows for these actions within specified terms.
- The standard YouTube license prohibits third parties, except YouTube or its partners, from using the content for commercial purposes. In contrast, a Creative Commons license may allow commercial use under specific conditions.
- Creative Commons licenses require users to give credit to the content creator when using their work, promoting recognition for the creator’s efforts.
- To select the appropriate license, creators should assess their objectives, audience, and legal considerations. The choice should align with their goals, whether it’s retaining full control or sharing content with specific conditions.
- Creators should thoroughly understand the legal terms and implications of their chosen license to avoid copyright issues and protect their content.
YouTube has become the main source of video on the Internet.
If you plan to upload a video, you must choose between one of two licences: the standard YouTube licence or the Creative Commons licence .
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is essential to understand the difference between them in order to make an informed choice.
This article will guide you through the differences between the two licences and help you choose the right one for your content.
YouTube licensing
YouTube is one of the world’s most popular video-sharing platforms.
With millions of videos uploaded every day, it is important to understand the different licences available to creators.
Licences determine how content can be used, shared and reused.
The first step in understanding the differences is to know what each licence entails.
YouTube’s standard licence grants the content creator ownership of the video, and YouTube has a non-exclusive right to use it.
This means that anyone who wants to share the video must first ask the owner for permission. This licence is suitable for creators who want to maintain full control over their content.
Creative Commons licences, on the other hand, allow others to reuse the content under specific terms and conditions.
This licence is suitable for creators who want to share their work with the public while retaining some control over how it is used.
What is a standard YouTube licence?
A standard YouTube licence grants full ownership to the creator of the content, but with some restrictions.
You retain the copyright to the content, and YouTube has a limited licence to the video.
This means that you can allow others to use your video, but you must first grant them permission and they must follow the conditions set by the creator.
The standard licence is the default licence for all videos uploaded to YouTube.
If you do not specify a different licence, your video will automatically be covered by the standard licence.
This licence is suitable for creators who wish to retain full control over their content, but allow others to share and use it with permission.
What is a Creative Commons licence?
A Creative Commons licence allows content creators to share their work with the public.
This is a set of copyright licences that allow others to re-use your content under certain terms such as attribution, non-commercial use and sharing.
By using a Creative Commons licence, you can allow others to use your content for free while retaining the rights to your work.
There are several types of Creative Commons licences, each with its own set of terms and conditions.
It is important to choose the right licence for your content according to your objectives and intentions.
Whether you choose a standard licence or a Creative Commons licence, it is essential that you understand the terms and conditions of each licence to protect your rights as a content creator.
Key differences between standard and Creative Commons licences
When it comes to sharing content online, there are many different types of licences.
Two popular options are the standard YouTube licence and the Creative Commons licence.
Although both licences allow creators to share their work, there are several key differences between them.
Ownership and copyright
YouTube’s standard licence grants full ownership to the content creator.
This means that the creator has full control over how their content is used and distributed.
On the other hand, the Creative Commons licence allows others to use the content under specific terms and conditions.
While the creator remains the owner of the content, he or she authorises others to use it in certain ways.
For example, a photographer may choose to upload his or her photos to YouTube under a Creative Commons licence.
This would allow others to use the photos for non-commercial purposes, as long as they credit the photographer.
Reuse and redistribution
Another key difference between the standard YouTube licence and the Creative Commons licence is the rules on reuse and redistribution.
YouTube’s standard licence has more restrictive rules in this area.
Only the creator or authorised persons may use the content, which means that others may not download, copy or modify the content.
With a Creative Commons licence, on the other hand, users can download, copy and modify the content, as long as they respect the conditions set by the creator.
For creators, it can be a great way to share their work with a wider audience, while retaining some control over how it is used.
Commercial use
YouTube’s standard licence prohibits others, except YouTube or its partners, from using the content for commercial purposes.
This means that if someone wants to use the content in a commercial project, they would have to get permission from the creator.
In contrast, with a Creative Commons licence, the creator may allow others to use the content for commercial purposes, as long as they respect the terms of the owner.
This can be a good way for creators to monetise their work, while retaining some control over how it is used.
Attribution requirements
One of the key requirements of a Creative Commons licence is that users must cite the creator of the content when using it.
This means that if someone uses a photo or video with a Creative Commons licence, they must give credit to the creator.
YouTube’s standard licence does not have an attribution requirement, but it is always good practice to credit the creator of the content.
Esto puede ayudar a garantizar que el creador obtenga el reconocimiento que merece por su trabajo.
In general, both the standard YouTube licence and the Creative Commons licence offer creators the possibility to share their work with a wider audience.
However, the Creative Commons licence offers more flexibility in terms of the use and distribution of content, while allowing the creator to retain some control over his or her work.
Advantages and disadvantages of each licence
The table below clearly shows the advantages and disadvantages of the two licences.
Standard YouTube License
Advantages
- Gives content creators full ownership of their content, which means they have full control over how it is used.
- Allows creators to grant permission to others to use their content while protecting their rights as creators.
Disadvantages
- Prohibits commercial use by third parties, which can limit potential income sources for the creator
- Has restrictive rules on reuse and redistribution, meaning that other users cannot download, copy, or modify the content without the creator’s permission.
Creative Commons License
Advantages
Allows others to use the content within the specific terms set by the creator, leading to increased exposure and potentially commercial opportunities.
Desadvantages
- Allows others to use and modify the content, subject to specific terms, which may limit the creator’s control over their creation.
- May result in the creator losing the right to monetize their content, depending on how others use it.
How to choose the right licence for your content
Assess your objectives and priorities
The first step in choosing the right licence for your content is to determine your objectives and priorities.
If you want to have full control over your content and limit the ability of others to reuse it, YouTube’s standard licence is the one for you.
However, if you want to share your content with the public and allow others to use it under specific conditions, a Creative Commons licence is more appropriate.
Know your audience
Another important factor to consider is your target audience.
If you want to reach a wide audience and potentially attract commercial opportunities, Creative Commons licensing may be the best option.
On the other hand, if you are targeting a specific audience, such as those interested in licensing and distribution or intellectual property, YouTube’s standard licence may be preferable, as it offers more protection to the content creator.
Legal considerations
A crucial factor to consider when choosing a licence is the legal implications.
Make sure you understand the legal terms and conditions of the licensing options before choosing which one to use to avoid infringing third party copyrights.
Conclusion
The choice of licence for your content ultimately depends on your objectives and priorities.
Both the standard YouTube licence and the Creative Commons licence have their advantages and disadvantages, and you need to understand the difference between them to make an informed decision.
With this knowledge, you can choose a licence that suits your needs and protect your content while allowing others to use it in a way that benefits you.
References
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