How a DMCA complaint works

What is the DMCA?

The DMCA is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a United States copyright law passed in October of 1998. Learn more about the DMCA at https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf.

What are DMCA notifications?

DMCA notifications are allegations of copyright infringement filed by copyright holders in accordance with the requirements of the DMCA notice-and-takedown procedures. It's Google's policy to respond to such allegations of copyright infringement.

Who can file a DMCA notification?

Only the copyright owner or an authorized representative can file a DMCA infringement notice.

What does a DMCA notification look like?

View the example of a DMCA notification.

If my ads have been disapproved due to DMCA violations, can they be resubmitted?

In order to resubmit your ads for approval, you must file a counter-notification that complies with all of the requirements of the DMCA. To file a counter-notification, please fill out our DMCA counter-notification form.

Note that you can be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys' fees) if you materially misrepresent that the material or activity is not infringing the copyrights of others. If you aren't sure whether certain material infringes the copyrights of others, we suggest that you first contact an attorney. If you resubmit your ads without filing a valid DMCA counter-notification, your account may be terminated due to violation of our repeat infringement policy.

Will Google disapprove my ads if legal proceedings concerning the copyright are underway?

If you submit a valid DMCA counter-notification, but the person claiming copyright to the content in question initiates legal proceedings against you, Google won't re-approve your ads until a court order has been issued ruling in your favour.