Got a YouTube Copyright Claim? Here's What to Do
The music here is released for anyone to use, and our terms don't allow anyone to register it in Content ID, YouTube's copyright matching system. If a claim shows up anyway, here's how to handle it.
Why claims happen
Content ID compares your video with reference files that rights holders upload. Sometimes people register music they don't own, including free music. YouTube's rules don't allow that, and neither do our terms.
A claim isn't a copyright strike. Depending on the claimant's settings, your video may show ads, have its revenue held, or be blocked in some countries until the claim is resolved.
How to dispute a claim
- 1. Find the track
- Note the track ID, like bgm-000123, and its link on our site. A link ending in #bgm-000123 jumps straight to the track.
- 2. Check the claim
- In YouTube Studio, open the copyright details to see who made the claim and which part of the video it covers.
- 3. Dispute it
- Choose to dispute, and pick the reason about having a license or permission to use the content. Explain that the music is released for anyone to use for free at that link, under terms that don't allow Content ID registration, and paste the track link and the license page link. YouTube sometimes renames these options, so go by the wording on screen.
- 4. Tell us
- Email contact@casper.tw with the video link, the claimant's name and the track ID. We'll check the track and contact the claimant or YouTube where we can.
A credit line in your description helps show where the music came from, but on its own it isn't grounds for a dispute.
After you dispute
The claimant has 30 days to respond. They may release the claim or uphold it, and if they don't respond within 30 days, the claim expires.
If the claimant upholds the claim, you can appeal. After an appeal, they may release it or submit a takedown request, which can lead to a copyright strike. So before you appeal, email us and we'll work out the next step together.
Think a track copies your work?
If you believe a track here copies music you own, email contact@casper.tw with a link to the track, a link to your work and how you're connected to it. We'll look into it and remove the track if needed.
Copyright claim questions
- Will a claim put a strike on my channel?
- A claim on its own isn't a strike and doesn't affect your channel's standing. After an appeal, though, a takedown request can turn into a strike, so please contact us before you appeal.
- I credited the music. Why was it still claimed?
- Content ID matches audio automatically and doesn't read your description. A credit helps show where the music came from, but on its own it isn't grounds for a dispute.
- What if I don't want to wait for the dispute?
- YouTube Studio has built-in editing tools to trim out the claimed section or swap the track for other music. Once you've done that, the claim is usually released.