DMCA Takedown Notices

Submitting a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you discover that a document, image, or publication you own is being used on the internet without your authorization, you can send a formal "takedown notice" via email to the platform hosting the content. Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), these official notices provide a streamlined legal framework to ensure your content is removed quickly and efficiently.

Table of Contents

Before You Send a Takedown Notice

What a Takedown Notice Must Include

Finding Where to Send the Notice

DMCA Takedown Notice Template

1. Before You Send a Takedown Notice

Before taking action, please verify the following:

  • Confirm ownership: Be absolutely certain that the document, image, or media belongs to you.

  • Evaluate "Fair Use": Consider whether the use of your document qualifies as "fair use" (such as a brief excerpt used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, or educational teaching).

2. What a Takedown Notice Must Include

To be legally valid, a DMCA takedown notice must contain specific information. Ensure your email includes:

  • A written statement: The notice must be in writing.

  • Your signature: A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner (or an authorized agent).

  • Identification of your work: A clear description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed (or a list of works, if multiple items are on the same site).

  • Identification of the infringing material: The exact location or web address (URL) where the unauthorized material is hosted.

  • Your contact information: Your name, address, telephone number, and email address.

  • A "Good Faith" statement: A statement that you believe in good faith that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

  • A "Penalty of Perjury" statement: A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and, under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

3. Finding Where to Send the Notice

You must send the notice directly to the platform's designated copyright agent. You can look up the appropriate contact information using the official federal database:

đź’ˇ Need Help? If you cannot find a designated agent for your takedown request, contact CIT. Provide us with the details of your situation, and we can assist you in determining where the infringing material is being hosted and how to direct the notice.

DMCA Takedown Notice Template

Subject: DMCA Copyright Infringement Notification - [Your Name / SUNY Geneseo]

Dear Designated Copyright Agent,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a [student / faculty member / staff member] at the State University of New York College at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo). I am writing to formally report an infringement of my copyrighted material pursuant to Section 512(c) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (”DMCA”). A website hosted by your service is distributing my work without my authorization or permission.

The original, authorized version of my work—to which I hold exclusive copyrights—can be found at [Insert URL to your original work, or provide a clear description of the asset if it is not online].

The unauthorized, infringing copy is located at the following exact URL(s): [Insert the exact web link(s) where the stolen material is being hosted].

As the hosting service provider, I ask that you immediately remove or disable access to the infringing material with all deliberate speed to maintain your safe harbor immunity under federal law. I also request that you promptly notify the infringer of this notice, instruct them to cease any further unauthorized postings, and inform them of their duty to remove the content.

I am providing this notice in good faith and with the reasonable belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law. Furthermore, under penalty of perjury, I certify that the information contained in this notification is accurate, and that I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

If you require any further information to process this request, please contact me directly using the information provided below. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Typed Name / Electronic Signature]

[Your Title/Department, if applicable]

State University of New York College at Geneseo

Contact Information:

  • Mailing Address: [Your Address, City, State, Zip]

  • Phone Number: [Your Phone Number]

  • Email Address: [Your Geneseo Email Address]

 

Still Need Help?

Ask CIT! đź“ž (585) 245-5588 | 📧 Email | đź’¬ Chat | đź“ť Submit a Request and we'll be happy to assist you.

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