FAQ
Is It Legal to Download Online Videos?
Quick Answer
Downloading online videos for personal, offline viewing is legal in most jurisdictions when you are already authorized to watch the content. The analysis turns on three factors: the copyright status of the video, the platform's Terms of Service, and what you do with the downloaded file. Redistribution, resale, and bypassing DRM are clearly prohibited under US, EU, and UK copyright law — regardless of personal use intent.
- Downloading copyrighted videos for personal offline viewing is legal in most jurisdictions; redistribution, resale, and DRM circumvention are not.
- YouTube's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit downloading unless YouTube itself provides a download link or button on the page.
- The US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) makes bypassing DRM (Widevine, PlayReady, FairPlay) a separate violation from copyright infringement.
- Creative Commons, public domain, and content you uploaded yourself can be downloaded freely without legal concern.
By PlugMonkey Team, Editorial
“You are not allowed to … access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use any part of the Service or any Content except: (a) as expressly authorized by the Service; or (b) with prior written permission from YouTube and, if applicable, the respective rights holders.”
General Legal Principles
Copyright law varies by country, but some general principles apply broadly. The video itself is copyrighted by its creator. Streaming a video on a website is an authorized use — the copyright holder (or platform) has made it available for viewing. Downloading creates a local copy, which is where the legal analysis gets nuanced.
- Personal use — In many jurisdictions, downloading a copy for personal, offline viewing is treated similarly to recording a TV show for later watching (time-shifting). This is generally considered acceptable.
- Fair use / fair dealing — Educational use, commentary, criticism, and research may qualify as fair use in the US or fair dealing in the UK/Canada/Australia.
- Redistribution — Downloading and then re-uploading, sharing, or selling someone else's video is clearly a copyright violation in virtually every jurisdiction.
- Platform Terms of Service — Some platforms prohibit downloading in their TOS. Violating TOS is a contractual issue, not a criminal one, but it could result in account restrictions.
Content You Can Freely Download
Not all online video content is restricted. There are many categories of videos that can be downloaded without any legal concerns.
- Your own content — Videos you created and uploaded are yours to download anytime
- Creative Commons licensed content — Videos published under CC licenses explicitly allow downloading (check the specific license terms)
- Public domain content — Videos where the copyright has expired or was never claimed
- Content with explicit download permission — Some creators and platforms offer official download buttons or state that downloading is permitted
- DRM-free content you purchased — If you paid for downloadable content, you have a license to keep a local copy
What Video Downloader Pro Does and Does Not Do
Video Downloader Pro is a browser-based tool that detects video files loaded in your browser tab and offers to save them locally. It does not circumvent DRM (digital rights management) encryption — see our DRM FAQ for details. It does not access private or paywalled content you have not already authorized through the website. The extension simply provides a convenient download button for video files that your browser has already loaded and is streaming to you. You are responsible for ensuring that your use of downloaded content complies with applicable laws and the content creator's rights.
Best Practices for Legal Video Downloading
To stay on the right side of the law, follow these guidelines regardless of which download tool you use.
- Download for personal offline viewing only — Watch on a plane, in a low-connectivity area, or save for later
- Never redistribute — Do not upload, share, or sell downloaded videos
- Respect creator wishes — If a creator asks that their content not be downloaded, honor that request
- Check the license — Look for Creative Commons or other permissive licenses before assuming you can use the content freely
- Support creators — If you enjoy content, subscribe, like, and share through the platform's native features to support the creator's revenue
The Numbers Behind This Answer
Every figure below cites a primary source. Click through to verify.
17 USC § 1201
Section of US copyright law that prohibits circumvention of technological protection measures (DRM). Personal-use intent is not a defense — the act of bypassing DRM is itself the violation.
Source: US Copyright Office — DMCA Section 12012026
Want a Second Opinion?
Ask AI for an independent perspective on this question.
AI responses are generated independently and may vary
Sources & Further Reading
- YouTube Terms of Service — Section 'Permissions and Restrictions' explicitly prohibits downloading unless YouTube shows a download link — YouTube / Google (accessed May 22, 2026)
- Digital Millennium Copyright Act overview — Section 1201 governing circumvention of DRM and technological protection measures — US Copyright Office (accessed May 22, 2026)
- Creative Commons licenses — official reference for permissive licenses that allow downloading and reuse — Creative Commons (accessed May 22, 2026)
Want to learn more about Video Downloader Pro?
Download videos for personal offline viewing. Video Downloader Pro respects DRM and provides a simple save button for accessible content.
4.9/5 (127 reviews)32,410 users