Monetizing Free H264 Videos

Summary

Monetizing h.264 videos distributed for free depends on ownership, agreements, and copyright laws. In the U.S., MPEG LA manages h.264 codec licensing. No license is needed for free internet video, but indirect monetization (e.G., ads) may require a license. YouTubes Partner Program allows content creators to earn from ads, and YouTube handles licensing for ads shown on videos. Review MPEG LAs licensing terms and YouTubes Monetization Policies for specifics.

Full Conversation

Can h.* videos be monetized on the internet if they are distributed freely?
Hi ****,
Monetizing h.* videos distributed for free can depend on various factors such as:
- Ownership of the content
- The terms of any agreements signed
- Local copyright laws
Can you please tell me your location to give more specific information?
United States
In the US:
- If you own the content, you can monetize it.
- If you signed an agreement, it must allow monetization.
- You should respect copyright laws.
Can you confirm if you own the content or signed any agreements?
Yes but I’m talking about h.* licensing
****, in the U.S., h.* codec licensing is managed by MPEG LA.
- You don't need a license for free internet video
- If you charge viewers, you might need a license.
Please check MPEG LA's license terms for specifics.
I don’t charge viewers for anything, but what if they are monetized? Does MPEG LA allow that?
Yes, MPEG LA allows monetization. However, if the monetization is done indirectly, for instance, via ads, it may still require a license. Please consult their specific licensing terms.
I have no control of ads YouTube puts in the videos
****, do you have a partnership with YouTube, or are you just a content creator using the platform?
In general:
- YouTube's Partner Program allows content creators to earn from ads.
- YouTube handles licensing for ads shown on your videos.
- Ensure you comply with YouTube's Monetization Policies.
Just a content creator currently, I don’t know if I actually will enable monetization one day.
If you do decide to monetize, it's important to know the terms of YouTube's Partner Program. Have you reviewed these terms and do you have any specific questions about them?
Yes, but what does MPEG LA say about monetized internet videos free to end users?
MPEG LA allows monetization of h.* videos. However, if your monetization is indirect (e.g., ads), you may still need a license. For exact details, please review MPEG LA's licensing terms.
What are you talking about
Apologies for any confusion. I was explaining that MPEG LA, the organization that manages h.* codec licensing, generally allows free distribution of h.* videos. If you're monetizing through ads, you may need to check their licensing terms for specifics.
Well what do they say?
MPEG LA's licensing terms generally say:
- No license is needed for free internet video.
- If you're monetizing indirectly (e.g., ads), you might need a license.
- You should review their policy for exact details.