How to file a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violation with Google

Protecting your digital copyright

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) which was passed in 1998, provides measures to prevent the unauthorized duplication and distribution of various copyrighted materials that are posted throughout the Internet, and it also defines the penalties that will be levied on those who violate the DMCA intentionally.

Google.com maintains a database of millions of websites with similar information, and at some point during a search for specific information you may be interested in, you just might come across something unexpected; a page of text, photos, videos, etc., that are your copyrighted works residing on another website. The image above (top half) is an example of a Helium How-To Guide that was copied word-for-word and posted on another website (bottom half) without the author's permission.

If this scenario should present itself one day while performing a search on Google.com, you may choose to file a DMCA violation report with them as a request to have the offending site removed from their database. There may be other measures you choose to follow as well, but the DMCA is the first action necessary to protect your copyrighted materials from being used without your permission.

Instructions

Step 1

Create and login to your Google account

Google Signin

If you don't have an email account with Google, you'll need to create one to file your DMCA report with them. After creating your account, go ahead and sign in to it.

Step 2

Make the appropriate form selection

Make your selection

You'll be asked the question: "What Google product does your request relate to?" Read the selections carefully and choose the one that best fits the DMCA you're filing.

In this example, the Web Search selection has been chosen to report the violating website that copied copyrighted guide text.

Step 3

Tell them what you found

Make your selection

You'll be asked to "Please specify the nature of your request," with a list of selectable answeres.

In this example, "I have a legal issue that is not mentioned above" has been selected since the information which was found earlier infringes on the copyrights of the author who did not grant permission to use their work.

Things Needed

A computer.

A Google account.

The website address where your work is officially posted.

The offending website's address.

Any other pertinent information you may have.

Tips & Warnings

Be sure you've copied down the offending website's URL correctly.

Fill in the form slowly to avoid mistakes which may slow down the process.

Step 4

Select the content option

You'll be presented with some options to choose from, and in this specific circumstance you'll select:

"I have found content that may violate my copyright."

Step 5

Choose the authorization option

Yes I am

You will be asked: "Are you the copyright owner or authorized to act on his/her behalf?"

Select the option: "Yes, I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed."

Step 6

Read the important notice before continuing

	Read the important notice before continuing to be sure you understand you are submitting a concern related to the copyright of your material.
	Click the "Yes" selection to continue.

Step 7

Tell them what part of your work has been infringed

	Tell them exactly what part of your copyright is being infringed upon. In this particular example, "Text" would be selected since it is the text from a How-To Guide that was copied and displayed on the violating website.
	You'll be presented with some additional instructions about what you're going to be doing next. After you've read the additional instructions, click the "this form" link to continue.

Step 8

Complete the final form

1 Enter your contact infomation.	2 Tell them about your copyright that has been violated.	3 Provide the URL link where your copyrighted work is located.

4 Provide the URL link where you found the copyright violation.	5 Provide your sworn statements and electronic signiture.	6 Enter the words you see in the image and click on the submit button.

Comments (1 to 2 of 2)

Kevin W Byrom

Jan 10, 12 at 05:14 PM

You're absolutely welcome, Amanda!

Amanda Dcosta

Jan 10, 12 at 01:47 PM

Kevin.... thank you for this guide. It is so needed. I have filed a complaint with DMCA regarding the infringement of copyright of my guide. I know that this will help others too. We work so hard to come up with original matter and writing styles that it is totally unfair when another steals it from us. I have thought a great deal about the course of action... and while my instincts of 'charity' and 'tolerance' have been tugging at me strong, I have decided that as a matter of ethics, I will file my complaint. Thank you again for your guide. I wait to hear from DMCA on their course of action.

Flag Inappropriate Content

Kevin W Byrom
Helium member since Jul 12, 08
Number of Guides: 18

+ Post your Question|> See All Q&A

Other How-To's by this Author

Links of interest

You must first be a logged in Helium user. Click here to join.

How to file a copyright infringement notification on YouTube

This video describes in detail how you can file a DMCA infringement with YouTube to protect any material you've created yourself and uploaded to your YouTube account.

How-To Guide poll

How helpful was this guide in explaining how to file a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violation with Google?

	I didn't understand what was being explained.
	A little helpful.
	Very helpful.
	Excellent! I'm going to definately use the information from this guide if my copyrighted material is violated.
	Good, I'll probably use the information if my copyrighted material is violated.
	Not very helpful.
	I don't think it went into enough detail.