Internet users often are the best source to locate stolen copyright content. Every day DMCA.com receives emails and information about copyright infringement. DMCA.com does its best to locate the owner of the stolen content and inform them of the infringements.
DMCA.com offers a free service for you to report copyright infringement / stolen content as a courtesy to the rights holder who is a DMCA.com client.
If you wish to report copyright infringement that is occurring please follow the instructions below.
Please note: If there is a "finder's fee" associated with the stolen content the DMCA.com team will notify you as soon as we have confirmed with our content client.
If your own content has been stolen you can submit a takedown request, click here to Start Your Takedown
DMCA.com Fast Tip
If you have found your stolen content published on another site without your permission, DMCA.com can help. Simply submit a takedown form with the name and location of where you found your stolen content and we will go to work on your behalf.
What should I provide to report stolen content?
Please follow these instructions when reporting stolen content
- Report copyright infringement here: Report Infringement Form
- Provide the content name.
- If you know the content owner, creator, publisher or distributor make a note of it.
- Include the specific infringing links to show the stolen content location. General URL's e.g. www.bcehpool.com are not suitable - please be specific in with infringing URL's. e.g. www.bcehpool.com/stolen_content/stolen_title?chptr_12234.aspx
- Provide your contact information - email required sob that we can notify you if there is a finder's fee for the content found. Finder's fees are generally paid through PayPal accounts.
My content was stolen! How do I report my stolen content?
The most effective method of removing your stolen content from another website is to file a DMCA Takedown. To get started you can submit your request with DMCA.com here: DMCA Takedown Form. If someone has stolen your content and is publishing it without your permission on another website, DMCA.com can help. Simply submit the name and location of where you found your stolen content and we will go to work on your behalf.
Who can file DMCA Takedown Notices to report their stolen content?
- content creators/owners
- copyright owners
- content publishers or distributors (with permission of the content or copyright owners)
- NFT owners
- code writers and publishers
- social media users and participants
- subject contained within the content and published without permission (special considerations may be required)
If the list above does not appear to describe your situation by all means, ask! Click here to ask us about your situation.
What websites will accept stolen content reports and process DMCA Takedowns?
Infringing content is removed or "taken down" from many different websites and platforms.
Here is an example list where content is removed online:
- from a UCG (User Generated Content) Platform (like Facebook and TikTok), upon receipt of a DMCA Takedown Notice sent by or on behalf of the infringed content owner, distributor, publisher etc.
- by the website owner, upon receipt of a DMCA Takedown Notice from the website owner's ISP / Hosting company. This would occur when ISP / Hosting company receives a notice sent by or on behalf of the content owner, distributor, publisher etc.
- by the website owner upon receipt of a DMCA Takedown Notice from the, or on behalf of, the content owner, distributor, publisher etc.
- by the by the ISP or Hosting company of the website that is publishing the infringing content. This occurs because the website owner has not voluntarily complied with a DMCA Notice and the ISP or Hosting company must comply with the Takedown notice.
- when an infringing website is taken down or taken "offline" by its ISP or Hosting company. This occurs because the website owner does not voluntarily comply with a Takedown notice as described above.
These Takedown actions occur upon receipt of a DMCA Takedown Notice which uses stipulations laid out in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. (DMCA). This Act directly addresses the takedown of (copyright) infringed content from a website which is publishing content in violation of copyright protection act or content being used without permission or not in accordance with the sworn statement of the content owner.
Simply Stated: there are many ways content may be removed but the process starts with a Takedown Notice.
How can I know if a website uses DMCA to report stolen content?
If a website uses the DMCA they will usually place a reference in the footer of the website. The clickthrough should clearly state the conditions of the DMCA Takedown process. Many websites reference the DMCA.com Takedown Notice form on this website directly. If you are unsure or the website unclear, click here to complete your takedown request: DMCA Takedown Form. Our professional team will connect your takedown request to the right website.
How long will it take to report my stolen content through the takedown form?
The DMCA.com Takedown claim form takes about 3 minutes to fill out. We will do the rest for you. Our goal at DMCA.com is to make the process as fast and easy as possible.
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DMCA.com helped me in a time of high stress. They were able to take down the website very quickly. They are worth every penny and I will definitely be recommending their services to others in the future.
Safeguarding Intellectual Property
The issue of stolen content has become increasingly prevalent. Plagiarism and unauthorized use of intellectual property not only infringe upon the rights of content creators but also undermine the credibility and originality of their work.
Identifying Copied Content
The first step in reporting stolen content is identifying instances where your work has been copied without permission. Regularly monitor search results by conducting keyword searches related to your content. If you suspect plagiarism, carefully examine the websites that appear in the search results. Look for verbatim matches or substantial similarities to your original work. It's crucial to gather evidence of the infringement to support your claim.
Collecting Evidence
When reporting stolen content, it is essential to have compelling evidence that clearly demonstrates the originality of your work and its unauthorized use. Take screenshots or save web page URLs of both your original content and the offending website. Highlight specific portions that have been copied or paraphrased without permission. This evidence will strengthen your case when reaching out to the appropriate parties.
Filing a Report
Once you have collected sufficient evidence, proceed to file a formal report of the stolen content. You can submit your report right away through the DMCA.com Takedown Form. Fill out the necessary information, providing details about your original work, the copied content, and the infringement's location. Attach the evidence you have collected to the report.
Seeking Legal Assistance:
In some cases, the stolen content may persist even after filing a report. If the situation escalates or the infringement continues, consider seeking legal advice. Consult an attorney specializing in intellectual property rights to explore legal remedies available to you. They can guide you through the process of filing a formal complaint and pursuing legal action against the individual or entity responsible for the copyright infringement.
Protecting intellectual property is of paramount importance in the digital age. When your content is stolen or plagiarized, taking action is vital to defend your creative work. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively address the issue of stolen content, safeguard your intellectual property rights, and promote a culture of respect for original work in the online world. Remember, your creativity and hard work deserve recognition and protection.
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