DMCA Takedown Notice

A DMCA Takedown Notice is a formal request to a website or online service provider to remove or disable access to material that is claimed to be infringing on a copyright owner’s exclusive rights under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This notice typically includes a description of the copyrighted work, the location of the infringing material, and a statement that the complainant has a good faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner or the law. The purpose of a DMCA Takedown Notice is to provide a legal mechanism for copyright owners to protect their rights in the digital environment, and to encourage online service providers to cooperate in the removal of infringing content. Upon receipt of a valid DMCA Takedown Notice, the service provider must promptly remove or block access to the identified material, and notify the alleged infringer of the action taken. The alleged infringer may then file a counter-notice to have the material restored if they believe the removal was mistaken or unjustified.