What to do if you receive a copyright claim on Youtube?

Key Takeaways

  • Copyright infringement on YouTube happens when users use protected content without proper authorization from the owner, such as copyrighted music, movie clips, or images.
  • Receiving a copyright claim on YouTube can have various consequences, including content restrictions, loss of revenue, impact on channel reach and growth, and damage to your reputation.
  • It’s essential to verify the validity of a copyright claim before taking any action. Review the claim details and determine if you have rights to use the content legally.
  • When responding to a copyright claim, do not ignore it, remain calm, and evaluate your options, which may include accepting the claim, contacting the complainant, filing a dispute, or removing the disputed content.
  • Disputing a copyright claim involves providing evidence to support your position. Ensure you have strong evidence, such as usage rights documentation or proof of fair use.
  • After filing a dispute, YouTube will review the case and make a final decision. Legal action may be necessary if the dispute is not resolved in your favor.
  • To avoid future copyright claims, consider using licensed or royalty-free content, understanding YouTube’s content usage policies, and regularly monitoring your content and copyright notices.

Since its launch in 2005, Youtube has changed the way we interact, offering a wide range of digital content, from home videos to professional productions, tutorials, vlogs, music and more.

It has also enabled the emergence of a new generation of content creators who have found on the platform a form of expression and an opportunity to monetize their skills and passions.

The ease of uploading and sharing videos has democratized content creation and provided creators with a platform to connect directly with their followers.

However, this rapid growth and ease of distribution has raised and given rise to a growing problem: copyright infringements.

What is going on with copyrights on YouTube?

Although throughout this article we’ll talk about what copyright is, it is necessary to explain first what the current context is.

Due to this great wave of new content, in which both professionals and ordinary people can upload videos edited by themselves without -apparently- any limitation, there are many cases of violations of the aforementioned copyright.

Copyright infringement on YouTube occurs when a user uses protected content without proper authorization from the owner.

This can include copyrighted music, movie clips, television shows, images and other legally protected materials.

This situation can be frustrating and confusing for both the infringer and the copyright owner, but in this guide, we will address the first situation: how to deal with a YouTube copyright claim properly, respectfully and effectively.

We will explore the steps to take, how to verify the validity of the claim, how to respond and, if necessary, how to dispute it.

But, before all this, it is essential to understand the basics of copyright and how it works:

What are copyrights?

Copyright is a set of legal rights automatically granted to the creators of original works at the time of their creation.

These rights grant them exclusive control over the use and distribution of their content for a specified period of time.

They also protect a wide range of creative works, such as music, videos, images, books, software and more.

When a creator produces an original work, such as a song or video, he or she automatically obtains               copyright over that creation without the need to formally register it (in most countries).

This means that others cannot use, copy, distribute or modify the work without the explicit permission of the owner.

However, it often happens that the rules of use of these rights are violated.

Sometimes intentionally, but usually without the person responsible even being aware of it.

This is probably why you are reading this article: you have received a copyright claim and you don’t know why exaclty.

A copyright claim is a notification received by a content creator on YouTube when the use of copyrighted material has been detected in one of their videos.


This notification comes from the original owner of the content or an entity representing their interests, and alerts the creator to unauthorized use of their material.

The claim may relate to music, videos, images, audio recordings or other types of protected content.

When you receive a copyright claim, it is important to take it seriously and address it properly to avoid potential consequences and protect your channel.

But why do these claims occur?

Copyright claims can arise for a variety of reasons.

Some of the most common causes include:

  • Copyrighted music: use of copyrighted music in your videos.
  • Movie or TV show clips: use of clips from movies, TV shows or other protected videos in your content.
  • Unauthorized third-party content: use of images, audio recordings or any other third-party material without permission.
  • **Derivative material from other creators: **creation of content based on the work of other creators without proper authorization.

It is likely that when you received this notification you were alarmed and many concerns came to your mind, such as how this affects your channel, your visits, your reputation…

Well, we’ll explain how it affects your channel.

A YouTube copyright claim can have a significant impact on your channel and your experience as a creator.

