Apr 17, 2018
Capturing evidence before a pirate page changes
By the time a notice is answered, the page you reported may look different.
In short: keep a record of each infringing page at the moment it was found: the URL, what it showed, when you saw it and where its links led. That record supports the notice and anything that follows it.
Why a record matters
Sites swap domains, rename pages and remove posts after a complaint, then put them back. Without a record, it can be hard to show that a page carried your work, or that a removed copy has returned.
What to keep
- The full URL and the date and time it was checked.
- A capture of the page as it appeared, including the title and player or download area.
- Where the links or player resolved to, such as the host and the file URL.
- Which notices were sent, to whom, and the reply.
Using it later
A clear history helps when a provider asks for more detail, when a source keeps returning, or when a matter goes beyond notices. Store it in one place per title so it can be found quickly.
Related service: DMCA & takedowns.