Why does a web host, blogging service provider, or search engine get DMCA takedown notices?
Many copyright claimants are making complaints under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Section 512(c)’s safe-harbor for hosts of “Information Residing on Systems or Networks At Direction of Users” or Section 512(d)’s safe-harbor for providers of “Information Location Tools.” These safe harbors give providers immunity from liability for users’ possible copyright infringement — if they “expeditiously” remove material when they get complaints. Whether or not the provider would have been liable for infringement by materials it hosts or links to, it can avoid the possibility of money damages by following the DMCA’s takedown procedure when it gets a notice. The person whose information was removed can file a counter-notification if he or she believes the complaint was erroneous. For more information on the DMCA Safe Harbors, see the FAQs on DMCA Safe Harbor. For more information on Copyright and defenses to copyright infringement, see Copyright. >>top Question: Does the DMCA require ser