So that you won’t be surprised if it ever happens to you, we’ve developed a list of possible implications:

  • Restricting or blocking content. When you receive a copyright claim, YouTube may apply restrictions to your video or block access to your video in certain regions or worldwide. This means that the video will no longer be available to the public or will only be shown with advertisements from the claimant. As a result, your video may lose visibility and reach, which will negatively affect your channel’s performance.
  • **Loss of revenue and monetization. **If your channel is monetized and a copyright claim is upheld, you will likely lose the advertising revenue generated by the affected video during the period it is restricted. In addition, if you accumulate multiple claims on your channel, you could face partial or full demonetization of your channel, which will directly impact your earnings.
  • Impact on channel reach and growth. Content restrictions and blocks can affect the reach and visibility of your channel. This could result in a decrease in views and subscribers, as viewers are unable to access restricted content. Lower visibility can hinder the growth of your channel and make it difficult to gain new followers.
  • Damage to reputation and personal brand. A mishandled copyright claim or the accumulation of multiple claims can damage your reputation as a creator in the YouTube community. Viewers and other creators may perceive you negatively if they feel that you do not respect copyrights or do not take the platform’s policies seriously.

As you can see, a copyright claim can have a significant impact on your channel if it is upheld.

However, it is essential that you understand that receiving a copyright claim does not automatically mean that you have infringed copyright.

Sometimes, claims can be erroneous or based on misunderstandings.

Therefore, it is important to verify the validity of the claim before taking any action.

Validity of the claim

Once you receive a copyright claim on YouTube, it is crucial to take the time to verify the validity of the claim before taking any action.

Not all claims are valid, and you may be able to resolve the situation properly if you can demonstrate that you are using the content in a legal and authorized manner.

Thus, you should:

  1. Review the claim information. The first step in verifying the validity of the claim is to carefully review the notice you received. Make sure you understand who has filed the claim, what specific material is being claimed, and where in your video the disputed content is located.
  2. Carefully read the reason for the complaint and any messages or comments provided by the complainant. This will help you understand the reasons behind the complaint and allow you to prepare an appropriate response.
  3. Identify whether you have the rights to use the content. Once you have reviewed the notice of claim, it is important to determine whether you have the rights to use the content that is being claimed.

You can do this by considering the following:

  • Original Content: If you are the original creator of the content, it is likely that you have full rights to use it and that it has not infringed any copyrights.
  • Licensed content: If you have obtained a license or explicit permission from the original owner of the content, you may be able to use the content in the following ways.
  • Public domain content: If the content in question is in the public domain or is not protected by copyright, no authorization is required for its use.
  • Fair Use: If you are using the content in a manner that meets the fair use criteria established by the laws of your country, you may be protected by this copyright exception.

If you determine that you have rights to use the content and that you are using the material in a fair use manner, you may be in a position to file a dispute or counter-notification to resolve the claim.

However, it is essential that you have solid evidence to support your position before taking any action and that you respond in a proper manner.

How to respond to the claim properly?

Once you have verified the validity of the copyright claim and understand the reasons behind the notice, it is time to respond to it properly.

How you handle the situation can have a significant impact on the final outcome, so it is critical to follow some important guidelines when responding to the claim.

Do not ignore the claim

First and foremost, do not ignore the complaint.

Ignoring it will not make it go away and can lead to more serious consequences, such as the removal of your video or penalties being applied to your channel.

It is essential to approach the situation proactively and responsibly.

Remain calm and do not make hasty decisions.

Receiving a copyright claim can be frustrating, especially if you feel you have not infringed any rights.

However, it is vital to remain calm and avoid making hasty or impulsive decisions.

Before responding, take the time to reflect on the situation, carefully review the details of the claim and consider your options.

Don’t let emotions dominate your actions and avoid responding in an aggressive or confrontational manner.

Evaluate options for action.

Once you have analyzed the situation, consider the different options for action available to you.

Some of the common options include:

  • Accepting the complaint. If the complaint is valid and you acknowledge that you have used protected content without authorization, you can choose to accept the complaint and let the complainant take appropriate action, such as monetizing the video or blocking it in certain countries.
  • Contact the complainant. If you believe there has been a mistake or misunderstanding, you can contact the complainant directly to resolve the situation amicably. Explain your position in a respectful manner and provide any relevant information to support your case.
  • **File a dispute. **If you are certain that your use of the content is legitimate and protected by usage rights, you can file a dispute through the YouTube Copyright Center. Provide strong evidence to support your position, such as usage permissions or evidence of fair use. We will explain this option in the next section.
  • Remove the claimed content. If you are unsure of the validity of the claim or want to avoid future problems, you can choose to remove the claimed content from your video. This may be an appropriate option if the disputed material represents only a small part of the video and its removal does not significantly affect the overall content.

It is important to carefully evaluate the consequences and consider which option is most appropriate for your particular situation.

When you receive a copyright claim on YouTube and believe you have valid grounds to defend your position, you have the option to file a dispute.

Disputing a claim is a formal process that allows creators to challenge the validity of the notice and provide evidence to support their case.

