A copyright removal request is a legal request usually sent by a copyright owner or authorized representative 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.
Note: Copyright removal requests also can be scheduled, which gives the uploader 7 days to take action (such as removing the video or seeking retraction) to avoid content removal and a copyright strike. Counter notifications cannot be filed until the removal is effective and the copyright strike is applied.
Uploaders 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. The video is not reinstated.
- 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.
Understand removal options
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:
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Delete the content: If a 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 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 a copyright strike. 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, such as by submitting a counter notification.
Prevent copies
If you use the YouTube Studio form to submit a removal request, you can select the “Prevent Copies” option, which automatically prevents copies of removed videos from being uploaded again. This feature, which uses the same technology as the Copyright Match Tool, identifies potential matches for you to review and act upon. Learn more about the ”Prevent Copies” feature.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How are copyright removal requests reviewed?Our automated systems use machine learning to process copyright removal requests. Systems are continuously trained on data from previous decisions made by human reviewers. Automated systems only process removal requests when there’s a high degree of confidence that the request has all the legally required information and isn’t detected as abusive. Abusive requests are when we detect someone is maliciously attempting to remove content from YouTube through a likely false assertion of copyright ownership.
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 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 removal request. Content is reinstated unless you prove that you’ve filed a legal action against the uploader to restrain the allegedly infringing activity.
If we don't get that notice from you within 10 US business days, the content may be reinstated on YouTube. Learn more about responding to a counter notification.