First thing first, don't panic! We've got your back. Claims can be issued for various reasons, but it's important to remember that regardless of the cause, our promise reigns true. You WILL NOT receive DMCA Takedown notices or Copyright Strikes from Songtradr.

In most cases, your best bet is to dispute the claim directly through YouTube, as this is the quickest and most efficient way to resolve the situation.

Pretzel strives to be a complication-free platform where creators can find quality and engaging music that is safe for use with their content on YouTube. Nonetheless, as with all music licensing platforms, false positives can occur. Fortunately, we have control over all assets supplied through the Pretzel platform, allowing us to resolve false claims through our YouTube CMS quickly. 

Two things are standard when an Artist/Rightsholder partners with Pretzel:

1. Copyright law determines that the Artist/Rightsholder owns all permissions to their catalog, regardless of any partnership they enter with us.

2. The Artist/Rightsholder has not provided Pretzel exclusive rights to their catalog so that they can change their mind at any time.  

This means, following their decision to opt into our player, an Artist/Rightsholder may decide to monetize directly through YouTube Content ID, resulting in YouTube claims being issued. The Artist/Rightsholder can then begin monetizing from user-generated content that creators/influencers are streaming and uploading with their music, i.e., rather than earning commission from another party, such as Pretzel.

In theory, this should rarely happen. If it does, we should be made aware before any changes take place, allowing us to update the status of music in our player first. But, to reiterate, no system's perfect, and we're working within the realms that we can based on our partnerships with YouTube Content ID and Artists/Rightsholders at this time. Nevertheless, please rest assured if this takes place, we will be notified within 24 hours, and tracks will be updated as unsafe for use with YouTube in the player for our fellow streamers. 

Here's what you can find in this article:

• What's the difference between a Copyright Claim and a Copyright Strike? 
• If all the music is safe using this filter, why are my VODs receiving claims?
• I've received a claim that says I'm sharing revenue.
• I received a claim during my live stream; what gives?
• How does it affect my YouTube Channel when I receive a claim?
• The claim I've received is saying that I'm ineligible to monetize
• Songtradr issued me a claim; what's happening?
• Is there a way to avoid claim notifications altogether?
• I thought signing up with Pretzel meant I would never receive claims.
• What's the difference between a live stream and a VOD?
• Can Pretzel Whitelist my YouTube Channel? 
• Can Pretzel music be used for pre-recorded intros/outros in VODs?
• Why do I need to dispute the claims in YouTube instead of Pretzel disputing for me? 
• Is Pretzel unwilling to assist with YouTube claims directly? 
• How do I dispute a claim? 
• I submitted an appeal to dispute the claim with YouTube; now what? 

What's the difference between a Copyright Claim and a Copyright Strike?

Copyright claims are entirely automated by YouTube's Content ID system and can be appealed when you have proper proof of rights (which Pretzel grants through our terms of service). Claims will never result in a Copyright Strike. On the other hand, Copyright Strikes are defined by law and activated manually by the Artist/Rightsholder. Copyright Strikes occur when an Artist/Rightsholder asks for the legal removal of your content due to a lack of permission to use their property. Strikes are also a much more serious concern, as they can lead to the suspension and demonetization of your YouTube channel altogether. 

If all the music is safe using this filter, why are my VODs receiving claims?

Uploading your streams as VODs afterward is typically okay. That said, Artists can update their agreements whenever they wish. This means that even though the music was safe during your live stream, and possibly even when you chose to upload the video, if the Artist/Rightsholder updates the status of their music, even months or years down the line - you could potentially receive a claim.

Don't worry, though. As long as you're still a paid subscriber with us, we've still got your back in this case. You'll remain safe from Copyright Strikes and DMCA takedown notices; however, you may be notified that you're now sharing revenue with the artist. A tiny percentage is generally shared only for the used track when this happens. Furthermore, you'll keep 100% of the revenue earned before the agreements are updated.

I've received a claim that says I'm sharing revenue.

The Artist/Rightsholder has recently changed their monetization agreements and has decided to distribute their music elsewhere or through YouTube directly. When this happens, and Pretzel is not notified, or there's a pending change we've just been made aware of, the track will likely be updated in our player within 24 hours as it is no longer safe for use.

Our commitment to you still stands, and you will not receive a DMCA Takedown notice or Copyright Strike. 

I received a claim during my livestream; what gives?

In rare cases, you may receive a claim during a live stream. All music being played through the YouTube Safe filter should remain safe for the entirety of your live stream; however, if there are updates in process at the time of your live stream to the music you're using, this could result in a claim. While we do our best to prevent overlap like this, it's only sometimes avoidable. Regardless, you will not receive DMCA Takedown notices or Copyright Strikes from Songtradr. 

How does it affect my YouTube Channel when I receive a claim?

Although you may have received a claim, as long as you were signed up on a paid plan with us and are using music through the "YouTube-Safe" filter, regardless of any updates to the status of that music, there will be no adverse impact to your channel. Furthermore, you will not receive DMCA Takedown notices or Copyright Strikes from Songtradr.

The claim I've received is saying that I'm ineligible to monetize.

You may be ineligible to monetize with YouTube for several reasons, as YouTube does have set policies you must adhere to to collect revenue. However, if you are already monetizing on YouTube and have received a claim that says you're ineligible to monetize on a specific video, that is likely due to the actions that the claimer has set in place for YouTube Content ID to take when they've identified the artist's music is being used.

