If you believe that your copyrighted work has been infringed upon, it is important to take action to protect your rights.
Understanding how to complain about copyright infringement can help you assert your ownership and seek appropriate remedies.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of filing a complaint regarding copyright infringement.
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How to Complain About Copyright Infringement?
If you want to file a complaint about copyright infringement, follow these steps:
- Gather evidence: Collect evidence that supports your claim of copyright infringement. This may include copies of the copyrighted material, proof of your ownership or authorship, and any relevant documentation.
- Identify the infringing party: Determine the individual, organisation, or platform responsible for the infringement. This could be an individual, a website, a social media platform, or any other entity that is using your copyrighted work without permission.
- Find the website or service where the infringing material is being hosted. This could be a social media platform, a file-sharing website, or any other type of online service.
- Contact the website’s or service’s designated copyright agent. The designated copyright agent is the person or entity who is responsible for receiving and responding to copyright infringement complaints.
- Send a DMCA takedown notice to the designated copyright agent. A DMCA takedown notice is a formal request for the website or service to remove the infringing material from its platform.
- Consider seeking legal advice: If you are unsure about the legal aspects of the copyright infringement complaint or if the situation is complex, it may be beneficial to consult with an attorney specialising in copyright law. They can provide guidance on your rights and legal options, and help navigate the process.
The DMCA takedown notice must include the following information:
- Your name, address, and phone number.
- The name of the copyright owner.
- The copyright registration number, if applicable.
- A description of the infringing material.
- The URL of the infringing material.
- A statement that you believe the material is infringing.
- A statement that you are the copyright owner or authorised to act on behalf of the copyright holder.
- A signature.
By following these steps and, if necessary, seeking legal advice, you can effectively address copyright infringement and protect your rights as a content owner.
Related Article: Check out the following linked articles to learn about them.
- Copyright Infringement Notice in India
- Copyright Infringement Notice
- Legal Notice Format for Copyright Infringement
- ISP Copyright Infringement Notice
How to File a Complaint for Copyright Infringement on YouTube?
There are two ways to report a copyright complaint on YouTube:
- Through the YouTube website
- Go to the YouTube website and sign in to your account.
- Click on the Copyright tab.
- Click on New Removal Request.
- Follow the instructions on the page to submit your request.
- Through the YouTube Studio app
- Open the YouTube Studio app and sign in to your account.
- Tap on the Copyright tab.
- Tap on New Removal Request.
- Follow the instructions on the page to submit your request.
When you submit a copyright complaint, you will need to provide the following information:
- The URL of the video that you believe infringes on your exclusive rights.
- A brief description of the copyrighted work that you believe has been infringed.
- Provide your complete contact details, which should include your name, email address, and phone number.
- A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use of your copyrighted work is not authorised by you, your agent, or the law.
- A statement that the details in your complaint are precise and that you are the copyright owner or authorised to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
YouTube will review your complaint and take appropriate action.
If YouTube determines that the video infringes your exclusive rights, it will be removed from the site.
It is important to note that submitting a false copyright complaint can result in legal consequences. Therefore, you should only submit a complaint if you are confident that your ownership rights have been infringed.
Here are some additional tips for reporting a copyright complaint on YouTube:
- Be sure to provide as much information as possible about the copyrighted work that you believe has been infringed. This will help YouTube quickly and accurately review your complaint.
- If you are not the copyright owner but are authorised to act on their behalf, be sure to provide documentation of your authorisation.
- Be sure to follow the instructions on the YouTube website or app carefully when submitting your complaint.
- Be patient. It may take some time for YouTube to review your complaint and take action.
Important Information to Consider Prior to Submitting a Removal Request for Copyrighted Content
Before you submit a removal request for copyright content on YouTube, there are a few things you should know.
Copyright exceptions. Not all uses of copyrighted material are infringement.
There are a number of copyright exceptions that allow for the use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright owner.
For example, fair use allows for the use of copyrighted material for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, research, or education.
If you believe that your use of copyrighted material falls under a copyright exception, you should be aware that YouTube may still remove the content if it believes that the use is not fair.
Personal information. When you submit a copyright removal request, you will be asked to provide your full legal name and email address. This information will be shared with the uploader of the video that you are reporting.
Your physical address and phone number will not be shared unless required as part of a lawsuit.
Preventing copies. When you submit a copyright removal request, you can select the option to prevent copies of the videos you are reporting from being reuploaded to YouTube. This is known as a “takedown notice.”
If you choose to submit a copyright notice, YouTube will remove the videos from its servers and prevent them from being re-uploaded. However, it is important to note that this does not prevent the uploader from reuploading the videos to another website or platform.
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DMCA/Copyright Infringement Complaint Form
If you have encountered copyright infringement on a specific platform and want to file a complaint, you’ve come to the right place.
We provide a simple and convenient way for you to address violations through the collection of DMCA/Copyright infringement complaint forms.
By clicking on the appropriate link below, you can access the complaint form tailored to the specific platform where the infringement occurred.
Reached via email for the Platforms Without Complaint Forms
If you want to file a complaint about copyright infringement with platforms that do not have a complaint form, you can reach out to them via email.
Here are the email addresses for some partners:
- Deezer: You can contact them at [email protected].
- Napster: Reach out to them at [email protected].
- Tencent: Email your complaint to [email protected].
