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Why You Received a YouTube Copyright Claim from CHOIS MUSIC and What to Do Next

Why You Received a YouTube Copyright Claim from CHOIS MUSIC and What to Do Next

March 21, 2026

Got a YouTube copyright claim from CHOIS MUSIC? Learn why it happens, common misconceptions about covers and public domain, and when you should or should not file an appeal.

What CHOIS MUSIC Does

At CHOIS MUSIC, we manage and administer music publishing rights on behalf of songwriters and publishers.

That means:

  • We register compositions

  • We track usage across platforms like YouTube

  • We collect royalties when music is used

  • We protect the rights of the copyright owners

When you receive a claim, it’s because:

Your video is using a composition that we represent on behalf of the songwriter or publisher.

This is not random, and it’s not personal. It is part of how copyright works.

Why You Received a Claim

A YouTube claim typically means:

  • Your video contains a copyrighted composition

  • That composition is owned or controlled by a rights holder

  • We are administering those rights on their behalf

Even if you created the video yourself, the underlying song still belongs to someone else.

You Can Still Create Videos Using Music

Receiving a Content ID claim does not mean you cannot use the music.

You can still:

  • Upload videos

  • Create covers

  • Use music creatively

What the claim means is:

If the video generates revenue, that revenue is passed to the songwriter or publisher who owns the composition.

This is part of how the system is designed to work.

CHOIS MUSIC’s role is to protect those rights and make sure creators are properly compensated, not to stop people from creating content.

Common Misunderstandings (and Why They’re Incorrect)

We often see the same reasons given when users file disputes. Here’s what you need to know:

1. “It’s a Cover Song”

Recording a cover does not mean you own the rights.

  • A cover recording is your recording (the master)

  • The song itself is still owned by the songwriter or publisher (the composition)

Even if you performed and recorded everything yourself:

You still need permission, or a license, to use the composition, especially on YouTube.

2. “I Changed the Song or It’s Derivative”

Changing a song does not remove copyright protection.

  • Slowing it down

  • Speeding it up

  • Changing lyrics

  • Remixing or rearranging

These are considered derivative works, and:

Derivative works still require permission from the original copyright owner.

3. “It’s Public Domain”

Most songs are not in the public domain.

In general:

  • Copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the last surviving songwriter

  • Rights are often passed down to heirs, estates, or companies

So even if a song is old, it is very likely still protected.

Claiming something is public domain without verifying this is one of the most common mistakes.

4. “I’m Not Monetizing the Video”

Monetization status does not affect copyright ownership.

  • The rights holder decides whether a work is monetized

  • Claims are often used to collect revenue on behalf of the songwriter

Whether or not you are making money is irrelevant. The copyright owner still has the right to monetize their work.

5. “I Bought the Instrumental or Karaoke Version”

This is a major source of confusion.

When you buy an instrumental or karaoke track, you are typically buying:

  • The master recording rights for that audio

You are not buying:

  • The composition rights to the song itself

Additionally:

  • Many karaoke or instrumental providers do not properly license compositions from publishers or songwriters

  • This does not transfer any rights to you

Buying a track does not give you permission to use the underlying song on YouTube.

How to Properly Use Music on YouTube

If you want to use a song legally, you need permission from the rights holders.

This usually means obtaining a license from:

  • The songwriter, or

  • The publisher representing the songwriter

Depending on usage, this could include:

  • Synchronization licenses for video use

  • Mechanical licenses for reproductions

  • Other permissions depending on the situation

There is no automatic right to use a song just because:

  • You recorded it yourself

  • You credited the artist

  • You are not monetizing

Permission must be granted, not assumed.

Should You File an Appeal?

You should only file an appeal if:

  • You have a valid license, and

  • You can prove you have permission from the songwriter or publisher

If you do not have this:

  • Filing a dispute will likely result in rejection

  • Repeated invalid disputes can affect your YouTube account

In most cases:

You do not need to do anything.

The claim simply allows the rights holder to monetize or track usage.

What the Claim Actually Means

A claim from CHOIS MUSIC is not a strike and does not mean you are in trouble.

It simply means:

  • The composition is recognized

  • The rights holder is collecting revenue or tracking usage

Your video can usually remain live.

Final Thoughts

CHOIS MUSIC exists to protect and monetize copyrights on behalf of songwriters and publishers.

If you’ve received a claim:

  • It is because the music is owned by someone we represent

  • The system is working as intended

  • You only need to take action if you have a valid license

If not, the best course of action is simple:

Let the claim stand, keep creating, and understand that any revenue generated will go to the rightful copyright owners.

Why You Received a YouTube Copyright Claim from CHOIS MUSIC and What to Do Next | CHOIS MUSIC Resources