Will Kunal Kamra Lose 'Super Thanks' Income After T-Series' Copyright Strike? YouTube Income Explained

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Last Updated:March 26, 2025, 21:18 IST

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is receiving massive 'Super Thanks' contributions in the comment section of his latest video 'Naya Bharat'.

Kunal Kamra is under fire due to his reference to Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde as "gaddar" (traitor) in his latest YouTube video 'Naya Bharat'. (Photo: X)

Kunal Kamra Super Thanks Donations: Even as stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is under fire due to his reference to Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde as “gaddar" (traitor) in his latest YouTube video ‘Naya Bharat’, music giant T-Series has reportedly sent a copyright strike on the video, which might take it down. If that happens, will Kunal Kamra lose all his income received through contributions in the video’s comment section?

“Hello @TSeries, stop being a stooge. Parody & Satire comes under fair use Legally. I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song. If you take this video down every cover song/dance video can be taken down," the 36-year-old stand-up comedian said in a post on X.

Hello @TSeries, stop being a stooge.Parody & Satire comes under fair use Legally.
I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song.
If you take this video down every cover song/dance video can be taken down.Creators please take a note of it.
Having said… pic.twitter.com/Q8HXl1UhMy
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) March 26, 2025

Types Of YouTube Income

YouTube has various types of incomes for creators — per-view income on ads, Super Chats, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, channel memberships, and sponsorships. In case of content ID claim on any copyrighted content (music, clips, etc), contributions via Super Chats & Super Stickers (for live streams), and Channel Memberships are generally not affected.

However, as per YouTube’s policies, if the copyright owner manually reports your video and YouTube removes it before the payment cycle, you lose all revenue from that video, including Super Thanks.

Three strikes can lead to channel termination.

What Kind Of Donation Is Kunal Kamra Receiving?

Kunal Kamra is receiving ‘Super Thanks’ donations in his YouTube video’s comment sections.

What Are ‘Super Thanks’ Donations?

‘Super Thanks’ allows viewers to donate money on regular uploaded videos (unlike Super Chats and Super Stickers, which are used during live streams).

According to YouTube owner Google, “Super Thanks (formerly known as Viewer applause) lets creators earn revenue from viewers who want to show extra gratitude for their Shorts and long-form videos."

YouTube’s Super Thanks policy enables Indian fans to donate between Rs 40 and Rs 10,000 to content creators. Channel owners need at least 500 subscribers to enable this feature. Kunal Kamra has 2.4 million subscribers on YouTube.

With Super Thanks, YouTube takes a 30 per cent cut, while the creator gets the 70 per cent share.

Will Kunal Kamra Lose His ‘Super Thanks’ Income?

Jidesh Kumar, managing partner, King Stubb & Kasiva, Advocates and Attorneys, told news18.com, “If a YouTube video with Super Thanks donations gets a copyright claim, the video usually stays live. Monetisation may be redirected to the copyright holder. In most cases, creators can still keep Super Thanks donations. These are seen as voluntary contributions, not ad revenue. But, this can vary depending on the claim and YouTube’s internal policies."

If the video receives a copyright strike and is taken down, Super Thanks donations are withheld. YouTube hasn’t clearly stated what happens to that money. It’s not clear if it gets refunded, sent to the copyright holder, or kept by YouTube. So far, the donations are usually not refunded and may stay with YouTube if the video is permanently removed, Kumar added.

According to a content creator, “If you have already been paid for past Super Thanks before the strike, that money is safe. However, if your video gets deleted due to a copyright strike before your payment cycle ends, you lose all revenue from that video, including Super Thanks."

So, if Kunal Kamra’s payment cycle falls before the strike and he received the ‘Super Thanks’, that amount would be safe. However, the amount came during the payment cycle of the strike, his Super Thanks donations remain uncertain, the creator added.

YouTube Policies On ‘Super Thanks’ & Copyright Claims Or Strikes?

According to Google Support, under ‘Super Thanks Policies’, “Participating creators (and MCNs) must accept and comply with, YouTube Terms of Service; YouTube Community Guidelines; YouTube channel monetisation policies; all policies that apply to YouTube fan funding features, including the Commerce Product Module; and all applicable laws as required by YouTube’s Terms of Service. Money you get from Super Thanks may be treated differently based on laws that apply to you and your activities."

It also says Super Thanks isn’t a crowdfunding or donation tool. “You’re responsible for understanding and fully complying with all applicable laws," reads Google Support FAQs.

Google also enlists eligibility for individual long-form videos and Shorts Super Thanks. It says ‘Super Thanks’ is not available for the following types of long-form videos and Shorts: