What Is a YouTube Copyright Counter-Notification and When Should I Use One?

A counter-notification is a formal legal request to reinstate content that was removed due to a copyright removal request. It is also known as a DMCA counter-notification under US law, which YouTube follows for its global process. It is not a routine platform complaint or a customer service appeal.

Before you submit

Only submit a counter-notification if you believe your content was removed due to a mistake or misidentification. Valid grounds include:

• The claimant does not own the rights they asserted.
• The removed portion did not match the alleged work.
• Your use qualifies as a copyright exception, such as fair dealing for criticism, review or parody.

YouTube: Submit a copyright counter notification

What is required

A counter-notification must include:

1. Your full legal name (first and last name, not a company or channel name).
2. Your physical address (PO Box is not accepted).
3. Your telephone number.
4. A statement explaining why you believe the removal was a mistake or misidentification.
5. Direct links to the removed content.
6. Two legal statements:
   • Consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for your district, or if outside the US, the judicial district where YouTube is located.
   • A sworn statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification.
7. Your electronic signature (your full legal name typed at the end).

What gets shared with the claimant

Copyright law requires YouTube to share your counter-notification with the claimant, including your name, address, phone number and the rationale you provided. This is not optional and cannot be redacted.

Timeline and risks

After you submit a valid counter-notification:

1. The strike is typically cleared from your channel.
2. The claimant has 10 US business days to file a lawsuit to keep your content down.
3. If they do not file suit within that period, YouTube may reinstate the content.

The process is irreversible without the claimant’s cooperation. Submitting a false counter-notification can result in penalties, including account termination.

When NOT to submit one

Do not submit a counter-notification if:

• You are unsure whether you have the rights to use the content.
• You used the content without permission and the claim is likely valid.
• The content is in a territory where you do not have distribution rights.
• A sponsor campaign depends on the outcome and the evidence is unclear.

See also

• First 24 hours after a YouTube copyright claim or strike
• A Creator’s Guide to YouTube Copyright Claims, Takedowns, Strikes, Appeals and Counter-Notifications
• When should I dispute a YouTube copyright claim?
• Does deleting a YouTube video remove a copyright strike?

This page provides general legal information only. It is not personal legal advice. Platform processes, copyright outcomes and response options depend on the evidence, claimant, jurisdiction, contract terms and the facts of each matter.