How to Reuse Douyin Clips With Permission and Credit
By the Calculator.hair team · Updated · 6 min read
Short answer
To reuse a Douyin clip, identify who owns it, ask for permission in writing, and agree on where, how and for how long you'll use it. Check the music separately, because the creator may not control it. Credit the creator as they ask and keep their reply. If you don't get a clear yes, don't use the clip.
Key takeaways
- Credit is good practice, but it doesn't replace permission.
- A useful request names the exact clip, where it will appear, any edits, the time period and whether the use is commercial.
- A creator can only give permission for what they control, and the music may belong to someone else.
- Get permission in writing and save it with the source link and the file you received.
- Silence isn't approval, so choose a different clip if the creator doesn't reply.
Why is credit not enough?
Credit tells people who made a clip, but it doesn't give you the right to use it. Downloading doesn't give you that right either. Under Douyin's user agreement, users state that the rights in their uploads belong to them or to the original rights holder. They also give the company a license to their content, but that license is to the company and doesn't pass to other users.
Some uses may fall under a legal exception such as US fair use, but that's decided on the facts of each case. Our guide to whether downloading Douyin videos is legal covers this in more detail. For most reposts and commercial projects, permission is the more straightforward option.
Who should you ask?
Start with the account that posted the clip, then check whether that account actually made it. Some uploads may be reposts or may include other people's material. Look for signs such as a different creator's name in the video, a credit in the caption or an earlier upload elsewhere.
| What you want to use | Who may need to agree |
|---|---|
| The creator's original footage | The creator or the company that owns the footage |
| A clip the account reposted from someone else | The original creator, not only the reposter |
| The song or backing track | The music's rights holders, which may include a label or publisher |
| Footage that prominently features other people | The creator, and you may also want the consent of those people, especially for ads |
| Footage from a film, show or sports broadcast | The owner of that source material |
To identify a song, download.fan suggests tapping the spinning record in the video. Its page shows the title and artist, which gives you a starting point for finding who licenses it.
What should your request include?
A vague "can I use your video?" can lead to misunderstandings later. Make your request specific enough that a yes clearly covers what you plan to do:
- The clip: the link to the video, and the section you want if you don't need all of it.
- Who you are: your name, and your channel, brand or organization.
- Where it will appear: the platforms, website, ad or event.
- How you'll change it: any trimming, captions, translation, dubbing or music changes.
- The time period: a set period, or as long as the post stays up.
- Commercial use: whether the project is paid, sponsored or promotes a product.
- The credit: the wording and link you'll use.
- The original file: whether they can send you one, or are happy for you to save it yourself.
What message can you send?
Many Douyin creators write in Chinese, so sending your request in both languages may help. Have the Chinese checked if the project is important. Fill in the brackets and delete anything that doesn't apply.
English
Hello, I'm [name] from [channel or organization]. I'd like to use your video [link] in [where it will appear]. I would [describe any edits], and it would stay up for [time period]. This project is [commercial or non-commercial]. I'd credit you as [credit wording] and link to your account. May I have your permission? If you have any conditions, or don't own part of the video or its music, please let me know. Thank you!
Chinese
您好,我是[频道或机构]的[姓名]。我想在[使用场景]中使用您的视频[链接]。我会[说明修改内容],使用期限为[期限]。本项目属于[商业或非商业]用途。我会注明[署名方式]并附上您的账号链接。请问您是否同意授权?如果您有其他条件,或视频及音乐的部分内容不属于您,请告诉我。谢谢!
Use a contact route the creator has published where you can, such as an email address in their profile, so you can keep a clear record. A business or paid project may need a written license instead of a short message, and that's worth discussing with a lawyer.
How should you get the file and handle the music?
Once you have permission, the simplest source is an original file from the creator, which may also be better quality than a re-saved copy. If the creator agrees to you saving it yourself, the download.fan download douyin video page lists MP4 HD and SD options, though it can't fetch private, friends-only, deleted, live or some region-blocked content.
If you only need the sound, for instance as a reference for a dance practice or edit, the download douyin mp3 page produces an MP3 with the music, voices and effects as they play in the app. It doesn't separate these parts or clear any rights. Download.fan also notes that the MP3 may be silent or contain only voices if the sound was removed for copyright reasons.
For public use, ask the creator whether they control the track. If they don't, either license it or replace it with music you have the rights to use. Check that the replacement is covered for the platform and type of project too.
How should you credit the creator?
Follow the creator's preferred wording if they gave one. Otherwise, make the credit easy to see and useful:
- Use their display name and account handle.
- Link to their account or the original video where the platform allows it.
- Put the credit in the caption or description, and on screen if the clip is long enough to allow it.
- State your arrangement accurately, for example "Used with permission from [creator]."
Download.fan also suggests crediting creators and linking their accounts. Don't imply that a creator endorses your product or project unless they've agreed to that specifically.
What should you keep on record?
Save your evidence in one folder, with the file, so you can find it if a platform or rights holder questions the use:
- A screenshot or copy of your request and the creator's reply
- The original video link and the date you got permission
- Any music license or receipt
- The final version you published and where you published it
If the creator later asks you to take the clip down, respond promptly and check what your agreement says.
Frequently asked questions
What if the creator doesn't reply?
Treat no reply as no permission. You can follow up once politely, then choose a different clip, film your own footage or use licensed stock video. A disclaimer saying you tried to contact the creator doesn't give you permission.
Do I need permission if I only use a few seconds?
There's no fixed length that's automatically safe. Under US fair use, the amount used is just one of four factors, and other countries have different rules. A short clip may still need permission, especially for commercial use or if it's the most recognizable part.
Can I translate or subtitle a clip without asking?
Assume not. Translating or adding subtitles can be an adaptation of the original, and Douyin's agreement restricts unauthorized adapting. Include any planned translation or subtitles in your request, and ask if you'd like the creator to review them.
Is a comment or direct message enough as written permission?
It's better than nothing for a small, low-risk use, provided it clearly covers what you plan to do. Save a copy. For a paid campaign or anything high-value, get a signed license and ask a lawyer to review it.