Hey guys, so social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram have a ready made DMCA form you can fill out if anyone reposts or steals your comic and/or artwork (I’ll link them below)
I just realized that Twitter requires your mailing address in order to fill out the form (Instagram doesn’t). When I report someone, the individual I report will get a full copy of my Report, including the personal information I enter, which includes my mailing address.
Although it’s understandable that filling out a legal form will require my mailing address, I’m personally uncomfortable with giving my mailing address to a stranger, especially one that I’m reporting, so I’m wondering does anyone know an alternative reporting method to take down stolen works? Also, should I need to fill out DMCA, would my college PO Box address be a safer/better alternative?
On that note, please do not repost other people’s artworks. This includes uploading the drawing on your own account, making fan vids on YouTube using the artwork, adding it to a Facebook group gallery etc. A lot of time and effort goes into even the simplest sketches, and it’s unfair to draw credit and attention away from the artist. Not to mention employers looking to hire will be looking at these works, and if it’s a reposted work employers come across they may not be able to find the artist. Additionally, reposted images can lead to a spread of more reposting and stealing. Reposting is NOT exposure and does NOT help the artist. It hurts them.
If the artist gives explicit permission to repost, go ahead. If the artist does not give permission or does not give explicit, clear permission, then hold back. If you want to spread word about the artist’s awesomeness, then link their works or retweet them! Just don’t save a copy of their work and post it on a separate account
Here are the DMCA form links! I’m sure DA, Facebook, and Tumblr have their own too, I didn’t link their forms.
Instagram form (choose the very last option): https://help.instagram.com/contact/552695131608132
Twitter form https://mobile.twitter.com/theartbond/status/940326233442869248
In case you’ve need to email the hosting website directly: http://bridgeofmagpies.com/tutorials/dmcaeucd-form-letter/