Downloading YouTube videos legally can be a bit of a minefield, but it’s important to stay on the right side of the law. While there are many websites and apps that promise quick and easy downloads, not all methods respect copyright laws. This article will guide you through the process in a legal manner.
Firstly, before we delve into how to download YouTube videos legally, it is essential to understand why some methods are illegal. Copyright infringement is an act of using copyrighted material without permission from the owner. When you download a video directly from YouTube without consent or license from the content creator or copyright holder, you are infringing upon their rights.
So how can one legally download youtube videos? The answer lies within YouTube itself – specifically its premium subscription service known as ‘YouTube Premium’. For $11.99 per month (with a one-month free trial), users can enjoy ad-free viewing and gain access to exclusive content. More importantly for our purposes, they can also download videos for offline viewing.
To use this feature, simply sign up for YouTube Premium via your Google account. Once subscribed, navigate to any video on the platform and look for the ‘Download’ button below the video description box. Tap this button and select your preferred resolution – higher resolutions result in larger file sizes but offer better quality playback.
The downloaded file will then be saved in your device’s ‘Downloads’ folder or whichever location you have set as default for downloads. It’s worth noting that these files aren’t like regular video files that you could transfer between devices; they’re only viewable through your signed-in account on the official YouTube app due to Digital Rights Management (DRM).
Another legal way to save videos for offline viewing is by using third-party screen recording software such as OBS Studio or Bandicam etc., which allows users to record whatever appears on their computer screens along with system audio output.
However, remember that while recording publically viewable content for personal use is generally considered legal, redistributing the recorded material without permission from the copyright holder is not. This means that you can record a video to watch later or to refer back to, but you cannot share this recording with others or upload it elsewhere online.
In conclusion, while there are many methods available to download YouTube videos illegally, it’s always best and most ethical to respect the rights of content creators and copyright holders. By using YouTube Premium’s offline viewing feature or screen recording software for personal use only, you can enjoy your favorite videos legally and responsibly.
