Someone uploaded your video to their channel, and now they're profiting from your work. Google's 2024 YouTube Copyright Transparency Report shows that over 2.2 billion Content ID claims were processed in a single year, yet only 0.4% faced disputes. Filing a proper DMCA takedown protects your revenue, stops unauthorized distribution, and sends copyright strikes to repeat offenders.
This walkthrough shows you exactly how to file, what documentation you need, and what happens after submission.
What you'll learn:
How to file a valid DMCA takedown request through YouTube Studio
What documentation and information you must provide
Understanding copyright strikes and their impact
How automated protection saves you time and effort
Who can file DMCA takedowns on YouTube
You can file a DMCA takedown if you own the copyright to the content being used without permission. This includes original video creators, musicians who hold rights to audio recordings, production companies with film rights, and authorized legal representatives acting on behalf of copyright holders.
YouTube requires you to certify under penalty of perjury that you own the material or have legal authorization to act for the owner. Filing false claims carries legal consequences, including potential damages, legal fees, and account termination.
Unauthorized Party | Why They Cannot File |
|---|---|
Fans or supporters | No legal ownership or authorization |
Competitors | Filing requires ownership, not competitive interest |
Employees without authorization | Must have explicit approval from the rights holder |
Required information before you start
Gather complete documentation before starting your DMCA request. Incomplete requests face rejection or delays that allow infringers to continue profiting from your work.
What you need ready:
Your contact information: Full legal name, email address, phone number, and physical mailing address
Description of your copyrighted work: Clear identification, including title, creation date, and where you published initially
URLs of infringing content: Direct links to specific YouTube videos (format: youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEOID)
Proof of ownership: Upload timestamps, raw footage, or copyright registration
Required statements: Good faith belief that use is unauthorized and an accuracy declaration under penalty of perjury
Your signature: Your full legal name serves as an electronic signature
YouTube shares your name, email address, and description of the allegedly infringed work with the video uploader. If privacy concerns you, have an attorney submit on your behalf.
Filing through YouTube Studio: Step by step
YouTube Studio provides the fastest submission method. Most requests are processed within 48-72 hours.
Step | Action | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
1 | Access YouTube Studio | Sign in at studio.youtube.com with your Google account |
2 | Navigate to Content Detection | Select "Content detection" from the left menu, click "New removal request." |
3 | Select copyright removal | Choose "Copyright" as your request reason |
4 | Identify your work | Describe your copyrighted content clearly and specifically |
5 | Provide infringing URLs | Paste direct video links (format: youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEOID) |
6 | Add contact information | Enter full legal name, email, phone, physical address |
7 | Include required statements | Check boxes confirming good faith belief and accuracy under penalty of perjury |
8 | Sign electronically | Type your full legal name as signature |
9 | Submit request | Click "Submit" to send your DMCA takedown |
After submission, YouTube reviews your request. If it meets legal requirements, YouTube removes the video and issues a copyright strike to the uploader's channel.
What happens after YouTube receives your request
YouTube's review process begins immediately. If your request meets requirements, YouTube removes the infringing video within 24-48 hours and issues a copyright strike to the uploader's channel.
YouTube may request additional information if your initial request appears incomplete. Common reasons include unclear content description, missing contact information, or the absence of required legal statements.
Outcome | Timing | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
Immediate removal | 24-48 hours | Your request was valid, and YouTube confirmed infringement |
Information request | 2-5 days | YouTube needs clarification or additional documentation |
Counter-notification | 10-14 days after removal | Uploader disputes your claim with legal justification |
Rejection | 3-7 days | Your request didn't meet DMCA legal requirements |
Copyright strikes and their impact on channels
Copyright strikes represent YouTube's enforcement when valid DMCA takedowns result in video removal:
A first copyright strike restricts the channel from uploading new content for one week, disables live streaming, and prevents YouTube monetization during the restriction. The strike remains on the account for 90 days.
A second copyright strike extends upload restrictions to two weeks and maintains all penalties from the first strike.
A third copyright strike results in permanent channel termination. YouTube deletes all videos, removes all playlists and channel information, and prohibits the owner from creating new YouTube channels.
According to YouTube's 2023 transparency data, uploaders challenged less than 10% of copyright actions, suggesting most recognize legitimate infringement when strikes occur.
Responding to counter-notifications
After you successfully remove infringing content, the uploader has the legal right to file a counter-notification if they believe your DMCA request was invalid or their use qualifies as fair use.
When an uploader files a counter-notification, YouTube forwards you a complete copy within 2-3 business days.
Your Action | Outcome | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
File a lawsuit against the uploader | Content stays removed permanently | Must file within 10-14 business days |
Send supporting evidence | YouTube reviews additional information | Automatic restoration |
Take no action | YouTube restores the video after 10-14 days | Automatic restoration |
Withdraw your claim | Immediate video restoration | Uploader's strike is reversed |
If you file a lawsuit within the 10-14 business day window, YouTube keeps the content removed and awaits court resolution.
Common DMCA filing mistakes
Even experienced content creators make errors when filing DMCA takedown requests. These mistakes delay removal or result in complete rejection.
Mistake | Why It Fails | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
Using channel URL instead of video URL | Cannot identify specific infringing content | Copy the direct video URL from the browser |
Listing the company name as a signature | DMCA requires an individual's legal name | Use the full legal name of the person signing |
Vague content description | YouTube cannot verify ownership | Provide a specific title, creation date, and original platform |
Missing physical address | Legal requirement for DMCA notices | Include the complete mailing address |
Filing for content you don't own | Violates perjury certification | Only file for content you created or represent |
Providing incomplete URLs represents the most frequent error. YouTube requires specific video URLs in the format “youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEOID.” Always copy the direct video URL from the browser address bar.
Falsely claiming copyright ownership carries severe legal consequences. Under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), anyone who knowingly materially misrepresents that material is infringing shall be liable for damages, including costs and attorney's fees.
Stop chasing content thieves: Let automation protect your work
Filing individual DMCA takedown requests can work for one or two stolen uploads. Still, it becomes unmanageable when your content appears on dozens of sites or is reuploaded hours after removal. Ceartas automates it all, scanning 75+ million websites and 2,000+ platforms daily to detect unauthorized use without requiring you to submit links.
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