With more than 2 million videos uploaded every day, YouTube is the go-to platform for long videos – whether you’re creating original content, commenting on current events, or compiling footage from various sources. But if you’re a YouTube creator, there’s a critical step you shouldn’t overlook: adding a YouTube disclaimer to your videos.
A YouTube disclaimer is a statement that informs viewers about the nature of your content, your rights regarding it, and any potential copyright issues. It is often included in the description of a video, or it can also be added in the video itself – in both written and oral form.
A YouTube disclaimer can help protect you from a legal point of view, especially when your videos involve borrowed or fair use content.
You may need a copyright notice for YouTube in two cases:
Although copyright is recognized all over the world, every country has its own copyright law.
In the United States, copyright is regulated by the Copyright Act. Article 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act allows the free use of copyrighted content if fair use applies. Fair use includes:
If you’re using portions of copyrighted content for one of the reasons above, then they are not considered copyright infringements.
A fair use disclaimer for YouTube communicates that you’re aware of these limitations and are using the content lawfully.
If you want to add your disclaimer in the description of your video, then we suggest keeping it simple and short.
For a disclaimer that sets the copyright of your content and places you as the copyright owner, you should include:
© 2025 John Doe. All Rights Reserved.
Instead, for a fair use disclaimer, you should state that the content you’re using is intended for fair use purposes. Include the specific reasons your content qualifies as fair use, for example, education or news reporting. Then, mention that you do not claim ownership over any copyrighted material used.
This video contains copyrighted material that is used under the fair use provisions of U.S. copyright law. All rights to the original material belong to the respective copyright owners. The use of this material is for educational purposes only.
Remember to add your disclaimer where it’s easily visible and accessible to all viewers.
To help you craft the perfect disclaimer for your own YouTube videos, here are some practical examples. These disclaimers are simple and can be customized depending on your content.
If you are the owner of the content you’re sharing, you can add a simple copyright disclaimer like the one we presented above:
© 2025 John Doe. All Rights Reserved.
Otherwise, you can also expand the disclaimer in this way:
© [Year] [Your Name/Channel Name]. All rights reserved. This video and its contents, including but not limited to images, music, and video clips, are the exclusive property of [Your Name/Channel Name] and are protected by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this content is prohibited.
“The content in this video is either owned by [owner] and used under fair use. All rights to the content, including but not limited to images, music, and video clips, are reserved by their respective copyright holders. If you believe any content in this video infringes your copyright, please contact us directly to resolve the issue.”
Fair use isn’t a blanket permission to use copyrighted content however you like. For instance, some creators use copyrighted music and add disclaimers like “I do not own the rights to this music,” assuming that’s enough to avoid issues. It’s not – this is still copyright infringement.
Fair use only applies in specific, limited situations (like commentary, criticism, news reporting, or educational use), and even then, several factors are considered. If your use doesn’t clearly meet those criteria, it’s safer to use copyright-free content or properly licensed material. Simply giving credit or adding a disclaimer doesn’t make it fair use.
Once you have your YouTube disclaimer, it’s time to add it to your videos. A good place is in the video description, where it’s easily accessible to all viewers.
To add the disclaimer in the description, follow these steps:
2. Upload a new video or select an old one where you want to add a disclaimer.
3. In the Description, add your disclaimer and click Save.
Your YouTube disclaimer is ready!
Read also:
👉 What is a copyright disclaimer and how to write it
👉 Copyright Example: Understanding Copyright Notices
👉 Standard YouTube License vs Creative Commons: Choosing the Right License for Your YouTube Videos
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