Identify the work first
This guide is for copyright owners and authorized agents investigating suspected unauthorized distribution. Prepare the official title, alternate spellings, creator’s name, volume or edition, and legitimate product page. Exclude unrelated works with similar names, authorized stores, and reviews.
Combine search terms
Try the title in quotation marks with a creator’s name or edition. Where useful, narrow the query by file format or a known linking domain. A search match is a lead, not proof of infringement; inspect the page before classifying it.
Results vary by location, date, and search service. Finding nothing does not prove that unauthorized distribution does not exist.
Record linking pages separately from file URLs
| Field | What to keep |
|---|---|
| Work | Official title and legitimate product URL |
| Linking page | Exact page URL and description of the work |
| File host | Shared URL referenced by that page |
| Observation | Date, time, and availability observed |
| Basis for classification | Why the material matches the work and why the distribution appears unauthorized |
You do not need to run unknown files or enter payment details to investigate a lead. If the displayed information is insufficient, record the case as unconfirmed. Avoid collecting unrelated personal information or unnecessarily explicit screenshots.
Before requesting removal
Recheck your authority and the exact URLs, then use the host’s official reporting channel. See information required for a DMCA notice. Track the linking page, hosted file, and search result separately; treat a re-upload as a new URL.
For help from PiracyTakedown, contact us. Discovery and notices cannot guarantee that every unauthorized copy will be prevented.