Feb 8, 2025
What Is a Facebook Copyright Infringement Notice & How to Handle It
Getting a copyright infringement notice on Facebook can feel like a punch to the gut. You’ve worked hard to create original content, and now it’s been flagged as someone else’s property. You may be wondering, "How did this happen?" And more importantly, "What happens next?" This blog will help you understand Facebook copyright infringement notices, what they mean, and how to respond so that you can keep your content safe and avoid penalties.
Bustem’s DMCA Takedown Google copycat detection tool can help protect your original content if you are facing a Facebook copyright infringement notice. Our tool can help you quickly identify copies of your work so that you can respond to infringement notices and even prevent them from happening in the first place.
Table of Content
What is Facebook Copyright Infringement? And How Does It Affect Facebook?
Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses or reproduces an original work without the owner’s permission. Facebook copyright infringement occurs when someone publishes a work without the copyright owner’s authority. Years ago, intellectual property watchdogs claimed that Facebook facilitated copyright infringement with lax standards, which prompted the social media company to strengthen its implementation of copyright protection.
Facebook directs users to respect intellectual property rights belonging to another individual or entity. Facebook’s Terms of Service and Community Standards prohibit posting copyright-infringing content unless one of the following is true: The poster owns the content. The user has purchased a license or received permission (preferably written) to post the content. The content resides in the public domain. Use of the content is protected by fair use.
Examples of Copyright Infringement on Facebook
The sheer volume of users and content makes Facebook a likely place for copyright infringement. Users typically receive a copyright infringement message when they share images or videos they didn’t capture.
Users can also receive a Facebook copyright infringement notice for uploading photos or videos they don’t have permission to distribute. Even if you took great pains to tag and give credit to the copyright holder, you’ve still committed copyright infringement as you don’t have the copyrights or the distribution rights for the content in question.
Common Reasons for Copyright Infringement on Facebook: The Rise of Music-Related Violations
We’ve noticed that most cases of a Facebook account being disabled due to copyright infringement occur due to copyright violations involving music and audio clips. Adding a song in the background for videos and reels is a raging trend that has given rise to copyright infringement cases on:
Facebook
TikTok
Other platforms
Sharing an audio clip or adding a song as background music without obtaining the necessary permissions is a clear violation that can result in a Facebook account being disabled due to copyright infringement.
How Unauthorized Use of Written Content Can Lead to Facebook Copyright Violations
This may be a surprise, but sharing an article, blog post, or any form of written content with specific keywords from start to finish without obtaining permission is a serious violation, per the Meta copyright infringement policy.
The author of the written content reserves the right to report this offense, leading to the user’s Facebook account being disabled due to copyright infringement.
How Detects Copyright Infringement on Facebook
Facebook has a highly sophisticated, AI-powered system of algorithms and bots to detect copyright infringements and address them with appropriate action. In most cases, Meta copyright infringement algorithms detect the violation, and the automated system scans your content against an extensive database of content claimed by the original copyright holders.
If you have committed copyright infringement, Facebook will detect that violation and impose a series of restrictions. These restrictions include:
Removing or blocking access to the content.
Issuing a Facebook copyright infringement notice detailing the alleged violation.
Temporarily suspending the Facebook account if the user continuously commits copyright infringements.
Repeat offenders find their Facebook account disabled due to copyright infringement despite multiple warnings.
Fair Use & Meta Copyright Infringement Policy
It’s worth noting that there are certain instances where users can use and share copyrighted images, videos, and written text without committing copyright infringement on Facebook. As per U.S. copyright laws, various content forms like critiques, educational research, news stories, and information fall under the “Fair Use” category.
Fair use is a complicated legal concept, but it is concerned with the underlying purpose behind using someone else’s copyrighted content. For instance, users can add quotes from textbooks and academic journals to their posts without committing any violations. Likewise, adding a 10-15 second clip from a Hollywood movie to your Facebook reel doesn’t violate copyrights either.
