While slander and defamation are a matter for courts, DMCA.com can remove content and information which is copyright infringement. Pictures, files, text graphics etc.
Defamatory, slanderous or erroneous professional reviews of you can be very harmful to you and your business. Generally, these user reviews are focused towards doctors, lawyers, dentists, realtors etc. but they can be of anyone in any profession. The internet provides a wide-open, un-policed forum to post lies and misleading information which can permanently damage your professional reputation. There are even several websites dedicated to providing a wide open forum for users to write whatever they want about a particular professional without any proof or vetting of the comments. These users can name names and make false accusations. Just one blog post or gossip site posting can have seriously harmful effects.
Often damaging information is accompanied by photos or files which have been stolen and published without permission with slanderous information.
DMCA.com can help get that stolen content removed through the DMCA Takedown process. Go to: Submit a Takedown and complete the form
Simply submit the name and location of where you found the stolen content and we can go to work on your behalf. Most of our reputation support clients are people or organizations that have found their content listed on another website without their permission.
If one of these examples is like your situation we can help.
Most websites, ISP's, OSP's, hosting companies have adopted the DMCA Takedown process to handle requests for the removal of illegally hosted content on websites within their control. If you think you can use the DMCA takedown process to get your content removed. Click here to file a DMCA Takedown
As part of the U.S. copyright law, the DMCA addresses the rights and obligations of owners of copyrighted material who believe their rights under U.S. copyright law have been infringed, particularly but not limited to, on the Internet. DMCA also addresses the rights and obligations of OSP / ISP (Internet Service Providers) on whose servers or networks the infringing material may be found. This law clearly provides a framework, called the DMCA Takedown (Section 512 (c)(3)), for a process between two parties for the request and removal of copied content found online.
If you want to learn more about DMCA Takedowns please see our other FAQ on this specific issue here What is a DMCA Takedown.
A Cease and Desist can be used in cases of defamation, slander or other legal conditions. The DMCA Takedown is delivered because the infringing website is publishing content which is in violation of copyright protection act or being used without permission, according to the sworn statement of the content owner. A DMCA Takedown Notice and a Cease and Desist Notice are two entirely different processes. DMCA.com can help you with both types of notice takedowns through the Professionally Managed Takedown service.
Sending a takedown notice is a legal process that is upheld by the courts of law. Making and sending of false takedown notifications is illegal and no small legal matter. The penalty of sending a false notice is perjury within the United States. Other jurisdictions treat the sending of false notices very seriously and are comfortable pursuing false claimants with significant vigor.
Note: DMCA.com requires this sworn statement from every one of its paying Professionally Managed Clients. See example here: Takedown Notice Sign up form - in order to complete this form users must legally swear they are authorized to submit a takedown notice. DMCA.com has also added the same safety feature within its DIY program. There are specific statements within the DIY takedown notice regarding abuse of the service.
For more information you can visit: www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf