Copyright claim vs strike on YouTube Shorts

What a claim is

A copyright claim is generated automatically when your upload matches something in YouTube's Content ID system. YouTube Help says a claim can do one of three things, depending on what the copyright owner has chosen:

• block the video from being viewed
• monetise the video by running ads on it
• track the video's viewing figures

"Monetize" is the most common setting on music claims. The claim sits on the video. YouTube says claims "usually don't impact your channel or account."

What a strike is

A strike comes from a person, not a matching system. A copyright owner sends YouTube a legal removal request, YouTube finds it valid, the video comes down and the channel gets a strike. Channels that get three copyright strikes in 90 days are subject to termination. A strike expires after 90 days if you complete Copyright School, which is four questions about how copyright works on YouTube.

The rule that is different for Shorts

For most videos a claim is survivable. For longer Shorts it is not. YouTube Help says "Any Short that is over one minute in duration with an active copyright claim of any type, including manual claims, will be blocked globally on YouTube." The video is not playable, not recommended and not eligible for monetisation until the claim is resolved. YouTube adds that there are no penalties to your channel.

Shorts under one minute are not affected by that rule.

Your options when a claim arrives

YouTube lists four:

1. Leave it. If the claim is valid, you can do nothing.
2. Remove the claimed content. Studio can erase the song, trim the segment or replace the song with one from the Audio Library. Any of these removes the claim without a new upload.
3. Share revenue. If you are in the Partner Program and music is claimed, you may be able to share revenue with the publisher.
4. Dispute it. Only if you are confident you hold the rights, for example a licence from one of the music sources.

How a claim becomes a strike

Disputing a claim you have no grounds to dispute is the one way a claim leads to a strike. YouTube says the copyright owner "may request the removal of your video", and a valid request means a strike.

A licence you can show is a valid reason. "I credited the artist" or "I bought the song" is not. The dispute guide covers what to write.

What happens to the money

If you dispute within 5 days of the claim, YouTube holds all revenue from the first day of the claim until the dispute is settled. If you do nothing, held revenue goes to the claimant after 5 days.