how to check if video is copyrighted(Find the Original Source)

If you’re wondering how to check if a video is copyrighted, here’s the truth upfront:

If you didn’t record the video yourself, it’s almost certainly copyrighted.

What you’re really checking is who owns it and whether you can get permission to use it.

Here’s the fastest, clearest way to figure that out.

Quick Answer: How to Tell If a Video Is Copyrighted

Today, one of the most accurate ways to check whether a video is copyrighted is to trace where the video originally came from using AI-powered tools.

Most people start with Google search, but Google results are often messy.

You’ll usually see reposts, embeds, and unrelated pages — which makes it hard to tell who actually owns the video.

A more reliable approach is to use reverse video search, such as the tool provided by Erasa.

Reverse video search analyzes the video itself and shows:

• Where the same video appears online
• Repeated or reused versions of the video
• The original source URLs where the video was first published

Once you find the original source, you can:

• Identify the original creator
• Contact them directly
• Confirm copyright ownership or request permission to use the video

This turns a vague copyright guess into a clear, actionable answer.

Step 1: Use Google Search to Get Initial Clues

Google is useful, but only to a point.

What to do

• Search the video title
• Search any text, subtitles, or phrases visible in the video
• Search the name or brand shown in the clip

What you’ll usually see

• Blog posts embedding the video
• Social media reposts
• Compilation or aggregator pages

What this tells you

Google can show where the video appears.

What it usually can’t tell you

• Who uploaded it first
• Who actually owns the footage
• Whether the uploader has rights

If the video appears in many places, Google alone won’t tell you who owns it.

Step 2: Ask One Simple Question About the Uploader

Before you reuse any video, ask:

Is this uploader clearly the original creator?

Red flags to watch for

• The same video posted by many unrelated accounts
• Accounts focused on clips, reposts, or “viral videos”
• Cropped, mirrored, or re-watermarked footage
• No context about how the video was made

If you can’t confidently say “yes, this person made it”,

assume the video is copyrighted.

Step 3: Use Reverse Video Search to Find the Original Source

This is the step that actually helps you find original video sources instead of guessing.

Instead of searching by words, reverse video search looks at the video itself.

How to check a video using Erasa

• Upload a video file or short clip
• Or paste a public video URL
• The system scans visual frames, not titles or descriptions

What you’ll see in the results

• All known URLs where the same video appears
• Earlier uploads that came before the one you found
• Official creator sites, brand pages, or media platforms
• Reposts, edits, or shortened versions of the same footage

This makes it much easier to spot where the video actually started.

Why Google Results Aren’t Enough to Judge Copyright

When a video goes viral, you’ll often see:

• Dozens of uploads
• Different titles
• No clear credit

That’s why copyright is hard to judge with search alone.

Reverse video search fixes this by showing:

• Which version appeared first
• Which source looks official or authoritative
• Whether the video belongs to a creator, brand, or studio

Once you know the original source, you’re no longer guessing.

Step 4: How Reverse Video Search Works (Plain English)

You don’t need the technical details — just this:

• The video is broken into visual frames
• Unique visual patterns are matched online
• Even edited or clipped versions can be recognized

That’s why it still works when:

• The video is cropped
• The title is changed
• The clip is shortened
• The uploader removes credits

Step 5: How to Confirm Copyright and Get Permission

After you find the original source:

1. Identify the original creator or rights holder
2. Contact them to ask about copyright
3. Request permission or a license before reuse

This is how you reuse videos without risking takedowns or copyright claims.

When You Should Assume a Video Is Copyrighted

You don’t need to check everything.

Automatically assume copyright if the video includes:

• Movies, TV shows, sports, or live events
• Creator content from YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram
• Screen recordings or paid content
• Meme clips taken from original works

If it’s not clearly yours, treat it as protected.

FAQ

Can I check if something is copyrighted?

Yes. The most practical way is to check where the content originally came from.

If you didn’t create it yourself, it’s usually copyrighted by default. To verify ownership, you can search for the original source and confirm who published it first.

How do I know if a TikTok video is copyrighted?

TikTok does not clearly show copyright ownership.

A video may be copyrighted even if there’s no label or watermark. The safest way is to find the original video source and see whether the TikTok upload is a repost of someone else’s content.

Can you tell if a video has been edited?

Yes, in many cases.

Edited videos — such as cropped clips, shortened versions, or screen recordings — often still match the original footage. By comparing visual frames, it’s possible to detect whether a video is a modified version of an existing one.

What Else Can Reverse Video Search Do?

Reverse video search can also help you:

• Find the original video and full version
• Check if a video is stolen or reposted
• Detect edited or cropped versions
• Track where a video appears online