Beware of the Copyright Trolls!

by | May 14, 2024 | YouTube

It’s been going on for a long time on YouTube.
Copyright trolls who do NOT own the music copyright make copyright claims on YouTube so they can put paid ads on your content.

Keep reading  and watching so you know what to do!

YouTube tries to filter valid copyright claims but copyright scammers often try and claim copyright on music compositions that are in the public domain.

The way they do it, is they claim fake companies like Public Domain Records or copyright claim a song because someone recorded a cover song on a recording and so they use that to claim copyright on your cover song!

This happened to me on my classical recordings from The Queen of the Night Aria recording and also my O Holy Night tutorial.

As of today, all works from 1928 and before are in public domain. https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2023/

So when copyright trolls try and take your ad revenue by claiming copyright, you know what to do.

 

Dispute it!

 

Do you have any topics you would like me to address? Just send me an email and let me know!

I’d love to hear from you!

 

YouTube Copyright Strike vs. Copyright Claim

by | May 13, 2024 | YouTube

Have you thought about using video clips or audios in your YouTube videos? Are you concerned about copyright issues if you do? Copyright issues can be confusing and many content creators shy away.  But in truth, many channels like cover channels, news, reaction, dance routines,  and more, use copyrighted content with no problems.

 You just need to understand the difference between a copyright claim and a copyright strike.

What is the difference between copyright strike or a copyright claim?  

When you upload a video to YouTube, YouTube will run programs during processing to search for content that is under copyright. If they find material that is under copyright, the copyright holders may file a copyright claim.

The copyright claim allows the copyright holder to place ads on your video and the money will go to the copyright holder.

If you are not monetized, this has no real effect on you. If you are monetized, you may choose to dispute the claim as fair use (such as in news reports, cover channels, reaction videos, dance covers, etc.) if you believe your content falls under fair use.

A copyright strike is much more serious. There are two types of strikes for YouTube: Community strikes and Community Strikes. 

Community Strikes can happen when people upload content that is against YouTube’s rules and terms. Copyright Strikes are takedowns over copyrighted material that the copyright owner wants taken down immediately. Usually these strikes are over stealing content but not always.

Sometimes the copyright owner refuses to allow any images or audio of any kind. Fortunately, copyright strikes are fairly rare.

When a channel gets a strike, they will have a three month grace period and after that time, the strike will expire. But if a channel get three strikes, community or copyright in three months, the channel will be deleted.

And also, be aware of fair use. There are copyright claim trolls who try to claim classical compositions that are in Public Domain, so be aware.

In Summary:

1. YouTube copyright strikes are bad! And usually they stem stealing another work uploading in total as their own.
2. A copyright claim only means that the owner of the content can put ads on your videos.

3. If you are not monetized, a copyright claim has no effect on your channel.

4. If you are monetized, you can choose to dispute the copyright claim as fair use.

Have you been too nervous to use small bits of copyrighted material? I’d love to hear your experience. 

 

Until next time,

How to Remove a Copyright Claim on Your YouTube Videos – File a Dispute

by | May 12, 2024 | YouTube

Copyright is a tricky thing on YouTube.  Many people are afraid to use material that is under copyright, while other shady companies go after classical music that is in the public domain to steal ad revenue.

I’ve actually had these companies go after and steal my ad revenue right before the holiday season, years back, on my  O Holy Night tutorial, way before YouTube had guidelines and a procedure to dispute copyright claims.

Now many YouTubers are using some copyrighted material  (myself included) after a lawsuit ruling allowed greater understanding of the concept of “Fair Use”.

If you are creating educational content or you sing or perform covers on YouTube, there are ways to dispute the claims. Let me break it down for you.

During the upload process, YouTube checks for copyrighted material during the processing. If they find copyrighted material, you will often see a red mark and copyright claim under restrictions.

If you are certain that you have the right to dispute a copyright claim due to: error, common domain, or fair use, you can file a dispute. For fair use you need to demonstrate that your use of the material has made of significant change to the original content.

Fair use for YouTube could include: covers, news casts, reactions, critiques, mashups, dance, gaming, etc.

You can dispute or remove a claim by going into YouTube Studio and then to Content and then to the Video in question. In the video menu, click on Copyright Claim and then See claim.

This will take you to the details of the claim and and at the bottom right there is a click-able, drop down menu that allows you to dispute the claim.

With my reaction video channel, I have been fairly successful at removing the claims from my videos following the procedure I outline in this video tutorial.

In this video you will learn:

  • how YouTube scans for copyrighted material during the upload process
  • the difference between a copyright claim and a copyright strike
  • to beware of copyright trolls trying to copyright works in the public domain
  • what constitutes “Fair Use”
  • how to dispute a copyright claim on YouTube

And I need to add this disclaimer. I am not a lawyer nor am I giving legal advice. I am only a YouTuber who is showing you what has worked for me and others.  Please consult a copyright lawyer for more detailed information.

If you have any questions about YouTube, let me know.