If your copyrighted content is on YouTube without your permission, you can submit a copyright removal request, which is a legal process. For videos, submit in YouTube Studio or by email, fax, or mail. For non-video content, such as channel banner images, submit by email, fax, or mail.
What to know before you submit:
-
Copyright exceptions: Consider whether fair use, public domain, or a similar copyright exception applies. You may be asked to confirm you’ve made this consideration. Without a sufficient response, the copyright removal request may be invalid.
- Scheduled removal requests: You can schedule a copyright removal request to take effect in 7 days. Doing this gives the uploader 7 days to take action and avoid a copyright strike.
- Prevent copies: In YouTube Studio, you can select the option to prevent future copies of the same content from being uploaded again.
- What info is shared: Legally, we’re required to share certain information with the uploader. If disclosing personal information is a concern, an authorized representative (such as an attorney) can submit on your behalf by email, fax, or mail.
- Who can submit: Copyright owners should submit copyright removal requests. Alternatively, an authorized representative, such as an attorney, can submit on behalf of a copyright owner.
Submit in YouTube Studio
Copyright removal requests for videos can be submitted directly in YouTube Studio:
Submit a copyright removal request
To get to this form in YouTube Studio:
- On a computer or mobile browser, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Copyright
.
- Select New removal request.
Submit by email, fax, or mail
Copyright removal requests for video and non-video content, such as channel banner images, can be submitted by email, fax, or mail.
To submit by email, send all the required information below in the body of an email (not as an attachment) to copyright@youtube.com or send it by fax or mail:
1. Your contact infoYouTube and the uploader of the content you’re asking to remove may need to get in touch with you about your request. In your request, include one or more of the following:
- Your email address
- Your physical address
- Your telephone number
Clearly and completely describe the copyrighted content you’re trying to protect.
If you believe more than one of your copyrighted works have been infringed, the law allows a representative list of these works to be included in your request.
| Content type | Valid URL format | Where to find the URL |
|---|---|---|
| Channel banner images |
www.youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OR www.youtube.com/user/xxxxxxxxx |
Go to the channel page  right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Channel descriptions | www.youtube.com/user/xxxxxxxxx/about | Go to channel's About section right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Clips | www.youtube.com/clip/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | Click the clip's title right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Comments on posts | www.youtube.com/channel/xxxxxxxxxxx/community?lc=xxxxxxxxxxxx&lb=xxxxxxxxxxxx | Click the posted date above the comment (page will reload) right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Comments on videos | www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxx&lc=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | Click the posted date above the comment (page will reload) right-click the address bar Copy. |
|
Effects (Shorts)
|
www.youtube.com/effect/xxxxxxxxxx Keep in mind: Videos that have already used the Effect aren’t affected by the removal of the Effect.
|
Click the Effect chip, located above the channel name in the Short right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Membership badges, emoji, or creator's perk descriptions | Beginning with yt3.ggpht.com/xxxxx | Right-click the image Copy Image Address. |
|
Also include the channel URL: www.youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OR www.youtube.com/user/xxxxxxxxx |
Go to the channel page right-click the address bar Copy. |
|
| Playables | www.youtube.com/playables/xxxxxxxxxxxxxx | Go to the game page right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Playlist descriptions | www.youtube.com/playlist?list=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | Click the playlist title right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Playlist image | Beginning with https://i.ytimg.com/xxxxxxxxxx | Right-click the image Copy Image Address. |
|
Also include the playlist URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
Click the playlist title right-click the address bar Copy. |
|
| Posts | https://www.youtube.com/post/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | Click the posted date of the post (page will reload) right-click the address bar Copy. |
| Profile pictures | Because Google hosts channel profile pictures, copyright removal requests for profile pictures must be submitted through Google’s form. | |
| Super Stickers | Beginning with lh3.googleusercontent.com/xxxxx | Click the dollar sign  in a live chat Super Sticker right-click image Copy Image Address. |
|
Also include the channel URL: www.youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OR www.youtube.com/user/xxxxxxxxx |
Go to the channel page right-click the address bar Copy. |
|
| Videos | www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx | Go to the video page right-click the address bar Copy. |
Agree to and include the following 2 legally required statements:
“I have a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.”
"The information in this notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the owner, or an agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.”
Complete and valid copyright removal requests require the physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a representative authorized to act on their behalf.
To meet this requirement, the copyright owner or authorized representative should enter their full legal name as their signature at the bottom of the copyright removal request. A full legal name should be a first and last name, not a company name.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What happens after a copyright removal request is submitted?After a copyright removal request is submitted, we review it to make sure it has the information required by copyright law and appears valid. If the request passes the review, we remove the content to comply with copyright law.
If the copyright removal request is missing information or if more details are needed, we reach out to the claimant (the person who submitted the removal request). For example, claimants may be asked to:
- Provide a more specific title of the copyrighted content
- Submit evidence of authorization to act on behalf of the copyright owner, if applicable
- Confirm whether copyright exceptions, such as fair use or fair dealing, have been considered
Until we have all the required information, the content in question may stay up on YouTube during this process.
Learn more about the copyright removal request process.- On a computer or mobile browser, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Copyright
- Select Removal requests.