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Understanding YouTube Copyright Rules
Before we introduce you to specific methods for dealing with YouTube copyright issues, you definitely need to understand how YouTube Copyright Rules work in general.
What Does Copyright Mean on YouTube?
Wondering what does copyright mean on YouTube? Here’s the answer! YouTube Copyright implies a whole system of protection for your unique content. Many people ask how to avoid copyright claims on YouTube without realizing that this system is not designed to harm creators. On the contrary, YouTube Copyright aims to prevent someone else from capitalizing on your unique content through a variety of tools.
Probably the most famous YouTube Copyright tool is YouTube Content ID. Don’t know what it is? Simply, it’s a so-called “library” of copyrighted content. So, you upload your content to the database and the system automatically checks all the uploaded content for the usage of your royalty materials. If this is the case, you get a notification that someone is using your work without your consent and then you can decide what to do about it. By the way, with Mediacube Content ID, you can add your content to the database and protect it without any fuss.
On the plus side: your content is protected by YouTube Copyright Rules.
On the downside: if you use even a part of someone else’s content, it will be difficult for you to avoid copyright claims on YouTube.
What can cause a YouTube Copyright Claim?
Although many beginner YouTubers know about YouTube copyright claims, not everyone understands what you can get them for. Let’s find out together.
- Using someone else’s music
If you use music that is protected by YouTube Copyright and Content ID, you can’t expect to be “spared”. The system will send you a warning right away. This can also lead to further problems with monetization.
- Use of any other creator’s material
It is important to specify: we speak about usage without permission. Even a few seconds of someone else’s material used without prior agreements can lead to a YouTube copyright claim.
What specific materials can not be used and how not to get copyrighted on YouTube? Read below.
Types of Copyrighted Materials
Here we have collected obvious and less obvious forms of content that are protected by YouTube copyright. Read this paragraph to avoid an unexpected YouTube copyright strike.
- Video materials
Let’s start with the most obvious one. Any video material on YouTube is almost always protected by YouTube copyright. If you don’t make an agreement on the use of the material, you can get a YouTube copyright claim or YouTube copyright strike.
- Images & graphs
Probably the most surprising item for all of us. Imagine: even the use of graphic elements (for example, thumbnails, banners, etc.) can lead to a strike. Even if you do it for introductory purposes, alas.
- Music
Of course, it’s obvious. It is worth clarifying: even if it seems to you that the artist whose music you take is little known, it does not mean that the work is not protected by YouTube copyright. So if you want to be saved from strikes, choose your music carefully.
YouTube Copyright Claim/YouTube Copyright Strike/Fair Use: What is the Difference?
In order to avoid getting into an unpleasant situation, you need to clearly understand the difference between a copyright claim and a copyright strike. And, of course, the fair use.
YouTube Copyright Claim is a warning sent by the creator whose video was used without permission. Its purpose is to make it possible to mention the authorship of the content in the video. Most often it is not fatal, but it can lead to temporary restrictions on monetization and even division of video revenue between creators.
YouTube Copyright Strike is a serious violation that entails blocking the channel. This means that the creator has repeatedly used someone else’s content without permission and these mistakes were left uncorrected. If the creator receives 3 warnings, the channel will be blocked.
Fair Use is an official legal doctrine based on which official prohibitions on the use of other people’s content without the parties’ agreement are enforced. Violation of this rule can lead to real legal actions.
We know, it all sounds very scary and complicated. To sum things up, next we will try to tell you how not to get copyrighted on YouTube.
How to avoid Copyright Claims on YouTube?
Use Copyright-Free Music
How to not get copyrighted on YouTube with music? Pretty easy, actually. Although it’s tempting, try not to use audio with YouTube copyright. Almost all tracks on social media are under someone else’s copyright. Use special services with copyright-free music. By the way, Mediacube has its own media library, where such audios are updated every month. Be sure to check it out.
Use Other People’s Videos Only With Permission
Based on the requirements for YouTube monetization, creators should have no violations related to YouTube copyright rules. Therefore, it would be easiest for you to initially check with the copyright holder of the content to see if you can legally use the content for an additional fee or mention the channel in the video description. That way, you’ll avoid unexpected blocking, demonetization, and strikes.
Stick to Royalty-Free Resources
To make sure you don’t end up with money or lawsuits, for example, use YouTube Audio Library for matching music to videos, Canva for Royalty-Free graphics, and Giphy for finding memes or mood-appropriate video snippets. Anyway, the Internet is full of services that are rich in material without YouTube copyright.In any case, always remember that some resources do insist on attribution if you use their content.
