Basic Principles of Copyright
All content on Instagram (photos, videos, music, captions) belongs to the creator. Just because it's public on the internet doesn't mean anyone can use it freely.
Is Downloading Illegal?
Downloading for Personal Use (watching alone or offline) is generally not an issue. This is known as 'private copying'.
Red Zone: Don'ts
- Unauthorized Re-upload: Downloading someone else's Reel and posting it to your account as if it were yours is a clear copyright infringement.
- Commercial Use: Using others' content for ads, promo videos, or sales without permission can lead to legal penalties.
Proper Way to Share
If you really want to share a video, use Instagram's 'Regram' feature or Story sharing to clearly credit the original creator. Always ask for permission or give credit when sharing on other platforms.