What to Do if Another Site Steals or Posts Your Adult Content
If you have found your personal videos or images posted on a website without your permission, you may feel angry, embarrassed, or taken advantage of. You likely want to get your original works of authorship taken down as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this is becoming a more common problem, especially for people who use platforms like OnlyFans, Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram to promote their work.
The ability to get adult photos and videos taken down is especially important for people who used to create this type of content, but who have stopped and now want their videos and images scrubbed from the internet. Not being able to get sensitive personal content taken down from other websites can make it feel difficult to get on with normal life, especially if you are worried that people? you know? may see this content.
However, this issue also affects professional content creators like photographers, videographers, and even writers. No matter what, whether your work was taken from a personal account or is part of your business, you have the right to get it taken down. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a law that is meant to give people a fast and effective way to remove stolen content using processes called "DMCA takedown notices" and "cease and desist letters." But figuring out the process of getting your work taken down can be complicated, especially if your work has been stolen and put on multiple platforms.
If you are dealing with this problem, you do not have to solve it alone. A Wisconsin DMCA takedown lawyer who understands copyright law and how it works can help you quickly remove your material. If a website does not follow a takedown notice, a lawyer with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP can help you hold that website accountable.
What Is a DMCA Takedown Notice?
A DMCA takedown notice is a formal request to a website or platform demanding the removal of copyrighted material. Under the DMCA, website owners and hosting services must take down copyrighted content if they receive a valid request from the copyright holder. This applies even if the website itself did not upload the content — once the website is notified, it is responsible for removing it or risking legal consequences.
Each website typically has its own DMCA takedown process. You can usually find this process in the website’s terms of service. This process can include submitting certain forms, providing proof you own the material, and explaining how and why the use is unauthorized.
If the notice is not formatted correctly or does not have required information, the platform could deny or ignore a DMCA takedown request. An attorney can ensure that your takedown request meets all necessary requirements so that your content is removed as quickly as possible.
What's The Difference Between a DMCA Takedown Notice and a Cease and Desist Letter?
A DMCA takedown notice is a legal process under copyright law that requires websites to remove copyrighted material upon request from the rightful owner. A cease-and-desist letter, on the other hand, is a broader legal demand that can be used to address not just copyright violations but other forms of unauthorized use, such as defamation (like libel or slander) or trademark infringement.
While a DMCA takedown notice is a direct request for removal, a cease-and-desist letter serves as a warning that legal action may follow if the infringing party does not comply. If a website ignores a DMCA takedown, a cease-and-desist letter may be the next step before taking legal action.
What If a Website Ignores My DMCA Takedown Request or Cease and Desist Letter?
While most platforms comply with DMCA takedown notices, some websites, particularly adult content sites and offshore hosts, may delay or refuse removal. When this happens, website operators can be held legally responsible for copyright infringement. In these cases, an attorney can escalate the matter by:
What Happens to Websites Who Break Copyright Laws and Post Stolen Content?
Websites that ignore DMCA takedown notices and continue to host stolen content face serious legal consequences. Under U.S. copyright law, a website that knowingly keeps up copyrighted material without the owner's consent can be sued for copyright infringement, leading to significant financial penalties.
Courts have awarded large financial awards, known as damages, to people who own material that was stolen and posted on a website, and then the website refused to take it down after a valid takedown request. Plus, search engines like Google will sometimes de-index non-compliant websites, making them nearly invisible to online searches.
Payment processors and advertising networks may also cut ties with these websites, shutting down their ability to make money. In extreme cases, website operators who engage in repeated and intentional copyright violations can face criminal charges, leading to potential fines and imprisonment.
All of these factors give websites a good reason to work with people on takedown requests or cease-and-desist letters. Still, having an attorney help you with your request shows companies you mean business, making your chances of getting your work taken down quickly much higher.
Why an Attorney Should Help with DMCA Takedowns
The DMCA takedown process may seem simple, but the reality is that different websites have different rules for submitting requests. If a single video or image has been reposted across multiple platforms, handling each removal request individually can be overwhelming. Mistakes in formatting, missing required documentation, or failing to follow platform-specific rules can result in delays or rejections.
An attorney who understands DMCA enforcement can help by:
Call a Milwaukee, WI Copyright Cease-and-Desist Lawyer
This issue extends beyond adult content and OnlyFans accounts. Many photographers, artists, musicians, and influencers also face copyright violations when their images, videos, or creative works are stolen and reposted without consent. Whether you are someone who wants to take down sensitive personal content or a business safeguarding valuable assets, you deserve to have your material protected.
If you need help removing stolen videos, images, or other content from unauthorized websites, contact Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP today. Our Wisconsin copyright infringement attorney can help you through the DMCA takedown process and ensure that your work is only used in the way you want. Call 414-271-1440 to discuss your case.