5 Ways To Check If A Video Is Copyrighted Or Not

Copyright difficulties that might be a nuisance to deal with can arise when videos are shared online, cast, or used in snippet form. Hence, for this very reason, it’s vital to opt for only trustworthy sources while producing content. But before we dive into “Ways to Check Copyrighted Video ” we should discuss Copyrights first.

What Are Copyrights?

A copyright is a kind of intellectual possession that, normally for a certain period, offers its owner the sole authority to create, act, and publish a creative work. The creative work could take the shape of a movie, book, art, teaching materials, or piece of music.

For instance, a song “idea” cannot be protected by copyright. Although, a song, written or recorded can. Your song, therefore, qualifies as an original composition, making you the rightful owner of the copyright.

But, what happens if you use someone else’s copyrighted music in your video? Let’s find out about the Copyright Strike!

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So, What are these Copyright Strikes?

When a YouTube creator posts a video with images or music that they don’t possess the rights to or have a license for, they get a copyright strike. In this instance, the copyright holder manually identifies the infraction and requests YouTube to remove the infringing video. The video will no longer appear on youtube or bring in advertising income for the content producer.

But this does not mean all the content is copyrighted. Most people opt for getting their content protected but still, there is content that is not copyrighted.

So, to check out copyrighted video content we can consider Youtube. Since YouTube stands as the most widely used video hosting platform worldwide. It is the best answer or a starting point to check out the copyrighted video.

The vast majority of songs and videos made over a long period remain accessible on YouTube. Thus, regarding copyrights, YouTube pledged to abide by the law.

Moreover, Youtube has made its tools to detect copyrighted content for infrequent uploaders to well-established media companies.

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Following are some of the tools that Youtube created along with some additional ways that you can use to identify the Copyrighted video.

#1. Copyright Match Tool

The Copyright Match Tool can automatically find videos on YouTube that are similar to or may be similar to other videos. When it encounters a match, you can therefore review it in YouTube Studio and select your next course of action.

How does the Copyright Match tool work?

Every YouTube user or Content Creator who has submitted an authorized request for copyright removal has access to the Copyright Match Tool.

Besides, you can submit a copyright removal request if your video appears on YouTube without your approval and stands guarded by copyright. A legal procedure is involved in submitting a copyright removal request.

Once your removal request has been accepted, the Copyright Match Tool begins looking for YouTube uploads that might match the videos you reported in your removal request. You can then examine these possible matches and decide what to do.

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Further Measures to protect your content

To decide what actions you want to take, just Check the box of your desired option. Following are 3 actions you can take

1. “Archive” the Match

Archiving the match is the first measure you can take. Thus, this indicates that while you have acknowledged the content ID match, you have not taken any further action. You can access all of the formerly archived matches by clicking the archive tab at the top.

2. Request for the Content Removal

Requesting the removal of the content is the second and most powerful action you may take. To request the removal of the video, first, tap on the warning symbol. After you confirm this action, a detailed form that you must fill out will appear. You are asserting ownership of the content, which, in extreme circumstances, you might need to defend legally, so you shouldn’t take this action mildly.

Also, before submitting a request, keep these things in mind:

• If you ask for removal right away, a creator will receive an immediate copyright strike.
• When you give the creator a seven-day notice, they will at least have an opportunity to delete the video and save their Youtube channel.

Of course, only you can decide if you want to take this action or not. This is just to inform you about the repercussions that Creator’s channel might have to face.

Further, when you are done submitting the request, you can keep the track of the process from the removal request tab.

3. Contact the Youtube Channel

If you think the above-mentioned were too harsh. You can opt for this option. You can get in touch with the Youtube creator via your content. An email template automatically creates and mails to the creator as a caution about what they are doing and the probable repercussions. You need to simply provide your email address so that you can talk via email if important.

