Fatwa ID: 08457

Answered by: Alimah Maryam Badshah 

Question:

Is it permissible to screen shot contents from YouTube videos for personal use?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The permissibility of taking screenshots of online content would depend on the copyright laws and YouTube service agreement in your country. UK copyright laws permit an individual to take screenshots of copyright material for private use only. However, even if it is not for commercial use, copyright laws will be infringed if copies made for personal use are then transferred or shared with another person (including family and friends).

References:

(دَخَلَ مُسْلِمٌ دَارَ الْحَرْبِ بِأَمَانٍ حَرُمَ تَعَرُّضُهُ لِشَيْءٍ) مِنْ دَمٍ وَمَالٍ وَفَرْجٍ (مِنْهُمْ) إذْ الْمُسْلِمُونَ عِنْدَ شُرُوطِهِمْ

Raddul Muhtār (Vol.4, pg.166, Dār Al-Fiqr)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright

The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Personal Copies for Private Use) Regulations 2014 (pg.2, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2014/9780111116036/pdfs/ukdsi_9780111116036_en.pdf)

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Alimah Maryam Badshah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham