Learn how to remove a YouTube copyright claim without muting or trimming your video. This guide walks you through the dispute, appeal, and counter-notification process. Discover how to keep 100% of your monetization revenue using YouTube's escrow system and by understanding the "5-day golden window".
In this guide, we’ll show you how to remove a copyright claim from your YouTube video without having to trim out, replace, or mute the copyrighted content. We’ll also explain how you can retain any monetization revenue earned during the dispute and appeal process.
Disputing, appealing, and submitting a counter notification in YouTube Studio can be confusing, especially if you’re not very technical. To make the process easier, we’ve created a step-by-step video tutorial to accompany our written instructions. If you prefer visual guidance, we highly recommend watching the video below.
Note: If you’ve received a Content ID claim from us at Free To Use, please add the required attribution to your video description and send an email to copyright@freetouse.com. In the email, include a link to your YouTube video(s) and an explanation of your situation. Once received, we will remove the Content ID claim from your video. This is usually done within 24 hours, but during periods of high demand, it may take up to 7 days. Please do not dispute the Content ID claim, as this will only prolong the process.
Go to YouTube Studio and click on the Content tab to view all your videos.
Locate the video with the Content ID claim and click See details.
Click the three dots next to the claim and select Dispute.
Check the box that says:
“My dispute isn’t based on any of the reasons above. I would still like to dispute this Content ID claim.”
Click Continue →
You will be presented with several dispute reasons. If you have permission or a valid license to use the content in your video, select License.
Carefully review the explanations provided by YouTube. If you are confident that you have permission from the copyright owner, confirm by selecting:
“I have received permission to use the content from the copyright owner.”
Click Continue →
Explain why you believe the Content ID claim on your video should be removed.
Once all required information has been entered, click Submit. YouTube will forward your dispute to the claimant.
The claimant has up to 30 days to respond. They may either release the Content ID claim or uphold it.
If the claimant upholds their claim and you still believe it is incorrect, you can now appeal the Content ID claim.
Similar to the action you took when disputing the claim earlier, click on the three-dot icon. However, this time, you should select the Appeal option.
Carefully read the explanations provided by YouTube. If you are confident that the claim was incorrectly upheld, confirm by scrolling down and selecting:
“I understand the risks of filing an appeal and want to proceed.”
Click Continue →
Enter your personal information, including your full name, residential address, and email address. Make sure all details are accurate and up to date, as this information is required for identification and communication.
Click Continue →
Explain why you still believe the Content ID claim on your video should be removed.
Once all details have been entered, click Submit. YouTube will forward your appeal to the claimant.
The claimant has 7 days to review your appeal. They may either release the Content ID claim or submit a copyright removal request to YouTube.
When a Content ID claim is placed on your video, it doesn’t necessarily mean your earnings are lost. YouTube uses a system called revenue escrow. Throughout the dispute and any subsequent appeal process, YouTube continues to track the ad revenue generated by your video. This revenue is held in a neutral account rather than paid out to either party.
To ensure you receive the maximum amount of revenue, it is important to understand the timing of your dispute:
The 5-Day Golden Window: If you file your dispute within 5 days of receiving the initial Content ID claim, YouTube will hold all revenue starting from the very first day the claim was placed. Once the claim is released, you will receive 100% of the earnings backdated to the moment the claim began.
Disputing After 5 Days: If you wait longer than 5 days to file your dispute, YouTube only begins holding revenue in escrow starting from the day you initiate the dispute. Any revenue earned between the date of the claim and the date of your dispute will have already been assigned to the claimant and may not be recoverable.
This protection ensures that the rightful owner receives their due earnings once the conflict is resolved. If the claim is released, YouTube will automatically credit your account with the held revenue. In short, by disputing a claim promptly within that first five-day window, you ensure that every cent earned by your video is protected and returned to you in full.
If a claimant submits a copyright removal request, YouTube will take down your video and issue a copyright strike on your channel. If you have the right to use the content, you can contest this by filing a counter notification. This legal request asks YouTube to reinstate your video. Once filed, the claimant has 10 business days to prove they have initiated court action against you. In the vast majority of cases, claimants do not pursue legal action, and YouTube is then legally required to reinstate your video.
The process of submitting a counter notification is very similar to when you previously submitted a dispute and an appeal.
Click the three-dot icon next to the claim, then select Submit counter notification.
Carefully read YouTube’s explanations. Don’t be intimidated by the warning that “you’re beginning a legal process.” In most cases, claimants do not pursue legal action. If you are certain that you have permission from the copyright owner to use the content, your counter notification will most likely result in the removal of the copyright strike and reinstatement of your video.
Confirm by selecting:
“I understand the implications of filing a counter notification and want to proceed.”
Click Continue →
Enter your personal information, including your full name, residential address, and email address. Make sure all details are accurate and up to date, as this information is required for identification, communication, and the credibility of your counter notification.
Click Continue →
Explain why you believe your video should be reinstated. Provide clear and detailed reasoning to support your case.
Once all required information has been entered, click Submit. YouTube will forward your counter notification to the claimant.