What Happens When You Dispute a Copyright Claim on YouTube?

YouTube is a widely-used platform that enables users to share and enjoy diverse content, playing a significant role in our digital society.

However, this popular platform also faces challenges when it comes to copyright infringement issues.

If you receive a copyright infringement claim on YouTube, you may be curious about the outcome if you choose to dispute it.

In simple terms, disputing a claim involves challenging the legitimacy of the claim and asserting your rights as a content owner.

This article will shed light on “what happens when you dispute a copyright claim on YouTube?” and gives you a knowledgeable insight into it.

What is a Copyright Claim on YouTube?

A copyright claim on YouTube occurs when the platform’s automated system, Content ID, or a rights holder detects material in your video that they believe infringes on their copyrighted work. This can include music, video clips, images, or any other media owned by someone else.

If a copyright owner finds their protected content on YouTube without their permission, they can submit a copyright removal request, also known as a “takedown notice” or simply a “takedown.” This is a legal request to remove content from YouTube due to alleged copyright infringement.

Some rights owners use YouTube’s Content ID system, an automated tool that scans the platform for copyrighted material. When Content ID identifies a match between copyrighted content and a video, it automatically generates a Content ID claim. This system gives rights owners control over how their content is handled once a match is detected.

Content ID claims can:

• Block the content from being viewed.
• Monetise the content by running ads on it, sometimes sharing revenue with the uploader.
• Track viewership statistics for the content.

These actions can be specific to certain regions. For example, a video might be monetised in one country or region but blocked or tracked in another.

What Triggers a Copyright Claim?

A content ownership claim can be triggered by various types of material within your YouTube video. These claims typically arise when copyrighted material is used without proper authorisation or licensing. Here are some common triggers:

Music: One of the most frequent causes of ownership claims is the use of protected music. Whether it’s a full song, a short segment, or background music, using music without permission or a license from the rights holder can result in a claim.

Footage from TV Shows, Movies, or Other Videos: Using even brief clips from films, TV shows, or other YouTube videos without authorisation is another common reason for content claims. YouTube’s automated system can easily detect and flag such material, leading to a claim.

Images or Graphics: Including protected images, photos, or artwork in your video without proper licensing or authorisation can trigger an ownership claim. Even seemingly minor visual elements are often protected by intellectual property laws.

Sound Effects: Like music, sound effects are often subject to intellectual property rights. Using a sound effect without permission or a proper license could also lead to a claim being filed.

In these cases, the content owner can block, monetise, or track your video depending on their preferences. Always ensure that you have the necessary rights or permissions for the content you include.

When Can You Dispute Copyright Claim on YouTube?

You can dispute a copyright claim on YouTube when you believe that the claim is incorrect or that your use of the piece of content falls under fair use or another legal exception.

Here are some situations in which you may consider disputing a copyright claim:

Fair use: If you have used copyrighted material in a transformative manner for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, or research, you may dispute the claim based on fair use. Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights owner.

Public domain: If the content in question is in the public domain, meaning it is not protected by copyright or the copyright has expired, you can dispute the claim on the grounds that the material is freely available for use.

License or permission: If you have obtained proper licenses, permissions, or rights to use the copyrighted material, you can dispute the claim by providing evidence of your legal authorisation.

Misidentification or mistake: If you believe that the claimant has incorrectly identified the copyright-claimed content or that there has been a mistake in the claim, you can dispute it by providing accurate information or evidence to support your argument.

It’s important to note that disputing a claim for content should be done in good faith, with a genuine belief that your use of the content is legal.

Misusing the dispute process can have consequences, including potential legal action from the claimant.

How to Handle a Content ID Claim on YouTube?

