Use copyrighted images in your thumbnail?

[Hanne Verleysen]

Hi everyone!

For a new video I wanted to make a thumbnail with a few covers from different music albums (a bit like this thumbnail from Elise Ecklund)


Now I was wondering, is it possible to get a copyright strike for this? Or do thumbnails not count?

 

[UKHypnotist]

Yes you can get a copyright strike for that. YouTube recently updated its guidelines so that even thumbnails are strike-liable. Don't do what you've planned; or not only might you get a strike, but be demonetized if your channel is already a partner channel.

 

[Hanne Verleysen]

Yes you can get a copyright strike for that. YouTube recently updated its guidelines so that even thumbnails are strike-liable. Don't do what you've planned; or not only might you get a strike, but be demonetized if your channel is already a partner channel.

Well then I guess I will have to look for a different idea for my thumbnail...
Thanks for the advice!! Much appreciated

 

[markkaz]

Creators in the kids/family/toys genre use toy company trademarked images A LOT! Most companies let it go considering they are getting free promotion.

I rarely use them for the same reason. They are already getting enough free promotion from me, I don't need to give them even more by putting their copyrighted/trademarked images/logos in the thumbnail.

How that is different for you is that artists are more protective of their work.

 

[Crown]

Thumbnails can definitely get copyright strikes. I know this because I have filed copyright strikes against channels who have used my thumbnails on their videos and I won the claims every time. It comes down to your tolerance for risk I suppose. If you don't want to take any risks, then don't do it.

 

[Hanne Verleysen]

Yeah I'm not gonna take the risk!
Thanks y'all