Rights Management
How Do I File a Copyright Dispute?
Copyright disputes — including infringement claims against unauthorized use of your music — can be filed through the US Copyright Office or via a DMCA takedown notice to the platform hosting the infringing content.
If someone is using your music without authorization, you have two primary paths: filing a DMCA takedown notice directly with the platform hosting the content, or pursuing formal legal action through the US Copyright Office.
A DMCA takedown notice is the fastest option. Every major platform — YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, TikTok — has a designated DMCA agent and a process for submitting infringement claims. Once submitted, the platform is required to act on the notice. The US Copyright Office maintains a directory of registered DMCA agents for all major platforms.
For formal copyright registration and infringement proceedings, the US Copyright Office at copyright.gov is the authoritative source. Registering your work with the Copyright Office before infringement occurs strengthens your legal position and enables you to pursue statutory damages in federal court.
Official Resources