YouTube terms

Manual Claim

A copyright claim initiated by the content owner, rather than automatically by Content ID.

What is a manual claim in YouTube?

A manual claim is a type of copyright claim made by a copyright owner on YouTube. This claim is made when the copyright owner or their representative manually identifies their content in a video uploaded by another user. This is different from automatic claims, which are generated by YouTube's Content ID system that scans uploaded videos for copyrighted material.

When a manual claim is made, the copyright owner can choose to either monetize the video, track its viewership statistics, or request its removal. The uploader of the video is notified of the claim and has the option to dispute it if they believe they have the necessary rights or that their use of the content falls under fair use.

How does the manual claim process work on YouTube?

The manual claim process on YouTube is initiated by copyright owners who identify content that uses their work without permission. This process is part of YouTube's Content ID system, which allows copyright owners to manage their content on the platform. When a copyright owner identifies a video that infringes on their copyright, they can submit a manual claim specifying the exact nature of the infringement.

Once the manual claim is submitted, YouTube reviews the claim and the video in question. If the claim is found to be valid, YouTube may take several actions depending on the preferences of the copyright owner. These actions can include muting the audio that matches their music, running ads against the video and the revenue going to the copyright owners, or completely removing the video. The uploader of the video is notified of the claim and can choose to dispute it if they believe it to be erroneous.

What are the steps to file a manual claim on YouTube?

To file a manual claim on YouTube, you first need to be in the YouTube Partner Program and have access to the Content ID system. Start by signing in to YouTube Studio and selecting the 'Copyright' option from the left menu. Then, click on 'NEW MANUAL CLAIM' at the top right corner of the page. You will be prompted to enter the URL of the video you believe infringes on your copyright. After entering the URL, click 'Continue'.

On the next page, you will be asked to specify the exact portion of the video where your copyrighted content is used. You can do this by adjusting the start and end time of the claim. Then, you need to choose the type of copyrighted content that is being infringed upon, such as audio, video, or both. After that, you need to decide what action you want YouTube to take on the infringing content. You can choose to either track, monetize, or block the video. Finally, review your claim and click 'Submit' to file your manual claim.

What happens after a manual claim is made on YouTube?

After a manual claim is made on YouTube, the platform reviews the claim to determine if it is valid. This involves checking if the claimant owns the copyright to the content and if the content in question infringes on that copyright. If the claim is found to be valid, the video can be blocked or monetized by the claimant. The claimant can also track the video's viewership statistics.

The uploader of the video that has been claimed will receive a notification about the claim. They have the option to dispute the claim if they believe it was made in error or if they believe their use of the content falls under fair use. If the dispute is successful, the claim will be released and any monetization will go back to the uploader. If the dispute is unsuccessful, the claim will remain and the claimant will continue to monetize or block the video.

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