How to Prevent Copies of Your YouTube Videos Being Reuploaded

If someone has reuploaded your YouTube video without permission, removing that copy may not be enough. The same video can be uploaded again by the same person, a different channel, a scam account, a content farm, or an impersonator. That is why YouTube offers a Prevent Copies option in the copyright removal request process.

When you submit a copyright removal request using the YouTube Studio form, you may be able to select an option to prevent future copies of the same content from appearing on YouTube. If your removal request is valid, YouTube systems will try to automatically prevent future copies from being uploaded and find potential matches for you to review.

This can be useful, but it is also serious. You should only use Prevent Copies when you or the client you represent control worldwide exclusive rights to the content and the copyright removal request is valid. Misuse can cause you to lose the ability to use the feature and may lead to other consequences.

This guide explains how Prevent Copies works, when to use it, what the eligibility requirements mean, how it connects to copyright removal requests and the Copyright Match Tool, what it does not guarantee, and how creators, businesses, and agencies should handle it safely.

The Short Answer

To prevent future copies of a removed YouTube video, submit a copyright removal request through the YouTube Studio form and select the option to prevent future copies of that content from appearing on YouTube.

You must do this before submitting the removal request. Once the request is submitted, you cannot go back and select Prevent Copies for that request.

Use the feature only if you or the client you represent control worldwide exclusive rights to the content and the removal request is valid.

What Prevent Copies Does

When selected in a valid copyright removal request, Prevent Copies asks YouTube systems to do two things:

• Automatically prevent future copies from being uploaded
• Find potential matches for you to review

This uses the same matching technology as the Copyright Match Tool. It can help stop repeat uploads of content that has already been removed through a valid copyright request.

It is useful when a video is being repeatedly copied or when you expect reuploads after a takedown.

What Prevent Copies Does Not Do

Prevent Copies is not a guarantee that every possible copy will be blocked forever. It is an automated protection tool, not a complete legal shield.

It may not stop:

• Short clips
• Heavily edited versions
• Transformative uses
• Uses that may qualify for copyright exceptions
• Content outside YouTube
• Copies that are changed enough to avoid matching
• Uploads that require human review

You still need to monitor matches and act responsibly.

Eligibility Requirement 1: Worldwide Exclusive Rights

To use Prevent Copies, you or the client you represent must control the use and distribution of the content worldwide.

This is a high standard. It means you should not use the feature if rights are split by territory, platform, licensee, partner, distributor, or owner.

Be careful if:

• You only own rights in one country
• You licensed the content from someone else
• A distributor controls some territories
• A partner has upload rights
• The content includes third-party music or footage
• The content was created for a client but rights are unclear

If rights are not worldwide and exclusive, do not assume you can use Prevent Copies safely.

Eligibility Requirement 2: Valid Copyright Removal Request

Prevent Copies is tied to a valid copyright removal request. That means the original removal request must be accurate, authorised, and legally valid.

Before selecting it, confirm:

• You own or control the copyrighted work
• The copied content is unauthorised
• You considered copyright exceptions
• The request identifies the correct content
• The information is accurate
• You are authorised to act

If the removal request is invalid, using Prevent Copies can create serious problems.

How to Select Prevent Copies

The general process is:

1. Open the copyright removal request form in YouTube Studio.
2. Enter the required copyright owner and content information.
3. Add direct links to the infringing video.
4. Go to the removal options section.
5. Select the option to prevent future copies of the content from appearing on YouTube.
6. Review the entire request carefully.
7. Submit the request.

Important: once the removal request is submitted, you cannot go back and select Prevent Copies for that request.

What Happens After You Select It?

If the removal request is valid, YouTube systems will try to automatically prevent new copies from being uploaded, regardless of privacy settings. The systems can also identify potential matches.

You can review information about prevented copies in YouTube Studio under the removal request details. YouTube may show how many videos were automatically prevented from uploading.

You should still review matches. Automated systems can help, but rights owners remain responsible for using copyright tools fairly.

Prevent Copies vs Copyright Match Tool

Prevent Copies and the Copyright Match Tool are related, but they are not identical.

The Copyright Match Tool helps find full or nearly full matches of your videos or removed videos. You review matches and choose an action.

Prevent Copies is selected when submitting a valid removal request. It asks YouTube to prevent future copies of the removed content and find potential matches.

Both use matching technology, but Prevent Copies is connected to a specific copyright removal request.

When to Use Prevent Copies

Use Prevent Copies when:

• You own or control worldwide exclusive rights
• The content has been copied without permission
• The removal request is valid
• You expect repeat uploads
• The copied content creates serious harm
• The content is valuable or sensitive
• You have authority to act for the rights owner

This can be especially useful for original videos, course content, documentaries, paid training, business assets, music videos, or creator content that is repeatedly stolen.

