How to write a DMCA takedown notice

The six required elements

Section 512(c)(3) of the US Copyright Act says a notice needs:

• A physical or electronic signature of the person authorised to act for the copyright owner.
• Identification of the copyrighted work. If one notice covers several works on a site, a representative list is allowed.
• Identification of the infringing material, with enough detail for the service to find it. In practice, that means the direct link to each page.
• Your contact details, such as address, phone number and email.
• A statement that you believe in good faith the use isn't authorised by the copyright owner, its agent or the law.
• A statement that the notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that you're authorised to act for the copyright owner.

A template you can adapt

Replace everything in square brackets, and only send what's true.

To: [the service's designated agent, or use its online form]

I am the copyright owner of [describe your work], published at [link to your original].

The following material infringes that copyright:
[direct link to each infringing page]

Contact details: [name, address, phone number, email]

I have a good faith belief that the use of the material described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

The information in this notice is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the owner, or authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of the copyright that is allegedly infringed.

Signed: [your full name]   Date: [date]

Where to send it

Start with the platform's own form: most marketplaces handle reports through their own portal and ask for extra details. For a site with no form, services that want the DMCA's protection must register a designated agent with the US Copyright Office.

The DMCA is US law. Services outside the US may follow different rules, though many accept similar notices. Check the service's own policy.

What happens next

• After a compliant notice, the service must act expeditiously to remove or disable the material to keep its legal protection, and notify the person who uploaded it. Services aren't required to respond, but they lose that protection if they don't.
• The uploader can send a counter-notice saying the removal was a mistake. The service may then restore the material within 10 to 14 business days, unless you tell it you've filed a court action.
• Your notice, including your contact details, may be passed to the person you're reporting.

The risks of getting it wrong

Under section 512(f), anyone who knowingly and materially misrepresents that material is infringing can be liable for damages, including costs and attorneys' fees. If you aren't sure you have a claim, get advice first. This guide isn't legal advice.