The best part about copyright is once you create a work that falls under the scope of copyright protection, your work is protected under U.S. copyright law. Although your work is protected when you create it, your journey should not stop there. It is substantial to register your work with the copyright office. If you are a U.S. creator, you cannot sue someone for infringement unless your work is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

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If your work has been infringed upon, there are several steps to take. DMCA stands for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. When finding someone who had stolen the work, a notice can be sent demanding the opposer take the work down. These are referred to as DMCA takedown notices or DMCA notices.

• Take a screenshot of the material. This must be done first because once the notice is sent out, the infringer must remove the material, and a screenshot cannot be taken once the material is removed.

• Locate the website host (the person the notice will be sent to). This can be done by clicking on the “terms of use” in the websites footer, or by contacting the U.S. Copyright Office Directory of Copyright Agents.

• Draft a notice that states the material being infringed, contact information, digital signature, and where the infringement is located. It is crucial to use the phrase “I have good faith I belief that this is copyrighted material. This statement should be made under penalty of perjury so that the claim in taken seriously.

When DCMA notices do not work, an innovator can ask the website owner to add credit linking it back to the original creator’s website. Another legal action that could be taken is sending a cease and desist letter demanding the website owner pay the original creator for using the material. If none of these work, an attorney is advised.