Copyright law when making youtube videos about science?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the legal implications of using copyrighted material in educational YouTube videos focused on science topics, specifically concerning the use of formulas and explanations from copyrighted texts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the legality of using formulas and explanations from a copyrighted book while creating educational content.
  • Another participant asserts that formulas cannot be copyrighted and suggests that they are derived from earlier sources.
  • A different participant expresses a belief that teaching scientific concepts is permissible as long as original drawings and writing are used, avoiding proprietary methods.
  • One participant advises checking with the publisher and mentions that fair use allows for small amounts of copyrighted material, but emphasizes the importance of obtaining permission to avoid legal issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the copyright status of formulas and the extent to which copyrighted material can be used in educational videos. No consensus is reached on the specific legal boundaries.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the ambiguity surrounding copyright rules in educational contexts and the need for clarity on what constitutes fair use.

christian0710
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Hi, Let's say I was to make a youtube video on a science topic such as:
Chemistry - The citric acid cycle from the book Biochemistry by Stryer (Copyrighted)
Or The fundamental theorem of calculus


Would it be legal to take the formulas from the book, draw them on a whiteboard and videotape it while i use the explanations from the copyrighted book, just with my own words?

The confusion on copyright rules keep me from making educational videos because I'm not quite sure what part's in science are copyrighted and what parts are not. I find this a bit frustrating and I can't seem to find any rules addressing this specific question.
 
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Pretty sure formulas can't be copyrighted, and I'm sure Stryer got those formulas from somewhere else and didn't invent them himself.
 
Yea that makes sense :)
So i guess i can basically teach anything, even chemistry techniques and methods, as long as it's not company secrets and as long as i make my own drawings and writing.
 
You should check with the publisher, using small amounts is ok under fair use. There are different rules based upon your use. To be safe, get an ok from the company that holds the copyright. Never assume it's "ok".
 

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