What to do if someone steals your content
Written by Law on Call Staff |Reviewed by Nathan Askins |Last Updated February 4, 2026
You’ve worked hard to create and share your original content, but what happens if someone takes it? Posting something online doesn’t make it free to use.
This guide covers what legally counts as your content, how copyright protection works, and what to do if someone copies or steals your work.
what Counts as “Your Content” Legally?
Even in grade school, the rule is keep your eyes on your own paper. The message is clear: you can’t claim someone else’s work as your own.
The same principle applies online. Whether it’s a photo, blog post, video, or design, your original content belongs to you, not the internet.
is my content legally protected?
Anything you create—writing, photos, artwork, music, graphics, videos—is your intellectual property. Under U.S. copyright law (and as we explain it in our Copyrights Guide) your work is protected the moment it’s created. You don’t need to register your copyright for it to apply, but you do need to register it to enforce your copyright in an infringement case.
You automatically hold exclusive rights to reproduce, share, publish, and perform your work. And when someone uses your content for their own purposes without permission, that might be copyright infringement, a legal violation that can carry serious consequences.
what are types of content theft?
Content takes many forms and content theft happens across nearly every medium, including:
- Written content
blog posts, recipes, articles, ebooks, marketing copy - Visual content
photos, graphics, illustrations, logos, social media images - Multimedia
videos, music, podcast clips, animations - Business content
website copy, branded materials, course content, templates, downloadable guides
If you created it and someone else reuses it without your permission, you may have a legal claim.
how TO prevent content theft
While you can’t stop every bad actor, you can make your work harder to steal and easier to protect.
- Watermark your images
A subtle watermark helps deter unauthorized reuse and clearly shows ownership. - Use copyright notices
A simple “© + Your Name + Year” reinforces that your content is protected. - Disable right-click or downloading
Website builders, like WordPress (with plugins) or Wix, allow you to turn off right-click saving or screen grabbing. Not foolproof, but helpful. - Register high-value content
Courses, ebooks, photos, artwork, videos, templates, music, and more benefit from full copyright registration. - Monitor for infringement
Tools like reverse image search, Google Alerts, and plagiarism checkers can help you spot unauthorized use early.
Protect the content you create.
how To avoid taking someone else’s content
Accidental infringement is still infringement. Use content that doesn’t belong to you responsibly and avoid legal trouble.
- Ask for permission first
When in doubt, ask. Reaching out to the creator or rights holder before using their work can save you from legal trouble later. - Check for licensing terms
Some content is reusable under Creative Commons or similar licenses that allow reuse with conditions. Be sure to check the fine print to confirm whether attribution is required, edits are allowed, or commercial use is prohibited. - Understand fair use
Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted work for commentary, criticism, education, or news reporting. But it depends on the purpose of your use, the amount of content taken, and the effect on the original creator’s market. If you’re unsure, assume fair use does not apply. - Use legal images
Image misuse is one of the most common forms of accidental infringement. Before you reuse anything you find online, know the basic rules around using online images and make sure the image is truly licensed for your purpose. It’s usually safest to use your own images. You can also buy stock or licensed photos, choose images made available for public use, or work with a designer who understands copyright rules.
What to do if someone steals your content
If you find that someone has copied, reposted, or reused your work without your consent, you don’t always have to jump straight to a lawsuit. Consider taking these steps first.
- Document It
Take screenshots, save URLs, note publication dates, and collect evidence that shows when you created the original work. Good documentation strengthens your claim. - Make Contact
Sometimes a simple message solves the issue. Reach out politely and request that they remove the material or give your proper credit. If that doesn’t work, a formal cease-and-desist letter may be a viable next step. If you need help, one of our attorneys can prepare one for you. - Register Your Copyright
Your work is automatically protected, but registering it with the U.S. Copyright Office gives you stronger legal rights. Not only does it create a clear public record of ownership, it gives you the power to sue for infringement in federal court.
real world copyright cases
If all else fails and the potential infringement is serious, you may decide to file a lawsuit. Courts take content theft seriously. These high-profile cases show just how far infringement disputes can go.
Metallica vs. Napster
Before today’s streaming services like Spotify, Napster allowed users to share copyrighted songs freely. In 2000, Dr. Dre and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich sued Napster for infringement, ultimately forcing the platform to shut down in 2001. The landmark case set a clear precedent: you can’t share someone else’s creative work without their permission.
Andersen vs. Stability AI
A group of visual artists allege that generative AI companies—including Stability AI and Midjourney—used their copyrighted work to train AI models without consent. They claim the resulting outputs are unlicensed derivative works. This case is set for trial in 2026 and could determine how copyright law applies to AI.
What is a dmca takedown notice?
If someone posts your content online without permission, a DMCA takedown notice is one of the fastest ways to get it removed. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act requires hosting platforms to remove infringing content once they receive a valid notice. Anyone can file one, no lawsuit or confrontation required.
How does a DMCA TAKEDOWN WORK?
To initiate a DMCA takedown, you’ll send the request to the website, hosting provider, or platform that’s displaying the stolen content. They must remove it if your notice is valid. This allows creators to bypass the infringer entirely.
where do you file a dmca notice?
Most major platforms offers online DMCA forms, including:
- Hosting companies: GoDaddy, Bluehost, Namecheap
- Cloud providers: Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Website platforms: WordPress.com, Wix, Squarespace
- Social platforms: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
All are legally required to process DMCA notices.
If you’re not sure who hosts the infringing content, you can usually find out using tools like ICANN lookup.
what do you need to include?
A valid takedown request must include:
- Your name and contact info
- A description of the stolen content
- The URL where the infringement appears
- A statement confirming you own the copyright
- Your electronic signature
Most platforms walk you through this step by step.
how long does it take?
The DMCA Takedown Form takes just a few minutes to fill out, and many hosts respond within a few business days. The law allows up to five.
When you should talk to a lawyer
Not every case of content theft needs legal action, but you may want legal guidance when:
- Watermark your images
A subtle watermark helps deter unauthorized reuse and clearly shows ownership. - Use copyright notices
A simple “© + Your Name + Year” reinforces that your content is protected. - Disable right-click or downloading
Website builders, like WordPress (with plugins) or Wix, allow you to turn off right-click saving or screen grabbing. Not foolproof, but helpful. - Register high-value content
Courses, ebooks, photos, artwork, videos, templates, music, and more benefit from full copyright registration. - Monitor for infringement
Tools like reverse image search, Google Alerts, and plagiarism checkers can help you spot unauthorized use early.
An attorney can help you assess your options, protect your rights, and escalate the matter if needed.
Sometimes, even a quick consultation can save you time, stress, and money, especially if your content supports your business.
Main Takeaways
- Your original content is automatically protected by copyright, including writing, images, videos, and other creative work, but registration can aid enforcement.
- If someone steals your content, document it early and consider contacting them before escalating.
- DMCA takedown notices are one of the fastest ways to remove infringing content online.
- Understanding licensing, fair use, and when to seek legal help can protect both your work and your business.