Here are the steps to dispute a copyright claim on YouTube:

  1. Access the Copyright Center. Log in to your YouTube account and go to the Copyright Center. From there, you will be able to see all the copyright claims that have been filed on your videos.
  2. Select the disputed video. Search for the specific claim you wish to dispute and select the associated video.
  3. Click “Dispute Claim”. Within the Copyright Center, you will find the “Dispute Claim” option for the video in question. Selecting this option will open a form where you can provide details about the dispute.
  4. Reason for dispute. Clearly explain the reasons why you believe the claim is invalid or incorrect. You can mention whether you have the rights to use the content, whether the use is covered by fair use, or any other justification that supports your case.
  5. Provide evidence. It is critical to back up your arguments with solid evidence. Attach all documentation and evidence showing that you are using the content legally or that you have the owner’s permission to use it.
  6. Submit the dispute. Once you have completed the form and provided all the necessary information, submit the dispute by clicking on the appropriate button.

What kind of evidence to provide?

As we said, when disputing a copyright claim, it is essential to provide strong and relevant evidence to support your case.

Some examples of evidence you can provide include:

  • Documentation of usage rights. If you have a license or permission from the original owner of the content to use it in your video, be sure to attach copies of that documentation.
  • Proof of fair use. If your use of the content is covered by fair use, explain how your video meets the established criteria for fair use and provide examples to support your claim.
  • Information about the disputed content. Provide specific details about the disputed content and its origin. This may include links to the original sources or any other relevant information.
  • Communication with the complainant. If you have attempted to resolve the situation directly with the complainant, include details of that communication.

It is important to present a dispute clearly and concisely, and to provide evidence that is easy to understand and strongly supports your position.

The process after filing a dispute

Once you have filed a dispute, the complainant will receive a notification and will have a period of time to respond to your dispute.

During this process, YouTube will review the arguments and evidence presented by both parties and make a final decision.

If YouTube determines that your dispute is valid and that you have legitimate reasons for using the content, the claim may be withdrawn and the restrictions applied to the video may be removed.

However, if the dispute is rejected, the claim may be upheld and you may need to consider other options, such as removing the disputed content or pursuing legal action.

In some cases, disputing a copyright claim on YouTube may not be enough to resolve the situation satisfactorily.

If the dispute is unsuccessful or if the claim is still considered valid by YouTube, you may need to consider taking legal action to protect your rights as a creator and defend your position.

In doing so, you may wish to seek legal advice.

A copyright lawyer can advise you on your legal rights and options, and represent you in the event that you need to file a formal claim or counter-notification.

 When to consider filing a counter-notification

If you have disputed a copyright claim and YouTube has confirmed that the claim is valid, you may have the option to file a counter-notification.

A counter-notification is a formal document that you can send to YouTube to object to the decision and request that the restrictions on your video be restored.

It is important to note that filing a counter-notification is a serious step and that you should be sure you have solid legal grounds to support your position.

Before filing a counter-notification, consider the following:

Copyright claims and disputes may have significant legal implications and consequences.

If the dispute is resolved in your favor, the restrictions may be lifted and you may continue to use the content in question in a legitimate manner.

However, if the dispute is unsuccessful and you decide to file a counter-notification, the complainant may choose to file a lawsuit in court to protect their copyright.

This can lead to complex and costly legal proceedings.

It is essential to understand that copyright is a complex area of law and that the consequences may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.

It is always advisable to obtain legal advice before making important legal decisions.

By way of recapitulation, we have seen up to this point the whole process to follow when you receive a copyright infringement notice: the possible causes, checking its validity, responding in an appropriate step-by-step manner, what types of actions to take and the legal implications and consequences.

You may find all this information a bit alarming and even cumbersome.

However, if you are faced with the situation, just follow the step-by-step instructions and you will find that it is easier than it sounds and you will probably not receive any negative consequences.

Even so, it is advisable to avoid this type of situation, so we have dedicated a section to tips so that it does not happen again.

Considerations to avoid future claims

Once you have faced a YouTube copyright claim, it is important to learn from the experience and take steps to avoid similar problems in the future.

Here are some considerations and actions you can take to protect your content and avoid facing copyright claims in the future:

Using licensed or royalty-free content

An effective way to avoid copyright issues is to use content that is licensed or royalty-free.

There are many online content sources that offer licensed music, images, videos and other materials that allow use in YouTube videos without worrying about copyright claims.

Some platforms offer music and sound effects under Creative Commons licenses , which allow free use with proper attribution to the original creator.

