# Twitch DMCA Strike: Counter-Notice and Copyright School > Got a Twitch DMCA strike? How strikes work, when a counter-notification or retraction fits, and how Copyright School removes a strike. - URL: https://www.awarexone.com/research/twitch-dmca-strike-counter-notification-copyright-school - Author: Md Shariar Shanaz Shuvon, Founder & CEO, AwareXone - Published: 2026-11-14 - Topics: Twitch, DMCA, Copyright, Creators - Related service: Business and creator recovery: https://www.awarexone.com/services/business-creator-recovery ## Short answer A Twitch DMCA strike comes from a complete copyright notification against your content, and three strikes lead to termination. If the claim was a mistake, you can send a counter-notification to Twitch or ask the rights holder to retract it. If Twitch invites you to Copyright School, completing it removes one strike, once every 12 months. ## Summary - Twitch issues a copyright strike when it receives a complete DMCA notification against your content, under its repeat infringer policy. - Twitch treats an account with three copyright strikes as a repeat infringer and will terminate its access to the service. - You can dispute a notification sent by mistake or misidentification with a counter-notification, or ask the rights holder for a retraction. - A counter-notification is shared with the claimant and includes consent to a court's jurisdiction, so legal advice is worth getting first. - If you are invited and complete Copyright School, one strike is removed, and you can take it once every 12 months. - Muted VOD audio and Copyright Audio Warnings are not DMCA notifications or copyright strikes, according to Twitch. You open Twitch and find an email saying a VOD or clip was removed after a DMCA notification, and your channel now has a copyright strike. You want to know how serious it is, whether you can dispute it, and how to keep the channel safe. This guide walks through Twitch's own DMCA process step by step, using Twitch's DMCA Guidelines and its DMCA and Copyright FAQs. It is general information, not legal advice. Last checked: 14 November 2026. ## Quick Answer A Twitch DMCA strike comes from a complete copyright notification against your content, and three strikes lead to termination. If the claim was a mistake, you can send a counter-notification to Twitch or ask the rights holder to retract it. If Twitch invites you to Copyright School, completing it removes one strike, once every 12 months. ## How a Twitch Copyright Strike Happens Twitch's [DMCA Guidelines](https://legal.twitch.com/en/legal/dmca-guidelines/) say that when Twitch receives a complete notification from a rights holder or their authorised agent, it generally notifies the account holder and removes or disables access to the recorded content. It may disable a livestream or suspend an account if the claimed infringement is continuing at the time. Twitch says it will send you information about the notification and issue a copyright strike under its repeat infringer policy. Twitch's [DMCA and Copyright FAQs](https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/dmca-and-copyright-faqs) describe strikes as the penalty applied when Twitch receives a complete DMCA notification against allegedly infringing content on your channel. Twitch says it is not a copyright court and acts as a go-between, so it does not decide who is right. ## What Is and Is Not a Strike *Summary by AwareXone of Twitch's DMCA Guidelines, DMCA and Copyright FAQs and Music Reporting Process (read 14 November 2026).* | What you received | Is it a copyright strike? | What Twitch says | | --- | --- | --- | | Email about a DMCA notification against your content | Yes, generally | Strikes follow a complete DMCA notification | | Muted portion of a VOD | No | Content recognition muting is not a DMCA notification | | Copyright Audio Warning by email | No | These are not DMCA notifications nor copyright strikes | | Report under the Music Reporting Process | Separate process | Runs apart from the DMCA process for participating music rights holders | Twitch's [Music Reporting Process](https://legal.twitch.com/legal/dmca-guidelines/music-reporting-process/) page says this process is only for music rights holders who have opted in and does not replace the DMCA process, so a channel can still receive DMCA notifications from other rights holders. ## The Three-Strike Rule Twitch's DMCA Guidelines say a user is considered a repeat infringer if they accrue three copyright strikes, and Twitch will terminate the account holder's access. Twitch also says it can terminate accounts that act against its Terms of Service regardless of strike count. The guidelines say strikes are not permanent, and the FAQs say copyright strikes expire, with the date depending on factors such as when the strike was issued and the account's standing. Twitch does not publish a fixed expiry period. ## Step 1: Read the Notification Carefully - Note which content was removed, the date, and the name of the claimant. - Check your Copyright Claims Manager, where Twitch says the claimant's contact email is identified. - Check whether you had a licence or permission for the material. - Keep the email and any licence documents together. ## Step 2: Choose Between a Retraction and a Counter-Notification *Options from Twitch's DMCA Guidelines, arranged by AwareXone (read 14 November 2026).