Legal to Embed Video Content on Marketing Site?

manicminer · Post by **manicminer** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:24 am

Dear forum,

I am creating a social network for the purposes of providing comprehensive information and social networking opportunities. The theme of the site will be environmental issues, e,g, climate change, global warming etc.

Additionally, in the future, I may begin acting as using affiliate marketing for various environmentally-friendly products that I will eventually begin to advertise on my site.

I am also considering creating a video information section in my network which will have a range of embedded videos from other websites in order to provide good background information on the main theme of my site.

Could anyone possibly tell me if this will cause problems for me once I start marketing products, since the sites I embed videos from may consider that I am making money indirectly from making use of their video content to make my website more attractive? Could anyone explain how a non-expert can navigate the various copyright laws in undertaking such a venture?

Many thanks.

Warlock · Post by **Warlock** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:18 pm

It really just depends on what the copyright owner of the video footage allows you to do. In some cases footage you find on the internet may have a licence attached (i.e. you can use under certain conditions) if there is no such licence, or the licence does not allow what you want to do then you need permission.

I find that it is easier to understand copyright law if we remember that copyright is an asset (just like your car, house, mobile phone, etc.) - you wouldn't like someone to use you car without permission.

manicminer · Post by **manicminer** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:50 pm

Thanks for the reply Warlock,

I find the hardest part is the "fuzziness" or abiguity of copyright infringement.

Even with "fair use", it seems that it is in some sense a calculated risk that you take.

With so many sites that provide "embed" links on their videos yet state in their terms and conditions that "framing" or "linking" needs permission, it is quite confusing? Why provide embed links and then expressly forbid using them without prior consent?

Thanks