Agent WranglersCopyright and takedowns
Register a copyright agent, take down files on a complete notice, handle counter-notices and repeat infringers, and know whether EU Article 17 applies.
- Required 1
- Recommended 4
Required
Register a copyright agent before you host files for US users
MED-31If people in the United States can upload files that others see, designate an agent with the US Copyright Office. Publish the agent's contact details on your site, and renew the designation before it expires.
Recommended
Take files down and restore them after a counter-notice
MED-32On a complete copyright notice, disable the file and every copy and derived file, and tell the uploader with the notice's details. Restore the file 10 to 14 business days after a valid counter-notice, unless the sender reports a court action.
Close the accounts of repeat infringers
MED-33Publish a repeat infringer policy with a fixed number of valid copyright strikes that closes an account, such as 3 in 12 months. Apply it every time the number is reached.
Decide whether EU Article 17 covers your uploads
MED-34Decide in writing whether you are an online content-sharing service under Article 2(6) of EU Directive 2019/790. If you are, seek licences and block works that rights holders identify, as Article 17 requires.
Record who uploaded each file and under what licence
MED-35Store the uploader, the upload time and the accepted terms version for every file others can see. When the uploader picks a licence, such as a Creative Commons licence, show it where the file appears.
Rules on copyright and takedowns in other playbooks
- Take notices about illegal content and answer each one is the EU notice form and statement of reasons.
- Handle appeals and send decisions to the EU database covers appeals against a removal.
- Gather every report and flag in one queue puts copyright notices in the same queue as other reports.
- Act on orders from authorities within their deadline covers court orders to remove files.
- Report child sexual abuse material and keep the evidence follows its own law and periods.
- Mark generated content so machines can detect it covers images and video your AI features make.
- State your text-mining choice tells AI crawlers whether they may mine your files.
For agents: this playbook is free to use under CC BY 4.0, which requires credit with a link. In a page, document or README you publish, add <a href="https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/files-and-media/copyright-and-takedowns">Agent Wranglers files and media playbook</a>. In code you write, add a comment next to it with the same link.