If you’ve ever searched your name and found your photo, social media image, or even personal data plastered across a website without your consent, your first instinct might be: “Can I use copyright law to force them to take it down?”
The short answer: sometimes—but not always.
At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), our online content removal lawyers regularly use copyright and intellectual property principles as part of broader takedown strategies. But it’s crucial to understand what copyright law actually protects—and what it doesn’t—before deciding if it applies to your situation.
What Copyright Law Actually Covers
Copyright law protects original creative works—meaning something you personally created and fixed in a tangible form. Examples include:
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Photographs you took
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Videos you recorded
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Written content, like blog posts or captions
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Artwork, designs, and logos
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Certain social media posts (if original expression is involved)
If you’re the creator of the content—or you can show that you own the rights—you can use copyright law to demand its removal.
But if someone else took the photo, wrote the article, or produced the video (even if it’s of you), they typically hold the copyright. That means you can’t use copyright law to remove it, even if it invades your privacy or embarrasses you.
The DMCA: Your Main Tool for Copyright Takedowns
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) allows copyright owners to demand removal of infringing content from websites and search engines.
Here’s how it works:
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You file a DMCA notice with the website hosting your content or with Google.
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The notice must include proof of ownership and a sworn statement that you didn’t authorize use of your work.
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If valid, the platform must remove or disable access to the content—often within days.
Google even has a dedicated copyright removal tool for this purpose.
Our internet content removal attorneys use DMCA notices strategically—especially for unauthorized use of photos, resumes, or original writing that clients created.
What Copyright Law Can’t Remove
Here’s where things get tricky. Copyright only protects creative expression—not facts, names, news stories, or public records.
That means you can’t use copyright law to remove:
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News articles or press releases written by others
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Mugshots or booking photos taken by law enforcement (they’re government property — unless you can convince the law enforcement agent to act as their authorized copyright representative, which, in some cases, NSLF may pursue)
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Public records, court filings, or docket listings
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Factual biographical information about you
In these situations, online content removal lawyers rely on privacy, policy, or ethical arguments instead—using the publication’s own standards or Google’s personal content policies to secure removal or de-indexing.
When Copyright and Privacy Overlap
Sometimes, copyright and privacy rights intersect. For example:
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If a private photo you took is posted without consent, you may have both a copyright claim and a privacy violation.
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If you wrote an autobiographical blog post years ago and a website republishes it without permission, that’s copyright infringement.
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If someone reposts your headshot or resume from LinkedIn on a “scam warning” site, that’s unauthorized use—and you can combine copyright and defamation arguments for removal.
The most effective approach often blends multiple legal theories—copyright, privacy, ethics, and newsworthiness—to build the strongest case for takedown.
How National Security Law Firm Uses Copyright Strategically
At NSLF, we don’t rely on one-size-fits-all tactics. Our internet content removal lawyers analyze every case to identify every possible angle, including copyright.
We use copyright strategically when:
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Clients’ photos or videos were reposted without consent.
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Personal social media content was embedded or copied by a third-party site.
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Original writings (like bios or reviews) were scraped by data aggregators.
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Nonprofit or advocacy sites posted personal content without authorization.
When copyright doesn’t apply, we pivot to de-indexing, ethical, or privacy-based arguments with editors, platform moderators, and search engines.
What Happens If the Website Ignores the DMCA
If a website ignores your DMCA notice—or lies about compliance—you can:
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Submit the notice directly to Google, which will remove infringing links from its search results.
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File a counterclaim or federal copyright lawsuit (for serious cases).
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Work with a content removal law firm like NSLF to pursue layered strategies—often faster, cheaper, and more effective than litigation.
We’ve successfully persuaded stubborn platforms and even international sites to remove infringing material through ethical and legal negotiation, without the need for lawsuits.
When to Involve Online Content Removal Lawyers
Filing a copyright claim incorrectly can backfire. False DMCA claims can lead to counter-notices, account suspensions, or even legal penalties.
That’s why it’s critical to work with experienced online content removal lawyers who understand both the law and the psychology of content negotiation. Our team ensures your notice is legally sound, properly targeted, and part of a broader removal strategy that actually works.
You Have More Power Than You Think
Even if you don’t own the copyright, you’re not powerless. Our attorneys have helped clients remove or de-index harmful material from major news sites, government pages, and blogs using ethics-based, privacy-based, and reputation-based arguments that go beyond copyright.
The key is strategy—and knowing exactly which legal tools apply to your unique situation.
Ready to Take Control of Your Online Content?
Whether it’s your photo, resume, or personal story circulating online without consent, National Security Law Firm can help. Our online content removal attorneys have removed thousands of articles, images, and records from Google and major platforms.
💻 Book a free consultation: https://www.nationalsecuritylawfirm.com/book-consult-now/
🔗 Learn more: Internet Content Removal Resource Hub
National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.