--- title: 'Copyright School on YouTube' source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=qCsbBpy0F0Q' video_id: 'qCsbBpy0F0Q' date: 2026-08-01 duration_sec: 183 --- # Copyright School on YouTube > Source: [Copyright School on YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=qCsbBpy0F0Q) ## Summary This video is YouTube's official Copyright School, an educational program designed to help creators understand copyright, avoid strikes, and learn what to do if their content is removed. It covers the basics of copyright law, how YouTube handles infringement claims, and the steps to resolve unfair removals. ### Key Points - **Strike Expiration** [00:00] — If you complete Copyright School, any strikes against you (as long as you have fewer than three active) will expire after 90 days from the time they were issued. - **What Copyright Protects** [00:14] — Copyright gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights to determine how the work is reproduced, modified, performed, displayed, or distributed. - **Permission and Exceptions** [00:27] — You generally cannot use someone else's videos, music, or other copyrighted work in your videos without permission, unless an exception such as fair use applies. - **Crediting Is Not Permission** [00:41] — Simply crediting the owner or using disclaimers like 'all rights go to the author' does not automatically grant permission to use copyrighted content. - **How YouTube Handles Claims** [00:54] — When YouTube receives a copyright removal request, it reviews it, and if it appears valid, removes the material and issues a strike. Fraud or abuse may result in warnings, termination, or legal action. - **Structure of Copyright School** [01:21] — Copyright School consists of four situations designed to teach how copyright works. You answer questions, get feedback, and wrong answers don't count against you. - **Options After a Strike** [01:49] — If you believe your video was taken down unfairly or by mistake, you can contact the claimant for a retraction or file a counter notification. - **Counter Notification** [02:29] — A counter notification is a legal request for YouTube to reinstate content removed due to a copyright removal request. You must include valid reasons, such as fair use or licensing. YouTube does not mediate disputes. - **Purpose of Copyright School** [02:45] — Completing Copyright School not only helps remove strikes but also provides knowledge to protect your channel from future strikes. ### Conclusion Copyright School equips creators with essential knowledge about copyright and clear steps to handle strikes, from understanding fair use to filing counter notifications. Finishing it is the first step toward protecting your channel and creating with confidence. ## Transcript Welcome to Copyright School. Getting a  copyright strike can be a stressful experience,   but you’re in the right place. When you  successfully complete Copyright School:  Strike(s) applied against you, as long as you have  fewer than three active strikes, will expire after   90 days from the time they were issued; and You should leave with a deeper understanding   of how copyright works on YouTube, helping  you avoid copyright strikes in the future Copyright gives the creator of an original  work certain exclusive rights to determine   how their work can be reproduced, modified,  performed, displayed, or distributed. That   typically means you can’t use someone else’s  videos, music or other copyrighted work in   your videos without permission, unless an  exception to copyright such as fair use,   applies. Simply crediting the owner or  using disclaimers like "all rights go to   the author" doesn't automatically grant  permission to use copyrighted content. YouTube responds to allegations of copyright  infringement when we’re properly notified about   it. We take abuse of copyright holders’  rights very seriously and have processes   in place to handle these claims.. When a  copyright removal request is submitted,   we review it – then if we determine that  it appears valid, we remove the material   from YouTube (and issue a strike). If we detect  fraud or abuse, we may take corrective action.   This can include issuing warnings, terminating  accounts, or pursuing further legal action. In Copyright School, you’ll see a sequence of  four situations designed to help you explore   how copyright works on YouTube. We'll  break down the basics, bust common myths,   and explain what happens when copyright  issues arise. After you answer each question,   you’ll get feedback and a helpful explanation  of the correct answer. Explore all the options   to find the right answer- wrong answers don’t  count against you. The most important thing is   that you attempt all of the questions, and pay  attention to the feedback. Make sure to read   through all four examples to complete Copyright  School. If you close out before you complete it,   After completing Copyright School  if you still believe your video   was taken down unfairly or by mistake or  misidentification, you have a few options: You or someone representing you can reach out  to the claimant and ask for a retraction. Their   contact information should be available  in the copyright notice and in YouTube   Studio. Keep in mind that they may ask for  compensation or may not respond at all.  Or, If you believe the content was removed by  mistake or misidentification, such as because   your use was licensed or your use falls under a  valid exception to copyright, such as fair use,   you or someone representing you can file a legal  notice known as a counter notification. This is a   legal request for YouTube to reinstate content  that was removed due to a copyright removal   request. Be sure to include valid reasons for why  you believe the copyright removal was unjustified.   YouTube does not determine ownership or mediate  on behalf of uploaders or content owners. Remember, by finishing Copyright School, you're  not just taking the first step to get your strike   removed. You’re also supplying yourself with  the knowledge to protect your channel from   future strikes, so you can keep creating  with confidence. Now, let’s get started.