⚖️ Copyright & Legal

What is Copyright?

Copyright is a legal protection that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works. This includes:

• Videos: Original footage, edited content
• Music: Songs, compositions, recordings
• Images: Photos, artwork, graphics
• Text: Scripts, captions, descriptions
• Performance: Acting, choreography

What Copyright Owners Can Do

Copyright holders have exclusive rights to:

• Reproduce the work
• Create derivative works
• Distribute copies
• Publicly perform the work
• Publicly display the work
• License or sell these rights to others

Understanding Fair Use

Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

Four Factors of Fair Use

1. Purpose and Character Is it transformative? Commercial or educational?
2. Nature of the Work Is the original creative or factual?
3. Amount Used How much of the original work is used?
4. Market Effect Does it harm the market for the original?

Common Fair Use Scenarios

Likely Fair Use

• Critical Reviews: Using clips to analyze or critique content
• Parody: Transforming content to make fun of the original
• Educational Content: Using excerpts for teaching purposes
• News Reporting: Brief clips to report on events
• Transformative Commentary: Adding substantial new meaning or message

NOT Fair Use

• ❌ Re-uploading someone's entire video
• ❌ Using music in your vlogs without permission
• ❌ Compilation videos without transformation
• ❌ Reaction videos with minimal commentary
• ❌ Using clips just because you gave credit

Types of Copyright Actions

Copyright Strike System

Strike Consequences

Responding to Copyright Claims

Content ID Claim Dispute

1. Review the Claim Check which portion is claimed and by whom
2. Choose Your Response Accept, trim out content, mute audio, replace song, or dispute
3. If Disputing Select reason: licensed, fair use, public domain, or misidentification
4. Await Review Copyright holder has 30 days to respond

Copyright Strike Counter-Notification

1. Assess Your Rights Only submit if you have legal right to use the content
2. Submit Counter-Notice Provide your legal name, address, and sworn statement
3. Wait 10-14 Business Days Claimant can file a lawsuit or let claim lapse
4. Content Restored or Lawsuit If no legal action, strike is removed

How Content ID Works

1. Rights Holders Upload Reference Files Copyright owners provide audio, video, or images to the system
2. Automatic Scanning Every upload is scanned against the database
3. Match Detection Algorithm identifies matches (even with edits or filters)
4. Policy Applied Rights holder's chosen action is automatically applied

Possible Actions by Rights Holders

• Monetize: Place ads and collect revenue
• Track: Get viewership statistics only
• Block: Make video unavailable in some/all countries
• Mute: Remove audio in certain territories

Avoiding Content ID Claims

Use Copyright-Free Content

• Konnect Audio Library: Free music and sound effects
• Creative Commons: Licensed content (check specific terms)
• Public Domain: Works with expired copyrights
• Licensed Music Services: Epidemic Sound, Artlist, etc.
• Original Content: Create your own music and footage

Get Permission

• Contact copyright holders directly
• Obtain written licenses or releases
• Keep documentation of permissions

Copyright Match Tool

Konnect's Copyright Match Tool helps you find and manage re-uploads of your original content.

How to Use It

1. Access the Tool Konnect Studio → Copyright → Match Tool
2. Review Matches See videos that match your content
3. Take Action Request removal, archive, or reach out to uploader

Available Actions

• Request Removal: Submit takedown request
• Message Creator: Ask them to take it down
• Archive Match: Mark as "no action needed"

Learn more about Copyright Match Tool →

Content ID for Your Content

Eligibility

Content ID is available to:

• Partners in the Konnect Partner Program
• Channels with 100,000+ subscribers
• Record labels and media companies
• Verified copyright owners with substantial original content

Applying for Content ID

1. Meet Requirements Ensure eligibility and substantial catalog
2. Submit Application Provide copyright evidence and content examples
3. Await Approval Review takes 4-6 weeks
4. Upload Reference Files Once approved, add your content to the system

Filing a Copyright Infringement Notice

When to File

• Someone has uploaded your copyrighted content without permission
• Content ID or Copyright Match Tool aren't available to you
• You want a more formal legal process under Indian Copyright Act, 1957

Notice Requirements

A valid copyright infringement notice must include:

• Your physical or electronic signature
• Identification of the copyrighted work
• Identification of the infringing material (URL)
• Your contact information
• Statement of good faith belief that use is unauthorized
• Statement of accuracy and authority to act on behalf of copyright owner

How to Submit

1. Complete Copyright Notice Form Available at konnect.li/legal/copyright-notice
2. Provide Evidence Proof of copyright ownership
3. Submit Notice Via web form or copyright@konnect.li
4. Content Reviewed & Removed Typically processed within 24-48 hours per Indian IT Act

Other Legal Issues

Trademark

• Protects: Brand names, logos, slogans
• Infringement: Using brand names to mislead consumers
• Fair Use: Can use trademarks in commentary, reviews, or nominative use

Right of Publicity

• Protects: Person's name, image, and likeness
• Applies to: Using someone's image for commercial purposes without consent
• Exceptions: News, commentary, satire

Defamation

• Libel (written) & Slander (spoken)
• Making false statements that harm someone's reputation
• Truth is an absolute defense
• Opinion is generally protected

Staying Copyright Compliant

Do's

• ✅ Create original content
• ✅ Get written permission for copyrighted material
• ✅ Use royalty-free music and stock footage
• ✅ Understand fair use before relying on it
• ✅ Credit sources (but know credit ≠ permission)
• ✅ Read and respect Creative Commons licenses
• ✅ Keep documentation of permissions

Don'ts

• ❌ Don't assume giving credit = permission
• ❌ Don't use "No copyright intended" disclaimers (they have no legal effect)
• ❌ Don't think non-profit use is always fair use
• ❌ Don't rely on "transformative" without significant changes
• ❌ Don't use popular songs without licenses
• ❌ Don't re-upload other creators' content

Resources

Konnect Resources

• Audio Library: Free music and sound effects
• Copyright School: Required after first strike
• Copyright Match Tool: Protect your content
• Copyright Checker: Pre-scan uploads

External Resources

• US Copyright Office: copyright.gov
• Creative Commons: creativecommons.org
• Electronic Frontier Foundation: eff.org