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.
This is beyond infuriating!
Look, getting a copyright claim on content you actually created is one of the most maddening things that can happen. You’re sitting there like “WTF, I literally made this myself” and TikTok’s automated system is treating you like some kind of pirate. I’m not gonna lie… this happens WAY more than it should and it’s screwing over legit creators every single day.
Why This Bullshit Even Happens
TikTok uses automated copyright detection that scans every video for matches. These bots are supposed to protect copyright owners, but they’re dumb as rocks sometimes. Here’s what’s probably screwing you:
- The system can’t tell if YOU’RE the actual owner – Your original music sounds similar to something in their database? Flagged. Algorithm doesn’t care that you created it.
- Someone else distributed your music first – If someone stole your content and uploaded it to TikTok’s library BEFORE you, TikTok thinks THEY’RE the owner. Now you’re flagged for using your own damn music.
- Third-party claims from trolls or mistakes – People file false claims maliciously or by accident. TikTok removes it FIRST, asks questions later.
- Detection is too aggressive – Few seconds of similar audio? Flagged. System prioritizes big rights holders over individual creators. Facts.
The whole system is backwards!
That Weird Music Library Thing
Here’s something bizarre – 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. So even when you’re using THEIR music THEIR way, it can still get you hit.
How to Appeal This Garbage
When TikTok removes your original content, you need to act FAST. Here’s exactly what works:
Submit a Counter-Notification Through the App: Go to your notifications, find the copyright removal notice, tap 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. Be clear and direct: “I am the original creator of this music/video. I composed, recorded, and produced this content myself.”
Use TikTok’s Official Form: If the in-app appeal doesn’t work, go to TikTok’s official Counter Notification Form on their website. This is your formal legal response. You’ll need contact info, details about the removed content, and evidence of ownership. Upload timestamps, project files, original recordings, copyright registrations – whatever proves you made it!
Gather ALL Your Evidence
The more proof you have, the better your chances. Collect everything that shows you’re the original creator:
- Timestamped project files from your DAW or video editing software showing when you created it
- Original recordings and raw footage that only you would have access to
- Copyright registration documents if you registered with your country’s copyright office
- Earlier social media posts with visible timestamps showing you created this first
- Distribution receipts from DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby
Contact the False Claimant Directly: Sometimes these happen by mistake. If you can identify who filed the claim, reach out and explain you’re the actual owner. They might retract it voluntarily. TikTok usually includes claimant info in their notification. So a polite but firm message can resolve this faster than going through official appeals, for real!
Email TikTok’s Copyright Team: If standard appeals aren’t working, try emailing copyright@tiktok.com directly. Include ALL your evidence and a clear explanation. Be professional but persistent. Automated responses are common, but keep pushing if your claim is legitimate.
What NOT to Do
People make these mistakes all the time and it screws up their appeals. Don’t reupload the same content immediately – if your video was removed, uploading it again before resolving the claim just gets you another strike. Wait until your appeal is processed, dude!
And DON’T ignore the claim thinking it’ll go away. Copyright strikes don’t disappear on their own. Deadass, you get three strikes total before TikTok permanently bans your account, so fight EVERY one aggressively. Letting even one stand is risky as hell. Be 100% honest in your counter-notification too – 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.
Just saying “this is my 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. And don’t harass support or spam appeals either – sending 20 emails doesn’t speed things up, it pisses them off. Submit ONE thorough appeal and follow up professionally if you don’t hear back.
Preventing This Nightmare
Once you’ve dealt with this bullshit, here’s how to avoid it happening again:
1. 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!
2. Always add TikTok library music through the app, not external editing. The system recognizes properly-added tracks and won’t flag them.
3. 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 BEFORE you publish it. Catching problems before posting saves you from strikes bet!
4. Keep detailed records of EVERYTHING you create. Save project files, timestamps, receipts, registrations. Store this stuff in the cloud so you always have access when you need to prove ownership.
5. Add subtle watermarks or signatures to your videos and music. Won’t stop false claims entirely, but makes it WAY easier to prove the content is yours when disputes happen.
And register your copyrights officially – in the US, you can register with the Copyright Office for approximately $65 per work. Strongest legal protection possible and makes appeals way easier to win.
TikTok’s Strike System
You get 3 strikes before account termination. Each claim counts even if you didn’t do ANYTHING wrong. Strikes expire after 90 days if you don’t get additional ones, but don’t rely on this – three strikes before the first expires means permanent ban. This system is so unforgiving!
When you win an appeal, that strike is erased like it never happened. This is why thorough appeals matter so much. And here’s something interesting – copyright and trademark strikes are counted separately 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: If the claimant is threatening legal action or refusing to retract despite your proof, get a lawyer. A cease and desist letter from an attorney often resolves this fast. Or if your account was permanently banned and normal appeals aren’t working – an IP attorney can file more formal legal challenges that TikTok takes seriously. If someone’s repeatedly filing false claims maliciously, this might constitute harassment. That’s some extra behavior right there!
Real Talk About This Whole Mess
Getting hit with copyright claims on your own original content is infuriating as hell, but you’re not powerless. TikTok’s automated systems make mistakes constantly and lowkey screw over legit creators in the process.
Act fast when it happens… Gather solid evidence and submit thorough appeals that prove you’re the actual owner. 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!
