Guide to YouTube Content ID & Copyright Notices

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What is Content ID?

Content ID is YouTube's automated system that helps copyright owners recognize videos with their protected music or video content, and it automatically places a "claim" on those uploaded videos.

When a video is matched to Content ID registered content, a copyright notice will appear on the video, and the content owner may choose to take certain actions, such as:

• Clearing the claim and taking no further action
• Tracking the video’s viewership statistics
• Monetizing the video by running ads against it
• Muting the audio that matches their music
• Or even blocking a whole video from being viewed

• How does this relate to Envato Elements audio?

  Many online music composers, including some who sell licenses through Envato Elements, use YouTube's Content ID to help protect their work from unauthorized use. They also use YouTube Partner platforms to manage their content. Envato's new Claim Clear feature is designed to make it easier to resolve claims.
  
  Envato also provides license certificates for audio downloaded from Envato Elements, so if a copyright notice appears on a video with music tracked by Content ID, it can be quickly resolved.

• What does this mean for me and my YouTube projects?

  When a video is uploaded to YouTube that contains licensed, digitally fingerprinted music, a “matched third party content” copyright notice will appear alongside the uploaded video in the YouTube Video Manager (this typically appears shortly after uploading).

  A copyright notice does not mean that copyrights have been infringed, and this shouldn’t be confused with a YouTube “copyright strike”. It’s simply a notice to advise that YouTube has detected Content ID registered content within the video and that further information/action is needed.

  Your license file for your audio download allows you to clear potential copyright notices using content ID.

How to clear a YouTube copyright notice

Clearing a YouTube copyright notice is a very straightforward process. You can easily remove copyright notices by using Claim Clear feature, YouTube's built in form or FUGA Claim Clearance page. We've put together detailed guidelines below to walk you through resolving your YouTube claim efficiently

Claim Clear feature

• Claim Clear: how to automatically clear individual videos

  If you have uploaded a video to YouTube and see you have a Copyright Claim on your “Claim Clear Compatible” music, follow the steps:

  1. Go to “Claim Clear” link located in your profile drop-down menu
     
     
  2. Enter your Youtube video URL in the "Clear individual videos" section and click “Add”.
     
     
      
  3. That’s it! Within moments your claims on individual videos will be cleared.

• Claim Clear: how to automatically clear YouTube channels

  You can add YouTube channels to a channel safelist, which automatically removes copyright claims on content from those channels once approved. Each account can safelist up to 3 channels.

  1. Go to “Claim Clear” link located in your profile drop-down menu
     
     
      
  2. Enter your YouTube channel URL in the “Channel safelist” section.
     
  3. Successful channel clearances will show an “Active” status.
     
     

YouTube’s built-in form

• How to dispute the claim via YouTube’s built-in form

  To clear a claim via YouTube, you simply need to let YouTube know that you have licensed the music and have the rights to use it. Simply choose to ‘dispute’ the claim by hovering over “Copyright notice” and clicking “SEE DETAILS” next to the video in your Video Manager, or on your dedicated copyright notices page. After you click “Dispute”:

  1. Check “My dispute isn't based on any of the reasons above. I would still like to dispute this Content ID claim.” and click “CONTINUE”.
  2. Select “License” for the reason you're disputing the claim and click “CONTINUE”.
  3. Check “I have permission to use the content from the copyright owner.” and click “CONTINUE”.

  

  

  

   

  

  

  Under “Review requirements”, copy/paste the contents from your license certificate (accessible via the 'My Downloads' page, or at the point of download) and check all boxes. Sign and submit.  You may also wish to include the statement "A license to use this royalty-free music by [Name of Author] was downloaded from elements.envato.com".

  

  Once you submit the dispute, claims will be addressed by FUGA. 

  You may also find it helpful to read:

  • YouTube's support article for users affected by copyright claims
  • YouTube’s support article on submitting additional documentation to claim monetization rights.

