Reusing parts of YouTube videos or live streams in other content is a common practice but can be legally complicated and risky, according to legal experts. Alan Walter and Yann-Maël Larher explain that just because content is freely available online doesn't mean it can be freely reused. A video on YouTube can still be protected by copyright if it shows originality, no matter how many people watch it. The same applies to live streams, as their recording, editing, and production can also be protected by copyright. Yann-Maël Larher points out that reusing a video excerpt is more than just copying and pasting. The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that even a short sound clip from a recording, when used in a new production, can be considered a partial reproduction. This falls under the rights of the producer, as long as the clip is still recognizable. This ruling, which focused on sound samples, highlights the idea that there is no "right to a few seconds" of content. Beyond copyright, reusing video excerpts can raise other legal issues. Yann-Maël Larher notes that rights related to the producer, performers, and the people in the video may also apply. Additionally, embedded elements like music, jingles, photos, film clips, or graphical designs within the video might need separate permission. These permissions are usually granted by the original video creator and must be obtained before reusing any part of the video that includes such elements. According to Alan Walter, using a video that shows recognizable people can infringe on their right to privacy or control over how their image is used, regardless of copyright issues. The short quotation exception, often used by content creators, is also under legal review. Article L.122-5 of the Intellectual Property Code allows for the use of a short excerpt if it is used for critical, educational, scientific, or informational purposes. However, the source and author must be clearly cited, only what is necessary should be used, and the excerpt should not replace the original work. In practice, judges assess whether the quotation actually engages with the original content. If the excerpt is used as background visuals or to reinforce a point that could stand on its own, the legal risk increases. In 2022, during the French presidential elections, Éric Zemmour was condemned for including brief film excerpts in a campaign video, which were used mainly as background. The court ruled that the excerpts were too short and mainly served to create a visual atmosphere without analyzing the films or engaging with the original works. The authors were also not properly credited, according to Yann-Maël Larher. Alan Walter advises a simple rule of caution: if the video excerpt is recognizable and useful to the content, identify the rights holders and ask for permission before publishing. If not, it's better to use content that is clearly licensed, royalty-free images, or create original content. Some videos may be available under a Creative Commons license, which allows certain reuses as long as the original author is credited.