YouTube is using artificial intelligence to simultaneously please song copyright holders and make life a little easier for people who upload videos with songs they’re not allowed to use.
Instead of just removing a video with copyrighted audio that doesn’t belong to the uploader, they can use a new AI tool to remove the protected track without erasing the rest of the video’s audio track.
When a video receives a copyright claim for music content, YouTube now offers several editing options in YouTube Studio to get the claim released. These options include Trim, Mute, Replace Song, and the new and improved Erase Song.
The AI song erasure enhancement allows for relatively accurate identification and removal of copyrighted content from video clips. Previously, creators had limited options, such as muting the entire video or replacing the song, which often disrupted the overall viewing experience. The song erasure tool is the latest in the ongoing tug-of-war between creators and copyright holders over how to deal with copyright strikes, commonly known as copystrikes on YouTube.
The song erasing feature has been in beta testing, but this wider rollout adds the option to the Video Copyright summary page in YouTube Studio. It offers two primary options for creators facing copyright claims: Erase Song and Mute All Sound.
Good news for creators: Our updated Erase Song tool helps you easily remove copyrighted music from your video (while keeping the rest of your audio intact). Learn more… https://t.co/KeWIw3RFeHJuly 3, 2024
AI protection
The feature may not seem like a big deal to regular YouTube creators, but it’s especially important for those who rely on revenue through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). By addressing copyright claims more efficiently, creators can ensure their videos remain active and monetized, thereby securing their revenue streams.
With YouTube still facing copyright enforcement challenges, exacerbated by AI, capabilities like these will be a boon to copyright holders and creators alike. For example, YouTube will remove deepfakes of you upon request.
YouTube has even indicated that more improvements and features are coming that use AI to create and share content without the threat of copyright claims.