- \n
- Understanding a YouTube Copyright Claim<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Effects of a Copyright Claim on Your Channel<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A Real Life Example of a Copyright Claim<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Handle a YouTube Copyright Claim<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understanding a YouTube Copyright Strike<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Impact of a Copyright Strike on Your Channel<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A Real Life Example of a Copyright Strike<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Handle a YouTube Copyright Strike<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Copyright Strikes vs Claims: Key Differences<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Common Questions About YouTube Copyright (FAQs)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is a YouTube Copyright Claim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A YouTube copyright claim happens when YouTube\u2019s system, called Content ID<\/strong>, finds that part of your video matches someone else\u2019s copyrighted material. This could be a song, a clip from a movie, a piece of background music, or even sound effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/what-is-a-youtube-copyright-claim-guide.png-4-.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn general, it doesn\u2019t affect your channel health. Your earnings <\/a>may get shared with the creator. That\u2019s all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/image-1-1030x545.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nConsequences of a Copyright Claim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Consequences](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/consequences-of-copyright-claim-youtube.png-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s what typically happens when your video receives a copyright claim:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Your video stays live and remains visible, though it might be blocked in certain countries. You can use our country restriction checker<\/a> tool to verify whether a video has faced any such restrictions in some places.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The copyright holder can choose to just keep an eye on your video’s performance, like its views and watch time, without affecting its monetization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- You lose the right to monetize that video. The copyright owner can run the ads and keep all (or share) the revenue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Real Example Of A Copyright Claim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/PewDiePie-received-a-copyright-strike-on-his-own-YouTube-video.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce, PewDiePie<\/a> received a copyright strike on his own YouTube video for using his own music (\u201cLasagna\u201d). He released it intentionally as free for anyone to remix or use.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, despite being the original creator, someone else filed a claim on his own music in the video, acting as though they owned it (by illegally uploading to various streaming platforms like Spotify). Surprisingly, this led to a copyright claim on his own content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Deal With A Copyright Claim on YouTube<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/image-1030x651.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHave a look at what to do when a copyright claim arises:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Mute, Replace, or Trim the Claimed Part<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Remove audio in the claimed timestamps<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cut out the specific part of the video that triggered the claim<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Swap in a free track from the YouTube Audio Library<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
But the problem with YouTube Audio Library is that most of its tracks are very generic. Even if you find something unique, chances are that the specific owner may make it paid eventually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we\u2019ve curated a list of copyright-free audio tracks from trusted sources into a dedicated free library. Try out our YouTube royalty-free music library<\/a> now! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Dispute the Claim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have rights (like a license), or believe you fall under fair use, you can dispute the claim. The claimant has 30 days to respond<\/strong>. Any new revenue generated during the dispute period is held and paid out after solving it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If they ignore it, the claim is automatically released, and you\u2019ll retain access to monetization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Escalate to Appeal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If the video is blocked<\/strong>, you can skip the dispute and go straight to an appeal with higher stakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, the claimant only has 7 days to respond (instead of 30), which can speed things up. But a wrong move might trigger a copyright strike. Be sure of your case before you escalate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a YouTube Copyright Strike?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Guide](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/what-is-a-youtube-copyright-strike-guide.jpg-7.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA copyright strike<\/a> happens when a copyright owner or their legal representative manually files a formal DMCA<\/strong> (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) Takedown Notice with YouTube. They are essentially making a legal request for YouTube to remove your content because they believe it infringes on their copyright. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since this is a legal action, YouTube is obligated to comply and remove the content. And yes, too many claims can affect your channel greatly \ud83d\udcc9 . <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consequences of a Copyright Strike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check out what happens step by step when your channel gets struck with a copyright strike:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- First Strike:<\/strong> Your video is removed from YouTube right away. For a week, you won’t be able to use live streaming or other features. You must watch Copyright School<\/strong>, a short series of educational videos about copyright law. If you finish Copyright School and don’t get another strike, the strike will end after 90 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Second Strike:<\/strong> If you get a second strike within 90 days of the first<\/strong>, you won’t be able to live-stream or upload for two weeks. You can’t make any new content during that time. This may affect your channel growth<\/a> to a great extent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Third Strike:<\/strong> If your channel gets three active copyright strikes<\/strong> in a row within 90 days<\/strong>, it will be permanently closed. YouTube will permanently delete your channel and all of its videos. Plus, you will not be able to create any new channels from that account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Real Example Of A Copyright Strike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/image-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTake the case of Dustin McLean, a creator known for “literal music videos” that turn song lyrics into funny literal interpretations. Two of his popular videos, \u201cTake On Me\u201d and \u201cUnder the Bridge\u201d covers, were removed due to copyright claims from major labels like Warner Music Group. These removals occurred even after they had garnered over a million views<\/a> each!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Deal with a Copyright Strike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Step-by-step](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/how-to-deal-with-a-copyright-strike-youtube-guide.png-3.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGetting a strike can be scary, but there are a few things you can do to fix it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Get A Retraction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can contact the person who filed the DMCA takedown notice and ask them to take it back. If you think they filed the strike by mistake or if you can work out a deal (like getting a license for the content), this is a good choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Submit a Counter-Notification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is a legal process you should only consider if you are 100% sure<\/strong> that the strike was a mistake<\/strong> and you have the legal right to use the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After submission, YouTube gives the original copyright owner about 10 to 14 business days to prove they have filed a lawsuit against you to keep the video down. If they don’t, YouTube will put your video back online, and the strike on your channel will be removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Wait for it to Expire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In case you know that something has gone wrong from your side, waiting \u23f3 is the simplest solution. Every copyright strike expires after 90 days<\/strong>. The strike will be removed from your channel’s record, and your full privileges will be restored, as long as you’ve completed Copyright School and don’t receive additional strikes in that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deletion of the video won\u2019t solve the problem immediately, but it can help avoid further problems later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Copyright Strike VS Claim: What\u2019s The Difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Comparison](\"https:\/\/www.lenostube.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/copyright-strike-vs-claim-difference-youtube.png-5.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere are the differences between a copyright strike and copyright claim:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Third Strike:<\/strong> If your channel gets three active copyright strikes<\/strong> in a row within 90 days<\/strong>, it will be permanently closed. YouTube will permanently delete your channel and all of its videos. Plus, you will not be able to create any new channels from that account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Second Strike:<\/strong> If you get a second strike within 90 days of the first<\/strong>, you won’t be able to live-stream or upload for two weeks. You can’t make any new content during that time. This may affect your channel growth<\/a> to a great extent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- First Strike:<\/strong> Your video is removed from YouTube right away. For a week, you won’t be able to use live streaming or other features. You must watch Copyright School<\/strong>, a short series of educational videos about copyright law. If you finish Copyright School and don’t get another strike, the strike will end after 90 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- You lose the right to monetize that video. The copyright owner can run the ads and keep all (or share) the revenue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The copyright holder can choose to just keep an eye on your video’s performance, like its views and watch time, without affecting its monetization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Effects of a Copyright Claim on Your Channel<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n