Creators Launch Petition Urging YouTube to Stop False Claims on Public Domain Works

CHICAGO - Nov. 18, 2025 - PRLog -- A new petition has been launched calling on YouTube to take action against the growing wave of fraudulent Content ID claims targeting public domain material. Creators say the problem has reached a breaking point, with channels losing revenue, facing wrongful copyright threats, and abandoning work with historic films, audio, and archival footage that legally belongs to the public.

The petition argues that false ownership claims have created an atmosphere of fear in which reviewers, educators, archivists, and restoration channels avoid uploading lawful content simply to protect their channels from strikes. According to the petition's creators, this behaviour not only threatens cultural preservation at a time when AI tools could be revitalising old media, but also prevents YouTube from earning legitimate advertising revenue. They point out that once a creator proves a work is in the public domain, the same material should not be claimed repeatedly by new or repeat abusers.

Supporters are urging YouTube to recognise verified public domain material, prevent repeated false claims on the same works, and protect creators who dispute claims in good faith. The petition is now open for signatures athttps://www.change.org/p/stop-fraudulent-content-id-claims-on-public-domain-works  and calls on the platform to ensure that public domain truly remains public.