How to file a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violation with Google
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
Create and login to your Google account
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.
Make the appropriate form 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.
Tell them what you found
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.
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You’re absolutely welcome, Amanda!
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.