A YouTube copyright strike is one of the most serious penalties a creator can receive. Unlike a Content ID claim, a copyright strike is a formal legal action — and three of them will permanently terminate your channel. This guide explains exactly what a copyright strike is, what happens after each one, and how to remove or prevent them.
A YouTube copyright strike occurs when a copyright owner submits a formal DMCA takedown notice claiming that one of your videos infringes their copyright. When YouTube verifies the notice, it:
Note: A copyright strike is different from a Content ID claim. Content ID claims are automated and typically only affect monetisation. Copyright strikes are manual legal filings and carry far more serious consequences.
| Strike Count | Consequence | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Strike | Warning + mandatory Copyright School. Video removed. No immediate upload restriction. | Expires after 90 days |
| 2nd Strike | Cannot upload, post, or live stream for 2 weeks. Video removed. | Restriction lasts 2 weeks; strike expires after 90 days |
| 3rd Strike | Permanent channel termination. All videos, playlists, and subscribers are deleted. | Permanent — no recovery |
A copyright strike lasts 90 days (3 months) from the date it was issued. After completing Copyright School and having no further violations during those 90 days, the strike expires automatically.
Important: strikes do not "stack" instantly — YouTube looks at how many active (non-expired) strikes you have at any given time. If your first strike expires before you receive a second, you're back to zero.
You have three options for getting a copyright strike removed:
Complete YouTube's mandatory Copyright School and wait 90 days. This is the safest option if you cannot dispute the claim successfully.
Reach out to the copyright owner who filed the claim and ask them to retract it. If they agree, they can withdraw the strike through YouTube's Copyright Management tools. This is the fastest option if you have a good relationship with the claimant or can demonstrate you had permission to use their content.
If the strike was filed in error — for example, you own the content, had a valid licence, or your use qualifies as fair use — you can submit a DMCA counter-notification through YouTube Studio.
A YouTube copyright strike is a formal DMCA takedown applied to your channel when a copyright owner legally requests removal of your video. Three strikes result in permanent channel termination. It is more serious than a Content ID claim.
A YouTube copyright strike lasts 90 days from the date it was issued. After completing Copyright School and having no further violations, the strike expires after 90 days.
You can: (1) wait 90 days for it to expire, (2) contact the claimant and ask them to retract it, or (3) file a DMCA counter-notification if you have legal grounds such as owning the content, having a licence, or fair use applying.
After 3 copyright strikes, your YouTube channel is permanently terminated. All videos, playlists, and subscribers are deleted. You may also be banned from creating new YouTube accounts.
No. A Content ID claim is automated and usually only limits monetisation with no strike on your channel. A copyright strike is a formal DMCA legal action filed manually — far more serious, with channel termination as the ultimate consequence.