YouTube it!

[Jewrean]

Right so I was researching these programs that allow you to download videos off YouTube. I was wondering if this is legal, and if it's a grey area, does it depend on the video itself in question?

Obviously a video of the latest and greatest movie (probably broken up into pieces) is violating copyright -> is soon to be removed -> and therefore is illegal to download. But everything else, is it fine to download?

The reason I ask is rather than surf the web for my favourite YouTube clips, I want to be able to store them on my computer, stream them to the Xbox and show guests on the TV. It's so much more convenient and simple this way.

Lastly, I have tried using one program (known as 'Youtube Get' and it didn't work. It didn't download anything. I entered the videos into the program correctly and everything.

So to summarize my questions are:
1) Is it legal to download videos off YouTube?
2) If not, are there exceptions?
3) If it is legal, could you recommend to me some good programs (or methods) that allow me to download these videos in any format?


Warning: NSFW - Language

 

[Aur0ra145]

I seem to remember there used to be a download option for youtube videos, so the rightful owners could give their work away if they wanted. Though any third party Youtube video downloading software sounds illegal to me.

I personally don't download youtube videos, never have, never will.

 

[Ambi]

What difference does it make to them if you replay it 100 times on youtube, or watch it 1 time on youtube and 99 times via your hard drive?

 

[Snake Plissken]

Not sure of the legalities, but several educational Youtube videos are created with the intention of being distributed to the widest audience possible so are purposely not copyrighted.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

What difference does it make to them if you replay it 100 times on youtube, or watch it 1 time on youtube and 99 times via your hard drive?

YouTube and the creator (If he is a partner) will not earn any revenue, so technically, it's stealing, unless you get the video creator's permission, so I'd say it's not legal. Especially if you're Downloading Music from Youtube.

Calumon: Why do people put silly music around me doing stuff on YouTube?

 

[blankedboy]

I have an addon for Firefox that lets me save any video, song or picture off any site, unless it's say, coded into a .swf. And with a decent video converter, I can get Doraleous and Associates on my iPod ^^

 

[Jewrean]

I have an addon for Firefox that lets me save any video, song or picture off any site, unless it's say, coded into a .swf. And with a decent video converter, I can get Doraleous and Associates on my iPod ^^

As we speak I'm using 'DownloadHelper' to download some stuff. It's great! Just a add-on into Firefox without all that installation of programs crap.

 

[BonsaiK]

1) Is it legal to download videos off YouTube?
2) If not, are there exceptions?
3) If it is legal, could you recommend to me some good programs (or methods) that allow me to download these videos in any format?

As far as YouTube is concerned, no:

Content is provided to you AS IS. You may access Content for your information and personal use solely as intended through the provided functionality of the Service and as permitted under these Terms of Service. You shall not download any Content unless you see a ?download? or similar link displayed by YouTube on the Service for that Content. You shall not copy, reproduce, make available online or electronically transmit, publish, adapt, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, or otherwise exploit any Content for any other purposes without the prior written consent of YouTube or the respective licensors of the Content. YouTube and its licensors reserve all rights not expressly granted in and to the Service and the Content.

You agree not to circumvent, disable or otherwise interfere with security-related features of the Service or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any Content or enforce limitations on use of the Service or the Content therein.

As far as the people who created the content are concerned, that depends on what the content is and why it's up there.

 

[TimeLord]

It is illegal if you are downloading a released music track. As you taking it without buying it off iTunes or via CD. Thus it is pirating.

Calumon: Why do people put silly music around me doing stuff on YouTube?

>.>
<.<
*loads YouTube*

 

[blankedboy]

I have an addon for Firefox that lets me save any video, song or picture off any site, unless it's say, coded into a .swf. And with a decent video converter, I can get Doraleous and Associates on my iPod ^^

As we speak I'm using 'DownloadHelper' to download some stuff. It's great! Just a add-on into Firefox without all that installation of programs crap.

That's the same thing I have! ^^