3. I got rejected for copyrighted content. I don't have any strikes!!
Just because you don't have a strike doesn't mean you're not violating copyright. Just like you might be able to steal a candy bar from the store w/o being caught violating copyright and not getting a strike doesn't make it any less illegal. Here are some common misconceptions.
A) "uncopyrighted music" is not a thing. If you use music from an "uncopyrighted" music channel you need to go to the artist yourself and make sure they give permission. Anyone can create a channel with such a name and upload music, it doesn't mean the artist really gave permission.
B) If you DO use music make certain you are crediting its source and how you have permission from the author. We recommend sticking to artists who license their work under creative commons and easily make this known on their website. Check out
incompetech.com and
joshwoodward.com for examples. Make sure in the video description when applying you provide a) how you have permission b) a link to a screen shot or license on a website proving such and c) a link to download the song from the website so we can validate it came from there.
C) Even if you use just a few seconds of copyrighted music, in most cases its still a copyright violation. This is true noteably when its used for an intro. If its background music that pops up it could be fair use as long as its not playing long.
D) If you're uploading video game content it needs to have some sort of commentary over it unless you have been given permission from the game creator (this is uncommon) to upload it w/o this. Best *** is to mute the audio of the game and just talk over it.
For further information I highly recommend you
watch this entire video on fair use and also visit
YouTube's copyright school page.
Copyright violations are a serious thing. Knowingly violating copyright and not acting about it holds SERIOUS fines. We have to be very cautious about accepting channels into the network so we are over protective here. It should be noted too if you do join and have copyright violations afterwards we are forced to remove you too. Please clean up your channel following the guidelines provided and if you are certain you've done so completely feel free to apply again. If you are sure we made a mistake
open a ticket with all proof of anything we might have misevaluated (such as you were actually given permission by the artist (show a screenshot of proof)) and we'll forward it over to the person who reviewed your account.