How Have You Addressed Online Copyright Infringement?
Copyright Insights
How Have You Addressed Online Copyright Infringement?
We asked Founders and Owners how they handle online copyright infringement. From filing DMCA strikes to issuing cease and desist letters, discover six ways these experts protect their work and navigate copyright issues in the digital age.
- File A DMCA Strike
- Utilize Automated Solutions
- Pursue Legal Action
- Negotiate Licensing Agreements
- Secure Licensing Deals
- Issue Cease And Desist
File A DMCA Strike
I've encountered several cases of people stealing my content, particularly videos and photos. While most platforms allow easy takedown of infringing material through their reporting systems, especially with a verified account, I had to escalate the situation once on Instagram. A user was posting my images under a different name, and when I initially reported it for impersonation, the platform didn't act. I then filed a DMCA strike, which led to the removal of the entire profile. In cases like this, persistence and knowing your legal options, like filing a DMCA, can make all the difference in protecting your work.
Utilize Automated Solutions
We often post educational content to teach our audience about the need for waste management and the different recycling methods. In one instance of dealing with copyright infringement, we discovered unauthorized use of our proprietary content online. To address this, we signed up for a digital-content protection service that automatically monitored the web for violations. This system allowed us to quickly identify infringements and efficiently issue takedown requests through a streamlined process. Within days, we saw the removal of the infringing content, helping us maintain control over our intellectual property. Our experience showed us how leveraging automated solutions can provide an essential layer of protection for any business operating in today’s global digital economy.
Pursue Legal Action
As an attorney focused on intellectual property, I regularly face issues of online copyright infringement. One client found a competitor using content from their website word-for-word.
We sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding removal. The competitor failed to comply, so we threatened legal action. Within a week, the content was removed and an apology issued. Clients see how vigilance and fast action address infringement.
In another case, a client found their photo in an ad without permission. We contacted the company and demanded attribution and payment. They agreed to credit and pay my client. Even one instance of infringement damages a brand and costs money. Prevention is key.
Brand owners must search regularly for theft, issue prompt takedowns, and pursue legal means when needed. Basic tactics like watermarking, registering copyrights, and using plagiarism tools reduce infringement risks. Quick action mitigates damage. Community outreach also builds goodwill and boosts visibility.
Negotiate Licensing Agreements
Recently, I faced a situation whereby my outdoor gym equipment images and designs had been used without permission by a competitor on their website. Without resorting to immediate legal action, I took a more collaborative approach, turning what could have been a possible legal fight into a mutually beneficial business relationship. So I contacted the company upon finding this infringement through a firm but constructive message, pointing out the infringement in question and offering them an opportunity to talk. We negotiated after discussion for licensing, whereby they could legally use the designs and my business would be compensated. This not only protected my intellectual property but also opened a new stream of revenue and strengthened ties with industry players. By doing that, shifting from confrontation to collaboration, we turned what initially was a copyright dispute into a win-win partnership where the connected network has been expanded.
Secure Licensing Deals
As the former CEO of Grooveshark, I have dealt with issues surrounding copyright infringement. In 2010, when major record labels sued us for copyright infringement, we had over 35 million monthly users who loved using our platform to stream music.
To address this, we attempted securing licensing deals with the labels to legitimize the large amounts of music hosted on our platform. However, after years of legal battles, the labels ultimately wanted Grooveshark shut down. We made the difficult decision to shutter our service in 2015 as part of a settlement agreement.
This experience taught me the importance of working with content owners from the start. If we had focused more on licensing deals early on rather than later in reaction to lawsuits, Grooveshark would likely still be operating today. For any digital business hosting third-party content, building strong relationships with content creators and rights holders is key to long-term success. If we had done this successfully, Grooveshark could have become a YouTube or Spotify.
Instead, ignoring copyrights in favor of growth eventually destroyed all the value we had built. My advice to others is simple: take copyright seriously and build it into your model from day one. Work with content creators; don’t fight them. If you do, you’ll avoid the same fate as Grooveshark.
Issue Cease And Desist
A few months ago, we learned that numerous internet sellers were offering wallpapers that were exact duplicates of our William Morris designs. They weren't simply comparable; they were exact duplicates, down to the finest detail. It was upsetting to see our hard work and ingenuity misused in this way.
We quickly took action. The first step was to collect all evidence. We documented the infringing products, took screenshots, and noted the URLs of the offending sites. This was critical for developing a solid case. Then we contacted our legal staff to create cease-and-desist letters. These letters were issued to the infringers, demanding that they remove the pirated products from their listings.
We simultaneously notified the platforms that hosted these merchants. We provided them with evidence and demanded that the illegal products be removed. Most platforms were cooperative and took prompt action after reviewing our accusations. However, there were a few that necessitated repeated follow-ups and further documentation.
The entire experience reminded us of the importance of vigilance and swift action in protecting intellectual property. It was challenging, but it also strengthened our resolve to maintain the integrity of our brand. Through this process, we managed to take down most of the infringing products and reinforced our commitment to delivering genuine, high-quality wallpapers to our customers.