Songtradr issued me a claim; what's happening?

To begin with, it's important to note that Songtradr owns Pretzel. So, if you see Songtradr listed as the asset owner in your claim, that is to be expected.

As far as why the claim has occurred, the track may have become unsafe for YouTube after being supplied on our platform. In this case, we'd still recommend disputing the claim directly through YouTube, and our team will be sure to take a closer look at the tracks being claimed and release disputes on our end, generally within 48 hours. However, when receiving a claim notice from YouTube, please always ensure that the claim isn’t coming from some other track or party not affiliated with Songtradr (this information will be available in the notice sent to your Gmail account). If the claim appears to be produced from a song or party not affiliated, you must contact the third parties directly to dispute via YouTube. 

Is there a way to avoid claim notifications altogether?

We wish there were, but it's impossible to avoid claim notifications from YouTube, at this time. In some cases, you may even receive notifications that appear as claims but are, in fact, due to PROs, i.e. (SESAC, BMI, ASCAP, etc.) tracking data for the artists that they manage. Do not worry; these claims are strictly for tracking purposes and allow Artists/Rightsholders to properly log their usage from around the globe. Furthermore, they will not result in demonetization but will remain active for tracking purposes. 

Note: It's important to know what type of claim YouTube is issuing. Claims issued by PROs will consistently be declined as they're set in place to track data for the Artists/Rightsholders. If you are unsure, we are always happy to investigate further before you dispute. 

I thought signing up with Pretzel meant I would never receive claims.

It's a common misconception that Pretzel can help you avoid copyright claims 100%. That's pretty much impossible for companies like ours to guarantee. As it stands, Artists/Rightsholders hold exclusive rights to their catalogs and have the authority to change their minds. Further, they decide what actions to take as a YouTube Content ID user. 

What we promise is that you will never receive DMCA Takedown notices or Copyright Strikes from Songtradr as a result of using our YouTube-safe catalog.

What's the difference between a live stream and a VOD?

A live stream is a broadcast that an audience views in real time. It allows instantaneous interaction and creates a more personable experience between the influencer and the viewers. However, once the livestream has ended, there's no way for a fan to look back at the content. A VOD (Video on Demand) offers more wiggle room for creators as they can upload pre-recorded content to their social channels to help build their fanbase/following.

Can Pretzel Whitelist my YouTube Channel?

Aside from Pretzel, we manage several brands, including Songtradr Marketplace, Enterprise, Business, and more. YouTube’s allowlist feature does not allow parties to indicate specific assets per brand to be cleared. Because of this, allowlisting is reserved for clients who are cleared for all Songtradr brands and catalogs.

Can Pretzel music be used in pre-recorded intros/outros in VODs?

As long as you're a Pro subscriber and have toggled on the Download filter in the player, you should be free to use that music in your VODs. That said, as applies to all music within the Pretzel player marked "YouTube-Safe," the rights to those tracks live with Artists/Rightsholders. If they change their agreements, you may begin to receive claims on your pre-recorded content. You will not receive DMCA Takedown notices or Copyright Strikes from Songtradr if this occurs. You'll keep all of the earnings received on your VODS before the change occurs, but you're likely to be advised that moving forward, you're sharing revenue. If this happens, it's usually a small percentage being shared for the use of the music, but it will be up to you how you wish to proceed with new content created.

Why do I need to dispute claims in YouTube instead of Pretzel disputing for me?

Ultimately, disputing yourself will result in a quicker resolution. Any conflicts found on music assets in YouTube's Content ID system where Artists/Rightsholders have updated agreements, rendering the music no longer safe for use in YouTube, will be reported to us directly. Our player also updates according to these notifications so that we may amend the status of tracks within our system when need be.

Is Pretzel unwilling to assist with YouTube claims directly?

We're sorry if that's the impression you've gotten because that's not the case. The truth is that disputing yourself is much more efficient and allows better tracking across YouTube's Content ID system regarding what's happening with the status of music assets. However, once you've received a response from YouTube, we're happy to share what we can if you still have questions. Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this article so our support team can help!

Sometimes, your disputes may be reinstated; if that happens, it is due to revisions with Artists/Rightsholders. We're unable to override YouTube's final decision on appeals in this case, and the claim will be determined non-negotiable according to the Artists/Rightsholders agreements. Despite this, Pretzel's original agreement with Artists/Rightsholders protects you from DMCA Takedown and Copyright Strikes. Whether you decide to mute, remove, update or make no changes to the music used in the content will be up to you. In the worst-case scenario, you will share a small percentage of revenue earned for disputed tracks with the artists moving forward and keep all past earnings received on the content before changes were made.

How do I dispute a claim?

For instructions on how to dispute in YouTube's system, see here.

I submitted an appeal to dispute the claim with YouTube; now what?

Now, the responsibility shifts to the Artist/Rightsholder who made the copyright claim to release the claim.

Note: Google will release any revenue you've made on that video to you as long as you've filed within five days of receiving the claim.

While in review, Pretzel will work to find out if this was a filing mistake made by someone on behalf of the artist, if it's a copyright squatter/troll, or if it's simply an error. Typically, claims are released when content creators file a legitimate dispute. If the claim is upheld, Pretzel will contact the claimant directly to resolve it on the backend.