A copyright removal request is a legal request usually sent by a copyright owner to remove content from YouTube due to alleged copyright infringement.
When YouTube gets a copyright removal request, it's reviewed. To comply with copyright law, if a request appears to be valid, content is removed from YouTube and a copyright strike is applied to the uploader's channel.
For the uploader, they have options to resolve the copyright strike:
- Complete Copyright School and wait 90 days: Copyright strikes expire after 90 days if the uploader completes Copyright School.
- Get a retraction: Uploaders can get in touch with the person who submitted the copyright removal request and ask them to retract the copyright removal request.
- Submit a counter notification: If the uploader thinks their content was removed by mistake, or qualifies as a copyright exception, like fair use, they can submit a counter notification.
Counter notifications are forwarded to the person who submitted the removal request, who then has 10 US business days to provide evidence of legal action. Content will stay removed from YouTube if legal action is pending. Otherwise, the content goes back on YouTube and the copyright strike is removed from the uploader's channel.
Scheduled copyright removal requests
Copyright removal requests can be scheduled. This gives the uploader 7 days to take action to avoid content removal and a copyright strike on their channel. During this 7-day period, uploaders can choose from a few different actions to take:
- Delete the content: If a copyright removal request is scheduled, and the uploader deletes their content before the 7 days are over, then their channel won't get a copyright strike. After the 7 days are over, deleting the content won't resolve the copyright strike.
- Get a retraction: Uploaders can get in touch with the person who submitted the removal request and ask them to retract their copyright removal request.
- Cancel an appeal: If the scheduled copyright removal request was a result of a rejected appeal of a Content ID claim, the uploader can cancel their appeal within the 7-day period. By canceling, the uploader avoids content removal and a copyright strike on their channel. However, the Content ID claim will remain active on their content. Learn more about the difference between copyright removal requests and Content ID claims.
If an uploader doesn’t take any action, the content is removed from YouTube and a copyright strike is applied to their channel. Then, the uploader can choose how they want to resolve the copyright strike.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How are copyright removal requests reviewed?- Provide a more specific title of the copyrighted content
- Submit evidence of authorization to act on behalf of the copyright owner, if applicable
- Confirm whether copyright exceptions, such as fair use or fair dealing, have been considered
Until we have all the required information, the content in question may stay up on YouTube during this process.
Automated systems are used to provide faster and more efficient responses to the high volume of copyright removal requests we receive while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
In 2022, YouTube received copyright removal requests for over 16 million videos. Using automation to process removal requests that are more likely to be valid enables us to respond to many requests quickly without sacrificing accuracy. Learn more about how YouTube's systems review content.
If a copyright removal request is scheduled, you'll get an email letting you know and explaining what actions you can take before the 7 days are over. You can also check YouTube Studio to see if your content is scheduled for removal:
- On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, click Content
.
- Click the filter bar
Copyright.
- Find the content in question.
- In the Restrictions column, hover over Copyright.
- If the hover text says Copyright – Pending takedown it means that content is scheduled for removal.
We likely got a counter notification from the uploader in response to your copyright removal request. Content is reinstated unless you provide evidence of legal action against the uploader to restrain the allegedly infringing activity.
If we don't get evidence from you within 10 US business days from when we forwarded you the counter notification, the content may go back on YouTube. Learn more about responding to a counter notification.