YouTube has several systems in place to prevent copyright infringement, but these automated tools often help block legal videos along with illegal ones. If your video is subject to a Content ID claim, there are several ways to remove the claim on the video. If one of your videos that you believe is perfectly legal is subject to a copyright strike, you can send a counter-notification to state that your video does not violate Fair Use rules.
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Part 1 of 2: Dealing with Content ID Claims
Step 1. Understand why you received a Content ID claim
Content ID is a system that scans videos to identify possible uses of copyrighted content in videos. The system will scan for audio, video, and images. If there is a match with a previously uploaded video, the owner of the original video will be notified and a Content ID claim will be filed.
The original video owner can ignore notifications, mute the audio in the video, block the video from being watched, monetize the video (make the video make money), or track the popularity of the video
Step 2. Decide if you want to do something
Content ID claims don't necessarily have a negative impact on your account. If you would like some of the sound of the video to be muted, or the ad revenue from the video to go to the original owner, please ignore it.
Content ID claims only have a negative impact if the original owner blocks your video globally. This puts your account in a bad position
Step 3. Use YouTube tools to remove or replace music
If the claim received was due to a song used in the video, you can try YouTube's auto-deletion tool to remove the song without having to re-upload the video:
- Go to the Video Manager page and find the video whose song you want to remove or replace.
- Click the button next to " Edit " and click " Audio."
- Click "Remove this song" on the song that is claimed and want to be removed. Not all videos can be processed this way.
- Choose a replacement track from the YouTube Audio Library, if you wish. The songs in this library are free and can be cashed.
Step 4. Enable shared monetization if you are a YouTube Partner and your videos qualify
This option is primarily aimed at the uploader who created the \cover song, and allows you to share the earnings with the original owner of the song:
- Search for your video in Video Manager. Go to the Monetization section of your account to see in what videos this option can be applied.
- Click the gray "$" button next to the video. This button only appears if the content owner has enabled the revenue sharing feature.
- Wait for your request to be reviewed and approved. You will be notified when the original owner agrees to share the earnings.
Step 5. Dispute any erroneous or erroneous claims
If you feel that the Content ID claim received is incorrect, please file a case. The claimant has 30 days to respond to your case. You should only file a claim if you believe your video has been misidentified because you own all the content rights in your video. If you file a claim for no apparent reason, you could be subject to a copyright strike.
Step 6. Go to the “Copyright Notices” page
You can open it directly at youtube.com/my_videos_copyright.
Step 7. Click the link next to your video to file a claim
This link will show what content is subject to a Content ID claim.
Step 8. Review the content that is subject to Content ID
If you still believe that your claim is false, continue.
Step 9. Select the reason the claim you received is incorrect
You will only be able to continue if you have selected one of the four options in the list. Choose the right reasons, or you will get a copyright strike. Your options consist of:
- The video is my original content and I own all of the rights to it (This video is my original work and I own all rights to it).
- I have a license or written permission from the proper rights holder to use this material (I have a license or written permission from the copyright owner to use his work).
- My use of the content meets the legal requirements for fair use or fair dealing under applicable copyright laws (use of this content meets the requirements of legality or candor under copyright law).
- The content is in the public domain or is not eligible for copyright protection (this content is in the public domain or may not be subject to copyright protection).
Step 10. Make sure that you believe the claim received is indeed false
You will be asked to review the selected option and check the box to confirm your belief that the claim received is false.
Step 11. Enter the reason for your case
You will be asked to type a brief summary of the reasons for filing the case. Make sure you explain why your video meets the description of the options selected above. Messages should be short and to the point.
Don't worry about legal language here. Just write a natural explanation sentence regarding the filing of a case against the Content ID claim that you received
Step 12. Check the box and type in your name
These finishing touches will formalize the claim, and the claim will be submitted to YouTube for review. A case filed with the intention of defrauding will result in your account being deactivated.