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How to Handle a Facebook Copyright Infringement Notice
The DMCA notice and takedown process enables copyright owners and service providers like Facebook to collaborate in the fight against copyright infringement. Specifically, the DMCA lets copyright owners or their agents submit takedown notices to online platforms like Facebook, identifying postings that infringe on the owners’ copyrights and requesting that the infringing content be removed from the platform.
DMCA takedown notices are sent to Facebook, which then acts on the notice as it sees fit. Facebook does not have to remove such content in response to the takedown notice. Still, such refusal is not common as it puts the company at risk of liability for facilitating copyright infringement.
Essential Requirements for Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice on Facebook
The DMCA Takedown Notice process requires specific information to accompany the removal request. A failure to provide all the needed elements could result in Facebook leaving the infringing material posted on its site.
Regardless of the medium chosen for reporting the copyright infringement, the copyright owner will need to supply the following information to Facebook:
Contact Information
Details on the content reported as infringing on a copyright, including a link to the offending material.
Details on the copyrighted material, including a link to an example of the work or a description (image files and PDFs may be attached for this purpose) if the work does not appear online.
Declaration statement, where the copyright owner agrees that he or she has a good faith belief that the content presented was reproduced on Facebook without authorization, that the information provided is accurate, and that the submitter is the owner of the IP.
Signature
Facebook’s copyright infringement reporting tool clearly outlines the seriousness of reporting any intellectual property (IP) infringement. The site warns users that by intentionally filing a false report of copyright infringement, they are subjecting themselves to possible termination of their Facebook accounts and liability for damages as outlined by the DMCA’s section 512 (f). Other countries enforce their laws for this type of fraudulent action.
Responding to a Facebook Copyright Infringement Notice
When Facebook receives a DMCA takedown notice, it will remove the content in question and notify the user who posted it.
The notice will include information about the claim, such as:
The name of the copyright owner.
The copyright owner’s email address.
A description of the copyrighted work.
A description of the user’s content that Facebook removed in response to the infringement report.
Details on how to follow DMCA’s counter-notification procedure, if relevant.
When an alleged infringer receives Facebook’s copyright infringement notice, he or she may use Facebook’s DMCA Counter-Notification form to dispute the alleged infringement and request that the removed materials be restored.
This form requires that the alleged infringer explain why the content should be restored, provide contact information, and provide details of where the content appeared.
Understanding Counter Notices: Legal Risks and Steps for Copyright Owners on Facebook
When Facebook notifies the alleged infringer of the takedown notice, he or she might respond with a counter notice that explains why the content he or she posted does not constitute infringement. A false counter-notice is a serious offense for which a claimant can be punished under federal law. Furthermore, the claimant can be sued in civil court and held liable for the offense.
Facebook notifies the copyright owner of the counter-notice and waits between 10 and 14 days. For the infringed content to remain removed from Facebook, the copyright owner must file a lawsuit against the infringer within this time frame. The service provider will republish the content if the owner does not file a lawsuit.
Consequences for Repeat Offenders on Facebook
Infringers who continue to post infringing content on Facebook face several possible consequences:
Accounts disabled
Pages removed
Limited ability to post photos and videos
Loss of functionality on Facebook
Legal action
Facebook will reconsider these consequences if materials are restored after an appeal or an infringement report is withdrawn.
Resolving Facebook Account Disabled due to Copyright Infringement
Users who violate Meta’s community standards and terms of service often deal with their Facebook account disabled due to copyright infringement or other violations. If your Facebook account has been disabled, you will receive an email detailing the issue and highlighting the exact copyright violation.
Appealing a Disabled Facebook Account: What to Expect and Key Limitations
You can also view the Facebook copyright infringement message whenever you attempt to access your account via a web browser or smartphone app.
Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, Meta will inform you whether you have the right to appeal the Facebook account disabled due to copyright infringement–highly unlikely for repeat offenders who continued despite multiple warnings.
How to Appeal False Copyright Claims on Facebook: Steps and Best Practices
It’s common for AI-powered algorithms to mistakenly flag original content as a copyright violation. In such cases where a copyright holder has filed no report, Meta allows users to file an appeal. This process will enable users to provide evidence with a detailed account of the platform’s mistakes.
