IMERL NETWORK YouTube Movie Channel Operation and Management Rules and Standards
Mandatory Version
Applicable to:
All movie content cooperation channels that have signed an agreement with IMERL NETWORK (hereinafter referred to as "Partner").
Content Moderation Is Escalating — Mandatory Compliance
YouTube and other platforms have significantly increased enforcement. Violations may lead to limited monetization, yellow icons, or even permanent channel termination.
Chapter 1: Mandatory Requirements for the Copyright License Chain
This is a "zero-tolerance" red-line clause. All partners must comply with the provisions of this chapter.
1.1 Channels for Which Movie Copyrights are Provided by IMERL NETWORK
For channels that sign a content license agreement with IMERL NETWORK, whereby IMERL NETWORK directly provides movie copyright content, the following rules must be observed:
1. Clear Scope of License
Partners may only publish content from the movie list, within the licensed territory, and during the license term explicitly specified by IMERL NETWORK in writing.
2. Prohibition of Sublicensing and Diversion
Partners shall not sublicense, transfer, edit, translate, adapt, or distribute any movie content provided by IMERL NETWORK to any platform other than YouTube.
3. CMS Network Binding
Movies provided by IMERL NETWORK must only be published on the channel that is signed with IMERL NETWORK and linked to the designated CMS.
4. Take-down and Recall
If the licensing relationship changes, IMERL NETWORK has the right to unilaterally notify the Partner to take down the related movies within 48 hours.
1.2 Channels for Which Partners Provide Complete Authorization Documents
For partners who hold the copyright themselves or obtain a license directly from the copyright owner, they must bear all legal responsibility.
1. Standard for Completeness of the License Chain
A complete, unbroken, and legally recognized chain of rights authorization documents must be submitted.
- Full names of the licensor and the licensee
- Specific list of licensed movies
- Type of rights licensed
- Territorial scope of the license
- Term of the license
If agents or other intermediaries exist in the license chain, the chain must be traced back to the original rights holder.
2. Verification of Document Authenticity
All authorization documents must be formally signed contracts or rights statements with equivalent legal effect.
3. Record-filing and Dynamic Management
Partners must submit a copy of the complete license chain to IMERL NETWORK for record-filing.
4. Prohibition of "Untraceable" Sources
It is strictly prohibited to use movies whose source cannot be traced.
5. Review and Reservation of Right to Reject
IMERL NETWORK has the right to conduct substantive reviews of all authorization documents.
1.3 General Principles of Copyright Liability
Regardless of which model applies, the Partner must ensure that all movies have traceable and legal authorization.
Chapter 2: Specifications for Basic Channel Information
2.1 Channel Name Standards
1. Compliance Review
The use of any words that are insulting, discriminatory, politically sensitive, or explicitly sexually suggestive is strictly prohibited.
2. Uniqueness and Recognizability
The channel name must be distinctive and must not directly copy or closely imitate existing well-known channels.
3. Restrictions on Using IP Names
Written permission from the rights holder must be submitted additionally if the channel name includes IP names.
2.2 Channel Avatar Standards
1. Clear Copyright
The image used for the avatar must be an original design or legally licensed.
2. Visual Quality
The image resolution must not be lower than 800×800 pixels, with a clear subject and distinct colors.
3. Compliance Prohibitions
Using images containing gore, violence, pornography, or that violate YouTube Community Guidelines is strictly prohibited.
2.3 Mandatory Channel Description Statement
The channel "About" page must contain a legally binding copyright statement.
Using any statement without legal disclaimer effect is strictly prohibited.
Chapter 3: Specifications for Video Content Production and Publishing
All provisions in this chapter are mandatory standards. Every piece of published content must comply with each provision.
3.1 Exclusive Intro Video Specifications
All uploaded movies must embed an exclusive intro originally produced by the channel.
1. Duration Requirement
The intro duration is strictly limited to 8-15 seconds.
