Skip to main content
VidNabbit homeVidNabbit home

Is it legal to download videos?

Updated

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ from country to country and change over time. If you need a firm answer for your situation, ask a qualified lawyer.

Short answer: it depends on who owns the video and what they allow. Downloading is a form of copying, and copying someone else's work generally needs their permission, a licence or a legal exception.

Usually fine

  • Your own work. Videos, audio and photos you created and uploaded.
  • Public-domain media. Works whose copyright has expired or that were dedicated to the public domain (for example with CC0).
  • Openly licensed media. Creative Commons and similar licences allow copying, on conditions such as crediting the creator. See how to download Creative Commons videos.
  • With permission. When the owner has told you, ideally in writing, that you can download and use it.
  • Direct file links offered for download, such as a press kit or a file a site shares for you to save.

Usually not fine

  • Copyrighted films, shows, music videos or sports without the owner's permission.
  • Anything protected by DRM: getting around copy protection is illegal in many countries.
  • Paid, subscription or members-only content.
  • Re-uploading someone else's video as your own, or using it commercially without a licence.

The grey areas

Some countries have exceptions such as "fair use" (United States) or "fair dealing" and private-copying rules (some other countries) that can cover things like criticism, teaching or research. They are narrow, they differ a lot between places, and they are decided case by case. Don't assume one applies without checking.

A platform's terms of service can also limit downloading, even when copyright law might not. Check them for the site you're using.

How VidNabbit helps you stay on the right side

  • We only work with public pages and never ask for passwords or cookies.
  • We never bypass DRM, and we refuse DRM-protected services.
  • Rights holders can block their content through our copyright and takedown page.
  • We don't host content: files are deleted after 1 hour.

You are still responsible for what you download. Our Terms ask you to download only media you own or have permission to use.

A quick checklist

  1. Did I make it? If yes, go ahead.
  2. Is it public domain or under a licence that allows copying? Follow the licence terms.
  3. Do I have the owner's permission? Keep a record of it.
  4. None of the above? Don't download it. Watch or share the original link instead.

Keep reading

Ready? Paste a link and nab it.