When it comes to using YouTube video clips, including music, in a research presentation, copyright laws can be complex and vary by jurisdiction. In South Africa, the Copyright Act No 98 of 1978 governs the use of copyrighted material.
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Contacting the original creator: While it's often recommended to seek permission from the original creator, especially for permanent or public presentations, doing so may not always be strictly required for educational purposes in a classroom setting.
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Paying compensation: Typically, for educational use, you would not need to pay for using small portions of copyrighted material under certain conditions, especially in a non-commercial educational context.
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Prohibition on use: This is not entirely accurate. You may be able to use clips under specific circumstances, especially if you adhere to fair use or similar educational exceptions, although those definitions and their applicability can vary.
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Fair use principle: The concept of "fair use" exists in U.S. copyright law, but South Africa does not have a direct equivalent. However, Section 12 of the South African Copyright Act does allow for certain uses of copyrighted works for purposes like education, so some limited use may be permissible without permission in an educational context.
In summary, while it's important to understand and respect copyright laws, educational presentations often have some allowances. However, your best course of action is to properly attribute the source and consider seeking permission, especially if you’re using a substantial portion of the work or if your presentation is public. Always check specific educational exemptions that might apply to your situation under South African law.