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How to File a DMCA Takedown on Flickr

Flickr is one of the oldest photo communities on the web, which also makes it one of the oldest places for stolen photography to resurface, reuploaded portfolios, stripped watermarks, and copied albums are common complaints. Flickr complies with the DMCA and accepts copyright infringement reports through a dedicated form, and its Help Center documents the whole process. Here is how to use it.

Before you start

  • Proof of ownership, your original image files, RAW files or edit history if you have them, and a link to where the photo was first published.
  • The exact Flickr URL of every infringing photo, open each photo page and copy the address. Reports are processed against the links you list, not against an account in general.
  • Your contact details, full name and a monitored email address. Note that Flickr shares your name and email with the person you report.
  • Confirmation that you are the copyright owner or an authorized representative, Flickr only accepts reports from these two groups.

Step 1: Gather evidence of your original work

Before touching the form, collect what proves the photo is yours: original files with metadata, the earliest publication link, and anything showing your authorship. Flickr responds to complete notices that identify and locate the material, so weak or vague reports get stalled.

Step 2: Open Flickr's Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy page

Go to Flickr's Help Center and open the Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy article, it hosts the copyright infringement form. You can also reach it through Flickr's help contact flow by choosing Trust & Safety and selecting "I would like to file a copyright infringement / DMCA report." Both routes lead to the same place.

Step 3: Identify your copyrighted work

Describe the work that was copied and point to the original, for example, "my photograph first published on my website on [date], original at [URL]." If your watermark was cropped out or the image was mirrored or recolored, say so; it helps the reviewer match your original to the copy.

Step 4: List every infringing URL

Paste the full Flickr photo page URL for each infringing image. If one account has reuploaded dozens of your photos, list each photo URL and mention the account, Flickr removes what you identify, so anything you leave out stays up.

Step 5: Complete the legal statements and submit

Finish with the standard DMCA declarations, a good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized, confirmation that your information is accurate, and a statement under penalty of perjury that you are the owner or authorized to act for them. Sign with your full name and submit. Keep a copy of everything you sent, including the date.

What happens after you file

Flickr reviews the notice and, if it is complete and valid, removes the infringing material and notifies the person who posted it, along with your name and email address, so expect that the uploader will know who filed. The uploader can respond with a counter-notice; if they do, Flickr may restore the content after the statutory window unless you show you have filed a court action.

If the same images keep reappearing under new accounts, takedowns become a recurring chore rather than a one-time fix. A monitoring and takedown service like Rulta can watch for reuploads of your photography and file the notices for you, on Flickr and across other platforms, so you can get back to shooting.

This guide is educational information, not legal advice.

Need the notice text?Generate a complete DMCA notice for Flickr — free, one minute

Exhibit A — official takedown formhttps://www.flickrhelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/4404063895956-Copyright-and-Intellectual-Property-Policy

Frequently asked questions

Who is allowed to file a copyright report on Flickr?

Only the copyright owner or their authorized representative may file. Flickr rejects reports from third parties who spot infringement but do not own the work.

Will the person who posted my photo see my personal information?

Yes. When Flickr acts on a report, it provides the rights owner's name and email address to the person who posted the reported content, so use a professional email if you have one.

Do my photos need to be hosted on Flickr to file a report?

No. You can file against infringing content on Flickr regardless of where your original work lives, as long as you own the copyright.

What happens if the uploader disputes my takedown?

Flickr has a formal counter-notice process. If the uploader files one, the material may be restored after the statutory waiting period unless you notify Flickr that you have filed a court action.

Can I get in trouble for filing a false report?

Yes. Under DMCA section 512(f), anyone who knowingly and materially misrepresents that content is infringing can be liable for damages, including costs and attorney's fees.