You made the damn music. You filmed the damn video. You own everything in it… and TikTok still hit you with a copyright strike? Yeah, that’s absolute bullshit.
Look, getting a copyright claim on content you actually created is one of the most infuriating things that can happen on TikTok, not gonna lie. You’re sitting there like “WTF, I literally made this myself” and TikTok’s automated system is treating you like some kind of pirate.
This happens way more than it should, and it’s screwing over legit creators every single day!
The good news? You’re not helpless here. There are ways to fight these bogus claims and get your content restored. But you gotta move fast and know exactly what to do…
Why This Bullshit Happens (Even When You Own It)
TikTok uses automated copyright detection systems that scan every video for matches against their database of copyrighted material. These bots are supposed to protect copyright owners, but they’re dumb as rocks sometimes.
The system can’t tell if YOU’RE the actual owner.
If you upload your own original music that happens to sound similar to something else in their database, boom – false claim. The algorithm doesn’t care that you’re the artist who created it, you know what I mean?
Someone else distributed your music first.
This one’s sneaky. If someone stole your content and uploaded it to TikTok’s music library before you did, or if a distributor got it there first, TikTok’s system thinks THEY’re the original owner. Now you’re flagged for using your own damn music.
Third-party claims from trolls or mistakes.
Some people file false copyright claims maliciously, others do it by accident. Either way, if someone claims your original content belongs to them, TikTok removes it first and asks questions later. The burden of proof falls on you to fight it.
Automatic matching is too aggressive.
TikTok’s detection algorithms err on the side of taking stuff down. A few seconds of similar-sounding audio? Flagged. Background music that resembles something copyrighted? Muted. And the system prioritizes protecting big rights holders over individual creators, which means you get caught in the crossfire bet…
You edited music from TikTok’s library into your video.
Here’s a weird one – if you take a track from TikTok’s official music library and edit it directly into your video during production instead of adding it through the app, their system might flag it anyway! This happens because the detection bot can’t verify you added it properly, no cap.
And if you’re also dealing with analytics not updating after a copyright strike, those are separate systems but both need fixing.
How to Appeal a False Copyright Claim (Do This Immediatly)
When TikTok removes your original content for copyright infringement, you need to act fast. Here’s exactly what to do:
1. Submit a Counter-Notification Through the App
Go to your notifications and find the copyright removal notice. Tap on it and select “Appeal” or “Submit Counter-Notification” – TikTok will walk you through their in-app process.
You’ll need to explain why the claim is wrong and provide evidence that you own the content. Be clear and direct: “I am the original creator of this music/video. I composed, recorded, and produced this content myself.”
2. Use TikTok’s Official Counter-Notification Form
If the in-app appeal doesn’t work or isn’t available, go to TikTok’s official Counter Notification Form on their website. This is your formal legal response to the copyright claim.
You’ll need to provide your contact information, details about the removed content, and evidence of ownership. Upload timestamps, project files, original recordings, copyright registrations – whatever proves you made it!
3. Gather All Your Evidence
The more proof you have, the better your chances. Collect everything that shows you’re the original creator, like:
Timestamped project files from your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or video editing software showing when you created the content. These file dates prove you made it before anyone else claimed it.
Original recordings and raw footage that only you would have access to. If someone stole your content, they won’t have the unedited versions or source files.
Copyright registration documents if you registered your work with your country’s copyright office. This is the strongest proof possible, though not required for copyright protection.
Social media posts or uploads from earlier dates showing you created this content before the false claim was filed. Screenshots with visible timestamps work great here.
Distribution receipts from music distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby if you distributed the music yourself through official channels.
4. Contact the False Claimant Directly (If Possible)
Sometimes false claims happen by mistake. If you can identify who filed the claim against you, reach out to them directly and explain that you’re the actual owner. They might retract the claim voluntarily.
TikTok will usually include information about who filed the claim in their notification to you. So a polite but firm message explaining the situation can resolve this faster than going through official appeals, for real!
5. Email TikTok’s Copyright Team
If the standard appeals aren’t working, try emailing copyright@tiktok.com directly. Include all your evidence and a clear explanation of the situation.
Be professional but persistent. Automated responses are common, but keep pushing if your claim is legitimate…
Sometimes copyright issues happen alongside other problems like reversed or mirrored videos – fix one issue at a time.
What NOT to Do When Fighting a False Claim
People make these mistakes all the time and it screws up their appeals:
Don’t reupload the same content immediatly.
If your video was removed for copyright, uploading it again before resolving the claim just gets you another strike. Wait until your appeal is processed or you’ve proven ownership, dude!
