Things to note when registering copyright for songs on YouTube

Registering copyright for songs on YouTube not only helps authors assert ownership of their work but also serves as an important basis for protecting their rights in case of disputes or unauthorized copying. However, caution is needed when registering copyright for songs on YouTube to avoid violating policies and minimize the risk of counterclaims.

Procedure for registering song copyright on YouTube

Before registering on YouTube, you need to complete the copyright registration for your song according to Vietnamese law. The basic procedure includes submitting the registration documents to the receiving agency.

Song Copyright Registration Documents:

• Copyright Registration Application Form

• Copy of the author/owner’s identification document

• Sound recording, musical score, or lyrics

• Declaration that the work is original and not copied

• Power of Attorney (if submitted through a representative agency)

Receiving Authority:

• Copyright Office – Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

• Or representative offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang

After receiving the Copyright Registration Certificate, you will be legally eligible to proceed with the steps to register the song copyright on YouTube.

How to register song copyright on YouTube

To protect your legal rights to songs uploaded to YouTube, the owner needs to register the copyright according to the correct procedure. Below are the steps for registering song copyright on YouTube that are commonly applied today.

Step 1: Choose the appropriate copyright protection method

Currently, registering copyright for songs on YouTube can be done in two main ways, depending on the needs and conditions of the author or owner:

• Registering copyright through the usual procedure at the competent State agency (Copyright Office). This method helps establish copyright and related rights according to Vietnamese law.

• Registering copyright through YouTube’s policy via the Content ID system. This is a tool provided by YouTube to identify, manage, and exploit copyrighted music content on the platform.

In practice, many owners choose to combine both methods to ensure legal basis while effectively controlling and monetizing on YouTube.

Step 2: Prepare the necessary documents

Depending on the registration method, the required documents will vary. For registration under YouTube’s Content ID policy:

• Complete the registration form provided by YouTube or its Content ID partner;

• Provide the original audio file, author information, and copyright owner information.

For copyright registration under the standard procedure, the application for copyright registration of a song on YouTube includes:

• Copyright/related rights registration application form in Vietnamese, fully detailing the applicant, author, copyright owner, completion date of the work, summary of content, audio/video recording, responsibility commitment, etc. The application form must be signed or fingerprinted by the author or copyright owner;

• CD or storage device containing the song or video content to be registered;

• Power of attorney (if submitting the application through a representative);

• Written consent from co-owners (if any);

• Documents proving ownership, such as certificates of original creation, creative contracts, or contracts for the transfer or assignment of copyright.

Step 3: Submit the registration application

• For Content ID registration: After filling out the form completely, the owner only needs to submit the request for review on the system. The review process typically includes a certain number of videos on the YouTube channel and meeting the criteria set by YouTube’s policy. The review time depends on the platform’s internal procedures.

• For applications submitted to the Copyright Office: Applications are received and evaluated for the issuance of a Certificate of Copyright or Related Rights. The processing time is usually around 15 working days from the date the application is deemed valid.

Step 4: Receiving Results and Managing Copyright

After review:

• For Content ID, the YouTube channel or content will display a confirmation status. Videos using the song without permission may then be blocked, monitored, or revenue transferred to the owner according to the selected settings.

• For registrations under government procedures, the owner will receive a Certificate of Copyright/Related Rights Registration, which is an important legal basis for handling copyright infringement on YouTube and other platforms.

Things to note when registering copyright for songs on YouTube

When registering song copyright on YouTube, authors and copyright owners need to pay special attention to the following important issues to avoid legal risks and ensure their legitimate rights:

• Clearly distinguish between author’s copyright and YouTube copyright: Registering copyright with the Copyright Office establishes ownership rights under Vietnamese law, while YouTube’s Content ID system is merely a tool for managing and identifying content on the platform. Having a copyright certificate does not automatically mean the video will be protected or blocked from copying on YouTube if it is not properly registered or managed within the platform’s system.

• Ensure the song is legally owned or authorized by you: Only register copyright and file content claims on YouTube for songs where you are the author, co-author, or legal copyright owner. • If a song has multiple composers, arrangers, or production companies involved, clear documentation proving ownership is necessary to avoid disputes and counterclaims.

• Check for third-party content use: If the song uses beats, samples, background music, chord progressions, or arrangements purchased from audio libraries, carefully check the scope of usage rights. Many copyright claims on YouTube are still filed due to incomplete commercial exploitation or distribution rights.

• Provide accurate and consistent information: The title of the work, author’s name, publication date, copyright owner, etc., must be absolutely consistent when registering copyright and when declaring to YouTube. Inaccurate or inconsistent information can lead to the rejection of copyright verification requests or make dispute resolution difficult.

• Be cautious when submitting copyright claims: YouTube has a strict mechanism for handling false or abusive claims. If you submit a video removal request without clear grounds, your account may be warned or have its usage restricted. Therefore, you should only file a complaint when you have sufficient legal evidence proving ownership of the song.

• Keep complete records and evidence of copyright: Copyright registration certificates, transfer contracts, co-authorship agreements, original song files… are important documents that need to be carefully preserved. This will be the basis for protecting your rights in case of copyright disputes on YouTube.

The above are “Important notes when registering copyright for songs on YouTube that authors and copyright owners need to know before uploading their works to the digital platform.” If you still have questions about the procedures or need assistance with copyright registration and verification, authors should seek professional consulting services for accurate and safe guidance.

Sincerely,

FAQ