I used Westar Music in a YouTube video. Why did I receive a copyright violation notice from YouTube?


YouTube has identified some content in your video that belongs to someone else – in this case, it is that music belongs to us. Westar Music participates in the Content ID program which monitors all uploads to Youtube and similar online sites and searches for audio content that matches its catalog.

The Content ID technology exists so that: (a) music publishers can identify videos that include their music, (b) YouTube can generate revenue by placing ads on those identified videos, (c) Youtube can share that ad revenue with Content ID partners like Westar Music and its composers; and (d) YouTube can use this ad revenue stream so it can continue to provide its video sharing site for free.

You may have received this copyright violation notice from The Orchard. They work with us and many other composers and publishers to monitor music use online. While you own your video, you do not own our music.

If you licensed the music from Westar Music for this use, contact your Music Consultant by email. Your Consultant will confirm your license and start the process to have the notice removed from your video. In your email, please make sure to give us the URL for your video, relevant information about your license and the best way to contact you.

Claim Disputes:

But my video does not contain your music!

You may have acquired and used our music without knowing it. The good news is that your video should not be taken down because of a claim in relation to Westar Music content. However, if you believe that the YouTube Content ID system has misidentified the music in your video or that you own the identified music content – you should dispute the claim with YouTube. It will be reviewed quite quickly. Once we receive notice from YouTube, we will review your claim. If your video does not contain music owned by Westar Music, we will release the claim.

But I don’t want advertising in or next to my video!

This advertising is the way that YouTube generates revenue to pay for its service. Supporting the Content ID system helps keep YouTube free for everyone. If you properly licensed a track from Westar Music, and you have concerns about the advertising next to your video, please contact your Music Consultant by email with the URL for your video, relevant information about your license and the best way to contact you. Your Consultant will confirm your license and start the process to have the notice removed from your video.


Here's some info on YouTube Copyright Issues, straight from YouTube.

For access to the links mentioned, watch the video at YouTube