* | Option | When it fits | What happens | | --- | --- | --- | | Ask for a retraction | You can reach the claimant and believe they made a mistake, or you have a licence | If the claimant retracts, the notification does not qualify for a strike and Twitch may restore content | | Send a counter-notification | You believe the notification was sent by mistake or misidentification | Twitch generally notifies the claimant and may restore recorded content; disputed notifications generally do not count as strikes unless and until resolved | | Accept the strike | The claim is correct | The strike stays on the account until it expires; consider Copyright School if invited | ## Step 3: Ask the Rights Holder for a Retraction Twitch says you can seek a retraction by contacting the rights holder or agent directly, using the contact email in Twitch's notification email or your Copyright Claims Manager. Keep it short and factual: the content, the date, and why you believe the claim was a mistake, such as a licence you hold. ## Step 4: Send a Counter-Notification if It Fits Twitch says counter-notifications go by email to the address given in its DMCA Guidelines, and must include all of the following, all of which will be shared with the claimant: - The URL or URLs where the material appeared before it was removed or disabled. - The name of the claimant who submitted the notification. - Your Twitch channel name. - Your full legal name, email address and full postal address. - A contact number including the international code. - The affidavit Twitch sets out, with your name added. The affidavit includes consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the judicial district where your address is located, or if your address is outside the United States, the judicial district in which Twitch may be found, and acceptance of service of process from the claimant. It also includes a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed as a result of mistake or misidentification. You may also explain why you believe there was a mistake. > Warning: **Think before you counter-notify.** Twitch warns there may be legal consequences, including the claimant starting legal action. Its FAQs say that if sharing personal details is a concern, an authorised representative such as an attorney can submit on your behalf. Speak to a lawyer if you are unsure, especially outside the United States. ## Step 5: Copyright School Twitch says that if you receive a strike and are eligible to have it removed, you will get an invitation to Copyright School by email and through a banner on twitch.tv. Completing it after that invitation removes one copyright strike, and you can take it once every 12 months. Viewing Copyright School without an invitation does not remove a strike. ## Step 6: Protect the Channel Going Forward - Review older VODs and clips for unlicensed music or footage; Twitch's FAQs say you can unpublish videos or delete them in bulk. - Remember that deleted content cannot be restored, so keep your own copies of anything you may need as evidence. - Use music you have the rights to stream. - Read Twitch's [Community Guidelines](https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Community-Guidelines?language=en_US), which cover intellectual property alongside other rules. > Warning: **Scam warning.** Fake copyright emails and messages often try to get creators to log in through a link or pay to clear a strike. Check strikes inside your Twitch account and Copyright Claims Manager. Never share passwords or codes with anyone, including us. > Note: **Reporting is free.** Sending a counter-notification or retraction request, and taking Copyright School, costs nothing through Twitch. ## What Twitch Decides Twitch decides whether notifications and counter-notifications are complete and applies its repeat infringer policy. It does not judge who is right in a copyright dispute; that is for the rights holder and account holder, and if needed a court. Twitch also says it may not be able to reinstate some material, for example because of the passage of time. ## When It Is Safer to Get Expert Help If your channel is close to three strikes, or you are unsure whether a counter-notification is wise, a mistake can cost the channel. If you are stuck with this, we can take a look and help you organise the facts and the official steps; for legal questions, a lawyer is the right person. You can read about our [business and creator recovery](https://www.awarexone.com/services/business-creator-recovery) service and how we work on our [trust page](https://www.awarexone.com/trust), then use Apply for Case Review below when you are ready. Reply within 60 seconds, 24 hours a day, every day. Related guides: [copyright takedowns on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook](https://www.awarexone.com/research/copyright-takedown-dmca-instagram-tiktok-facebook), [fake copyright violation messages](https://www.awarexone.com/research/fake-copyright-violation-message) and [appealing a Twitch suspension](https://www.awarexone.com/research/twitch-account-suspended-appeal). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How many copyright strikes before Twitch terminates an account? Twitch's DMCA Guidelines say a user with three copyright strikes is a repeat infringer and Twitch will terminate access. ### Do Twitch copyright strikes expire? Yes. Twitch says strikes expire, depending on factors such as the issue date and account standing, without giving a fixed period. ### Is a muted VOD a copyright strike? No. Twitch says muting from its content recognition system is not a DMCA notification or a strike. ### Does Copyright School remove a strike? Yes, if Twitch invites you and you complete it, one strike is removed. You can do this once every 12 months. ### Can AwareXone file a counter-notification for me? We can help you organise facts and official steps. For legal questions, speak to a lawyer, and Twitch decides on completeness. ## Official sources - [Official: DMCA Guidelines (read 14 November 2026)](https://legal.twitch.com/en/legal/dmca-guidelines/) - [Official: DMCA & Copyright FAQs (read 14 November 2026)](https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/dmca-and-copyright-faqs) - [Official: Music Reporting Process (read 14 November 2026)](https://legal.twitch.com/legal/dmca-guidelines/music-reporting-process/) - [Official: Community Guidelines (read 14 November 2026)](https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Community-Guidelines?language=en_US) --- AwareXone is an independent provider serving clients worldwide, not affiliated with any platform. The platform makes the final decision on every account. AwareXone never asks for passwords, OTP codes, backup codes or session cookies.