How long does a YouTube copyright strike last, assuming the uploader doesn’t file a counter-notification or get a retraction from the claimant, and what are the specific consequences during and after the strike’s active period in terms of monetization, live streaming, and account standing?
Answer
A YouTube copyright strike lasts for 90 days. After 90 days, the strike expires and will no longer negatively impact your channel’s standing. However, YouTube keeps a record of expired copyright strikes.
While the strike expires after 90 days, the copyrighted content that caused the strike is not automatically reinstated. The content will remain removed from YouTube unless the copyright holder retracts their claim or you successfully file a counter notification and prevail.
During the 90-day period:
- You cannot monetize. If you are a YouTube Partner, you will be ineligible to monetize your videos.
- You cannot live stream. You will lose the ability to live stream.
- Your channel is at risk of termination. Accumulating three copyright strikes results in permanent termination of your channel. All videos will be removed, you will be unable to create new channels, and you are barred from associating with other channels.
After the 90 days expire, the copyright strike is removed from your channel’s standing, but the following still apply:
- The video remains taken down: The original video will not be automatically restored. You must either get the claimant to withdraw their claim, successfully dispute the claim via counter-notification, or re-upload a version of the video that doesn’t infringe on the claimant’s copyright.
- Record kept: YouTube retains a record of past copyright strikes. Multiple instances of copyright infringement, even if spread out over time, can raise concerns and potentially impact your channel’s reputation or eligibility for certain programs.
There are three ways to resolve a copyright strike:
- Wait for it to expire: The strike will expire in 90 days, but the video will remain down.
- Get a retraction: Contact the copyright owner who issued the strike and ask them to retract their claim.
- Submit a counter notification: If you believe the strike was issued in error, you can submit a counter notification. This is a legal request to restore the video. The copyright holder then has 14 days to file a lawsuit against you to keep the content down. If they do not, YouTube will typically restore the video.