When Not to Use Prevent Copies

Do not use Prevent Copies when:

• You do not have worldwide exclusive rights
• You are unsure who owns the content
• The content includes licensed third-party material
• Partners are allowed to upload the content
• The match may be fair use or fair dealing
• The removal request is weak
• You are using copyright to silence criticism
• You are not authorised to act for the owner

The feature is powerful, so misuse can cause real harm.

What If the Content Includes Licensed Music?

Be careful. If your video includes licensed music, stock footage, clips, or other third-party material, you may not control worldwide exclusive rights to the full video in the way required.

Ask:

• Do I own all parts of this video?
• Does the music licence give exclusive worldwide rights?
• Does the stock footage licence allow enforcement?
• Can partners upload this content?
• Did a client or distributor keep some rights?

If you are not sure, do not select Prevent Copies until rights are confirmed.

What If You Are an Agency?

Agencies should be careful with Prevent Copies. If you represent a client, you need authority and clear evidence that the client controls worldwide exclusive rights to the content.

Agency checklist:

• Confirm client ownership
• Confirm worldwide exclusive rights
• Confirm no partner upload rights conflict
• Check third-party assets
• Get client written approval
• Document the removal request
• Track prevented copies and matches

Do not use the feature by default for every client takedown.

What If You Are a Business?

Businesses should treat Prevent Copies as part of rights management. It can protect valuable video assets, but only if rights are clear.

Before using it, businesses should document:

• Who owns the video
• Whether rights are worldwide
• Whether rights are exclusive
• Whether agencies or contractors created the content
• Whether third-party assets are included
• Whether partners can upload copies
• Who approved the request

This avoids accidental blocking of legitimate partner uploads.

What If Legitimate Copies Are Blocked?

If Prevent Copies blocks or flags legitimate uploads, review what happened. You may need to adjust your rights management process, communicate with partners, or avoid using the feature on content with shared rights.

Potential legitimate uploads include:

• Partner channels
• Regional brand channels
• Distributor channels
• Client channels
• Press or media partners
• Education partners

Coordinate before enforcement.

Misuse Risks

YouTube warns that abuse of Prevent Copies can cause loss of access to the feature. Misuse of the copyright removal request form, including false information, can result in account termination or legal consequences.

Misuse includes:

• Claiming rights you do not own
• Using false information
• Ignoring copyright exceptions
• Blocking authorised partners
• Trying to remove criticism
• Using the tool for non-copyright disputes

Use the feature only when your rights are clear.

How to Monitor Prevented Copies

You can review prevented copies in YouTube Studio.

The general process is:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio on a computer or mobile browser.
2. Open the Copyright or Content detection area.
3. Select the Removal requests tab.
4. Expand the relevant removal request row.
5. Review the Automatically prevented column.

This helps you see whether YouTube systems have prevented uploads related to your removed content.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these mistakes:

• Selecting Prevent Copies after rights were not checked
• Assuming a licence equals worldwide exclusive rights
• Forgetting you cannot add it after submission
• Using it for content with third-party assets
• Blocking partner or client uploads by mistake
• Using it against fair use or fair dealing
• Submitting false removal requests
• Failing to monitor matches after takedown

FAQ

What does Prevent Copies do on YouTube?

It asks YouTube systems to prevent future copies of removed content from being uploaded and to find potential matches.

Where do I select it?

In the YouTube Studio copyright removal request form, under removal options.

Can I add Prevent Copies after submitting?

No. Once the removal request is submitted, you cannot go back and select it.

Who can use it?

You or the client you represent must control worldwide exclusive rights, and the removal request must be valid.

Does it block every copy forever?

No. It helps prevent future copies, but it is not a perfect guarantee.

Does it work on private uploads?

YouTube says systems will try to prevent new copies regardless of privacy setting if the removal request is valid.

Can agencies use it for clients?

Yes, but only with authority and clear worldwide exclusive rights.

Can misuse cause problems?

Yes. Abuse can lead to loss of access, account termination, or legal consequences.

Final Thoughts

Prevent Copies is a valuable YouTube copyright tool when someone is repeatedly reuploading your content. It can help stop future copies and surface potential matches after a valid removal request.

But it should not be used casually. You need worldwide exclusive rights, a valid copyright removal request, and a clear understanding of how the content is owned and distributed.

For creators, it can protect original videos. For businesses, it can protect important assets. For agencies, it requires careful client approval and rights checks. Used properly, it saves time and reduces repeat infringement. Used carelessly, it can block legitimate uploads and create serious risk.