๐ฌ What To Do Next
You've generated your signed copyright notice โ here's how to submit it and get infringing content removed.
1 Verify Your Generated Files
Before you send anything, confirm your documents are intact and valid.
- Open the Signed JSON file โ confirm your details, the timestamp, and signature are present
- Open the Message (.txt) file โ read through the notice to ensure accuracy
- Verify the digital signature using the Signature Verification Tools on this site
- Verify the Sectigo RFC 3161 timestamp using the Timestamp Verification Tool
โ ๏ธ Do NOT edit your files. Any changes to the message or JSON files will invalidate your digital signature and timestamp, making them legally worthless.
2 Identify Where to Submit
Your notice needs to be sent to the party responsible for hosting or distributing the infringing content. This is usually not the infringer directly โ it's the platform, hosting provider, or ISP that serves their content.
Use These Tools to Find the Right Contact
๐ WHOIS Lookup
Look up any domain to find who hosts it. Try who.is or DomainTools
๐ฅ๏ธ Hosting Provider Lookup
Identify the hosting company. Try WhoIsHostingThis
๐ US DMCA Agent Directory
Find registered DMCA agents via the U.S. Copyright Office Directory
๐ Google Transparency Report
Request content removal from Google Search at Google Legal
๐ก Tip: The registrar (e.g. GoDaddy, Namecheap) is not always the hosting provider. Check the domain's nameservers and IP address to confirm who actually serves the content.
3 Submit Your Notice โ Jurisdiction Guide
Select the jurisdiction you used to generate your notice for specific submission instructions.
๐บ๐ธ USA (DMCA)
๐จ๐ฆ Canada
๐ฆ๐บ Australia
๐ช๐บ EU
๐ฏ๐ต Japan
๐ฌ๐ง UK
๐บ๐ธ DMCA Takedown (United States)
The DMCA (17 U.S.C. ยง 512) provides a structured notice-and-takedown process. Service providers must act on valid notices to maintain their safe harbor protection.
Where to Send
1. The Hosting Provider / Platform
Look for their "DMCA," "Legal," "Abuse," or "Copyright" page. Most major providers (AWS, Cloudflare, GoDaddy, etc.) have dedicated DMCA submission forms or email addresses. Check the U.S. Copyright Office DMCA Agent Directory for their registered agent.
2. Search Engines (Optional but Recommended)
3. Social Media Platforms
If the infringement is on social media, use their dedicated copyright reporting tools: YouTube, Instagram/Facebook, X/Twitter, TikTok.
What to Include
Attach the following files from your download package:
- Message file (.txt) โ the complete notice text
- Signed JSON โ contains the digital signature + Sectigo RFC 3161 timestamp
- Signature file (.sig) and Public Key (.pem) โ for independent verification
What to Expect
- Most providers respond within 24โ72 hours
- The provider may forward your notice to the alleged infringer
- The infringer has the right to file a counter-notice
- If a counter-notice is filed, you have 10โ14 business days to file a federal lawsuit or the content may be restored
๐ก Tip: Keep copies of all correspondence. If the provider doesn't respond within 5 business days, follow up or escalate to their legal department.
๐จ๐ฆ Canada โ Notice and Notice Regime
Canada uses a notice-and-notice system under the Copyright Modernization Act (2012). Unlike the DMCA, Canadian ISPs are not required to take down content โ they must forward your notice to the alleged infringer and preserve evidence.
Where to Send
1. The Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Identify the ISP hosting the content (Bell, Rogers, Telus, or any web host operating in Canada). Send your notice to their abuse or legal department. The ISP is legally required to forward it to the subscriber.
2. Platform Operators
If content is on a platform headquartered in Canada, contact their copyright/abuse team directly.
Important Differences from DMCA
- ISPs must forward your notice to the alleged infringer โ they are not required to remove the content
- ISPs must preserve evidence for 6 months (or 12 months if you file a court action)
- If content is not removed voluntarily, your next step is to pursue legal action in Canadian courts
- Statutory damages in Canada range from $100โ$5,000 for non-commercial infringement
๐ก Tip: Since Canadian law doesn't require takedown, consider also filing with the hosting provider directly if they're a US-based company (they may honor DMCA-style takedowns voluntarily). If the content is hosted by a US-based service, you may also file a DMCA notice in parallel.
๐ฆ๐บ Australia โ Copyright Act 1968
Australia's Copyright Act 1968 (as amended by the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000) provides safe harbor provisions similar to the DMCA for "carriage service providers."
Where to Send
1. The Carriage Service Provider (CSP)
Identify the ISP or hosting provider. Major Australian providers include Telstra, Optus, TPG, VentraIP, and Zuver. Send to their designated copyright representative or abuse contact.
2. eSafety Commissioner (For Serious Cases)
For persistent or large-scale infringement, you can escalate to the eSafety Commissioner.
What to Expect
- The CSP should respond to a valid notice and take "reasonable steps" to disable access
- Australia allows Federal Court injunctions to block overseas infringing websites under Section 115A
- If the infringer is within Australia, you can pursue action through the Federal Court of Australia
๐ก Tip: If the hosting provider is US-based, you can file a DMCA takedown in addition to the Australian notice for faster action.
๐ช๐บ EU โ Digital Services Act (DSA) & Copyright Directive
The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA, Regulation 2022/2065) and the Copyright Directive (2019/790) require online platforms to act on copyright notices. Member states have also implemented national laws.
