FAQs

Nothing. Using the easy automated takedown form is free of charge as our way of giving back to the creative arts community. This service is designed to:

• Encourage and empower creators to take back their rights.
• Help level the playing field against unauthorized use.
• Require no sign-up, login, or credit card.

Creators are also invited to register a free account where they will have access to a dashboard to:

• Track the status of their takedown requests.
• Create follow-up notices if necessary.

After you have successfully filled out and submitted the form:

1. Our team reviews the information for completeness and validity, usually within 1-2 business days.
2. You will receive an email with a link to proceed with the takedown request.
3. Clicking the link will automatically generate a new email message addressed to the infringing website and web host.
4. This email will contain all relevant and legally complete information about the infringement.
5. You then send this email directly from your local email client.

After sending your takedown notice:

• The infringing website and service provider will review your notice.
• You can track the status of your takedown request through our platform.
• If no action is taken after the initial notice, the option to send a second, more strongly worded notice becomes available after 48 hours.
• If still no response, a third notice can be sent after another 48 hours, referencing the previous notices and detailing the repercussions of continued inaction.
• If necessary, a fourth notice can be sent, cc'ing all known financial partners of the infringing website, detailing the ongoing infringement.
• In rare and tough cases, a fifth and final notice can be sent, notifying the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

The time for content removal can vary depending on the service provider:

• Most providers take action within a few days of receiving a valid notice.
• If no action is taken, you can escalate the notice through the steps outlined in the previous answer.

If the website does not respond:

1. After 48 hours, you can send a second, more strongly worded notice.
2. If still no response, you can send a third notice after another 48 hours.
3. The third notice will reference the two previous notices and detail the consequences of ignoring valid copyright notices.
4. If necessary, a fourth notice can be sent, cc'ing all known financial partners of the infringing website, which can lead to the termination of money accounts associated with the ongoing infringement.
5. In rare cases, a fifth and final notice can be sent to notify law enforcement authorities.

If the service provider insists on additional information beyond the DMCA requirements:

• We are committed to actively challenging such policies.
• We support our members in advocating for their legal rights.
• We oppose any extraneous requirements that go beyond the DMCA’s clear directives.

To ensure a notice of copyright infringement is legally complete, it must include the following specific information:

• Identification: A description of the content claimed to be infringed, such as the name or title of the work.
• Exact URLs: The exact location of the material that is claimed to be infringing with sufficient detail to enable the service provider to locate it.
• Contact Information: Information reasonably sufficient to permit the service provider to contact the complaining party, such as an address, telephone number, and email address.
• Good Faith Statement: A statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
• Authorization Statement: A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
• Signature: A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or their authorized agent.
• And that's it! The spirit in which copyright laws are written is such that enforcing these rights should remain as straightforward and accessible as possible.
• By using our Easy Automated Takedown form, you can ensure that your takedown requests contain all required information to be legally complete.

DMCAHelp.org Policy:

• We are staunchly opposed to platforms that attempt to impose additional policies that exceed the stipulations explicitly outlined in the DMCA.
• We view such policies as a form of obstruction that hampers the rightful assertion of legal rights.
• Our company policy strictly prohibits engaging in or adhering to any additional platform rules that exceed the DMCA’s clear requirements.
• This includes mandates to submit copyright complaints solely via web-forms, demands for the use of full legal names when content is created under pseudonyms, and other unnecessary requirements that extend beyond the DMCA’s clear directives.
• We are committed to actively challenging any such policies and supporting our members in advocating for their legal rights.
• By steadfastly opposing extraneous overreaching platform requirements, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending the rights of intellectual property owners without imposing unnecessary burdens.
• Platform Compliance: Upon receipt of a valid and complete copyright infringement notice, platforms are legally obligated to expeditiously disable or remove the infringing content. Failure to comply can result in legal repercussions, highlighting the necessity for strict adherence to legal directives rather than arbitrary policy rules.

Copyrights are automatic and do not require any special registration, ensuring that all creations—whether attributed to real names or pseudonyms—are safeguarded under internationally recognized copyright laws.

Copyright is a legal framework that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works from the moment they are expressed in a tangible medium, whether typed on paper, painted on canvas, or captured in digital media such as photographs and videos.

Essentially, copyright empowers creators to control how their works are reproduced and distributed, thus helping to prevent unauthorized use.

In jurisdictions like the United States, official copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office can significantly enhance enforceability and is highly recommended. While not necessary for copyright infringement takedowns, registration is necessary for formal licensing arrangements and is required for initiating a copyright infringement lawsuit, allowing for the recovery of statutory damages and attorney's fees in litigation.

To report copyright infringement effectively, you will need to compile a few key pieces of specific information to ensure that your complaint is processed efficiently. This includes the website's domain name, exact URLs pointing directly to the infringing content, and the contact email of the infringing website or their web host. Providing this detailed information not only facilitates a quicker response but also enhances the likelihood of the infringing material being addressed appropriately by the hosting service.

When dealing with copyright infringement, it might seem straightforward to simply report the entire website where unauthorized content appears. However, this approach is ineffective for several reasons. Firstly, websites often host a vast array of content, much of which may be perfectly legitimate. It is crucial to understand that for a copyright claim to be processed efficiently and lawfully, legal requirements dictate that notices of infringement must include exact URLs to the specific infringing content.

