Which of the following scenarios would typically require a license for copyrighted material?

• A. Posting a public domain image online
• B. Using a copyrighted song in a YouTube video
• C. Reading a book in a private setting
• D. Quoting a few sentences in an essay

Answer: (B)

Using a copyrighted song in a YouTube video typically requires a license because songs are protected by copyright law, which grants the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and publicly perform their work. When you incorporate a copyrighted song into a video, you are using it in a way that goes beyond fair use, which usually applies to limited and transformative use of a work. YouTube has specific policies regarding copyright that necessitate obtaining proper licenses to use copyrighted music, as failing to do so could lead to copyright infringement issues and removal of the content.

In contrast, the other scenarios either involve public domain material or fall within the bounds of fair use, where no license is required. For instance, a public domain image is free from copyright restrictions, reading a book privately doesn’t distribute or publicly share the content, and quoting a few sentences for the purposes of commentary, criticism, or education often qualifies as fair use.