Don’t ignore the claim thinking it’ll go away.
Copyright strikes don’t disappear on their own. You get three strikes total before TikTok permanently bans your account, so fight every false claim aggressively. Letting even one stand is risky as hell.
Don’t lie or exaggerate in your appeal.
Be 100% honest in your counter-notification. If you get caught lying about ownership, you could face legal consequences under DMCA laws. Plus TikTok will reject your appeal and probably never trust your claims again.
Don’t make vague appeals without evidence.
Just saying “this is my original content” without proof won’t cut it. TikTok gets thousands of appeals daily – you need solid evidence or they’ll reject yours automatically. That’s mid effort and it shows.
Don’t harass TikTok support or spam appeals.
Sending 20 emails or filling out the form multiple times doesn’t speed things up, it pisses them off. Submit one thorough, well-documented appeal and then follow up professionally if you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe.
Preventing False Copyright Claims in the Future
Once you’ve dealt with this nightmare, here’s how to avoid it happening again:
Distribute your music officially through TikTok first.
If you’re a musician, get your original tracks into TikTok’s music library through official distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby. Once your music is in their system as yours, false claims become way less likely. This move is bussin’ for protecting your content!
Always add TikTok library music through the app, not external editing.
If you want to use a track from TikTok’s library, add it using TikTok’s built-in tools instead of editing it in during video production. The system recognizes properly-added tracks and won’t flag them.
Use TikTok’s copyright check tool before posting.
Go to TikTok Studio in settings and turn on “Video Sound Copyright Check” – this scans your video for potential issues before you publish it. Catching problems before posting saves you from strikes bet!
Keep detailed records of everything you create.
Save project files, timestamps, receipts, registrations – everything that proves you created your content. Store this stuff in the cloud so you always have access when you need to prove ownership.
Watermark your original content.
Add subtle watermarks or signatures to your videos and music. This won’t stop false claims entirely, but it makes it way easier to prove the content is yours when disputes happen.
Register your copyrights officially.
In the US, you can register copyrights with the Copyright Office for aproximately $65 per work. This gives you the strongest legal protection possible and makes appeals way easier to win.
Understanding TikTok’s Strike System
Here’s what you need to know about how copyright strikes actually work on TikTok, because this affects your whole account:
You get 3 strikes before account termination.
TikTok operates on a three-strike system for copyright violations. Each false claim counts as a strike even if you didn’t do anything wrong, which is why fighting them is so crucial!
Strikes expire after 90 days.
If you don’t get additional strikes, old ones fall off your record after three months. But don’t rely on this – if you get three strikes before the first one expires, you’re banned permanently.
Successful appeals remove strikes immediatly.
When you win a copyright appeal, that strike is erased from your account like it never happened. This is why thorough, well-documented appeals matter so much…
Copyright and trademark strikes are counted separately.
TikTok tracks copyright infringement strikes and trademark infringement strikes in different buckets. You could theoretically have two copyright strikes and two trademark strikes without getting banned, though obviously you should avoid all of them IYKYK!
When to Get Legal Help
Sometimes false copyright claims escalate beyond what you can handle yourself. Consider getting a lawyer if:
The false claimant is threatening legal action against you or refusing to retract their claim despite your proof of ownership. A cease and desist letter from an attorney often resolves this fast.
Your TikTok account was permanently banned due to false strikes and normal appeals aren’t working. An IP attorney can file more formal legal challenges that TikTok takes more seriously.
Someone is repeatedly filing false claims against your content maliciously. This might constitute harassment or tortious interference, which you can sue them for in some cases. That’s some extra behavior right there, but sometimes necessary!
You’ve lost significant income due to removed content and false claims. If you’re a professional creator who lost monetization or sponsorships, you may have grounds for damages for real…
Here’s The Deal
Getting hit with false copyright claims on your own original content is infuriating as hell, but you’re not powerless. TikTok’s automated systems make mistakes constantly, and they’re screwing over legit creators in the process.
The key is acting fast, gathering solid evidence, and submitting thorough appeals that prove you’re the actual owner. And don’t let false claims slide – each strike brings you closer to account termination…
Keep detailed records of everything you create, use TikTok’s official tools properly, and consider distributing your music through official channels to prevent this bullshit from happening in the first place. Your original content deserves protection, and you have every right to fight for it!
Now stop reading and go file that appeal if you haven’t already, because time matters with these copyright strikes :/
If this helped you fight your false copyright claim, share it with other creators getting screwed by TikTok’s broken system!