How to report copyright infringement on YouTube
For educators whose lectures get re-uploaded: claims vs strikes vs takedowns, filing a removal request in YouTube Studio, counter-notices and the Match Tool.
On this page 9 sections
- Claim, strike or takedown: what each means
- Before you file: what YouTube asks for
- Filing the copyright removal request, step by step
- Scheduled or standard removal?
- Unlisted and private re-uploads
- Counter-notifications and what happens next
- Finding re-uploads automatically
- Key takeaways
- Frequently asked questions
To report copyright infringement on YouTube, submit a copyright removal request in YouTube Studio (Content detection, then New removal request) or email copyright@youtube.com with a link to each infringing video, a description of your original, two legal statements and your full legal name as a signature. If YouTube finds the request valid, it removes the video and gives the uploader's channel a copyright strike; three strikes put the channel at risk of termination.
Claim, strike or takedown: what each means
YouTube uses three terms that sound alike but work differently:
| Term | What it is | Who can use it | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content ID claim | An automatic match against reference files supplied by an owner | Owners approved for Content ID, who must own exclusive rights to a large body of material that is often re-uploaded | Depending on the owner's settings, the video is blocked, monetised or tracked; usually no strike |
| Copyright removal request | A legal request to take a video down, often called a takedown | Any copyright owner or authorised representative | If valid, the video is removed and the channel gets a strike |
| Copyright strike | The penalty that follows a valid removal request | Applied by YouTube | Expires after 90 days if the uploader completes Copyright School; three strikes put the channel at risk of termination |
For most institutes the removal request is the tool that matters. YouTube describes Content ID as designed for owners with the most complex needs, such as record labels and film studios, and it needs ongoing management.
Before you file: what YouTube asks for
- Your contact details: an email address, physical address or phone number.
- A description of your work. Name the course, batch and lecture, and link to where students buy it. If several lectures are copied, a representative list is allowed.
- A direct link to each infringing video, in the form youtube.com/watch?v=... or youtube.com/shorts/.... You can't request removal of a whole channel or playlist in one go.
- Two statements: that you have a good faith belief the use is not authorised by the owner, its agent or the law, and that the information is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, you are the owner or authorised to act for the owner.
- A signature: your full legal name, meaning a first and last name, not a company name.
Two points to settle before you file. Decide who files: the owner or an authorised representative, such as a lawyer. And think about privacy: the uploader can request a copy of your request, including your name, primary email and description of the work, and the copyright owner's name is shown on YouTube in place of the removed video. If that worries you, have a representative file on the institute's behalf.
Filing the copyright removal request, step by step
- Sign in to YouTube Studio with the account your institute will use for all copyright work, so requests and matches stay in one place.
- In the left menu, open Content detection and select New removal request.
- Add each infringing video's link and identify the lecture it copies.
- Under removal options, choose a scheduled or a standard removal, and decide whether to tick the option to prevent future copies of the content from appearing on YouTube.
- Confirm that you have considered copyright exceptions such as fair dealing, agree to the statements and type your full legal name.
- Submit. You can follow each request from the Removal requests tab under Content detection.
You can also send the same details in the body of an email, not as an attachment, to copyright@youtube.com. That is also the route for content other than videos, such as channel banners. YouTube's removal request page lists every accepted link format.
Scheduled or standard removal?
A scheduled request gives the uploader seven days to delete the video and avoid a strike. A standard, unscheduled request removes the video and applies the strike as soon as YouTube accepts it. Choose deliberately:
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A student or small channel that posted one lecture, probably without thinking | Scheduled | The video goes, the channel avoids a strike, and the relationship survives |
| A channel uploading your paid batch lecture by lecture | Standard | Each valid request adds a strike, and three put the channel at risk of termination |
| A re-upload that must go before an exam or a batch launch | Standard | A scheduled request leaves the video up for up to seven days |
The prevent-copies option asks YouTube to block later uploads of the same video automatically. It needs worldwide exclusive rights in the content and a valid request, and it can't be added after you submit, so decide before you click Submit.