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#2. Content ID Tool

Some copyright owners manage their copyright-protected content on YouTube by using Content ID, YouTube’s automatic content identification system. Videos posted to YouTube check against a database of audio and visual materials that copyright owners have submitted to YouTube. A Content ID claim applies to the matching video when Content ID discovers a match. After it figures out the matches, the following are the repercussions that content creators might have to face

1. Your videos or content no longer appear on youtube
2. Ads will be used against it to Monetize the videos. And occasionally the uploader is given a portion of the profits.
3. Tracking of viewership stats

#3. ‘PRE-PUBLISH CHECKS’ TOOL

Uploading a draft of your video to YouTube is another possibility to check if a song or other piece of video content in your project is copyrighted. The drafted video will then check for copyrights by YouTube when you submit it.

Before you publish your video, YouTube’s pre-publish Checks tool examines the content of your upload for a variety of potential infractions, including copyright issues and ad acceptability.

This helps creators preclude any disappointment after the fact and is beneficial for keeping them aware of potential copy strikes and associated complications, which can both decrease your revenue potential and result in penalties for your channel.

Furthermore, YouTube would identify your video with a Content ID claim if you uploaded a video featuring copyrighted music. With the “Select Action” option, you can get rid of the music, replace it, or perhaps split the revenue to fix this. You can do the same with the video portion, if it shows copyrights claim just trim that particular part and you’re good to go.

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#4. Youtube Studio

Video restrictions discourage viewers from watching your video or affect its capability to make money. For instance, there can be a copyright problem or it might not be appropriate for viewers younger than 18.

To check if your video holds a copyright claim:

1. You can head to your Youtube channel.
2. There you will see the Youtube Studio option. Simply tap on it. From there you will direct to your channel dashboard.
3. Then, you will see Video on the side pane. Tap on it. After, you will see all your videos.
4. Finally, those videos that have copyright claims will show under the Restrictions column.

#5. Copyright Disclaimer

If you’ve ever been to a website, you’ve probably noticed the little symbol (a small ‘c’ inside a circle), the year, and the URL. What it symbolizes? why it’s there? Yes, you are right. It represents a Copyright Disclaimer. It serves as proof that you stand as the rightful owner of the website you created. Besides, it also serves as a deterrent to content theft. It is clear who the website’s owner is and that they are ready to stand up for their content rights. Original works remain protected to prevent plagiarism and unauthorized use.

Individuals that utilize copyrighted content in YouTube videos in a fair use-compliant manner, upload those videos with a disclaimer that credits the creator and details their fair use policy or rights.

Owners who upload their copyrighted work to YouTube also include a copyright disclaimer in the description of their videos.

So, if you want to check out any copyrighted videos. You can check the description and locate the disclaimer. There you will see all the relevant data you are looking for. You will find some or all of the four main details in the copyright disclaimer such as  the mark for copyright, the year of release, the title name of the owner, or a declaration reserving the owner’s rights.

What does the term “Fair use policy” means?

Additionally, the concept of fair use policy is not as simple as it sounds. To help you understand the concept better, we will dive in a little further and discuss the fair use policy.

According to the fair use policy, you permit to reuse a clip under specific conditions without the owner’s consent. In these circumstances, if you stumble across a copyright-protected video, you will still be entitled to utilize it as long as you are adhering to the fair use policy.

The following scenarios approve under the fair use policy even if it’s the copyrighted content you want to upload

1. Commentary and critique: If you’re commenting on or criticizing it. For instance, by writing a book review, copying some of the lyrics from Ed Sheeran, or someone reading lines from a piece of recent news. Thus, fair use principles allow you to recreate parts of a copyrighted work to accomplish your goals.
2. Parody: Contrary to other forms of fair use, parodies are permitted to use the original work in a very broad sense to “evoke” the mood of the original work. Since they are works that mimic another, replicating it comedically, satirizing it, or just having or making fun without being offensive. 

Thats it! The above-mentioned are some of the ways you can use to identify copyrighted videos. Although, researching is the key to checking out copyrighted video copyrighted otherwise you can just upload the video on an alternate or backup youtube page and see how it goes.

Hopefully, this article turns out to be helpful for you. If you know about more ways to check copyrighted videos, feel free to mention them in our comment section.