How to Fix a YouTube Copyright Claim Dispute on Your Video

The last thing you want after spending hours crafting the perfect video is to receive a YouTube copyright claim. So, how can you ensure that your content remains free from legal issues? Let's delve into the intricacies of copyright strikes and penalties on YouTube and explore effective strategies to avoid them.

What is a Copyright Claim on YouTube

When you upload a video to YouTube that contains someone else’s copyright, your video is at risk of receiving a copyright claim. If your video receives a copyright claim, you may receive an email from YouTube notifying you about it.

For example, every song has at least one owner, but more often, multiple owners. First, there are the individuals who wrote the song and control the composition. Then there are the people who own the actual recording of the song, the master or sound recording.

When you feature another person’s copyrighted music in your video (without a license or permission to do so), you receive a copyright claim.

A copyright claim on YouTube does not affect your entire channel or your channel’s status in the YouTube algorithm.

Understanding YouTube Copyright Claim

What is Content ID?

YouTube's copyright policies extend far beyond the platform itself. The cornerstone of YouTube's copyright enforcement is Content ID, a sophisticated system designed to identify and manage copyrighted material uploaded by users. Think of Content ID as a digital fingerprint scanner for audio and video content.

How does Content ID work?

• Creators register their content: Content creators register their songs or videos with Content ID, establishing themselves as the copyright holders.
• Content ID scans for infringements: YouTube's Content ID regularly scans uploaded videos for matches with registered content. If any part of a video's soundtrack matches registered audio files, it triggers a copyright claim.
• Copyright claims: If a video is found to infringe on copyright, a copyright claim is applied, potentially leading to various consequences.

Consequences of Copyright Infringement

1. Demonetization

One common consequence of copyright infringement is demonetization. Instead of earning revenue from your video, the copyright holder may claim all proceeds generated by it.

2. Muting

In some cases, copyrighted content may be muted, depriving your video of its audio component. This can significantly impact viewer engagement and retention.

3. Blocking

The most severe consequence of copyright infringement is content blocking, which can result in the removal of your video from YouTube and even penalties for your channel.

How to Avoid YouTube Copyright Claim

1. Obtain permission

The most effective way to avoid copyright issues is to obtain permission from the copyright holder. Many artists and creators are willing to grant licenses for the use of their work, ensuring compliance with copyright laws.

2. Utilize royalty-free music

Explore vidyo.ai’s vast B roll library of royalty-free music available for use in your YouTube videos. 

💡Related read: vidyo.ai Helps Marketing Manager Boost YouTube Subscriptions by 150%

3. Give proper attribution

When using copyrighted material under license, ensure proper attribution to the original creator. This not only demonstrates respect for intellectual property rights but also enhances transparency with your audience.

Now that you know the ins-and-outs of copyright claims on YouTube, let’s walk you through how to prevent copyright claims on your video moving forward.

Resolving Copyright Issues

Copyright strikes vs. claims

It's crucial to distinguish between copyright strikes and claims. While claims notify you of copyrighted material, strikes entail more serious consequences, including potential account termination.

If you have a license or permission for the copyrighted content, your best bet is to dispute the claim.

Resolving strikes

If your content receives a copyright strike, you have several options for resolution, including waiting for the strike to expire, requesting a retraction from the claimant, or submitting a counter-notification.

What Happens if You Get a Copyright Claim on YouTube

The most efficient method of submitting a copyright removal request is by utilizing YouTube's webform on a computer. Alternatively, requests can also be submitted via email.

Source: Google Support

1. Webform submission

To submit a removal request using the webform, follow these tips:

• Provide accurate details regarding the infringing content and your copyright ownership.
• Avoid submitting false information, as misuse of the removal request webform can have serious repercussions, including account suspension or legal action.

2. YouTube Studio 

Alternatively, you can access the web form directly from YouTube Studio:

• Sign in to your YouTube Studio account.
• Navigate to the Copyright section from the left menu.
• Click on "new removal request" to initiate the process.

Source: VidIQ

It's important to note that YouTube's webform is primarily intended for the submission of removal requests concerning video content. For non-video content, such as channel banner images, alternative procedures must be followed.

Conclusion

YouTube copyright claims play a vital role in safeguarding intellectual property. Understanding the distinction between copyright removal requests and Content ID claims is essential for both content creators and copyright owners to navigate the digital landscape effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I monetize my video if it has a copyright claim?

If your video has a copyright claim, you may lose the ability to monetize it yourself. The copyright owner may choose to place advertising on your video and earn revenue from it instead.

2. Can I use copyrighted music if I give credit?

Giving credit to the copyright owner does not necessarily give you the right to use copyrighted music in your videos. You may still need to obtain a license or permission to use the music legally.

3. How can I find copyright-safe music for my YouTube videos?

You can search for royalty-free music or use platforms that provide licensed music for creators.

4. What should I do if I receive a false copyright claim on my video?

If you receive a false copyright claim on your video, you can dispute it through YouTube’s copyright claim dispute process. Provide evidence to support your claim and explain why the copyright claim is incorrect.

5. Can I use content from other YouTube videos in my own content?

Using content from other videos may constitute copyright infringement unless you have explicit permission or the content falls under fair use.