How to file a DMCA takedown notice (with a free template)

The six things a valid DMCA takedown notice must contain, where to send it for each marketplace, and mistakes that get notices ignored.

Updated 2026-10-26 · Markdown

A DMCA takedown notice is a formal request to a website or marketplace to remove material that infringes your copyright. US law — 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3) — lists what a notice must contain. Many non-US platforms accept notices in the same format.

The six required elements

1. Your signature — physical or electronic (typing your full name is generally accepted).
2. Identification of the copyrighted work — e.g. “my original product photograph of a speckled stoneware mug, published at [your listing URL] on [date].”
3. Identification of the infringing material and enough information to locate it — the exact URL(s).
4. Your contact information — name, email, and ideally an address or phone number.
5. A good-faith statement — that you believe the use isn't authorised by you, your agent, or the law.
6. An accuracy statement under penalty of perjury — that the information is accurate and you're the owner or authorised to act for the owner.

Template

Subject: Copyright infringement notice — unauthorized use of my product photograph

I am the author and copyright owner of the photograph described below.

1. Original work: [title], published at [your URL] on [date].
2. Infringing material: [infringing URL(s)].
3. Contact: [name], [email], [address or phone].
4. I have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained
   of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
5. The information in this notice is accurate, and under penalty of perjury,
   I am the owner, or authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of the copyright.

Signature: [full name]   Date: [date]

Or use our free takedown notice generator, which fills this in and tells you where to send it.

Where to send it

Most marketplaces want notices through a form or portal rather than email. See our per-platform guides: Etsy, Amazon, AliExpress, Alibaba, Temu, eBay, SHEIN, Walmart, Shopify stores. For independent websites, look up the host or registrar and use their abuse contact.

Mistakes that get notices ignored

• No exact URL — “they're selling my mug on Temu” isn't actionable.
• Missing statements — the good-faith and penalty-of-perjury statements are required.
• Claiming a product design instead of a photo — copyright in the photograph is clearer than in a functional product design.
• One notice for dozens of URLs on different platforms — send one per platform.

After sending

Note the date and any case number. Re-check the URL after one to two weeks. If it's still live, send a short follow-up that references your original notice.

General information, not legal advice.

Questions

Do I need a lawyer to send a DMCA notice?

No. Copyright owners commonly send takedown notices themselves. A lawyer can help with disputes or legal claims for damages.

What if the seller files a counter-notice?

Under the DMCA, the platform may restore the content unless you file a court action within a set period. If that happens, it's a good time to get legal advice.

Can I get in trouble for sending a notice?

Knowingly misrepresenting that material infringes can create liability under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f). Only send notices for your own work, and be accurate.