🎬 YOUTUBE HELP
YouTube Copyright Explained Simply: What It Is, How to Fix It, How to Avoid It
⏱️ 8 min read • Easy to understand • Updated: November 2025
😫 Does this sound familiar? You made a great video. You uploaded it. Then YouTube says: "Copyright Claim." Now you're confused. What does it mean? Will your channel get deleted? Don't worry — I'll explain everything in simple words.
⚡ What You Will Learn:
✓ What is copyright? (in simple words)
✓ Copyright Claim vs Copyright Strike — what's the difference?
✓ How to remove copyright claims
✓ How to never get copyright problems again
✓ Where to find free music and videos
📑 What's Inside
2. Claim vs Strike — Know the Difference
3. Why Did I Get a Copyright Claim?
4. How to Fix Copyright Claims
5. How to Avoid Copyright Problems
📌 What is Copyright?
Let me explain copyright in the simplest way possible.
Copyright = Ownership of creative work.
When someone creates something — a song, a video, a photo, a movie — they OWN it. Just like you own your phone or your house.
If you want to use their creation, you need their permission. If you use it without permission, it's like taking someone's thing without asking.
🎵 Think of it this way: If a singer makes a song, that song belongs to them. You can listen to it. But you can't put it in your YouTube video without asking first.
On YouTube, there's a system called Content ID. It's like a robot that watches every video you upload. It checks if you used someone else's music, video, or images.
If it finds something, you get a copyright claim.
⚠️ Copyright Claim vs Copyright Strike
These two things are VERY different. Many people mix them up. Let me make it clear:
🟡 Copyright Claim (Not So Bad)
• Your video stays on YouTube
• Your channel is safe
• But... the money from that video goes to the music owner
• Sometimes, the video may be blocked in some countries
🔴 Copyright Strike (Very Bad)
• This is a serious warning
• Your video may be removed
• 3 strikes = Your channel gets DELETED
• All your videos, subscribers — everything gone forever
💡 Simple Rule: Copyright Claim = annoying but okay. Copyright Strike = dangerous, be very careful.
🤔 Why Did I Get a Copyright Claim?
Here are the most common reasons:
1 You used a popular song — Even 5 seconds can get caught
2 Music was playing in the background — Radio, TV, or someone's phone nearby
3 You used a movie or TV clip — Even a small part
4 You used someone else's video — Without their permission
5 Game music — Some video game music is also protected
ℹ️ Good to Know: YouTube's robot (Content ID) is very smart. It can find music even if you changed the speed, added effects, or made it quieter. You can't trick it.
🔧 How to Fix Copyright Claims
Got a claim? Here's what you can do:
Option 1: Do Nothing
If you don't care about money from that video, you can leave it. The claim won't hurt your channel. The video will stay online.
Option 2: Remove the Music
YouTube lets you cut out the part with copyrighted music:
📝 How to do it:
Step 1: Open YouTube Studio
Step 2: Click on "Content" (left side)
Step 3: Find your video → Click on "Copyright claim"
Step 4: Click "Select Action"
Step 5: Choose "Mute this song" or "Trim out segment"
Step 6: Save and wait
Option 3: Replace the Music
You can swap the copyrighted song with a free one from YouTube's Audio Library. Your video stays the same, only the music changes.
Option 4: Dispute the Claim
Only do this if you're 100% SURE the claim is wrong. For example:
✅ You have a license (you paid for the music)
✅ The music is yours (you made it yourself)
✅ The claim is a mistake (wrong song detected)
⚠️ Warning: Don't dispute just because you want the money. If you're wrong, it can become a copyright strike. That's much worse.
🛡️ How to Avoid Copyright Problems
Prevention is better than cure. Follow these simple rules:
✅ Use free music only — from safe websites (list below)
✅ Make your own music — if you can
✅ Don't use famous songs — they will always get claimed
✅ Check before uploading — YouTube has a "Checks" feature
✅ Be careful when recording outside — music from shops, cars, or phones can be caught
✅ Don't use movie clips — unless you're doing news or education (and even then, be careful)
💡 Pro Tip: Before you publish a video, go to YouTube Studio → Your video → "Checks" tab. YouTube will tell you if there's a copyright problem BEFORE the video goes live!
🎵 Free Music & Video Sources
Here are safe places to get music and videos for FREE:
🎶 Free Music (No Copyright):
| Website | What You Get | Do You Need to Give Credit? |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Audio Library | Lots of free songs | Some yes, some no (it tells you) |
| Pixabay Music | Background music | No |
| Uppbeat | Modern music | Yes (free version) |
| Incompetech | Many different types | Yes |
📹 Free Videos:
🎥 Pexels — pexels.com (free, no credit needed)
🎥 Pixabay — pixabay.com (free, no credit needed)
🎥 Coverr — coverr.co (free, no credit needed)
ℹ️ Remember: "Free" doesn't always mean "no rules." Always read the license to be sure you can use it on YouTube.
🚫 Common Myths (Things People Believe But Are Wrong)
Let's clear up some wrong ideas:
❌ "I gave credit, so it's okay."
Giving credit is nice, but it doesn't give you permission. You still need a license.
❌ "I only used 10 seconds, so it's fine."
There's no safe length. Even 3 seconds can get caught.
❌ "I'm not making money, so it doesn't matter."
Copyright applies whether you make money or not.
❌ "I bought the song on iTunes, so I can use it."
Buying a song = you can listen to it. It doesn't mean you can put it in videos.
❌ "Other YouTubers use this song, so I can too."
Maybe they have a license. Or maybe they got a claim too. Don't copy others' mistakes.
❌ "If I change the pitch or speed, it won't be detected."
Content ID is very smart. It can find the music even if you change it.
❓ Your Questions Answered
Q: Will a copyright claim delete my channel?
A: No. Copyright claims don't hurt your channel. Only copyright strikes (3 of them) can delete your channel.
Q: Can I use music if the artist is dead?
A: Usually no. Copyright lasts for 70+ years after the creator dies. Someone else (like family or a company) still owns it.
Q: What is "Fair Use"?
A: Fair Use means you can sometimes use copyrighted content for education, news, or criticism. But it's complicated and risky. Don't depend on it unless you really understand it.
Q: How long does a copyright claim last?
A: Forever — unless you remove the music, or the owner releases the claim.
Q: Can I use songs from TikTok or Instagram?
A: Those platforms have their own music deals. It doesn't transfer to YouTube. You'll likely get a claim.
🎯 Remember This
Copyright problems are easy to avoid. Use free music. Check before you upload. And when in doubt, don't use it. Your channel is worth more than any song.
📤 Did this help you?
Share it with other creators who might be confused about copyright!
Prafull Talks
Making Tech Simple | Helping Creators Grow
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🏷️ Tags: YouTube Copyright • Copyright Claim • Free Music • YouTube Tips • Content ID • Prafull Talks
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