I'm in the picture, so don't I own it? Aren't you violating copyright laws?

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DMCA claims explained

A common misunderstanding is that being the subject of a photo gives you legal ownership of it. In the eyes of the law, the person who "owns" a photo is almost always the person who took it, not the person depicted in it.


Unless you were the photographer or have a legal agreement transferring ownership to you, you do not hold the copyright to a photo simply because your face is in it.

COPYRIGHT VS. REQUESTED TAKEDOWN

We maintain a strict separation between copyright claims and general requests for content removal. Using the wrong reporting channel will result in your request being rejected or rerouted.

 Choosing the right reporting form (expand) 

  • A copyright claim is only valid if you are the actual creator or legal owner of the image.

  • Photos shared on our platform are owned by the individual who snapped the picture, not the person in the picture.

  • If you are depicted in a photo but did not take it, you must use our general Takedown Request process.

  • Reports filed as copyright claims that are actually about being the subject of a photo will not be processed under the DMCA.

  • Falsely claiming copyright ownership to force a removal can lead to legal liability for misrepresentation.

DMCA REQUIREMENTS

If you own the copyright to an image and wish to file a formal DMCA notice, the law requires you to provide six specific elements. If any of these are missing, your notice is considered ineffective and we will not process your complaint.

 Mandatory elements for DMCA notices (expand) 

We ask you review the actual language of the law for a more comprehensive understanding, but for your convenience, we've provided a plain language summary:  


  • You must provide a physical or electronic signature of the person authorized to act for the owner.

  • You must clearly identify the copyrighted work that you claim is being infringed.

  • You must provide a direct URL or permalink so our team can locate the material on our platform.

  • You must include your full legal name and verified contact information.

  • You must include a statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorized.

  • You must provide a statement under penalty of perjury that the information in your notice is accurate.

IMPORTANT NOTE

We do not accept screenshots or general search terms as a substitute for a direct link.

PROOF OF OWNERSHIP

To prevent the abuse of our system, we require specific details about the work you are claiming. This ensures that only legitimate copyright holders can successfully request a removal.

 Verifying your claim (expand) 
  • You must identify the original author and the date the photo was created.
  • You are required to upload the original file or provide a link to the authorized source of the work.
  • You must specify your basis for ownership, such as being the creator or a legal agent.
  • If you are an agent or employee, you must upload documentation proving your authority to act.
  • We use a strict mapping process to ensure the reported link matches the copyrighted work you provided.
  • Providing false information about ownership can result in damages and legal fees under federal law.

OUR REVIEW PROCESS

Once a compliant notice is submitted, our team acts quickly to evaluate the claim. We maintain a high standard for what constitutes a valid notice to protect the content shared by our community.

 Verifying your claim (expand) 

  • We reject any submissions that are missing required legal elements.

  • If your notice is mostly complete but missing small details, we will contact you to help fix the error.

  • We do not act as an investigator; you or your representative must provide the exact location of the content.

  • We interpret "representative lists" narrowly and require a separate submission for each piece of content.

  • We will share your full DMCA notice with the user who posted the content.

  • Removing content under a DMCA notice does not constitute an admission that the material was infringing.

GENERAL FAQS

Common questions we receive from non-users. 

 Answers to common questions (expand) 

I submitted a DMCA claim. Why wasn’t every image of me removed?

Copyright claims apply only to the specific image(s) identified in your notice.

A valid DMCA notice must include the exact location (e.g. URL or content identifier) of each item.


We do not remove additional images unless they are included in a separate, valid DMCA notice.


My claim was successful, but the image appeared again. Aren’t you required to keep it down?

No. The DMCA operates on a notice-and-takedown basis and does not require platforms to proactively monitor for or prevent re-uploads.


If content appears again, you must submit a new DMCA notice identifying the current location of that content.


I submitted one notice for multiple images or users. Why wasn’t it processed?

Each DMCA notice must clearly identify the specific material at issue.


In practice, this means:

  • Each image must be individually identified, and
  • Each location (URL or content identifier) must be provided.


Notices that do not sufficiently identify the material may not be processed.


I've submitted notices several times, but have been asked for more information. Why? 

A DMCA notice must include all required elements under applicable law, including:

  • Sufficient detail to locate the content, and
  • A complete and accurate statement of ownership or authorization.


If required information is missing, incomplete, or unclear, we will request a corrected submission before taking action.


Do you provide help completing a DMCA notice?

We’re unable to provide individualized legal guidance or complete notices on your behalf, though we do provide a form that covers the requirements for your convenience. Please review the DMCA requirements carefully before submitting your request.


What happens if a DMCA notice contains false or misleading information?

DMCA notices must be accurate and submitted in good faith.


Under U.S. law, any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material is infringing, or that they are authorized to act on behalf of a copyright owner, may be subject to liability for damages, including costs and attorneys’ fees.


We reserve the right to decline to act on notices that are incomplete, inaccurate, or appear to contain misleading information, and may require a corrected submission before taking action. Notices must be specific to the work at issue; generic or template-based submissions that do not accurately reflect the facts may not be processed.