Read this guide to :
- Stop copyright infringement and fake listings.
- Easily submit Shopify DMCA requests and protect your copyright.
- Learn how to protect your intellectual property by submitting a DMCA takedown request to Shopify.
Reporting Shopify Copyright Infringement
Protecting your intellectual property in today’s online world can be challenging, especially when running an e-commerce business. Unauthorised copies of your products, content, or designs can show up on other stores without your permission. As one of the most popular ecommerce platforms it is inevitable that brands experience intellectual property infringement on stores hosted by Shopify.
Here, we’ll walk you through what the DMCA is, how Shopify handles copyright and trademark takedowns, and how you can quickly monitor for infringements across Shopify using IP Moat.
Who and What is Shopify?
Shopify is one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms, allowing businesses of all sizes to create and run their own online stores with ease. Known for its user-friendly setup and robust tools, Shopify powers millions of online shops worldwide. However, with this reach comes the potential for IP issues, as sellers can sometimes misuse others' intellectual property—whether that’s your product photos, written content, or even brand name.
What is a Shopify DMCA report?
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a U.S. copyright law created to protect intellectual property rights online. Under the DMCA, copyright holders have a legal process to follow when their content is being used without permission. Through what’s called a DMCA takedown notice, creators can report infringing content and request its removal. This law has become a valuable tool for online business owners in protecting their content across the web.
What Shopify Will Remove Under the DMCA
Shopify accepts DMCA requests for copyright and trademark infringements. If someone is using your copyrighted material, such as written descriptions, images, or even audio and video content, without permission, you can file a takedown request with Shopify to have that content removed. Similarly, if another Shopify store is unlawfully using your brand name or logo, you can file a trademark complaint to protect your brand identity.
However, it’s important to note that Shopify will not act on patent infringements unless you have obtained a court order. This means if someone has copied your unique product design or technology, you will need to take further legal action before Shopify will intervene.
How to Submit a Shopify DMCA Takedown Request
If you find content or listings on Shopify that violate your copyright or trademark rights, you can submit a DMCA takedown to Shopify directly through Shopify’s legal portal. Here’s how:
- Visit Shopify’s DMCA Report an Issue page at https://www.shopify.com/legal/tools/report-an-issue/dmca.
- Fill out the form, providing details about the infringing material, where it’s located, and your ownership of the copyright or trademark in question.
- Submit the request to Shopify for review. Once Shopify verifies the complaint, they will typically reach out to the other party and, if necessary, remove the infringing content.
Shopify will usually act on copyright and trademark complaints relatively quickly, helping protect your brand’s identity and content from unauthorized use.
Submitting other ecommerce takedown forms
Checkout our guides of how to submit takedown requests on a range of ecommerce marketplaces and website hosts here. You can also get access to our Brand Protection Playbook for useful links and resources for protecting your intellectual property on e-commerce marketplaces.
How to STOP Shopify copyright infringement
Regularly searching Shopify for infringements can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large catalog of products. This is where IP Moat can help streamline the process. With IP Moat, you can easily import all of your products from your Shopify store to actively monitor for infringements across all major marketplaces and on other Shopify stores.
Automated DMCA takedowns with IP Moat
IP Moat continuously scans for unauthorised uses of your products and content. Once an infringement is identified, you can quickly submit DMCA requests with the click of a button, saving you valuable time and allowing you to focus on growing your business rather than tracking down infringers manually. By integrating IP Moat with your Shopify store, you can be confident that your brand is well-protected.
To find out more and sign up for FREE visit www.ipmoat.ai or email us at hello@ipmoat.ai.
