Greetings, potential infringer.

Have you ever wondered what about a video could make it a copyright violation? Well, you should. Read here before you upload to avoid having your video - and possibly your account - deleted.

One way to make positively sure that you aren't using someone else's content is if you upload your own original video. If it's all your material, then you've got nothing to worry about. Just make sure everything you upload is either yours (e.g. videos of you singing in the shower, etc.) or is stuff that you know is in the public domain (i.e. ownership is held by the public at large). If you're not sure, don't upload it!

Even if you made the video yourself, it's important to understand the following issues:

• The performer owns the rights to use his/her own image in a video, especially if that performer isn't you!
• The songwriter owns the rights to the song being performed, especially if that isn't you!
• the owner or owners of the venue of where a video is shot may have a say in whether a video that features their place can be shown.

As a rule, you're basically ok as long as you receive the proper permission from everyone involved.

By law, we have to take down videos for copyright infringement when they are direct copies of copyrighted content and the owners of the content alert us that the video is out there without their permission. This includes, but is not limited to clips of television sitcoms, dramas, cartoons, comedy shows, and sports and news broadcasts and these rules apply equally to any TV network, cable network, pay per view broadcast and VOD broadcast.

Copyright laws also extend to cover music videos, videos of live concerts (even if you captured it), as well as all TV commercials (no matter how cheesy), movies (no matter how bad), and even slide shows owned by someone else.

Even if you give credit to the owner of the copyrighted material, or if you see similar videos on Heavy or other video sharing websites, it is still copyrighted and we'll have to take it down if need be. Bottom line: you have to get the proper permission!

When we find out you have posted a video that's infringing someone's copyright content, we'll have to take it down and give you a warning. If we find more copyrighted stuff on your site or if you do it repeatedly, we'll terminate your account.

If you've got any questions about this, then please email us and let us know what's on your mind.