Create Your Original Music & Sound Effects
The safest thing you can do for your channel is to start creating music yourself. This way, you will not only unleash your creative potential, but you will never get into an awkward situation with YouTube copyright.
Speaking of which, avoiding a YouTube Strike can be even easier. Join Mediacube MCN and we will help you solve all the issues about protecting your channel and intellectual property. From the obvious pluses: each of our creators is assigned a personal manager, who is interested in the growth of your channel and is ready to promptly solve any incoming questions and problems.
You Got a YouTube Copyright Strike: What to Do?
When the question of what to put in the description under a YouTube video to avoid copyright claims is no longer relevant to you and your channel is in danger of being deleted, go straight to this chapter. Here we mention YouTube demonetization reason.
Analyse the Video with YouTube Copyright Claim
When YouTube sends you a warning letter about blocking the channel, it will definitely indicate the video that caused the trouble and the specific violation that you committed. Analyze the video in detail and you will understand at what point you made a mistake. If possible, try to delete the fragment you got the claim for. Sometimes it can be helpful.
Respond to YouTube Copyright Claim Writing a Message
If you think that you received a YouTube copyright claim or YouTube copyright strike by mistake and don’t deserve it, you can always write a reply letter to support. Of course, the answer won’t come quickly, but it’s better than doing nothing. Actually, sometimes creators themselves reach a truce with those whose content is used in the video. If this happens to you, then be sure to write to support. Don’t worry, you won’t violate the YouTube monetization guide in any way by responding to emails and you won’t get even more channel restrictions.
Reach Out to the Creator Who Send you a YouTube Copyright Claim
As we mentioned in the previous paragraph, it’s a good idea to contact the creator whose content you used and find out the reason for complaint. Here we will not give universal methods of communication and negotiation, but the most useful advice would be to find out from the creator what they want as an apology for the uncoordinated use of their work.
Delete Copyrighted Materials
In any case, YouTube will advise you to delete the fragment (or audio in it) that you have received a complaint about. Sometimes it can be a decision that affects the final quality of your video, but it can really save your channel from being blocked.
Common Mistakes Creators Make When Trying to Avoid Copyright Claims
Here we have collected the top 5 popular methods creators use to avoid copyright claims on YouTube. A little spoiler: more often, they don’t work as expected. Let’s get to the bottom of it.
Myth #1: Adding a Disclaimer
You’ve probably seen inserts at the beginning of videos along the lines of “Disclaimer: YouTube copyright/video materials belong to *creator’s name*” etc. Do you think it truly saves you from a YouTube copyright claim? Unfortunately, it doesn’t. Such a disclaimer doesn’t revoke your responsibility for using someone else’s work.
Myth #2: Changing the Song’s Speed or Pitch
This is probably the most common method of avoiding a strike for using other people’s music. To be honest, sometimes it helps to bypass YouTube copyright rules. Anyway, sometimes it doesn’t. Here’s the problem: Content ID is changed every day. If you manage to avoid being blocked today, you might get a strike tomorrow. Don’t push your luck and use royalty-free music.
Myth #3: Using Only a Short Snippet
“Just use 2-5 seconds of someone else’s music and nothing will happen.” You think so too? In general, using someone else’s music without the creator’s consent is grounds for a YouTube copyright claim. Therefore, you should not “play” with YouTube algorithms.
Myth #4: If the Video is Not Monetized, It’s Okay
It’s hard to imagine a creator not monetizing a video in 2025 (even if they talk about it in the video). If you imagine that the creator hasn’t plugged monetization yet, they will do it sooner or later anyway. That’s when the violation of YouTube copyright rules will come to mind. Obviously: even for old videos you can get a strike. Don’t forget this.
Myth #5: If It’s on the Internet, It’s Free to Use
Free cheese is only in the mousetrap. Everything uploaded to the Internet belongs to someone. It’s just that not everyone thinks about it. If you don’t want to get into an unpleasant situation, always check with the copyright holders of the content you plan to use.
Conclusion
We hope this article has clarified the complexities of copyright on YouTube. When you get all the issues with YouTube copyright strikes, then pay attention to MC Pay – a fast and modern solution for withdrawing your funds from YouTube. With this app, you will definitely make your YouTube journey easier.
To summarize: YouTube copyright is not so scary if you are familiar with the rules and always take them into account when creating a content. If, however, YouTube copyright problems strikes you unexpectedly, contact Mediacube, we will quickly solve your problem.
