YouTube is a free video sharing website where you can watch videos online or upload videos that you created.
Can I use YouTube videos in my class?
There is a lot of great content that can be used to supplement or complement course materials and according to the terms of service, videos can be linked or embedded into a course. There are typically two types of licenses for material published on YouTube the standard YouTube terms of service and Creative Commons licenses.
YouTube Terms of use (Standard License): Users who submit videos to YouTube retain their copyright but provide certain rights to YouTube and others who use the site. Specifically, an individual who posts their own original content to YouTube grants users who visit the YouTube website, "a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to access your Content through the Service, and to use that Content, including to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display, and perform it, only as enabled by a feature of the Service (such as video playback or embeds). For clarity, this license does not grant any rights or permissions for a user to make use of your Content independent of the Service." (YouTube Terms of Service)
Creative Commons License: Users who create content can license their work with a Creative Commons (CC) license. CC licenses allow creators to offer certain usage rights to the public, while reserving other rights. The licenses inform individuals who want to use a copyrighted work how they can do so without seeking permission from the creator. Permission is given for certain activities in advance. There are 6 different licenses that can be applied. Learn more about the licenses at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/.