Uploading H264 Videos Legally

Summary

You can upload h.264 videos to YouTube, whether monetized or not. Monetization may be considered commercial use, potentially requiring licensing fees. Non-commercial use generally does not require royalties. Consult MPEG LA or a copyright attorney for specific advice.

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Can I upload videos in the h.* codec to YouTube if they are not monetized or sponsored?
Hello ****, YouTube accepts videos in many formats, including h.*. The monetization or sponsorship of videos does not impact the type of codecs you can use. Please ensure to comply with YouTube's terms of service and copyright laws.
I asked because of the commercial-use rules of using h.*
Hello ****, h.* is a popular codec and is widely used for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. However, specific licensing rules may apply for commercial usage. Could you please tell me your location so I can provide more specific information?
United States
Hello ****,
In the United States:
- h.* codec is generally free for non-commercial use.
- For commercial use, licensing rules apply. It's recommended to contact MPEG LA, the entity that licenses h.*.
- Violation can lead to legal consequences.
Please consult with a copyright attorney for personalized advice.
Can I upload my own videos in h.* to YouTube?
Hello ****,
Yes, you can upload your own videos in h.* format to YouTube, irrespective of their monetization status. Always ensure to adhere to YouTube's terms of service and copyright laws to avoid any infractions.
What did you mean irrespective of their monetization status?
When I say "irrespective of their monetization status", I mean whether your videos are making money or not doesn't affect your ability to upload videos in h.* format to YouTube. It doesn't matter if the videos are monetized or not.
I thought monetization counts as commercial use.
Monetization can be considered a form of commercial use. However, YouTube's terms of service and h.*'s licensing rules are separate. For YouTube, monetization doesn't affect the codec you can use. For h.*, commercial use might require a license. Always check with a copyright attorney.
I’m so confused, are you saying I don’t have to pay royalties if I monetize a h.* video on YouTube?
While YouTube allows you to monetize h.* videos, h.*'s commercial usage rules may require royalties. Check with MPEG LA, h.*'s licensor, or consult a copyright attorney to clarify this issue.
This isn’t making much sense
I understand this can be confusing. Let me break it down:
- You can upload h.* videos to YouTube, monetized or not.
- Monetization may be seen as commercial use under h.*'s rules, possibly requiring licensing fees.
- Consult MPEG LA or a copyright attorney for personalized advice.
Then no I can’t monetize videos under h.* codec on YouTube because of licensing fees.
Hello ****,
While YouTube does allow you to monetize videos, the h.* codec may require licensing fees for commercial use, which can include monetization. Therefore, monetizing h.* videos on YouTube could potentially require paying these fees. Always consult with a copyright attorney or MPEG LA to be sure.
What if I don’t monetize them, is that personal use so I won’t have to pay anything?
Hello ****,
- If you upload h.* videos on YouTube without monetizing them, it's typically considered non-commercial use.
- Therefore, you generally won't have to pay licensing fees.
- However, always consult with MPEG LA or a copyright attorney to be sure.
So as long as it’s non-commercial no royalties are required with h.* legally?
Yes, ****, generally speaking, h.* codec usage for non-commercial purposes does not require royalty payments. However, it's always wise to consult with MPEG LA, the licensor of h.*, or a copyright attorney to confirm.