Retract a copyright removal request

If you submitted a copyright removal request in error, you can retract it. Retracting a copyright removal request will:

  • Clear the copyright strike from the uploader’s channel, unless other content is contributing to the strike.
  • Restore the uploader’s content to YouTube, unless the uploader deleted the content.

If you're an uploader whose content was removed, you may be able to request a retraction.

If you submitted the removal request

There are 2 ways to retract a copyright removal request:

  • Retract in YouTube Studio
  • Retract by email
Retract in YouTube Studio

If your removal request has already been resolved and resulted in the removal of content, you can retract it in YouTube Studio:

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio on a computer.
  2. From the left menu, select Copyright .
  3. In the Removal Requests tab, find the video you submitted the removal request for.
  4. Click "Expand" to show more details about the video.
  5. If the video has already been removed, click RETRACT REMOVAL. If the video is pending removal due to a scheduled removal request, click RETRACT REQUEST.
  6. In the pop-up window, click RETRACT.
Note for YouTube partners: If you have a CVP account or access to YouTube Studio Content Manager, you can retract or cancel removal requests using these platforms. Make sure you’re signed in to the same Google Account from which the original removal request was submitted. Keep in mind that matching videos won’t be claimed after a claim is retracted.
Retract by email

You can retract a removal request by email as long as the email meets these requirements:

  1. Email must be sent from the original claimant or an authorized representative (such as an attorney) on the claimant's behalf.
  2. Email must be sent from the same email address or corporate domain that was used to submit the original removal request.
  3. Email must include the following information:
    • Formatted links to the content from your removal request: For videos, the valid URL format is www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx. For non-video content, use the URL format for the appropriate content type listed here.
    • Statement of retraction: For example, "I hereby retract my claim of copyright infringement." Keep in mind that we can only accept a retraction of the removal request. We can’t accept a retraction of only the copyright strike such as “I retract my copyright strike.”
    • Electronic signature: At the bottom of the email, the claimant, or authorized representative, must enter their full legal name as their signature. A full legal name cannot be a company name.
  4. Email must be sent to copyright@youtube.com.
Note: YouTube channel profile pictures are hosted by Google. To retract a copyright removal request for a profile picture, reply to the confirmation email you got from Google regarding your original removal request. Make sure your email meets requirements 1-3 listed above.
 
Keep in mind: We can only accept retractions submitted in YouTube Studio or by email that meet all the requirements described in the sections above.

If your content was removed

If you're an uploader whose content was removed due to a copyright removal request, you can get in touch with the claimant directly and ask for a retraction. Some creators list ways they can be contacted in their channel.

Keep in mind that, by law, YouTube cannot mediate copyright ownership disputes.

 

What happens after a retraction

Once you retract a copyright removal request, you’ll get an email notification to let you know the removal request was retracted. The uploader will also be notified about the status of the associated copyright strike and their removed content.

More info

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