Once you log into your disabled account, you must follow the instructions on your screen to file an appeal against your Facebook account being disabled due to copyright infringement. Keep in mind that in cases of severe violations, Meta does not issue a warning, and such users do not regain access to their disabled accounts.
Appealing the Facebook Copyright Infringement Notice
To restore a Facebook account disabled due to copyright infringement, you must defend your actions and clarify that you haven’t committed any violations. As you pen down your appeal, it’s critical to be coherent, clear, and descriptive. Be sure to provide context of the issue and add evidence to support your claims.
What to Do If Your Appeal for a Disabled Facebook Account Is Rejected
The Meta copyright infringement policy is quite stringent, as Facebook, like other social media platforms, must adhere to the legal guidelines enshrined under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
It’s common for the platform to reject an appeal filed to regain access to a Facebook account disabled due to copyright infringement. If your appeal is denied, you cannot restore access to your account.
How to Respond to a Facebook Copyright Infringement Warning to Avoid Permanent Account Disabling
Repeat offenders often have their Facebook accounts disabled due to copyright infringement due to Meta’s mandatory compliance with US-specific copyright laws. To ensure its compliance, Meta must permanently disable accounts that continuously violate copyrights despite multiple warnings.
The only effective means to restore a Facebook account disabled due to copyright infringement is responding to the Facebook copyright infringement notice warning the infringing user. Instead of ignoring this notice, it’s essential to correct your mistake and prevent your account from being permanently disabled.
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How to Avoid Facebook Copyright Scams
Scammers often exploit the reporting system of major online platforms to target unsuspecting users. Facebook copyright scams have been around for a long time, but they seem to have grown drastically since roughly the start of the pandemic.
The scam has ensnared more than a few users, including many who are savvy. Fraud is easy to spot and avoid if you know what to look for. One just needs to be aware that this is a common vector for a scam and use appropriate precautions.
Who’s Targeted By Facebook Copyright Scams?
Anyone with a Facebook account is a potential target. In that regard, it’s no different from any other phishing attack. This attack seems to be targeted more at administrators of Facebook Pages, particularly businesses. As I learned over haunt season, one way to virtually guarantee a flood of these scams is to run even a small advertising campaign on Facebook.
Not only does it get your page in front of the eyes of the scammers, but it also tells the scammers that you have financial information tied to your account. Regardless, anyone on Facebook can and will likely see one of these scams. But the lion’s share appears to target Page (and some group) administrators, especially those with financial information tied to their accounts.
How Do Facebook Copyright Scams Work?
The scam is a subset of a larger group of scams in which scammers impersonate officials at Meta, pretending to alert the user of some issue with their page or account. These issues can include alleged copyright violations, community guideline violations, or simply that an account was locked for security reasons.
The messages come in various ways, including via email to the administrators or even a scam phone call. The most common is either through direct messaging to the page or by tagging the page in a separate post. In either case, the scammers will create a fake but convincing-looking account by impersonating officials at Meta and sending a letter threatening some kind of action, such as shutting down the page or locking the account, unless the admin immediately resolves the issue.
Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing Scams That Target Facebook Users
Inevitably, that required action involves clicking on a phishing link that, while looking very much like a Facebook or Instagram page, is actually on a server hosted by the scammer. The scammer collects your login credentials, sometimes including your two-factor authentication, and accesses your account. What they do from there depends on the scammer.
Some will simply hold the account for ransom, others will use it to post and distribute spam/scam links, some will attempt to access financial information, and so on. Regardless of the end goal, the user ends up locked out of their Facebook account, including any pages connected with it.
How to Avoid Facebook Copyright Scams
Most people avoid scams by knowing this is now a common vector of attack. It relies on users not knowing that some scammers will feign a copyright infringement notice. That said, there are several things that you can and should do to both spot and avoid these scams.
Look for Vague Claims/Information
An actual copyright infringement notice will (or at least should) have a wide range of details, including specifically which post was infringing, what the alleged infringed work is, and who is claiming the infringement (along with their information). Any claim without details is immediately suspicious.
