What a YouTube Copyright Disclaimer Can and Cannot Do

2026-11-03 · youtube,copyright

A copyright disclaimer in a video description can credit sources and show good faith.

What it cannot do

It does not give you permission to use someone else’s work. It does not stop Content ID matches, copyright claims or strikes.

Fair use

Fair use and fair dealing are legal ideas decided case by case and differ by country. Saying “fair use” in a description does not make a use lawful.

Safer choices

Use your own material, properly licensed material, or material you have written permission to use, and keep proof of the licence. Read the official YouTube copyright help pages for current rules.

Try the free YouTube Copyright Disclaimer Generator

General information, not legal advice.