2. Content Composition
The intro must include an exclusive animated presentation of the channel's logo.
The single-frame duration must not be less than 1.5 seconds.
3. Uniqueness
Using or imitating any well-known film studio branding visuals as an intro is strictly prohibited.
3.2 Video Thumbnail Design Standards
Every video must have its own unique designed thumbnail. Using raw frames as the cover is strictly prohibited.
1. Original Design Principle
The cover must be created through post-production design.
2. Unified Visual System
All thumbnails must use the channel's fixed font style, main brand colors, and logo corner position.
3. Content Red Lines
Using fake, sensational images not present in the movie is strictly prohibited.
3.3 Video Description Information Specifications
The video description area is the core location for the copyright notice, and the format must be unified.
1. Mandatory Copyright Statement in the First Line
The first sentence of the video description must be the mandatory statement:
2. Content Description Specifications
The core plot, main cast, and highlights of the movie must be introduced in clear language.
3. License Traceability Information
It is recommended to include license traceability information in the description.
3.4 Standards for Mandatory In-Video Channel Logo Placement
The channel logo must be embedded or displayed periodically throughout the entire duration of all published movie videos.
1. Placement Requirements
The placement is limited to the top right or bottom right corner of the frame.
2. Display Method
A semi-transparent static logo or a logo with minimal motion effects must be used.
3. Continuity and Tamper-proofing
The channel logo must cover the entire duration of the video.
Chapter 4: Supervision and Enforcement
1. Rectification Deadline
All signed partner channels must complete self-inspection within 7 working days.
2. Tiered Penalties for Violations
Minor Violations
A formal warning will be issued, with a 12-hour deadline for correction.
Moderate Violations
The video will be taken down immediately and publishing rights suspended for 7 days.
Severe Red Lines
Cooperation will be permanently terminated and all outstanding payments will be forfeited.
3. Appeal Mechanism
If a Partner disagrees with a violation determination, they may submit a written appeal within 48 hours.
Chapter 5: Supplementary Provisions
Right of Interpretation and Amendment
The final right to interpret these rules resides with IMERL NETWORK.
Appendix A: Content Moderation Is Continuously Escalating
Mandatory ReadThis appendix highlights high-risk moderation areas. Any violation may directly impact monetization or channel safety. Partners must strictly follow the rules below.
1. Misleading Thumbnails & Titles
HighYouTube has stepped up enforcement against misleading packaging. Severe cases may lead to channel removal.
Avoid:
- Thumbnails or titles that seriously mismatch the video content (especially exaggerated AI-generated thumbnails).
2. Risks Related to Kid-Friendly Content
SevereMonitoring of child-directed content has significantly increased. Violations carry a high risk, including permanent channel termination.
Avoid:
- Overly exaggerated titles for episodes featuring cute kids.
- A channel whose overall content and thumbnails focus heavily on cute kids, as it may easily be flagged as kid-directed content.
- Any borderline, violent, or bloody/gory content.
3. Borderline Content, Violence, Blood & Gore
SevereThe following practices are highly likely to result in limited ads (yellow icons) or loss of monetization privileges:
- Excessive nudity: exposed body parts, extremely short skirts, deep necklines, see-through clothing, bikinis, stockings with large areas of exposed chest.
- Sexually suggestive actions: intimate body contact, bed poses, overpowering kisses, close-up passionate kissing, or other obvious suggestive elements.
- Vulgar or flirtatious expressions: clearly suggestive smiles, licking lips, placing hands on sensitive body parts, etc.
- Exaggerated body features: deliberately enhancing the appeal of a body part through Photoshop or camera angles.
- Extreme portrayals of power imbalance: intimate actions between a dominant “CEO type” and a submissive, vulnerable character.
- Sexually suggestive language or detailed descriptions: excessive descriptions of bodies or intimate behavior using words with sexual connotations.
- Violent, bloody, or gory content.