1. Dispute the claim: If you believe the digital copyright claim is incorrect, you can dispute it. This means you disagree with the claim and want to challenge it.
2. Wait for a response: Once the video uploader disputes the claim, the party who made the claim has 30 days to respond. They can either release the claim, ignore your dispute, or reject it and maintain the claim.
3. Response outcome: If the claimant releases the claim or doesn’t respond within 30 days, the claim is dropped, and your video goes back to normal. If they reject your dispute, they may take further action, like sending a takedown notice to remove your video.
4. Escrow account: While the dispute is ongoing, any revenue earned from your video is held in an escrow account. It will be released to the winning party once the dispute is resolved.
5. Further disputes: If the claim is maintained after your initial dispute, you have the option to challenge it again. The claimant will have another 30 days to respond.
6. Final decision: Within the second 30-day period, the claimant can release the claim, file a takedown notice to remove your video, or initiate a delayed takedown notice.

What Happens When You Dispute a Copyright Claim on YouTube?

When you dispute a copyright claim on YouTube, the following will happen:

• Notification to the copyright owner: When you dispute a copyright claim on YouTube, the rights owner is notified of your dispute. YouTube provides them with the details of your dispute and the opportunity to respond.
• Response period: The rights owner is provided with a 30-day timeframe to address your dispute. If they do not respond within this period, the claim will be automatically rejected, and your video may be restored.
• Review by YouTube: If the rights owner responds to your dispute, YouTube reviews both your dispute and the copyright owner’s response. They consider the arguments and evidence presented by both parties.
• YouTube’s decision: Based on their review, YouTube makes a decision regarding the validity of the copyright claim. They determine whether to uphold the claim or reject it.
• Impact on your video: If YouTube upholds the claim, the actual copyright owner’s restrictions on your video, such as blocking or muting, will continue. If YouTube rejects the claim, your video will be restored to its original state, and any restrictions imposed by the claim will be removed.

It’s essential to remember that the outcome of a copyright dispute depends on various factors, including the validity of the claim and the evidence provided by both parties.

Disputing a video or music copyright claim does not guarantee that the claim will be rejected, as the rights owner has the final say, but YouTube plays a role in reviewing the dispute and making a decision.

How Long Does a YouTube Copyright Claim Dispute Take?

The dispute process on YouTube can take different durations depending on the specific steps involved.

Here’s a revised breakdown:

Initial dispute: When you submit a dispute, the claimant has up to 30 days to respond to your dispute. If they reject your dispute, you may have the option to appeal their decision. The claimant then has 7 days to respond to your appeal.

Escalate to Appeal option: This option is available only for Content ID claims that block your video. Choosing this option skips the initial dispute step and starts directly with an appeal. The claimant then has 7 days to respond, allowing for a potentially faster resolution.

Rejection and takedown request: If your appeal happens to be turned down by the claimant, it’s possible that they may opt to file a copyright takedown request.

If a takedown request is deemed valid, YouTube will take down your video and issue a copyright strike to your content channel. It’s important to note that if you believe the takedown request is invalid, you can still submit a counter-notification to contest it.

What’s Next?

The process of disputing a copyright claim on YouTube involves a series of steps and considerations.

When a content creator encounters a copyright claim, they have the opportunity to challenge it through the copyright dispute process.

This process allows the channel owner to defend their original content, such as video clips, music clips, or entire videos, against claims of copyright infringement.

By disputing the claim, the original creator can potentially retain their advertising revenue and prevent legal removal of their video content.

It is important for digital content creators to ensure they have proper permissions or license agreements for any copyrighted material used in their videos to avoid copyright violations.

For digital creatives, protecting their work is easier with Bytescare, which offers innovative solutions to prevent IP violation. We safeguards digital content using advanced technologies.

Book a demo to explore how we can protect your work and promote a copyright-respecting environment.

Throughout the period of the dispute, the rights holder and uploader engage in a back-and-forth process, where evidence and arguments are presented to support their positions. Ultimately, the rights owner or claimant’s response determines whether the claim is released, upheld, or escalated to a copyright takedown notice.

It is vital for content creators to know the copyright law and seek proper permissions or licenses to protect their individual content and entire channels.

FAQs