If someone has copied your photos, text, or logos into a listing without permission, the DMCA gives you a formal way to have it removed. This article explains how that process works on Apiroi and when to use it instead of a general report.
What DMCA is
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a US federal law from 1998.
It gives platforms like Apiroi legal protection from being sued over copyright infringement committed by users — as long as we respond to valid takedown requests promptly. That's why we keep a formal DMCA process separate from the general Report listing button.
When to use DMCA vs the Report button
- Use the Report listing button when you're a buyer, a competitor, or a community member who's seen something concerning. It's fast and requires no legal formalities.
- Use the formal DMCA process when you're the copyright owner (or their authorized agent) and someone has reproduced your copyrighted work without permission.
What can be copyrighted
- Photographs — yours, taken by your business, or taken under an agreement that assigned the copyright to you.
- Written descriptions or manuals.
- Logos, trademarks, and brand imagery.
- Videos.
- Software.
What a valid DMCA takedown notice must include
Under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3), a valid notice must contain:
- A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or their authorized agent.
- Identification of the copyrighted work being infringed (or a representative list, if there are several).
- Identification of the material claimed to be infringing, with enough information for us to locate it on Apiroi (the URL and listing number).
- Contact information for the complaining party (address, phone, and email).
- A statement that the complaining party has a good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
- A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
Where to send a DMCA notice
Apiroi's Designated Agent is registered with the US Copyright Office:
- Service Provider: PROFCARE LLC
- Registration: DMCA-1073606
- Postal Address: 2167 E 21ST ST STE 266, Brooklyn, NY 11229
- Email: support@apiroi.com (mark the subject line "DMCA Takedown Notice")
For the full formal policy, see the DMCA Policy page.
Counter-notice
- If we remove your listing because of a DMCA notice and you believe the takedown was wrong, you can submit a counter-notice.
- A valid counter-notice requires similar formalities, made under penalty of perjury.
- When we receive a valid counter-notice, we notify the original complainant. If they don't file a lawsuit within 10 to 14 business days, we restore the material.
- See the DMCA Policy page for the full counter-notice requirements.
Repeat infringer policy
Users who receive multiple valid DMCA takedowns will have their accounts suspended or terminated, in line with the repeat-infringer policy in our Terms of Service.
What DMCA doesn't cover
- General fraud or scams — use the Report listing button instead.
- Trademark disputes — a separate procedure; contact us at support@apiroi.com.
- Personal disputes (someone posted a photo of your property, or your name in a review) — a separate procedure; contact us.
- Patent disputes — outside the scope of the DMCA entirely; these require civil action.
Still have questions? Reach us at support@apiroi.com.