Submit a copyright removal request

If your copyright-protected work was posted on YouTube without your authorisation, 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:

1. Copyright exceptions: Consider whether fair use, fair dealing or a similar copyright exception applies. We may ask you to confirm that 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.
2. Personal info: Make sure that you understand how your contact information is used once you submit a copyright removal request.

• Bear in mind that the copyright owner, or an agent authorised to act on the owner's behalf, should submit the removal request.

Scheduled removal requests: Consider scheduling your removal request to take effect in seven days. This gives the uploader seven 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 in our webform on a computer. We can also accept copyright removal requests by email, fax and post.

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:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left-hand menu, select Copyright .
3. Click NEW REMOVAL REQUEST.

 

Non-video content: Our webform can't be used to submit removal requests for non-video content, such as channel banner images. Learn how to submit a removal request for non-video content.

Prevent reuploads

On the webform, you can select an option to prevent copies of the videos that 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 being reuploaded. Learn more about preventing reuploads of removed videos.

Manage your removal requests

To view the copyright removal requests that you've previously submitted to YouTube:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left-hand menu, click Copyright .
3. 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.

For more info on removal requests, including what happens after you submit a removal request, go to our overview of the copyright removal request process.