There's no room for interpretation YouTube explicitly forbids you from downloading videos unless you have permission from the company itself. Can you get fined for downloading music Penalties for illegally download music can be large in the US. If you’re caught using copyrighted works, the most likely penalty is a fine. You are not allowed to access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use any part of the Service or any Content except: (a) as expressly authorized by the Service or (b) with prior written permission from YouTube and, if applicable, the respective rights holders. Can I get in trouble for downloading music Depending on the jurisdiction, the violation can be enforced as a civil matter or as a criminal offense. Here's the important part of YouTube's Terms of Service: When you watch a video on YouTube, you agree to abide by the company's terms. On the other, there are the national laws of the country in which the downloading is taking place. On the one hand, there's the question of how YouTube views the situation. It's essential to differentiate the two sides of the question. What Does YouTube Say About Downloading Videos? Let's take a closer look at the legality of downloading YouTube videos.