Check URLs
You should never click on URLs in an email or a direct message. Instead, hover over the URL and make sure that it points to:
Facebook
Instagram
Another Meta site
Please remember that just because a site has a green lock does not mean it is the site it claims to be. It just means that the connection with that server has been secured.
Ignore Urgent Threats
If the notice wants you to do something immediately or urgently, that is another red flag. Most copyright notices are informative, letting you know that a work was removed with no further action is usually needed on your part, especially if it’s the first such report.
Check Official Sources
Log into your Facebook or Instagram account (typing the URL yourself) and check to see if Facebook has sent you an official alert. This will not be an alert in your messages but in your profile or page settings. You can also contact Meta directly if you are unsure.
Multiple Recipients
When sending emails or using tags, scammers send a message to dozens or hundreds of recipients at once. That is a clear sign that the notice is fake. Like any other community guidelines violation, a copyright infringement notice should be sent only to the person it’s about.
Once you know this is a common vector for targeting Facebook and Instagram accounts, it becomes easy to avoid it. Awareness is the best defense.
Variations on the Scam
Though most fake Facebook/Instagram copyright scams appear to be phishing scams or offshoots of other meta impersonation scams, variations of the scam can take slightly different approaches.
The Speculative Invoicing Scam
Speculative invoicing is a copyright protection approach that involves detecting alleged infringements and sending notices to the infringers demanding a small fee to settle the case. Some scammers have seized upon the practice and are filing similar demands for images or content they don’t own.
These scams will not appear to come from Meta but will impersonate the rightsholder directly. Beware any demand for payment that wants it in gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or another difficult-to-trace format.
The Fixer Scam
Here, the scammer will say that the copyright issue (or other community guideline issue) has locked your account and demand that you pay them a certain amount to unlock it.
In these scams, the message does appear to come from Meta (or someone who works with Meta) but is not. Once again, beware of any demand for payment that comes in a format that is difficult to track.
The Copyright Strike Scam
This one is less of a scam and more of a blackmail. Here, the scammer threatens to send accurate copyright notices to get an account locked if they aren’t paid. This often comes after one or two precise takedown notices.
This approach is more common on YouTube than on Facebook or Instagram. The best thing to do is file counternotices against false takedowns and ensure Meta knows the threat against you.
How to Stay Calm and Spot Red Flags in Fake Copyright Infringement Notices
All in all, these are just some of the variations of this scam. This is by no means a complete list. The important thing is to be aware that these scams exist and not panic when you receive a copyright infringement notification.
It’s rarely worth panicking about, even if it is real, but stressing about it too much too quickly can lead you to ignore red flags that should make it clear the message isn’t authentic.
Find and Take Down Copycats with One-click Today
Content theft is a serious issue for e-commerce merchants. It’s bad enough to have a competitor stealing your product images, ad copy, or blog content. Still, when they use this information to undermine your business and make sales, it can be devastating. No wonder e-commerce merchants lose $29 billion yearly to content theft. The good news is there’s finally a way to fight back.
How Bustem Helps E-Commerce Merchants Protect Their Content and Brand Assets
Bustem is a robust copycat detection and removal tool for e-commerce merchants. Our platform automatically scans billions of websites to identify unauthorized use of your store’s content, including:
Images
Videos
Headlines
Text
Once we spot copycats, we streamline the entire takedown process with pre-filled DMCA forms and comprehensive case management. Built by people who know the game inside out, our service offers to protect your brand assets:
24/7 monitoring
Instant detection
Bulk takedown capabilities
Why DMCA Takedown Tools Like Bustem Are Essential for E-Commerce Protection
With over 2 million DMCA notices filed daily, Bustem makes protection simple and cost-effective. Bustem helps you identify and eliminate copycats efficiently, whether you’re dealing with:
Competitors using your product images
Copying your ad content
Stealing your copy
Get started with a free scan to see who’s been stealing your content. With Bustem, you can find and take down copycats with one click today.
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