I am working on starting a YouTube channel in the tech products niche and to promote those products in compilation videos with affiliate links in the descriptions below the compilations. I will be using manufacturers' promotional videos in the compilations. Should I be safe using manufacturers' promotional videos since they will be used to advertise those products?
The promotional videos are both copyright and trademark protected. Although you could be legally safe in
linking to the manufacturers’ sites where the videos appear, you would need to acquire permissions from the manufacturers (generally obtained in the form of licenses) to use the videos on your own site.
Rights-holders get to decide how they want to promote their own rights-protected material - however consumer review sites (like Consumer Reports) can use some rights-protected material under the principle of “fair use.” Fair use, it is important to note, is an AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE to a claim of infringement. It is a “yes I infringed but it’s okay” defense to a claim of infringement.
You would be smart to have your actual uses personally reviewed by an IP professional in your area for advice specific to your site, and you should contact an insurance agent to inquire about website insurance, in the event you are sued despite your best efforts to avoid a lawsuit.
Good luck.