Other paid platforms offer libraries of commercially licensed content for use in YouTube projects.

In addition, you can search for public domain content or content that is labeled “royalty free” to ensure there are no legal issues with its use.

Understand YouTube content usage policies and best practices for creators.

It is crucial to familiarize yourself with YouTube’s content use policies and the platform’s copyright guidelines.

YouTube provides detailed information about copyright policies, fair use and content that is prohibited or restricted on the platform.

Be sure to comply with these policies to avoid potential claims.

Also, follow best practices for creators and avoid inappropriate use of third-party content.

Always give proper credit to the original creators when using licensed content and be sure to respect the terms and conditions of use.

Consider licensing agreements and collaborations with other creators.

If you want to use content created by other creators, consider establishing licensing agreements or collaborations.

Obtaining explicit written permission from the original creator will give you security and legal protection for using their content in your videos.

Collaborating with other creators can also be a great way to work on joint projects and ensure that everyone involved agrees to the use of the content created.

Regularly monitor your content and copyright notices.

Maintain regular monitoring of your content and any copyright notices you may receive.

Use copyright monitoring tools and services to be aware of possible infringements or claims.

If you receive a copyright notice, address the situation immediately and appropriately, following the dispute steps if you believe you have grounds to defend your position.

In conclusion, avoiding future copyright claims on YouTube requires caution, knowledge of the platform’s policies and the use of licensed or royalty-free content.

By following these considerations and best practices, you can protect your content and enjoy a safer and more successful experience as a creator on YouTube.

How to avoid committing infringements?

To avoid copyright infringement, it is essential to take proactive measures and follow good practices in the creation and publication of content.

This can be achieved by doing the following:

  1. YouTube content use policies and best practices for creators. YouTube provides detailed information on what is allowed and what is prohibited in terms of content usage. Be sure to comply with these policies to avoid legal problems and copyright claims. Also, give proper credit to original creators when using licensed content, respect the terms and conditions of use, and avoid inappropriate use of third-party content.
  2. Originality and unique content. One of the best ways to protect your copyright is to create original and unique content. Avoid copying the work of others and strive to offer a creative and unique approach in your videos. When you create original content, you are the copyright holder and have full control over how it is used. This minimizes the risk of receiving claims from other creators and allows you to protect your own rights.
  3. Sources of royalty-free content. One of the most effective ways to avoid copyright infringement is to use royalty-free or properly licensed content. There are numerous online sources that offer music, images, videos and other materials that you can use in your videos without worrying about claims. Be sure to read and understand the licenses before using any third-party content. 

Conclusions

In this definitive guide to copyright claims on YouTube, we have explored the fundamental steps and considerations for properly responding to a copyright claim notification.

In doing so, step by step we have clarified concepts related to copyright, how copyright works on YouTube, the importance of identifying the validity of a claim, how to conduct a dispute if you disagree, the impact of this on your channel and possible solutions to this situation.

As there are many important aspects, we have decided to list them all in summary form so that they are clear and entrenched and you can refer to them when in doubt.

These are:

  1. Importance of copyright on YouTube: Copyright is critical to protecting creators’ intellectual property and ensuring they are recognized and rewarded for their work on the platform.
  2. Understand the copyright claim: When you receive a claim, verify the validity of the notice and understand the reasons behind it before taking action.
  3. Verify the validity of the claim: Make sure you have the rights to use the content or that your use is covered by fair use before responding to the claim.
  4. Respond appropriately: Don’t ignore the claim and remain calm in responding. Consider your options for action and file a dispute if you believe you have legal grounds to do so.
  5. Dispute a claim: If you file a dispute, provide solid evidence to support your position and follow the process appropriately.
  6. Recourse to legal action: If the dispute is unsuccessful, consider seeking legal advice and, if necessary, file a counter-notification.
  7. Avoid future claims: Use licensed or royalty-free content, follow YouTube’s content usage policies and maintain regular monitoring of your content to avoid future problems.
  8. Protect your rights as a creator: Educate on copyright and fair use, and create original and unique content to protect your rights and minimize the risk of claims.

In conclusion, dealing with a copyright claim on YouTube can be challenging, but by following this guide and acting responsibly and respectfully, you will be better prepared to properly resolve the situation and protect your rights as a creator on the platform.

Remember to always stay informed about YouTube’s copyright policies, be respectful of other creators’ content, and seek out licensed or royalty-free content to ensure a successful and safe experience in creating your videos.

Protecting your rights and respecting the rights of others is critical to maintaining a positive creative community on YouTube.

If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We will be happy to help you.

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