Where to Send
1. The Platform / Hosting Service
Under the DSA, all hosting services must provide a clear mechanism for submitting notices. Look for "Report content," "Legal," or "Copyright" sections on the platform.
2. National Enforcement Bodies
If the platform doesn't respond, contact the Digital Services Coordinator in the relevant EU member state. Each country has a designated authority for DSA enforcement.
3. Out-of-Court Dispute Bodies
The DSA provides for certified out-of-court dispute settlement bodies if the platform rejects your notice.
Key EU Requirements
- Platforms must process notices "in a timely, diligent, non-arbitrary and objective manner" (DSA Art. 16)
- Very large platforms (VLOPs) have additional transparency obligations
- Article 17 of the Copyright Directive places direct liability on platforms for user-uploaded content
- You have the right to a reasoned explanation if your notice is rejected
๐ก Tip: EU platforms are required to provide easy-to-use notice submission mechanisms. If a platform makes it difficult to submit, that itself may be a DSA compliance issue you can report to the national Digital Services Coordinator.
๐ฏ๐ต Japan โ Provider Liability Limitation Act
Japan's "Act on the Limitation of Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers" (ใใญใใคใ่ฒฌไปปๅถ้ๆณ) provides a framework similar to the DMCA.
Where to Send
1. The Service Provider
Send your notice to the provider's designated copyright contact. Major Japanese providers include NTT, SoftBank, KDDI, and SAKURA Internet. For platforms, contact their abuse or legal teams.
2. Authorized Sending Organization
Consider using an authorized sending organization recognized under Japanese law to lend weight to your notice.
Important Notes
- The provider must give the alleged infringer 7 days to respond before taking action
- If the alleged infringer does not object within 7 days, the provider may remove the content
- For persistent infringement, you can pursue injunctive relief through the Japanese courts
- Japan's Copyright Act (่ไฝๆจฉๆณ) provides both civil and criminal remedies
๐ก Tip: Notices sent in Japanese are more likely to receive prompt responses from Japanese providers. If your notice is in English, consider including a Japanese summary.
๐ฌ๐ง UK โ Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
The UK's CDPA 1988, combined with the E-Commerce Regulations 2002, provides a framework for copyright enforcement online. Post-Brexit, the UK has its own distinct framework separate from EU law.
Where to Send
1. The Hosting Provider
Under the E-Commerce Regulations 2002, hosting providers lose their liability protection once they have "actual knowledge" of infringement. Send your notice to make them aware. Major UK hosts include Fasthosts, 123 Reg, Heart Internet, and any international hosts serving UK content.
2. Search Engine Removal
Request de-indexing from Google UK and Bing. This doesn't remove the content but reduces discoverability significantly.
3. Nominet (for .co.uk Domains)
If the infringing site uses a .co.uk domain and the owner is violating terms, you can report to Nominet.
What to Expect
- UK law doesn't specify a strict takedown timeline, but providers typically act within 48 hoursโ1 week
- For website-blocking orders, you can apply to the High Court under Section 97A CDPA
- UK courts have granted site-blocking injunctions requiring ISPs to block access to infringing sites
๐ก Tip: UK courts have been receptive to site-blocking orders. If a hosting provider refuses to act, legal escalation through the High Court is a viable path.
4 How to Send Your Notice
Most providers accept notices through one or more of these channels:
๐ง Email (Most Common)
Attach all your generated files (message, signature, public key, signed JSON). Write a brief cover email referencing the attached notice. Use the provider's legal/abuse/DMCA email address.
๐ Online Form
Many platforms have dedicated copyright reporting forms. Paste the text of your notice and attach files where possible. Note: some forms have file size or format limits.
๐ฎ Physical Mail / Fax (Formal Option)
For maximum legal weight, send a printed copy via certified/registered mail. Include all files on a USB drive or printed as attachments. This creates an undeniable delivery record.
๐ก Tip: When emailing, always request a read receipt or delivery confirmation. Save a copy of everything you send.
5 After You Submit
- Save copies of all notices, correspondence, and delivery confirmations
- Note the date and time you submitted the notice
- Monitor the infringing URL(s) for content removal
- Follow up with the provider if you don't hear back within 5 business days
- If a counter-notice is filed, consult with a legal professional about next steps
- Consider filing with search engines to de-index the content while awaiting takedown
- Keep your Puddingify signed files archived permanently โ the Sectigo timestamp proves the date of your claim
โ ๏ธ Legal Disclaimer: Puddingify helps you generate properly formatted, digitally signed copyright notices. We do not provide legal advice. Filing a false copyright claim can result in legal liability. If you're unsure about the strength of your claim, consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
6 If the Content Isn't Removed
If the provider doesn't act on your notice, you have several escalation options:
- Re-submit with corrections โ Ensure your notice meets all the legal requirements for the relevant jurisdiction. Providers may reject notices that are incomplete or improperly formatted.
- Escalate within the provider โ Contact their legal department directly rather than the general abuse address.
- File with search engines โ Even if the content stays up, removing it from search results significantly reduces its visibility and impact.
- File with additional parties โ Contact the domain registrar, CDN provider (e.g. Cloudflare), payment processors, or advertising networks associated with the infringing site.
- Seek legal counsel โ An intellectual property attorney can advise on court orders, injunctions, and litigation options in your jurisdiction.