Websites and hosts are legally allowed to disregard notices that are incomplete or non-specific. So, do yourself a favor and ensure you gather the exact specific URLs to your unauthorized content! This precision ensures that the content in question will be reviewed and addressed, and action taken according to the law.

This targeted approach not only streamlines the enforcement process but also upholds the rights of all parties involved, ensuring fair and just treatment under copyright law.

Gathering exact URLs of unauthorized content is crucial for effectively enforcing copyright infringement claims. To locate these URLs, start by using the search function on the website where the content is displayed, if available. Search engines can also be helpful; try entering specific keywords or phrases unique to your content, followed by the site's domain name (e.g., 'site:example.com my copyrighted article').

Once you find the unauthorized content, make sure to copy the full URL from your browser’s address bar. This exact URL is necessary for any legal notices or DMCA takedowns to precisely identify which content is infringing on your rights. For those dealing with large volumes of infringing images or videos, browser extensions like LinkGrabber, DownThemAll!, or Image Downloader can be invaluable. These tools streamline the process of collecting multiple URLs, enabling you to compile a comprehensive list of infringing links efficiently.

Our team boasts a remarkable 95% success rate in removing unauthorized content, by leveraging a proven track record of both traditional and unconventional methods to ensure that copyright thieves have nowhere to hide. Our strategy integrates old fashioned investigative work with meticulous analysis of public records and financial trails, all driven by decisive action and relentless pursuit.

In a digital environment often exploited by unethical hosts and criminal websites, we stand as a pillar of protection and empowerment for content creators like you.

Some platforms may quickly respond to copyright complaints, merely as a facade of respect for intellectual property rights, while others only act when pressured. Our experience spans a range of infringers—from major corporations that turn a blind eye to copyright violations to notorious piracy sites nestled in supposed overseas safe havens.

Despite the challenges posed by websites without published contact information, obscured by private domain registrations, Cloudflare reverse proxies, or those claiming 'offshore hosting' impunity, we navigate these hurdles with ease. Recent enhancements in copyright laws and international cooperation are turning the tide, transforming once secure refuges for digital piracy into perilous legal grounds.

From the Netherlands to Moldova, we ensure that no corner of the digital realm is beyond the reach of copyright justice.

If you're disheartened by your hard work being stolen and exploited by faceless entities hiding behind safe harbor loopholes and offshore hosting, do not feel overwhelmed. We are fully equipped and ready to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to reclaim your rights and successfully fight back, starting today!

No. It's important to remember that the law is firmly on your side. Copyright law is designed to protect creators like you, ensuring that your intellectual property is respected and safeguarded against unauthorized use.

When you decide to claim your rights, you are far from alone in this journey, and the legal tools at your disposal have never been greater. Many creators before you have successfully navigated this process with the law acting as a robust shield.

You have the right to defend your work, and doing so not only protects your creative endeavors but also sets a precedent that your rights are not to be taken lightly.

This is a battle not just for individual rights but for the cultural, economic, and intellectual wealth of societies worldwide.

Rest assured, with our non-profit coalition by your side, you can trust that your rights will be fiercely defended. Join us in the fight against digital exploitation. Together, we'll reclaim what's rightfully yours and hold the perpetrators accountable!

No. When submitting a copyright infringement takedown notice, using a stage name and contact information that does not disclose your personal name and address is permissible. This approach is common among artists, writers, and other creators who operate under their professional or stage names for both privacy and branding purposes.

For example, authors like J.K. Rowling and Mark Twain are widely recognized by their pen names, which have become brands in their own right. Using a pseudonym can provide creators the freedom to explore different genres or controversial topics without fear of personal backlash. This can encourage more diverse and bold expressions in art, photography, and cimema.

By using a stage name or pseudonym, creators can keep their professional activities distinct from their private lives. This separation can help manage public scrutiny and maintain personal boundaries.

Recommended Contact Information for Takedown Notices

• Name: [Your Stage Name]
• Email: [Your Professional Email Address]
• Phone: [Your Business Phone Number]
• Mailing Address: [Your Business Address or P.O. Box]

It's important however to provide reliable contact information that allows for efficient communication regarding the notice, such as at least a current email address! This ensures that the service provider or host can easily contact you to confirm actions taken or discuss the matter further if necessary.

This approach helps protect your privacy while still meeting the requirements for submitting a copyright infringement claim.

Copyright Protection for Pseudonymous Works

Modern copyright practices recognize the use of pseudonyms in works that are not officially registered. This means that a work created under a pseudonym receives the same copyright protection automatically under international copyright laws.

Implications of Using a Pseudonym

• The use of a pseudonym does not affect the copyright status of a work.
• Whether the creator uses their real name, a pseudonym, or remains anonymous, the work still qualifies for copyright protection as long as it meets the basic criteria—originality and fixation in a tangible medium of expression, such as text, photographs, or videos.
• In an era where personal information can be easily accessed and misused, the ability to use pseudonyms allows creators to maintain privacy and personal safety. This is particularly important for individuals who may face risks due to the nature of their work or their personal circumstances.
• Using a pseudonym can sometimes complicate the enforcement of copyrights, as proving ownership may be more challenging, but it is generally not a problem.