How to Write a Take-Down Letter
If someone has copied content from your website or blog and posted it on his own, you need to write a take-down letter to have the content removed. A take-down letter is the first step in letting an individual know that he is infringing on your copyrighted material, which is illegal. The letter should be directed to the web hosting company that hosts the website that has taken your content.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the date at the top of the letter. Write a short greeting at the beginning of the letter stating who you are and why you have the authority to complain about the material posted on a website. This should include your name and title. State that a website that the company hosts is infringing upon copyrighted material that you own.
-
2
List a link to the exact place on the website where the copyrighted material has been copied and posted. Also include a link to the original content on your website.
-
-
3
Ask the hosting company to have the content removed from the website. Explain that the law requires the company, as a provider of hosting services, to remove the content immediately upon notice. Ask the company to keep from posting any more of your content in the future. Write that if the content is removed immediately, the company is not in danger of being in trouble with the law.
-
4
Write a conclusion paragraph of the letter where you explain that you are writing the letter in good faith that the content will be removed. Tell the company that you have the right to ask for this because you are the owner of the website. Say that the information is both truthful and accurate. Sign your name at the end.
-
5
Send the letter to the web hosting company via e-mail or through postal mail. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
