If your copyright-protected work was posted on YouTube without your authorization, you can submit a copyright removal request to request that the content be removed. Submitting a copyright removal request is a legal process.
Prepare a copyright removal request
Before you submit a copyright removal request, you need to consider the following:
- Copyright exceptions: Consider whether fair use, fair dealing, or a similar copyright exception applies. We may ask you to confirm you’ve made this consideration. The content identified in your removal request won’t be removed if you don’t adequately respond or if a copyright exception applies.
- Personal info: Make sure you understand how your contact information is used once you submit a copyright removal request.
- Keep in mind that the copyright owner, or an agent authorized to act on the owner’s behalf, should submit the removal request.
Scheduled removal requests: Consider scheduling your removal request to take effect in 7 days. This gives the uploader 7 days to delete the content to avoid a copyright strike on their channel.
Submit a copyright removal request
The fastest and simplest way to submit a copyright removal request is to fill out our webform on a computer. We can also accept copyright removal requests by email, fax, and mail.
Do not make false claims. Misuse of the removal request webform, such as submitting false information, may result in the suspension of your account or other legal consequences.
Click this button to go to the webform:
Submit a copyright removal request
You can also get to the webform directly from YouTube Studio:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Copyright
.
- Click NEW REMOVAL REQUEST.
.Prevent reuploads
On the webform, you can select an option to prevent copies of the videos you’re reporting from being uploaded to YouTube again. If you select this option, your email address and copyright owner name may be shared with the uploader of the videos that are prevented from reupload. Learn more about preventing reuploads of removed videos.
Manage your removal requests
To view the copyright removal requests you’ve previously submitted to YouTube:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, click Copyright
- Click Removal Requests.
If you manage many copyrighted-protected works and often need to submit removal requests, you may be eligible for more advanced copyright management tools. Learn more about YouTube's copyright management tools.