Guide · Updated 7 November 2026

How to report copyright infringement

Every big platform has its own copyright form, and most ask for the same handful of details. Here's where each one is, and what to have ready before you start.

Short answer

To report copyright infringement, use the copyright form of the platform where the copy is: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X, Pinterest, Amazon, Etsy and Shopify all have one, and eBay uses its VeRO program. For any other website, send a DMCA takedown notice to the site's copyright contact or its host. To remove the page from Google's results as well, report it to Google too. Each form asks for a description of your work, the link to the copy, your contact details and two short statements.

Before you report: what you'll need

Every copyright form asks for roughly the same things, so gather them once:

  • The link to each copy: the exact post, video or listing, not just the profile or shop.
  • A description of your work, and a link to your original if it's online.
  • Your name, email, mailing address and phone number.
  • Two statements: that you believe in good faith the use isn't authorized, and, under penalty of perjury, that your report is accurate and you own the work or act for the owner.

The DMCA takedown notice generator writes all of this up for you, so you can paste each part into whichever form you're using. Save a screenshot of the copy, showing the address and date, before you report it. Copies often vanish or change once a report comes in.

Platform Where to report
Instagram Instagram copyright report form
Facebook Facebook copyright report form
YouTube Copyright removal request, in YouTube Studio or the webform
TikTok TikTok copyright report form
X X copyright report form
Pinterest Pinterest copyright report form

Use the copyright form rather than the general report button on a post. A copyright report needs details the general button doesn't ask for, like a description of your original and your contact details.

On YouTube you need to be signed in, and a successful request can give the uploader a copyright strike. If you only want the video credited or monetized for you, YouTube's other copyright tools may suit you better than a removal.

If someone is using your photos to pretend to be you, report the account as impersonation as well. That's a separate option, and platforms tend to act on it faster.

Report infringement on Amazon, Etsy, eBay and Shopify

Marketplace Where to report
Amazon Report Infringement form. Any Amazon account works; you don't need to be a seller or in Brand Registry.
Etsy Etsy's IP reporting portal. Sign in with an Etsy account, which is free to create.
eBay The Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) program, free to join.
Shopify stores Shopify's DMCA form, or email legal@shopify.com. Shopify hosts the store, so it can take the product down.

For a product photo that was copied, list each listing that uses it. Marketplaces review each listing separately, and a listing you leave off stays up.

Report a website or its host

Look for a page called DMCA, Copyright or Legal, usually linked in the footer, and send your notice to the contact it gives. US sites often register a DMCA agent with the US Copyright Office, which keeps a public directory at dmca.copyright.gov.

If the site has no contact, report it to the company that hosts it. A domain lookup at lookup.icann.org shows who registered the domain, and most hosts have an abuse or copyright address. If the site is behind Cloudflare, report it at abuse.cloudflare.com; Cloudflare passes your report on to the actual host.

Google takes copyright reports through its legal removal requests. That takes the page out of Google's results, but it stays on the website, so report it to the site or host as well.

What happens after you report

Most platforms email you when they've acted. The person who posted the copy may be told who reported it, and can reply with a counter-notice if they think you're wrong. Our guide on how to send a DMCA takedown notice explains what happens then.

If it's a copied photo and they push back, the compare two photos tool shows how closely the copy matches your original and lists the evidence that it's yours.

This page explains how things usually work, in plain words. It’s general information, not legal advice, and rules differ by country. For a decision that matters, talk to a lawyer. Terms

FAQ

Questions, answered

Can I report copyright infringement if I'm not the owner?

Only if you're authorized to act for the owner, such as their agent or employer. Platforms ask you to confirm this under penalty of perjury. If you spot a copy of a friend's work, tell them where it is so they can report it themselves.

Can I report a copy anonymously?

Usually not. Copyright reports need your name and contact details, and many platforms pass them on to the person who posted the copy. If you'd rather not be named, a lawyer or a takedown service can report on your behalf.

How long does a copyright report take?

Large platforms often act within a few days of a complete report. Marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy can take longer for complex cases. If nothing happens after a week or two, check that your report included every detail, then send it again.

What's the difference between copyright and trademark reports?

Copyright covers creative work: photos, videos, music, writing and designs. Trademark covers brand names and logos. If someone copied your photo, choose copyright. If they're selling under your brand name, choose trademark. Most platforms have a separate option for each.