How to File an Instagram DMCA Takedown: Ultimate Guide

Did someone steal your stuff on Instagram? It’s time to perform a DMCA takedown.

Luckily, Instagram makes this process incredibly easy, and you could get stolen content taken down within days.

As a DMCA takedown provider, we got to the bottom of how to file an Instagram DMCA takedown. Here’s everything you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• If someone uses your copyrighted or original content without your permission on Instagram, you may need to perform a DMCA takedown
• Instagram has an easy process for DMCA takedowns that consists of filling out a single-page form. They handle it from there!
• You must be the copyright holder or an authorized representative to file a DMCA takedown on Instagram.

What is a DMCA Takedown on Instagram?

First off, what is a DMCA takedown?

A DMCA takedown is a request to remove copyrighted material from the internet that has been posted without permission.

This happens when the owner of the content finds it somewhere that they have not given permission to use, contacts the site owner who has the offending content posted, and has the site owner remove the content.

In the context of Instagram, this applies to content (photos and videos) that have been shared without the owner's permission and/or violates copyright laws.

DMCA takedown rules vary per site, but Instagram requires the person filing the takedown notice to be the actual owner of the content/copyright or an authorized representative of the owner acting on their behalf.

Preparing to File a DMCA Takedown

When preparing to file an Instagram DMCA takedown, you’ll want to check on a few things first and get some receipts in order.

While Instagram offers an easy-to-fill-out form that guides you through the process of reporting the offending content, you’ll need to have the following information ready (according to their site):

• Your complete contact information (full name, postal address, and phone number)
• A description of the content on our site that you claim infringes your copyright
• Information that is reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material on our site. The easiest way to do this is by providing web addresses (URLs) that lead directly to the allegedly infringing content.
• A declaration that:
  • you have a belief, based on good faith, that use of the copyrighted content described above, in the manner you have complained of, is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent or the law;
  • the information in your notice is accurate;
  • under penalty of perjury, you are the owner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive copyright that has been allegedly infringed.
• Your electronic signature or physical signature.

Once you have all of that information together, get ready to file you DMCA takedown!

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a DMCA Takedown on Instagram

Instagram gives you a couple of ways to report copyright infringement and do a DMCA takedown.

• Copyright Report Form
• Contact their designated agent under the notice and counter-notice procedures of the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). (If you contact their DMCA-designated agent, please make sure that you include a complete copyright claim in your report.)

Meta (the company over Facebook and Instagram) also offers Brand Rights Protection, a proactive way for businesses to protect their copyrighted content.

Copyright Report Form

This is the recommended way to file a copyright complaint with Instagram. The form is all on one page, making it super easy to file your complaint.

You’ll need to fill out boxes including:

• Your name and contact info
• Your address
• Your email
• Name of the rights owner
• Where your asserting rights are
• What type of content the copyrighted work is (text, photo, video)
• Provide links (URLs) to the copyrighted work or describe it
• What type of content you are reporting (photo/video/post, story, ad, or other)
• Provide links (URLs) leading directly to the specific content that you are reporting
• Describe why you are reporting the content
• Provide any additional information regarding the copyright infringement
• Provide an electronic signature confirming the following statement: “By submitting this notice, you state that you have a good faith belief that the reported use described above, in the manner that you have complained of, is not authorized by the intellectual property rights owner, its agent or the law; that the information contained in this notice is accurate; and, under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the intellectual property rights at issue.”

Contacting Instagram’s Dedicated DMCA Agent

This is the slower way to do it, and you will also have to submit the info you would otherwise include in the form, but if you wish to reach out directly to Instagram’s dedicated agent, here’s the contact info:

• Meta Platforms, Inc.
• FAO: Instagram Designated Agent
• 1601 Willow Road
• Menlo Park, California 94025, US
• +1 650 543 4800 (phone)
• [email protected]

After Submitting a DMCA Takedown Notice

Once you submit your DMCA takedown notice, you’ll receive an automated email including information about your report and a unique report number that you should save in case you need to contact them about your report.

You may receive an email from Instagram’s team requesting more information. You’ll respond directly to that email with the information requested.

Note that the person who posted the offending content will receive the following information:

• Report number
• The rights owner's name
• Email address provided by the reporting party
• Details of the report
• Instructions on how to submit an appeal

Dealing with Counter-Notifications

Someone can file a counter-notice if they feel that they did not post infringing material.

When Instagram receives a valid counter-notice, they will send you, the reporter, the notice including their contact information, which you can use to contact them.

When you receive this counter-notice, you will have to notify Instagram that you have filed a court action seeking an order to keep the content down. If you don’t do this within 2 weeks, they will restore or cease disabling eligible content under the DMCA. This process can take up to 14 days.

Tips for Protecting Your Instagram Content

The bottom line is that it’s better to protect your content in the first place.

If you want to protect your Instagram content, try doing one (or a few) of the following:

• Make use of Meta’s Brand Rights Protection service
• Use an invisible watermark on your posts
• Set up two-factor authentication for more protection for your account
• Use strong passwords
• Add a copyright notice
• Make your account private
• Use an anonymous email to create your account

Conclusion

If someone steals your content and reposts it on Instagram, don’t stress! Simply fill out a form on Instagram to request removal. You also have other options.

Did you find your content on other platforms? Check out our takedown guides for:

• Google
• YouTube
• Reddit
• Shopify
• WooCommerce

Want to protect your content on Instagram and beyond? Try our DMCA takedown service to keep your content safe from pirates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report a DMCA takedown?

To report a DMCA takedown on Instagram, fill out their copyright form and hear back within days.

How do I remove a copyright strike on Instagram?

If you want to remove a copyright strike or file a counterclaim on Instagram, it’s best to contact the accusing party/copyright owner directly to resolve the issue.

How to dispute a copyright claim on Instagram?

If you want to dispute a copyright claim on Instagram, locate the “Your video has been removed” email from Instagram and click “Appeal,” then enter your electronic signature and check ✔️ the “I agree” checkbox before clicking “Appeal.” Your appeal will then be submitted and after Instagram's review, your content could be restored.

How to file a claim on Instagram?

To file a claim on Instagram, fill out their copyright form and hear back within days.