Part 2 of 2: Dealing with Copyright Strike
Step 1. Make sure your video meets "Fair Use" (the rules of fair use of other people's work)
If you receive a copyright strike on a video, it is because the original owner or creator decided that your video did not meet “fair use”. Fair Use allows you to use content created by others, but only under certain circumstances determined on a case-by-case basis. Fair Use is a tricky topic, but in general your videos will be measured against the following four factors (in the US):
- Reasons for using copyrighted content. Videos need to add new expression or meaning to the original copyrighted content. Non-profit or educational use is usually waived, but not completely free. If your video is monetized, the chance to claim fair use will immediately be lost.
- Elements of copyrighted content. Use of factual copyrighted content (e.g. news reports) is usually more acceptable than fictional content (e.g. movies).
- The ratio of copyrighted content to your content. You have a better chance of claiming fair use if you only use a small snippet of copyrighted content, and the majority of video content is your own work.
- Losses due to a decrease in the potential profit received by the copyright owner. If your video can be proven to have a negative impact on the copyright owner's bottom line, it's likely that you won't be able to claim “fair use”. This exception applies only to parodies.
Step 2. Consider waiting for a copyright strike
The copyright strike will be valid against your account for six months. During this time, you will lose certain YouTube features, such as uploading videos longer than 15 minutes. This is the only thing you can do if the copyright claim is legitimate and your video violates copyright.
- During the waiting period, you must complete the YouTube Copyright School by watching videos and answering some questions at youtube.com/copyright_school.
- If you receive another copyright strike during the waiting period, your six month waiting period will be repeated.
- If you receive three copyright strikes, your account will be deleted.
Step 3. Contact the copyright owner and ask to withdraw the claim
If possible, contact the claimant so that the problem is resolved faster. If the claimant has a YouTube account, use the private message feature to send the message. If a claim is filed by a company or other entity, you will need to find and contact their copyright department.
- Politely request a withdrawal of the claim, and explain the reason why the claim submitted is false. Don't just say “fair use”; provide evidence regarding the wrongness of the claim submitted.
- The claimant does not have to withdraw the copyright claim submitted.
Step 4. Send a reply notification if you believe your video has been falsely claimed or meets the “fair use” requirements
If you believe the video doesn't violate fair use, or your video has been wrongly claimed and you're not using something copyrighted, please send a counter-notification.
- This is a legal claim. By submitting a counter-notification, the claimant can see your personal information, and you expose yourself to prosecution.
- The counter-notification process takes ten days. The claimant may file a subpoena during this time to keep your video from showing.
Step 5. Go to the Copyright Notices section of your YouTube account
If you decide to submit a counter notification, go to Copyright Notices at (youtube.com/my_videos_copyright). All your videos that are hit by a copyright strike will be listed here.
If you see a message that says " Matched third party content " or " Video blocked " next to a video, it means that the video is subject to a Content ID claim, and the process is different from a copyright strike. See the next section for more details
Step 6. Click the "Submit counter-notification" link next to the disabled video
Thus, the application process will begin.
Step 7. Confirm your wish to deliver the counter-notification
You will be warned that the process should not proceed if you are not prepared to take your case to court. You should only continue if you believe the video should not have received a copyright strike.
Check the " I have read the above statement " box to open the form
Step 8. Enter personal information
You must enter your real name, address and phone number. This information will be visible to the claimant.
If you have a lawyer, please enter your attorney's contact information
Step 9. Provide a reason for submitting a counter-notification
Enter the reason why your video meets the “fair use” requirements, or why your video has been wrongly claimed. Be brief and concise as there is not much space in this text box. This reason will not be sent to the claim sender.
Step 10. Send a message to the claimant (optional)
You can also include a message to the claimant. You may want to re-explain why you filed a counter-notification so they can withdraw the claim, if necessary. Don't write offensive messages.
Step 11. Check the box to express your agreement, then sign
Accordingly, this document will be legally binding on you. You must agree to all statements in order to proceed.
Step 12. Click submit and wait for the decision
This process takes about 10 days. If your video is indeed wrongly claimed, the video will be reactivated and the copyright strike will be removed from your account. If your claim is rejected, the video will still be disabled and the copyright strike still valid. In severe cases, you will be sued by the claimant to keep the video disabled.
