Understanding the Basics of Copyright Claims
When a copyright claim is made on a release, it indicates that there might be a dispute regarding the ownership or licensing rights of the material. Sometimes, these claims are accurate, while in other cases, they may occur due to misidentification or errors in automations.
UnitedMasters has adopted and implements a three-strike policy that provides for the termination, in appropriate circumstances, of account holders who repeatedly violate our Terms of Service, which prohibit the submission of User Content that infringes the copyrights of others.
Key Actions to Dispute a Copyright Claim
If you believe a copyright claim against your release is false or mistaken, take the following steps:
- Provide Documentation Supporting Your Rights: - Submit clear proof of ownership or licensing rights, such as agreements, written confirmations, or original creation evidence to our support team. This documentation will help refute the claim.
- Complete the UnitedMasters DMCA Counter Notification Form: - This official form is a critical step in contesting copyright claims if you are having trouble getting in touch with the claimant or you believe your material was reported in bad faith. Fill it out accurately and attach your supporting documentation for review. Be sure to represent all details truthfully, as false notifications can have legal consequences under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f).
- Communicate Directly with the Claimant: - Contact the party that filed the claim to resolve the issue amicably. Direct communication often leads to faster resolutions.
Responses to Counter Notifications
If you are the party receiving a Counter Notification after making a copyright claim, you need to:
- File a court order within 10–14 business days to restrain the user from infringing activities. Failing to act within this timeframe will allow the reinstatement of the disputed material.
Resolving Issues with Automated Rejections
Automated rejections may flag content mistakenly for copyright infringement. Typical examples include non-exclusive instrumentals or identifiable third-party elements.
- If flagged, submit evidence showing that your material is properly licensed or fully original. This can prompt manual review, where the material may be reinstated upon validation.
- For content flagged on YouTube that you’ve activated with YouTube Content ID through UnitedMasters, consider requesting UnitedMasters to allowlist your channel to prevent future automatic flags. Provide relevant links for processing to our support team.
Social Platform Guidelines (e.g., TikTok, Facebook, Instagram)
Certain content types, such as AI-generated tracks, spoken word, or ambient music, might not meet social platform distribution criteria. Here’s how to proceed with disputed or ineligible releases:
- Confirm your release complies with the platform’s guidelines. Here is a guide for what Content is Ineligible for Facebook/Instagram and TikTok.
- Submit details using UnitedMasters’ Social Monetization Review Form.
- Notify our support team for further investigation and resolution.
Preventative Measures
- Ensure your content is entirely original or licensed correctly to avoid disputes.
- Regularly verify ownership and rights for all materials included in your releases.
- Engage directly with licensing and distribution platforms to whitelist channels when necessary.
FAQs
What happens after submitting a DMCA Counter Notification?
If the claimant does not provide proof of legal action within 14 days, the content will likely be reinstated. Allow 3–5 business days after this timeline has expired for affected material to reappear on platforms.
My artwork was rejected for copyrighted material. Can I resolve this?
Yes. Submit proof of originality or ownership to our support team. Once verified, the release will be approved.
If you have any additional questions regarding copyright claims, please reach out to our support team.
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