My collab partner and I made a video that got 10 million views. We had a falling out. Now they are threatening to strike the video for copyright infringement if I don’t delete it (and lose the revenue). They claim they “own” the raw footage because they held the camera.
Key Takeaways
- Joint Authorship: Under US Copyright law, if you didn’t sign an agreement, you are likely “Joint Authors.” This means you both own it and can both exploit it, but you have to share the money. They generally cannot force you to delete it, but they can demand 50% of the cash.
- Insurance won’t help: Insurance covers “Third Party” claims. It excludes “Insured vs. Insured” disputes. Since you were partners, this is an internal business fight.
- The Operating Agreement: The only protection is a contract signed before you film.
- Platform Rules: YouTube will usually refuse to take sides in a “Joint Owner” dispute and leave the video up, unless there is a clear privacy violation.
The “Why” (The Trap): Internal Disputes
Insurance protects you from the world. It does not protect you from your business partner.
Exclusion: “Claims made by one Insured against another Insured.”
If you collaborated without a contract, you created a “General Partnership” by default. Disputes between partners are legal issues, not insurance claims.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a “Copyright Strike” notification on YouTube]
The Investigation: I Called Them
I asked, “My partner is suing me over a video.”
1. Media Liability Carrier
- The Answer: “Is this person an employee or partner?”
- Partner: Denied (Insured vs Insured).
- Third Party: Maybe covered, but copyright ownership disputes are often excluded if there was no contract.
2. YouTube Legal Support
- The Reality: They won’t adjudicate. If they get a valid DMCA takedown, they scrub the video. You have to Counter-Notify.
3. Mediation Lawyer
- The Solution: You need a “Business Divorce” lawyer. This costs money ($5k retainer).
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Coverage |
| Partner Sues You | No (Insured vs Insured) |
| Stranger Sues You | Yes (Media Liability) |
| Partner Strikes Video | No Insurance / Legal Battle |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Collab Agreement: Download a template. “Parties agree to Joint Ownership. Neither party can delete without consent. Revenue split 50/50.” Sign it.
- Counter-Notification: If they strike it, file a DMCA Counter-Notice claiming “Joint Authorship.” This forces them to sue you in federal court to keep it down (which they likely won’t do).
- Mediation: Hire a mediator to split the assets.
- Raw Footage: Always keep a copy of the raw footage on your drive. Possession is leverage.
FAQ
Who owns the video if I paid them?
If you paid them and didn’t have a “Work For Hire” agreement, they might still own the copyright to their contribution. Always use a Work For Hire agreement.
Can I re-edit the footage?
If you are Joint Authors, yes.
Does this apply to couples channels?
Yes. Breakups destroy channels. Have a “Prenup” for your YouTube channel.