- TIDAL: Send your complaint to [email protected].
- Traxsource: Contact them regarding copyright infringement at [email protected].
For further information, refer to their website.
When emailing these platforms, make sure to provide all the necessary details, including your contact information, a description of the copyrighted material being infringed, and any supporting evidence.
Be clear and concise in explaining the infringement and your ownership rights as a content creator.
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Guidelines for Emailing Copyright Infringement Complaints: Essential Information to Include
When emailing about infringement, it is important to provide the following information:
Your information:
- First and last name
- Individual, company, or brand that owns the work
- Mailing address
- Email address
Evidence of ownership:
- A link to the original work or proof of ownership
Information about the infringement:
- Specify whether it is a sound recording, artwork, trademark, or other type of infringement
- Provide a link to the infringed content and/or proof to demonstrate the infringement to the digital service provider (DSP)
- Include a brief explanation of the infringement
Statements:
- State that you have a good faith belief that the use of the material is not authorised by the copyright holder, its agent, or the law
- Confirm that the information provided in the notification is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that you are authorised to act on behalf of the owner of the allegedly infringed exclusive right.
Including these details in your email will help ensure that your complaint is properly addressed and considered by the recipient.
What Happens After You Complain About Copyright Infringement?
After you complain about the breach of copyright, the process and subsequent actions can vary depending on the platform or service provider involved, as well as the specific intellectual property laws and procedures in your jurisdiction.
However, here are some general steps that may follow:
Review and Investigation: The platform will review the details of your complaint and conduct an investigation into the alleged infringement. This may involve examining the evidence you provided and assessing the validity of your claim.
Notification to the Infringer: If the platform determines that your complaint has merit, it will typically notify the party responsible for the infringement.
They may request the removal or modification of the infringing material and provide them with an opportunity to respond.
Compliance or Counter-Notification: The alleged infringer may comply with the platform’s request and remove the infringing material.
Alternatively, they may choose to dispute the claim by filing a counter-notification, asserting their rights to use the content.
Resolution or Legal Action: The platform will evaluate the counter-notification, along with any additional information or evidence provided by both parties.
They will then make a determination regarding the resolution of the dispute. This could involve maintaining the takedown, reinstating the content, or further legal action if necessary.
It’s important to note that the specific procedures and outcomes can vary, and some disputes may escalate to legal proceedings if a resolution cannot be reached through the online platform or service provider.
Consulting with legal professionals specialising in intellectual property law can provide further guidance and assistance in more complex cases.
Conclusion
Filing a complaint about a copyright violation is an essential step in protecting your intellectual property rights.
By following the appropriate process, such as submitting a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) request or a copyright removal request, you can take action against the unauthorised use of your copyrighted material.
It is important to provide accurate information, including details about the infringed content, contact info, and any evidence of infringement.
Internet service providers, search engines, and other platforms play a crucial role in addressing copyright infringement, as they have mechanisms in place to handle such complaints.
Registration of copyright can further strengthen your case and provide additional legal protection.
Remember that the legal process may differ depending on the platform, so it is advisable to familiarise yourself with their specific requirements.
By reporting infringement, you contribute to a safer and more respectful digital environment that respects intellectual property rights.
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FAQs
What to know before you report copyright infringement?
Before reporting copyright infringement, make sure you have the legal rights to do so as the rightful owner or authorised representative.
Gather evidence of the infringement, and review the platform’s policies for reporting.
Ensure that the alleged infringement does not fall under any exceptions like fair use or public domain.
Having the necessary contact information will enable you to file a complaint effectively and protect your rights as independent creators.
How to submit a complaint about copyright infringement for an app?
To file an app copyright infringement complaint, contact the app store or platform where the infringement occurred and follow their designated process for reporting violations.
Provide necessary information, such as your contact details, evidence of ownership, and details of the infringement.
How do I report copyright infringement on the Internet?
If you believe that your copyright-protected work has been infringed upon on the internet, there are steps you can take to report the infringement.
Reporting copyright infringement is a necessary step to protect your legal rights and ensure that your work is not used without permission.
1. Identify the Infringement: Before reporting an alleged copyright infringement, it’s important to make sure that you are the rightful owner of the content or that you have been authorised to report it.
2. Gather Evidence: Collect evidence of the infringement by taking screenshots and saving links to any pages where your work has been used without permission.
3. Contact the Platform: Reach out to the platform hosting the infringing content, such as a website or social media account, and follow their specific process for reporting violations.
4. Submit a DMCA Takedown Notice: If your material is hosted on a website that is protected by the DMCA, you can submit a takedown notice through the platform’s DMCA system.
What is a copyright report?
A copyright report is an official document that is used to notify parties of alleged copyright infringement.
It typically contains information about the copyrighted work, how it was infringed upon, and contact information for the copyright owner.
The report is usually sent by the rights owner or their representative to the person or entity accused of infringement.
What are the violations of intellectual property rights?
Intellectual property rights are a set of exclusive legal rights that protect creative works such as inventions, designs, literary and artistic works, symbols, images, names, and other unique expressions.
These rights are granted by governments to the original creators and owners of intellectual property in order to give them the exclusive right to benefit from their work or creations of original ideas.
Violations of intellectual property rights include unauthorised copying, distribution, adaptation , or public performance of copyrighted works without the permission of the rights owner.
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