What are the consequences of using copyrighted content on YouTube without monetizing the video, but using affiliate links to make money?

Using copyrighted content on YouTube without permission, even if you're not monetizing the video directly through YouTube's Partner Program, can still lead to several consequences: Content ID Claims: YouTube has a system called Content ID that automatically scans uploaded videos for copyrighted material. If copyrighted content is detected, the copyright owner can choose to monetize the video by running ads on it, track the video's viewership statistics, or block the video entirely. This means that even if you're not monetizing the video directly, the copyright owner may choose to monetize it themselves. Copyright Strikes: Copyright owners have the option to issue copyright strikes against videos that use their content without permission. If you receive multiple copyright strikes, your channel could be subject to penalties, including the possibility of your channel being terminated. Legal Action: Copyright infringement is against the law, and copyright owners have the right to pursue legal action against infringers. This could result in legal penalties, including fines and injunctions. Loss of Trust and Reputation: Using copyrighted content without permission can damage your reputation on YouTube and within the broader online community. It can lead to distrust from viewers and potential collaborators or sponsors. Loss of Affiliate Program Membership: If you're using affiliate links in conjunction with copyrighted content without permission, you could violate the terms of service of the affiliate program you're participating in. This could result in the termination of your membership in the affiliate program, and potentially loss of any earnings accrued. In summary, while you may not be directly monetizing the video through YouTube's Partner Program, using copyrighted content without permission can still have serious consequences, both in terms of potential penalties from YouTube and legal action from copyright owners, as well as damage to your reputation and potential loss of affiliate program memberships. It's important to obtain proper permissions or create original content to avoid these issues.