FUGA Claim Clearance page

• How to use the FUGA Claim Clearance page

  If the music is administered via FUGA (previously Adrev), using the FUGA Claim Clearance page is the quickest and most direct way to clear a claim. FUGA will send you an email confirmation once it has been cleared. You can also use the following pages for other YouTube Content ID Partners:
  - Contact SourceAudio | Rights Management Software
  - Elite Alliance
  - Audiam
  - TuneCore

FAQ

• How long does it take to review a YouTube claim?

  If you have lodged a YouTube copyright claim, please follow up directly with YouTube, as this is outside our control.

• How do I find "Claim Clear Ready" music?

  Here are a few ways to check if music is Claim Clear ready:

  • Look for the "Claim Clear ready" icon in your music search results
  • Use the "Claim Clear ready" music filter
    
  • It will be indicated on the item description page as shown in the image below
    

• Claim Clear YouTube channels: I'm having trouble using my channel URL

  Please note that not all forms of YouTube channel URLs will work, if you're having trouble try using your channel URL, it looks like https://youtube.com/@your_channel_name , see this YouTube article for more information on getting this URL.

• How do I know if an item is registered with YouTube's Content ID?

  If a track is registered and digitally fingerprinted with YouTube's Content ID, it will be called out in the item description on the item page, as in the image below:

  
  
  Our new Claim Clear feature will make it easier to clear a claim.

• What if my audio track does not come with a YouTube's Content ID registration?

  If a track has not been registered and digitally fingerprinted with YouTube's Content ID, it will be labelled in the item description page as in the image below: 

  

  You should not receive a YouTube copyright notice for those tracks, however, if you do, please let us know here and follow the instructions on How to clear a YouTube copyright notice.

• Who are YouTube Content ID Partners?

  YouTube Partner platforms use the Content ID system to manage and administer this copyrighted content on behalf of content owners. They include FUGA (previosuly Adrev), HAAWK/Identifyy, SourceAudio, Audiam, TuneCore and EliteAlliance. They, in turn, provide users with various information such as which videos their content is used in, tracking of unauthorized uses, viewership reports, and distribution of any monetization earnings.

• What if my subscription expires, can I dispute YouTube claim?

  Yes, simply navigate to "My downloads", download the license and follow the instructions here: How to clear a YouTube copyright notice.

• I have built an end product for a customer and they received a YouTube claim, can they dispute it?

  Yes, you can download the license certificate in "My downloads" in your Envato Elements account, share it with the customer and point them to the instructions available here: How to clear a YouTube copyright notice.

• How can I clear a notice on other social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram)?

  When the content you have posted on social media platforms has received a content ID notice, please follow the guidelines you receive in an email from Facebook or Instagram or navigate to a respective Help Centre in order to clear a claim:

  • Facebook Help Centre
  • Instagram Help Centre

• Why are there ads running on my videos?

  When unauthorized/unlicensed use of music is found in a YouTube video, it may have monetized ads placed over it by the YouTube Content ID system. Once you’ve used your Envato Elements license certificate to clear any copyright notices on your video, these ads will be removed and you will be able to monetize the video yourself if you wish.

  For more tips on quickly and easily clearing these notices, such as how you can upload an unlisted video to clear them in advance, see the “How to clear a YouTube copyright notice” section below.

• How can I clear a notice on files when I have an Envato Elements free account?

  When you have a free account and use one of the free files registered with YouTube Content ID to create content online, you might receive a claim. In order to clear it, you simply need to let the claimant know that you have licensed the music and have the right to use it. In the form, you should provide:

  • Screenshot that shows the free item you've registered (you can find it in 'My downloads' under your Envato Elements free account), for example:
    
  • Link to Envato Elements Free Files Single Use Policy

  If the claim is coming from Youtube, you can follow the steps on How to Clear a Youtube Copyright Notice and include the information provided above under the Review Requirements section.

  If you would like to learn more about Free files license terms, navigate here.