Copyright Strikes Can Destroy Your Channel
Nothing is more devastating for a YouTube creator than receiving a copyright strike. Three strikes and your channel gets permanently terminated — along with all your hard work, subscribers, and revenue. In Bangladesh and globally, copyright issues are the #1 reason creators lose their channels.
The good news? Copyright strikes are 100% preventable if you understand the rules. This guide explains everything you need to know about YouTube copyright, fair use, and how to keep your channel safe.
Types of Copyright Actions on YouTube
YouTube handles copyright issues at different levels:
1. Content ID Claims (Least Severe)
- Automated detection when you use copyrighted music, video clips, or images
- Does NOT count as a strike
- The copyright holder may monetize your video (take ad revenue) or track its views
- Your video remains live but you might not earn money from it
2. Copyright Takedown Notice (Severe)
- A copyright holder formally requests YouTube to remove your video
- This IS a copyright strike
- Your video gets removed immediately
- Your channel gets restrictions
3. Three Strikes = Channel Termination
- First strike: Warning + restrictions for 90 days
- Second strike: 2-week upload restriction
- Third strike: Channel permanently deleted
- Strikes expire after 90 days if you complete copyright school
Common Ways Creators Get Copyright Strikes
- Using copyrighted music — The most common issue. Popular songs from Spotify, iTunes, or radio are copyrighted
- Re-uploading someone else's video — Even with "credit given," re-uploading is copyright infringement
- Using movie or TV clips — Even short clips can trigger takedowns
- Using copyrighted images — Stock photos, screenshots from other content, branded logos
- Using sound effects or jingles — Some popular sound effects are copyrighted
- Gaming content — Some game publishers restrict gameplay recordings
How to Avoid Copyright Strikes
Music: Use Royalty-Free Sources
These sources provide music you can safely use in YouTube videos:
- YouTube Audio Library — Free, built into YouTube Studio
- Epidemic Sound — Paid subscription, huge library
- Artlist — Paid, unlimited downloads
- Uppbeat — Free tier available with attribution
- Pixabay Music — Free, no attribution required
- NCS (NoCopyrightSounds) — Free with attribution in description
Images and Video: Use Royalty-Free Sources
- Pexels — Free stock photos and videos
- Pixabay — Free stock media
- Unsplash — Free high-quality photos
- Coverr — Free stock video clips
- Always check the license terms before using
Create Original Content
The safest approach is creating 100% original content:
- Film your own footage
- Use your own voice and narration
- Create your own graphics and thumbnails
- If you must reference others' work, use short clips with substantial commentary
Understanding Fair Use
Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material for commentary, criticism, education, news reporting, or parody. However, fair use is complex:
- Fair use is a legal defense, not a right — it's decided case-by-case
- Transformative use is key — you must add significant new value, commentary, or context
- Amount matters — Use the minimum amount necessary
- Commercial impact — If your use replaces the original, it's likely NOT fair use
Important: Simply crediting the original creator does NOT make something fair use. "No copyright intended" in your description has zero legal value.
What to Do If You Get a Strike
- Don't panic — One strike won't kill your channel
- Complete Copyright School — Required to restore full channel access
- Review the claim — Check which content was flagged and why
- File a counter-notification (if you believe the strike is wrong) — Only do this if you're genuinely sure the content is yours or fair use
- Contact the claimant — Sometimes you can resolve it directly by removing the content
- Wait 90 days — The strike expires automatically if no new violations
Protecting Your Own Content
As a creator, you should also protect YOUR content from being stolen:
- Enroll in YouTube's Content ID program (available through MCNs or distributors)
- Watermark your videos subtly
- Report stolen content using YouTube's copyright complaint form
- Monitor re-uploads using Google Alerts for your video titles
Best Practices Checklist
- ☐ All music is royalty-free or from YouTube Audio Library
- ☐ All images are original or from free stock sites
- ☐ No re-uploaded content from other creators
- ☐ Movie/TV clips used only with substantial commentary (fair use)
- ☐ Proper attribution given where required by the license
- ☐ "Copyright-free" claims verified (don't trust random YouTube music channels)
Conclusion
Copyright strikes are entirely preventable. Use royalty-free music and images, create original content, and understand the boundaries of fair use. Your YouTube channel is a valuable asset — protect it by following these guidelines. Continue optimizing your content with CreatorSeba's free tools for titles, descriptions, and tags to grow your channel safely.