Unlisted and private re-uploads
Unlisted videos are hidden from search, not locked. If you find an unlisted re-upload's link, say in a Telegram post, report it exactly like any other video. Private videos are different: you can't open them, so you can't link to them. Once a request with prevent-copies is approved, YouTube tries to stop new copies being uploaded whatever their privacy setting, although the potential matches it shows you for review come only from public videos.
If your own paid lectures sit on YouTube as unlisted videos, the risk runs the other way: anyone with the link can watch and pass it on. Our guide on whether unlisted YouTube videos are safe covers when to move them.
Counter-notifications and what happens next
The uploader can file a counter-notification saying the removal was a mistake or is covered by an exception. YouTube forwards it to you, and according to its removal request guide, the video may be reinstated unless, within 10 US business days, you show that you have filed legal action to restrain the uploader. Keep your evidence and a lawyer's number ready before filing against a determined uploader.
You can retract a request, for example after a student deletes the video and apologises, and a retraction resolves the strike. Don't file on weak grounds: YouTube can terminate accounts that misuse the process, and a knowingly false notice can create legal liability. Our guide to DMCA notices for Indian creators explains how notices and counter-notices work.
Finding re-uploads automatically
- Copyright Match Tool. YouTube makes it available to any channel that has filed a valid removal request, and to channels in the YouTube Partner Program. It looks for full or nearly full re-uploads of videos you uploaded first, and lets you request removal, message the uploader or archive the match. Short clips may not appear. See YouTube's Copyright Match Tool guide.
- Content ID. Access depends on demonstrated need and resources. Some owners pay a Content ID service provider to run it for them.
- A weekly manual search. Search your course and teacher names with "full course", "paid batch" and "free", in your teaching language too, and sort by upload date.
The Match Tool only finds copies of videos you uploaded to YouTube first, or of videos removed through your requests. If your lectures are hosted elsewhere, manual searches and student reports remain your main sources, and watermarks can help find the account involved: visible ones at a glance, and invisible ones, which are extremely hard to remove even after heavy re-encoding or screen recording. See dynamic watermarking for video. YouTube is also only one stop in a full leak response plan.
Key takeaways
- For most institutes, removal requests, not Content ID, are the practical tool.
- Give one link per video, describe the original, and sign with a full legal name.
- Use standard removals for repeat pirates and scheduled ones for one-off student uploads.
- Tick prevent-copies before submitting if you hold worldwide exclusive rights.
- After a counter-notice you have 10 US business days to show legal action, or the video may return.
If re-uploads start as recordings of your own classes: VidSafe adds visible and invisible watermarks that are extremely hard to remove, even after heavy re-encoding, so a leaked copy can be traced back to the account it came from. Upclass apps also come with VidSafe proprietary encryption, screen- and camera-recording detection, account-sharing prevention and RASP. See Upclass plans and pricing.
This is general information, not legal advice. For your situation, speak to a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
How do copyright strikes work on YouTube?
A strike is applied when YouTube removes a video after a valid copyright removal request, and the channel is told by email. The strike expires after 90 days if the uploader completes Copyright School, a short set of questions; otherwise it stays active. Three active strikes put the account and any linked channels at risk of termination, and a single video can carry only one strike at a time.
Can copyright strike be removed?
Yes, in three ways. The person who filed the removal request can retract it; the uploader can submit a valid counter-notification if the removal was a mistake or is covered by an exception such as fair use; or the uploader can complete Copyright School and wait for the strike to expire after 90 days. With a scheduled request, deleting the video within seven days avoids the strike altogether.
Does copyright strike expire?
Yes, after 90 days, provided the channel owner has completed Copyright School and the channel has fewer than three strikes. Copyright School only needs to be completed once. An expired strike doesn't bring the removed video back. A strike on a live stream also restricts live streaming, for seven days after the first strike and 14 days after another.
How to report someone for copyright on YouTube?
Open YouTube Studio, go to Content detection and choose New removal request. Give the link to each infringing video, describe your original work, agree to the two legal statements and sign with your full legal name. You can also email the same details to copyright@youtube.com. A request can't cover a whole channel or playlist, so list every video you want removed.