Receiving a copyright strike on YouTube can be frustrating, especially if you believe it was issued unfairly. A copyright strike can limit your ability to monetize videos, live stream, or even lead to account termination if multiple strikes accumulate. However, YouTube allows creators to appeal a copyright strike if they believe they have the right to use the content.
In this guide, we’ll explain how copyright strikes work, when to appeal, and the steps to remove a strike from your account.
1. Understanding YouTube Copyright Strikes
YouTube follows strict copyright policies to protect original content. A copyright strike occurs when a copyright owner files a legal takedown request against your video. This happens when your video contains copyrighted material without permission.
Key things to know about copyright strikes:
- A copyright strike removes the video from YouTube.
- Your channel may lose features like monetization and live streaming.
- Three strikes within 90 days can result in channel termination.
- Copyright strikes expire after 90 days, but they still impact your channel.
If you believe the strike was a mistake or you had the right to use the content under fair use, you can appeal.
2. When Should You Appeal a Copyright Strike?
You should only appeal a copyright strike if:
- You own the content or have a license to use it.
- The video qualifies as fair use (e.g., commentary, criticism, or educational content).
- The copyright owner made a mistake in issuing the strike.
- The content is in the public domain (not copyrighted).
If you knowingly used copyrighted content without permission, an appeal may not be successful. In such cases, you can try contacting the copyright owner and requesting a retraction instead.
3. How to Appeal a Copyright Strike on YouTube
If you’re confident that the strike is unjustified, you can file a counter-notification to appeal. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to YouTube Studio
- Sign in to your YouTube Studio.
- Click on Content in the left menu.
- Find the video that received the copyright strike.
Step 2: Open the Copyright Strike Details
- Click the Copyright tab under the “Restrictions” column.
- Find the copyright strike notice and select View Details.
Step 3: Submit a Counter-Notification
Scroll down to the “What can you do?” section.
Click “Submit counter-notification” if you believe the claim is wrong.
Fill out the form with:
-
- Your full legal name (required for legal purposes).
- A statement explaining why your video does not infringe copyright.
- Your contact information (email, address, phone number).
- A declaration that you have the legal right to use the content.
Click Submit to send your appeal.
4. What Happens After You Submit an Appeal?
Once you submit a counter-notification:
- YouTube forwards your request to the copyright owner.
- The copyright owner has 10 business days to respond.
- If they do not respond, YouTube removes the strike and restores your video.
- If they reject your appeal, you may need to take legal action to resolve the issue.
During this period, do not delete the video or the appeal will be canceled.
5. Alternative Ways to Remove a Copyright Strike
If you’re unsure about appealing, here are other ways to resolve a strike:
Option 1: Contact the Copyright Owner
You can reach out to the copyright owner and ask them to retract the strike. If they agree, they must submit a retraction request to YouTube.
Option 2: Wait for the Strike to Expire
Copyright strikes automatically expire after 90 days if no further violations occur. However, waiting can still limit your channel’s features.
Option 3: Remove the Copyrighted Content
If the strike was due to background music or video clips, consider editing the video and removing the copyrighted parts. Reuploading a modified version could be an alternative.
6. How to Prevent Future Copyright Strikes
To avoid future strikes, follow these best practices:
- Use royalty-free music and footage from sites like YouTube’s Audio Library, Pixabay, or Pexels.
- Give proper credit if using Creative Commons-licensed content.
- Avoid reusing copyrighted material without permission, even for short clips.
- Understand fair use and how it applies to commentary, criticism, and education.
- Enable Content ID checks before publishing videos to detect copyrighted content.
7. Conclusion
Appealing a YouTube copyright strike is possible if your video was wrongly flagged. By following the steps outlined above, you can file a counter-notification or request a retraction from the copyright owner. If appealing is not an option, you can wait for the strike to expire or remove the copyrighted content.
To protect your channel, always use original or licensed content and stay informed about YouTube’s copyright policies. Taking these precautions will help you avoid strikes and keep your channel safe from penalties.
