How to dispute a YouTube Content ID claim

If you believe the Content ID claim on your video is incorrect, you can dispute the claim. In case, if you have all the rights to the content in your video, or believe the system misidentified your video, you can file a dispute. After you dispute a Content ID claim, the copyright owner will be notified and has 30 days to respond. During this time, the claim will be temporarily released. If they don’t respond within 30 days, their claim on your video will expire, and you don’t need to do anything.

But, if you got a copyright strike, the process to resolve it will be different.

How to File a Dispute

Before you dispute: Make sure you understand how fair use and the public domain work. YouTube can’t help you decide whether you should dispute a claim. If you’re not sure what to do, you may want to seek your own legal advice.

Disputes are only intended for cases where you have all the necessary rights to the content in your video. Repeated or malicious abuse of the dispute process can result in penalties against your video or channel.

Note: If you and the claimant both choose to monetize the video, the video will still earn revenue during the dispute process.

Dispute a claim

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left Menu, select Content and find your video.
3. In the “Restrictions” column, hover over “Copyright claim” and click SEE DETAILS.
4. Click to SELECT ACTIONS and then Dispute.

What Happens After File a Dispute

After you submit your dispute, the copyright owner has 30 days to respond. There are a few actions the copyright owner can take:

• Release the claim: If they agree with your dispute, they can release their claim. If you were previously monetizing the video, your monetization settings will be restored automatically when all claims on your video are released.
• Uphold the claim: If they believe their claim is still valid, they can uphold it. If you feel it was mistakenly upheld, you can appeal their decision.
• Take down your video: They can submit a copyright takedown request to remove your video from YouTube, which means you’ll get a copyright strike on your account. A video can get multiple Content ID claims or takedown requests, but can only get one copyright strike at a time.
• Do nothing, let the claim expire: If they don’t respond within 30 days, their claim on your video will expire, and you don’t need to do anything.

Note:  If the copyright owner selected a policy to block or track your video, the policy may not apply while the dispute is resolved.

How to File an Appeal?

If the copyright owner denied your Content ID dispute, you can file an appeal.

How to appeal rejected disputes

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left Menu, select Content and find your video.
3. In the “Restrictions” column, hover over “Copyright claim” and click SEE DETAILS.
4. Click SELECT ACTIONS and then Appeal.

There might be restrictions that affect your ability to appeal, such as the age of your account. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll also need to verify your account. Check your channel’s ability to appeal rejected disputes on your account features page.

What Happens After File an Appeal?

After you appeal a rejected dispute, the copyright owner has 30 days to respond. After you appeal, there are a few actions the copyright owner can take:

• Do nothing, let the claim expire: If they don’t respond within 30 days, their claim on your video will expire, and you don’t need to do anything.
• Release the claim: If the copyright owner agrees with your appeal, they can release their claim, and you don’t need to do anything.
• Request immediate removal of your video: If they believe their claim is still valid, they may issue a copyright takedown request against your video. You’ll get a copyright strike on your account. If you still believe that you have the rights to the content, you can submit a counter notification at this point.
• Schedule a takedown request for your video: If the copyright owner issues a delayed copyright takedown request, you can cancel your appeal within 7 days. By canceling, you’ll prevent the takedown and you won’t get a copyright strike. The claim will remain active on your video.

Note: A video can get multiple Content ID claims or takedown requests, but can only get one copyright strike at a time.

If you change your mind, you can take back your appeal after you’ve submitted it. On the page where you disputed the claim, click Cancel appeal. Keep in mind, once you cancel, you can’t appeal the claim again.