How to Use the DMCA to Stop Copyright Infringers

If someone steals your work and publishes it online, you can probably take it down using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Today was not the first time (and it won’t be the last) that I take advantage of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to protect my clients.

This story is pretty short, but it teaches a valuable lesson.

My client (a Kansas City graphic design freelancer) discovered someone selling t-shirts using an identical copy of her artwork on an online t-shirt platform.

The t-shirt website had a DMCA Policy, so I sent them a formal takedown letter and within days the infringing works were taken down. The infringer has the option to appeal, but given the clear cut case of infringement, I doubt they will try that.

This is yet another example of how artists can use the DMCA to protect their works. If your works are being infringed online, feel free to contact us to learn how we can help you.

(And if you run a website and think you may need a DMCA Policy, you might want to read this post: Why Your Website Needs a DMCA/Copyright Policy.)

(This article is general in nature and is not legal advice. Image: Adobe/photoinstyleat)