WASHINGTON — Since its inception, YouTube has been embroiled in long and bitter battles over copyright infringement. And over the years, the video site has increased its policing of pirated material. But too often, the company says, the demands of copyright holders to take down videos go too far.

Now, YouTube is taking the unusual step of financially supporting YouTube creators so they can fight back.

YouTube said on Thursday that it would pick up the legal costs of a handful of video creators that the company thinks are the targets of unfair takedown demands. It said the creators it chose legally use third-party content under “fair use” provisions carved out for commentary, criticism, news and parody.

An example of fair use is a segment by the TV host Stephen Colbert that rebroadcasts cable news clips for the comedian to react to.