Instructors should only post content that does not infringe on the intellectual property of others. This means instructors should not use content in courses they are not authorized to use, such as music, video snippets, or code.
Unauthorized posting of copyrighted content can lead to legal consequences, including monetary and statutory damages. Additionally, failure to comply with our Terms and Conditions and our Intellectual Property Policy may result in additional consequences, such as the termination of the instructor's course and/or account.
This article outlines what copyright is and includes answers to frequently asked questions we receive regarding copyright on the Udemy platform.
Even after following these guidelines, Udemy cannot make any guarantees that any course posted on the Udemy platform will not be subject to copyright notices after publishing. Upon receipt of a valid copyright notice, we will be required to take actions pursuant to our Intellectual Property Policy.
- What is protected under copyright law?
- Can I use third-party content in my Udemy course?
- How do I get permission to use someone else’s copyright protected material?
- What happens if Udemy receives a Copyright Infringement complaint against my course?
1. What is protected under copyright law?
Copyright protects original works of authorship as soon as it is fixed into a tangible form of expression, such as books, exams, music, videos, software code, or photographs.
In the context of Udemy courses, when you create a course, which might involve writing an original script, filming and editing video content, or coming up with practice exam questions, you obtain the copyright for all those original pieces of work at the moment of creation.
2. Can I use third-party content in my Udemy course?
Instructors should aim to obtain permission from the copyright owner before using copyright protected material in a Udemy course. In some cases, permission is not required as it may qualify as fair use. Fair use is a legal doctrine in the United States that allows non-copyright owners to use copyright protected content in very limited cases for specific situations, such as to provide commentary or criticism, conduct research, or teaching purposes. Learn more about the fair use doctrine.
If you have any questions regarding the legality of using copyright protected content, we suggest you consult with an attorney.
3. How do I get permission to use someone else’s copyright protected material?
The easiest way to check whether it is ok for you to use somebody else's content in your course is to contact them directly and ask for their permission.
4. What happens if Udemy receives a Copyright Infringement complaint against my course?
If we do receive a valid and complete Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Takedown Notice, we are required by law to process it promptly and to remove the reported content from the platform immediately.
To learn more about our copyright policies, including how to submit a counter-notification, please refer to our Intellectual Property Policies for more information.