Youtube Automation Niche Question

[Confiscated]

Hi All!

I’m looking to start a YouTube automation channel focused on US police bodycam footage. I know there’s a lot of footage already available publicly, both from police department releases and from existing YouTube channels that have uploaded this content (I've recently come across newly created channels scoring high views in this niche).

My plan is to take these publicly available bodycam videos (Either by cropping already uploaded YT videos or from local PD), edit them (e.g., cropping, adding an AI voiceover, commentary, and images), and re-upload them in a new format.

Where do I stand on this approach from a copyright/Content ID standpoint? how much transformation is usually needed to avoid strikes or claims?

Appreciate any insights or strategies you've come across in your own tests or from others in the community!

 

[justmeseo]

If they are public, YouTube allows you to rightfully review criticise and react to different content.

Where do you get the footage from exactly? Does the police have an open database that you can just grab videos from? Or do you need to put a public request if you are interested on a video and then wait for them to release it to you?

 

[whik06]

try to cut them 5 seconds max per clip, if you can add a voice over subtitles ect it will be better and help no to get strike

 

[Confiscated]

If they are public, YouTube allows you to rightfully review criticise and react to different content.

Where do you get the footage from exactly? Does the police have an open database that you can just grab videos from? Or do you need to put a public request if you are interested on a video and then wait for them to release it to you?

Thanks for the reply! A good bit of research will need to be done, i.e keeping on top of local news articles on stuff that's gone down in & around US and then going to the local PD of that town / city and requesting the bodycam footage via their request form, most will charge for the bodycam footage (some I've seen charge by the minute and others just have a one time fee) and some will have it already released for the press free of charge.

try to cut them 5 seconds max per clip, if you can add a voice over subtitles ect it will be better and help no to get strike

Appreciate the feedback, thanks!