A "DMCA request" generally refers to the legal notice that is sent to the infringing website owners and service providers. Also know as a "DMCA Takedown" or "DMCA Takedown request"
The DMCA request process is a well established and accepted internet standard followed by website owners and internet service providers everywhere.
Any owner of content has the right to process a takedown notice against a website owner and/or an Online Service Provider (e.g. ISP, hosting company etc.) if the content owner's property is found online without their permission.
Note: although the DMCA is part of US Copyright law, a DMCA Takedown does not always require the content to be copyrighted in order to process a takedown notice and for the content to be taken down by the website owner or OSP.
Simply Stated: the fact the content is yours, or if the subject in the photo or video is you, can be reason enough to process a takedown notice AND for the content to be taken down.
Get started right away! Click here to Start Your Takedown
DMCA Takedown Fast Tip
Speed is of the essence. You must work quickly to get your stolen content down. The less time your content is on a thieving site the better. Stolen personal content will spread quickly on the internet.
What do I need to file a DMCA Request?
Three main pieces of information are needed to get started filing a DMCA Takedown Notice:
1. Infringing URL
Where on the internet (or platform like Facebook or TikTok) is your stolen content located? What is the link that you want the content removed from? Be sure to provide the URL or website/webpage link of the content you want removed. If the stolen content is an image or video located on a website provide the direct link of the content contained in the site. Copy and paste the infringing text, or provide the URL of the infringing image if required.
An example link would look like: https://www.badguy_site.com/webpage/image_2
2. Source URL
Where was your content located when it was stolen? Was it on you social media profile like Facebook or Reddit? Was it from your own website? Provide the exact URL where it was stolen from, even if the content has already been removed from it's original location. The original URL is still valuable to the notice. If it was not online you can reference cell phone, computer, or camera etc. If it was online such as a website or cloud storage provide the link to the exact page it was stolen from. You can upload the original content to a cloud storage service and provide that URL with an expalanation of where it was originally stolen from.
An example link would look like: https://share.icloud.com/photos/my_original_content
3. Description of Ownership
What is the content owner's name and how was the content stolen? How is this content yours? How do you own it? Did you create it, buy it, copyright it? Who is claiming ownership of the content? Who is authorized to file the DMCA Takedown? When did you create the content and when was the content stolen?
An example description would sound like: "My photo I took of myself on my camera was stolen from my Google Drive and was posted on this website without my knowledge and I would like it removed."
If you are unsure how to collect the information for these three categories the Professional Takedown Team at DMCA.com can help with the answers. Click here to ask us about your situation.
What information should I provide to process a takedown request?
If a website accepts DMCA Takedown Notices they will clarify what they require in order to process a takedown notice through their website. (See below for DMCA.com option) Generally the list will include some or all of these questions:
- An electronic or physical signature of the owner or of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest;
- Identification of the copyrighted work (or works) that you are claiming has been infringed;
- A description of the material that you claim is infringed, and the location where the original or an authorized copy of the copyrighted work exists (for example, the URL of the page of the web site where it is lawfully posted; the name, edition and pages of a book from which an excerpt was copied, etc.);
- A clear description of where the infringing material is located on the website including as applicable its URL so the claimed infringed material can be located;
- Your name
- Your address
- Your telephone number
- Your e-mail address;
- A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
- A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner's behalf.
DO NOT provide personal and confidential information like passport copies, driver's license numbers, personal addresses etc. through online takedown notice forms on websites hosting your stolen content and on which you are unfamiliar.
Note: DMCA.com offers a simple way to add a standard DMCA Takedown Notice system to website. It is called the DMCA.com Compliance program - Get Compliant - simply add a compliance badge to your website and no more guess work on how to process a DMCA Takedown notice from your site.
Who can file a DMCA Request?
- 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)
DMCA Takedown Testimonial
Never wrote a Testimonial Before but in this case one needs to be written, on 2 occasions someone on the internet took images belonging to me and posted them on the internet without me or my companies permission. On one occasion in particular they took the image and Photoshopped it, as you can image it is much harder to prove that the original image was Photoshopped,,, But DMCA TAKE DOWN SERVICE DID IT! SO I am just thankful for this service and AMAZED by the speed at which both cases were handled. They said 5 days on both cases and it was 5 days. Also Google removed the images a couple of days after the take down so all is well and we are very pleased with the service.
What kind of websites will process DMCA Requests?
Infringing content is removed or "taken down" from many different websites and platforms. Examples include:
- 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 it's 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 to the sworn statement of the content owner.
Simply Stated:, there are many ways content may be removed but they process starts with a Takedown Notice.
How can I know if a website accepts a DMCA Takedown Notice?
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 Notice 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 Notice Form. Our professional team will connect your takedown request to the right website.
What countries accept DMCA Requests?
Most countries accept the standard DMCA Takedown Notice form and process. Although the DMCA Takedown is part of US Copyright law, a DMCA Takedown Notice is often used and accepted throughout the world and not exclusive to the United States. However, many countries have their own copyright laws specifically related to the removal of content from internet service providers and site owners within their borders. Which service providers do and do not accept the standard DMCA takedown notice form and process is dynamic and constantly changing. DMCA.com professionals are aware of these constant changes and are able to convert the information submitted through the standard DMCA Takedown signup form to suit specific countries and/or service providers within the legal process they require.
More information on different types of takedown requests can be seen here:
- Click here for more information on Personal Takedowns
- Click here for more information on Celebrity and Commercial Takedowns
- Click here for more information on DIY (Do it Yourself) Takedowns
Related DMCA Takedown FAQ's
- What is the DMCA Protected Badge
- What is DMCA Protection
- What is DMCA Takedowns
- What is DMCA.com
- What is DMCA Protected Certificate
- What is DMCA Website Certificate
- What is DMCA Website Status Page and Protection Certificate