Submit a copyright counter notification

If your content was removed due to acopyright removal requestand you believe it's because of a mistake or misidentification, you can submit a counter notification. This is alegal request for YouTube to reinstate contentthat was removed due to a copyright removal request.

Keep in mind:

Only submit a counter notification if your content was removed due to amistake or misidentification.This includes exceptions to copyright, such as cases offair useor fair dealing.
If your content doesn't fit the criteria above, you canwait 90 daysfor thecopyright striketo expire. You can also try toget in touch with the claimantdirectly torequest a retraction.

Do not submit false information.Misuse of our processes, such as submitting fraudulent documentation, may result in the termination of your account or other legal consequences.

Evaluate the content

To review content that was removed due to a copyright removal request:

Sign in toYouTube Studio.
From the left menu, selectContent.
Click the filter barCopyright.
Find the video in question.
In theRestrictionscolumn, hover overCopyright.
- If the hover text saysCopyright – Takedownit means that a video is affected by acopyright removal requestalso known as a "takedown".
ClickSEE DETAILS.
Review theVideo copyright detailspage, 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 theVideo copyright detailspage 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 alicenseorpermissionto use that content?

Copyright exception:Is your use protected byfair useor a similar copyright exception?

Public domain:Is the content in thepublic domain?

If none of the above apply to your content, you canwait 90 daysfor thecopyright striketo expire. You can also try toget in touch with the claimantdirectly torequest a retraction.

Submit a counter notification

Counter notifications should be submitted by the original uploader of the content at issue. The original uploader mustconsent to sharing the information in the counter notification with the claimant.If disclosing personal information is a concern, an authorized representative (such as an attorney) can submit on the uploader's behalf byemail, fax, or postal mail.

To submit a counter notification in YouTube Studio:

Follow the steps above to find the removed video inYouTube Studio.
UnderContent identified in this video,clickSELECT ACTIONSSubmit counter notification.
Read the counter notification requirements and check the boxes to confirmCONTINUE.
Enter your contact infoCONTINUE.
- 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 signatureCONTINUE.
(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.
ClickSUBMIT.

You can also submit a counter notification byemail, fax, or postal mail.

What happens after you submit a counter notification

After a counter notification is submitted, it'sforwarded to the claimantif it meets all therequirements,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 has10 US business days,as required by copyright law, torespond to the counter notification.They must respond with evidence of legal action taken to keep your content from being reinstated to YouTube.

If the claimant doesn't do this within this 10-day time period, yourcontent is reinstatedto YouTube (unless you deleted it) and the associatedcopyright strike is clearedfrom your channel.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do I check the status of a counter notification I submitted?

To check the status of a counter notification that you submitted:

Sign in toYouTube Studio.
From the left menu, selectContent.
Click the filter barCopyright.
Find the video in question.
In theRestrictionscolumn, hover overCopyright.
ClickSEE DETAILS.
Look under theContent identified in this videosection to find the status of the counter notification.

Can I cancel a counter notification I submitted?

If you want to cancel a counter notification, you can do so as long as the claimant hasn't responded to the counter notification yet.

To cancel it, reply directly to YouTube's confirmation email (the email that confirmed the counter notification was received). In your reply, state that you want to retract your counter notification. You can also emailcopyright@youtubewith this information.

How do I submit a counter notification for non-video content?

Counter notifications for non-video content, such as comments or channel banner images, must be submitted byemail, fax, or postal mail.

Note:Becausechannel profile picturesare hosted on Google, counter notifications related to channel profile pictures must be submitted through Google’swebform.

Can I submit a counter notification if my account was terminated for copyright violations?

If your account was terminated for copyright violations, you won't be able to submit a counter notification in YouTube Studio. You can still submit a counter notification byemail, fax, or postal mail.

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