[FAQ]

Hi,

I run a channel where I curate interesting history articles and old photographs I find online. I’ve been a bit worried recently about copyright. It’s all a bit of a grey area to me and I want to make sure I’m doing things properly.

What are the actual rules for sharing content that isn’t yours? For instance, is it alright to forward a post directly from another public channel? Does crediting the original creator make it legally sound? What about saving an image from a website and posting it, or re-uploading a documentary clip from YouTube?

I’m trying to find the line between fair use and copyright infringement in the context of Telegram. I’d appreciate any clear advice on the do’s and don’ts so I don’t land myself in hot water.

[Jeff Bullas]

This is a critically important topic that every channel admin needs to understand.

Short Answer: The default rule is you cannot use any content you didn’t create yourself without explicit permission or a license, regardless of the format. ‘Crediting the source’ is not a legal defence against infringement.

Let’s break down the specific copyright risks associated with each major content format.

While I’m not a lawyer and this isn’t legal advice, there are clear principles you must follow to operate safely. Firstly, for text-based content, you cannot simply copy and paste articles or large blocks of text from websites or other channels. The safest approach is to write a short, original summary in your own words and then provide a direct link to the full source. Secondly, image content is almost always protected by copyright. You cannot legally take an image from a web search or another person’s website and post it in your channel without a license. You must either create your own simple graphics or use stock photo sites that provide a clear, royalty-free license for their images. Thirdly, video and audio content have the strongest protections. Downloading a video from YouTube or ripping an audio podcast and re-uploading the file to your channel is a direct copyright violation and can result in takedown notices or legal action. The only correct way to share this type of media is to post a link to the original content on its official platform, never the file itself.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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