Stolen Images? Here’s How I Used DMCA to Take Them Down

Last week, I shared the nightmare story of a $900 chargeback from a client who decided he was going to take back the money he paid me for retouching and how a lack of solid systems almost cost me that $900.

And yes, his retouching order alone came out to $900– that’s why I teach you to charge for add-ons such as retouching and not include them in your packages.

But I digress…

So the story didn’t end there. While the bank investigated the chargeback, that same client had the audacity to publish my final, retouched images on his website!

So, how did I fight back and get those images taken down?

I filed a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown notice with Google.

Basically, here’s how it works:

1. Get the URL: You need to pinpoint the exact URL where your copyrighted work is being used without permission.

2. Submit Evidence: Google will ask for proof that you own the copyright. This could be a link to your original work on your website, a copyright registration number (but who registered their work these days? Not me!), and screenshots of the infringing content.

3. Submit the Notice: You file a formal complaint with Google via their dedicated webform by choosing the Google search option. You’ll also need to attest, under penalty of perjury, that you are the copyright owner or authorized agent, and that the information in your notice is accurate (which is why I always recommend using contracts!).

4. Google Will Review and Take Action: Once Google receives a valid DMCA notice, they review it for completeness and compliance with their policies. If they determine the notice is valid, they will typically remove the infringing content from their search results, and often notify the administrator of the affected site.👈That’s what gave me so much pleasure with this guy… and Google is FAST!

FYI: The website owner has the option to file a “counter-notification” if they believe the content was removed in error or that they have the right to use it (e.g., fair use).

In my case, filing that DMCA takedown notice with Google was incredibly effective. It resulted in the swift removal of all the web pages containing my copyrighted images.

This entire ordeal taught me one critical lesson: establishing a solid system in your business is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. This includes the use of a CRM and contracts, contracts, contracts!

Save this blog in your browser so you’ll be able to go back to if you ever have to take action like this.