At bunny.net, we take DMCA/Copyright requests seriously, as they help protect intellectual property rights while ensuring that our customers are well-informed and given a fair chance to respond. This document outlines the step-by-step process for handling DMCAs/Copyright notices related to customer content.
Receiving and Verifying the DMCA Report
When we receive a DMCA/Copyright report, the first thing we do is verify its authenticity. Our team carefully reviews the report to confirm that it meets the legal requirements of a valid claim. This verification process ensures that the report is not fraudulent and pertains to content hosted on our platform.
Notifying the Customer
Once we verify a DMCA/Copyright claim, we promptly notify the customer responsible for the content. Our support team will send an official notice via email, and it will also be available in your customer dashboard. The notice will include the details of the DMCA/Copyright report along with clear instructions on the next steps to be taken.
Customers are given 48 hours to respond from the time the email is sent. During this period, you have two options:
- Option 1: Remove the Content
If you believe the claim is valid, you can remove the infringing content from your account. Doing so will resolve the DMCA/Copyright report without further action. In the bunny.net dashboard, you can access the Abuse Case, where you can verify that the content has been removed. Once confirmed, the case will be marked as resolved. - Option 2: File a Counter-Claim
If you believe the DMCA/Copyright report is incorrect or invalid, you may file a counter-claim within the same 48 hour window. A counter-claim is a legal statement contesting the validity of the DMCA/Copyright request, which will trigger the next steps in the resolution process.
Blocking the Content
If no action is taken within the initial 48 hours—meaning the content is neither removed nor a counter-claim is filed—the content will be blocked and the pull zone may be suspended. This means the content will no longer be accessible to the public until the matter is resolved.
In cases where a counter-claim is submitted by the customer, the content remains blocked while the reporter (the individual or entity who submitted the original DMCA report) is notified. The reporter has 10-14 days to respond or to initiate legal action. If no response or legal action is taken within this period, we will unsuspend and unblock the content after the 14-day window.
Handling Illegal or Highly Sensitive Content
It’s important to note that some content types are treated differently from standard DMCA/Copyright claims:
- Illegal Content (e.g., phishing, malware)
For any content found to be illegal or harmful (such as phishing attempts, malware distribution, or other forms of highly illegal activity), we take immediate action to block the content. In these cases, the DMCA process does not apply, and the content will remain blocked pending further investigation or legal action.
Sport Streams
Sports streaming is a special case due to copyright and broadcasting rights. If a DMCA/Copyright report is related to a sports stream, we will immediately block the content. To unblock it, you will need to provide proof that you are licensed to stream the sports content in question. If no licensing proof is provided, the content will remain blocked.
Restoring Content After a DMCA/Copyright Takedown
It’s important to note that once a valid DMCA/Copyright takedown has occurred, customers are not permitted to restore or reupload the removed content, whether under the same name or a different one. If this happens, and the content is repeatedly uploaded after being taken down, we will issue further notices and require the customer to remove the content again.
If this behaviour continues, such as repeated reuploads of the same infringing content, we reserve the right to suspend the entire account. This is to ensure compliance with DMCA regulations and to protect intellectual property rights.
What Happens After a DMCA/Copyright Report is Filed?
Once a DMCA/Copyright report is filed and the content is either blocked or a counter-claim is submitted, the next steps are governed by legal requirements. If the reporter does not respond or take legal action within the 10-14 day window after a counter-claim, the content will be unblocked and restored. If legal action is initiated, the content will remain blocked until the dispute is resolved.