How to find videos you are allowed to reuse
To find videos you may reuse, search places that show a licence for each item, such as YouTube's Creative Commons filter, Wikimedia Commons and the Internet Archive, then read the licence on the exact video before you trim it. This is general information, not legal advice.
Where can I look?
- YouTube. The search filters include Creative Commons, which shows videos whose uploader chose that licence.
- Wikimedia Commons. A library of freely licensed and public-domain media.
- Internet Archive. Hosts many public-domain and openly licensed items.
Always open the item and read its licence. A site being open doesn't mean every item on it is.
Ready to try it? Open the trimmer and paste a link.
What do the Creative Commons licences mean?
| Part | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| BY | You must credit the creator |
| SA | If you build on it, you share your version under the same licence |
| NC | Not for commercial use |
| ND | No derivatives: you may not change it |
Can I trim a Creative Commons video?
It depends on the licence. A trimmed clip may count as a changed version of the work, so a licence with ND (no derivatives) may not allow it. Read the licence, and if it isn't clear, ask the creator.
What should I check first?
- The licence on that exact video.
- Whether you must give credit, and in what form.
- Whether the licence allows commercial use if you need it.
- Whether it allows changes, since trimming is a change.
Then follow the steps for using a clip with permission.
Questions
Is every video on YouTube with a Creative Commons label free to trim?
Check the licence. The label tells you which licence applies, and that licence says what you may do.
Do I still need to give credit?
If the licence has a BY part, yes.
Keep reading
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Read the guideHave a link ready?
Paste it, set the start and end, and keep only the part you need.
Open the trimmer