Whether you’re a creator on YouTube or just starting, it’s important to learn about its copyright rules. Whenever a person creates content such as a song, video, book, etc., they own the copyright after uploading it on the platform. This Copyright Act offers legal protection to original creators.

If someone uses copyrighted content without permission, YouTube will issue a copyright claim and allows the owner to block, monetize, or mute their video. In other cases, where an artist feels that their work is used in a video, they can submit a DMCA takedown request, and YouTube removes the video.

Once users receive three copyright strikes, they can lose the partnership and face a permanent ban. This can be quite damaging for emerging artists because they can’t recover their videos or earn money on them. Here are a few things you must know if you’re entering the realm of YouTube:

1. Creator Owns the Copyright

Whoever creates a video, the copyright belongs to that user. If someone uploads content on YouTube created by someone else, whether audio or video, they need the creator’s permission before uploading it.

YouTube’s rules and policies are straightforward. Whenever someone creates and uploads content, they own its copyright. So even if a creator dies, the copyright stays with them. So if you think uploading an old song whose singer isn’t alive anymore won’t earn a copyright strike, that’s not true.

2. Giving Credits Still Earns a Copyright Strike

Uploading another person’s work without permission and giving credits in the description box is still a copyright violation. Most users add phrases like, “all rights belong to (creators’ name)” or “no copyright infringement intended,” etc. but doing this alone won’t absolve a copyright violation.

When you use another creator’s work without their permission, it’s an offense no matter how many credits you give.

3. Your Intention Won’t Matter

Some people think it’s okay to use another person’s work because they’re not looking to make money from it, but it will still be a copyright infringement. Suppose you added a song to your video without permission—it can still earn a copyright strike, blocking your video.

4. Consequences of Copyright Violation

Takedown Notice

The original creator can send a complaint to YouTube for the DMCA takedown notice after finding their work on someone else’s video. If YouTube finds out it’s a violation, they take down the video by issuing a copyright strike.

Content ID Match

YouTube uses a content ID system to detect the content in a copyright violation automatically and sends a strike. This is quite common, and if you’re a YouTuber, you must’ve faced this too. To become a copyright owner, you have to upload reference files that prove it’s your work and that you own its rights.

While you can claim your work on YouTube, people can still copy and use your work on other platforms without any copyright protection. With Onsist, you can find and take down your content from the deepest, hidden layers of the internet.

Onsist is a brand protection solutions company with over ten years of experience offering anti-piracy protection, anti-counterfeit solutions, and dark web monitoring services to brands and content creators. Learn more about us.