Google will use some of its own cash to protect YouTube users from what it considers to be unfair copyright takedown requests.

Google will cover up to $1 million in legal costs for YouTube video creators who are sued for violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) but are —in Google's opinion—actually using that footage legally.

The DMCA allows for "fair use" exemptions—criticism, research, teaching, news reporting, etc.—that lets creators use footage without permission from the copyright owner. But copyright holders still issue takedown notices for fair use videos, and many smaller video creators, fearing a pricey legal battle, don't fight back. That's where Google comes in.

"With approval of the video creators, we'll keep the videos live on YouTube in the U.S., feature them in the YouTube Copyright Center as strong examples of fair use, and cover the cost of any copyright lawsuits brought against them," Copyright Legal Director Fred von Lohmann wrote in a blog post.

One of the first four people Google will defend is Constantine Guiliotis, a.k.a. Dean, who operates a YouTube channel dedicated to debunking sightings of unidentified flying objects. With more than 1,000 subscribers, the UFO Theater channel has received three takedown notices from the owners of videos Dean found online and posted, The New York Times reported. Dean's added commentary and analysis puts his finished product within the fair use guidelines, according to Google.

Google pointed to other examples of fair use, like the battle between blogger Perez Hilton and an anti-gay marriage organization, as well as a 2009 mash-up of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight. One of the most famous cases, of course, is that of the "dancing baby."

"While we can't offer a legal defense to everyone, we'll remain vigilant about takedown notices impacting all creators," von Lohmann wrote. "We believe even the small number of videos we are able to protect will make a positive impact on the entire YouTube ecosystem, ensuring YouTube remains a place where creativity and expression can be rewarded."

Google also stressed that video creators should not contact YouTube directly. "We'll find you if we're able to offer you this protection," the company said.

According to the Times, though, Google's move is also a bid to cozy up to creators. Facing new competition from Facebook, Twitter, and other media companies, YouTube needs to keep collecting videos and views, the paper suggested.