Using Copyright Characters in Videos

[essencecartoon]

So I see a lot of YouTube channels (animation, gaming, vlog) using copyright characters on their channel. Even the big ones. I know YouTube is very harsh on using copyright music, but it seems to be fair game with copyright characters such as video game characters and etc. Does anyone know the official rule about this? We have even used Big bird and Elmo in our animations, but we are planning something even bigger and just want to make sure what direction to go.

 

[UKHypnotist]

So I see a lot of YouTube channels (animation, gaming, vlog) using copyright characters on their channel. Even the big ones. I know YouTube is very harsh on using copyright music, but it seems to be fair game with copyright characters such as video game characters and etc. Does anyone know the official rule about this? We have even used Big bird and Elmo in our animations, but we are planning something even bigger and just want to make sure what direction to go.

Questionable at best. Have you asked the copyright holders' permission to use their characters? That is the only way to be safe.

In other words, just like with any other copyrighted content; if you don't have permission or a license and you don't own it, don't use it!