Is It Legal to Download Pinterest Videos? What You Need to Know

The short answer: downloading Pinterest videos for personal use is generally fine, but it exists in a legal gray area. Here's what you need to know about the legality, copyright implications, and best practices.

The Legal Landscape

Pinterest's Terms of Service

Pinterest's Terms of Service state:

"You may not... download content unless there is a clear button or link (such as a download button) that allows you to do so."

This means Pinterest doesn't explicitly allow downloading through third-party tools. However, the Terms of Service also primarily target:

• Large-scale scraping (automated downloading of thousands of pins)
• Commercial redistribution (selling or licensing downloaded content)
• Circumventing access controls (downloading from private boards)

Individual users saving a single video for personal reference are unlikely to face enforcement. Pinterest has never publicly taken action against individual users for downloading a single video.

Copyright Law

Copyright law is separate from Pinterest's Terms of Service. The key principles:

What the law says:

• The original creator holds copyright on their content
• Downloading copyrighted content without permission is technically infringement
• Personal use is a defense in some jurisdictions, but not a guaranteed protection
• Fair use may apply in limited cases (education, commentary, criticism)

What this means in practice:

• Downloading a video to watch later = generally acceptable
• Downloading and reposting without credit = potential copyright violation
• Downloading and using in commercial content = copyright violation
• Downloading and modifying/remixing = depends on how it's used

DMCA and Takedowns

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) allows copyright holders to request removal of infringing content. If you download a Pinterest video and repost it somewhere else, the original creator can file a DMCA takedown.

However, downloading for personal use doesn't trigger DMCA because:

• The content isn't being publicly distributed
• No one else can see that you downloaded it
• There's no public copy to take down

What's Legal vs What's Not

✅ Generally Legal

| Action | Why It's Fine |

|--------|--------------|

| Downloading a video to watch offline | Personal use, no distribution |

| Saving a video for inspiration | Personal reference, no commercial use |

| Downloading to use in a private presentation | Not public distribution |

| Downloading to share with friends/family | Private sharing, not commercial |

| Downloading your own Pinterest content | You own the copyright |

⚠️ Gray Area

| Action | Why It's Uncertain |

|--------|-------------------|

| Downloading and reposting with credit | May be fair use, but creator didn't consent |

| Downloading for educational purposes | Fair use may apply, but depends on context |

| Downloading and modifying for personal projects | transformative use, but commercially risky |

❌ Generally Not Legal

| Action | Why It's Risky |

|--------|---------------|

| Downloading and selling the content | Clear copyright violation |

| Downloading and using in commercial ads | Requires license from creator |

| Downloading and redistributing at scale | Automated scraping violates ToS |

| Downloading from private boards | Circumvents access controls |

| Downloading and claiming as your own | Copyright infringement + fraud |

Pinterest's Position

What Pinterest Does

• Doesn't offer a download button for videos (by design)
• Doesn't prevent third-party download tools (they could block them but don't)
• Doesn't enforce against individual downloaders (no known cases)
• Does enforce against large-scale scrapers and commercial redistributors

What Pinterest Could Do (But Doesn't)

Pinterest technically has the technical ability to:

• Block download tools from accessing video files
• Add DRM protection to videos
• Implement watermarking

They haven't done any of these, which suggests they tolerate individual downloading while focusing enforcement on commercial abuse.

Best Practices for Legal Downloading

For Personal Use

• Download only what you need — don't bulk-download thousands of pins
• Keep it private — don't repost downloaded content publicly
• Credit the creator if you do share with others
• Don't use commercially without explicit permission

For Content Creators

If you're a Pinterest creator concerned about your content:

• Add watermarks to your videos before uploading (prevents clean downloads)
• Monitor your content using reverse image search tools
• File DMCA takedowns if your content is being used commercially without permission
• Consider licensing — some creators offer licenses for their content

For Businesses

If you want to use Pinterest content commercially:

• Get explicit permission from the original creator
• Negotiate a license if you plan to use the content in ads or marketing
• Use royalty-free alternatives for commercial projects
• Credit the creator even when you have permission

How Different Countries View This

| Country | Personal Download | Commercial Use | Enforcement |

|---------|------------------|----------------|-------------|

| United States | Generally tolerated | Requires license | Rare for individuals |

| European Union | Gray area (DSM Directive) | Requires license | Varies by country |

| United Kingdom | Personal use allowed | Requires license | Rare for individuals |

| Canada | Fair dealing may apply | Requires license | Rare for individuals |

| Australia | Fair use may apply | Requires license | Rare for individuals |

Note: Laws vary by jurisdiction and are constantly evolving. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get in trouble for downloading Pinterest videos?

For personal use, the risk is extremely low. There are no known cases of individuals being sued or penalized for downloading a single Pinterest video for personal use. The risk increases if you redistribute the content commercially.

Is it legal to download Pinterest videos and repost them on Instagram?

This is a gray area. Reposting without permission could be copyright infringement, even with credit. Some creators are fine with it, others aren't. The safest approach is to ask permission first or use Pinterest's built-in sharing features.

Can Pinterest ban me for downloading videos?

Pinterest's Terms of Service prohibit downloading, so theoretically they could ban your account. In practice, they don't monitor individual download activity and have never publicly banned a user for this reason.

Is it legal to use downloaded Pinterest videos in my YouTube videos?

Using someone else's copyrighted content in your YouTube videos without permission is copyright infringement. YouTube's Content ID system may also flag the video and either block it or monetize it for the original creator.

Do I need to worry about copyright if I download a Pinterest video to use as my phone wallpaper?

No. Downloading a video for personal device use (wallpaper, screensaver, etc.) is personal use and doesn't raise copyright concerns.

Conclusion

Downloading Pinterest videos for personal use is generally tolerated and carries minimal legal risk. The key is to keep it personal — don't redistribute, don't use commercially, and don't claim others' work as your own.

For businesses and content creators who want to use Pinterest content commercially, always get explicit permission from the original creator.

Need to download a Pinterest video? SavePin lets you save videos, images, and GIFs from public Pinterest pins for personal use.

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Last updated: August 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a legal professional for specific legal questions.