If your content was removed due to a copyright removal request and you believe it's because of a mistake or misidentification, you can submit a counter notification. This is a legal request for YouTube to reinstate content that was removed due to a copyright removal request.
Keep in mind:
- Only submit a counter notification if your content was removed due to a mistake or misidentification. This includes exceptions to copyright, such as cases of fair use or fair dealing.
- If your content doesn't fit the criteria above, you can wait 90 days for the copyright strike to expire. You can also try to get in touch with the claimant directly to request a retraction.
Evaluate the content
To review content that was removed due to a copyright removal request:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Content
.
- Click the filter bar
Copyright.
- Find the video in question.
- In the Restrictions column, hover over Copyright.
- If the hover text says Copyright – Takedown it means that a video is affected by a copyright removal request also known as a "takedown".
- Click SEE DETAILS.
- Review the Video copyright details page, which shows more info on the content identified in the removal request.
- If other videos were removed and belong to the same copyright strike, make sure you review the Video copyright details page for the other videos, too. If you believe multiple videos were incorrectly removed, you can submit one counter notification for all videos.
- Consider the following before submitting a counter notification:
- Ownership: Is the content your own original content and do you own all the rights to it?
- Evidence: If you’ve used someone else’s copyrighted work, do you have evidence of a license or permission to use that content?
- Copyright exception: Is your use protected by fair use or a similar copyright exception?
- Public domain: Is the content in the public domain?
If none of the above apply to your content, you can wait 90 days for the copyright strike to expire. You can also try to get in touch with the claimant directly to request a retraction.
Submit a counter notification
To submit a counter notification in YouTube Studio:
- Follow the steps above to find the removed video in YouTube Studio.
- Under Content identified in this video, click SELECT ACTIONS
- Read the counter notification requirements and check the boxes to confirm
- Enter your contact info
- Make sure you include your complete physical address and full legal name (usually a first and last name). Do not enter a company or channel name.
- Enter your rationale. Clearly and concisely explain why you believe the removal of your content qualifies as a mistake or misidentification.
- Review the statements and check the boxes to agree.
- Enter your full legal name as your signature
- (Optional) If other videos were removed from the same removal request and you also believe they were incorrectly removed, you can select these videos and include all of them in the counter notification.
- Click SUBMIT.
What happens after you submit a counter notification
After a counter notification is submitted, it's forwarded to the claimant if it meets all the requirements, including a clear explanation of why you believe the content was misidentified or removed in error. Counter notifications that don't meet all the requirements may be rejected.
The claimant has 10 US business days, as required by copyright law, to respond to the counter notification. They must respond with evidence of legal action taken to keep your content from being reinstated to YouTube.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
To check the status of a counter notification that you submitted:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Content
- Click the filter bar
- Find the video in question.
- In the Restrictions column, hover over Copyright.
- Click SEE DETAILS.
- Look under the Content identified in this video section to find the status of the counter notification.
Counter notifications for non-video content, such as comments or channel banner images, must be submitted by email, fax, or postal mail.
Note: Because channel profile pictures are hosted on Google, counter notifications related to channel profile pictures must be submitted through Google’s webform.