Online copyright infringement
We advise businesses on online copyright infringement and misuse of website content. As internet infringement solicitors, we help clients tackle copied websites, copied text and images, and other unauthorised online use of copyright material.
In many cases, the objective is practical enforcement and removal rather than court proceedings. This may involve complaints to website operators, hosts, platforms or search engines, together with direct legal correspondence.
What is online copyright infringement?
Online copyright infringement involves the unauthorised copying or use of copyright material in an internet context. This may include website text, images, branding, layouts, articles or other digital content.
Under UK law, copyright protection arises automatically if a work is sufficiently original. Registration is not required in the UK.
What kinds of online copyright infringement do we handle?
Examples include:
- copied websites
- copying of website text or images
- automated copying or republication of website content
- copycat websites used for fraud or impersonation
- unauthorised use of articles or other online content
We increasingly see cases involving wholesale copying of websites and online content, sometimes using automated scraping methods to reproduce substantial parts of a site. In one case, the infringing site had translated the text to another language.
What about misuse of names and brands?
Copyright law does not usually protect names or short phrases. Those issues are more commonly dealt with through trade mark infringement or passing off.
For more on those issues, see our page on internet trade mark infringement and passing off.
How are online copyright infringements enforced?
The best approach depends on the nature of the infringement and where the content appears. In many cases, the primary objective is to secure removal of the infringing material quickly and cost-effectively.
This may involve complaints to website operators, hosts, domain registrars, search engines or platforms. In some cases, DMCA takedown procedures may also be relevant where material is hosted in the United States.
We find that delisting websites from Google, or threat of it, can be an effective way of pressuring infringers.
Can copied websites affect Google rankings?
Yes. In some cases, copied or duplicate websites may affect search engine visibility and rankings. Clients sometimes first discover website copying after noticing unusual ranking drops or duplicate versions of their content appearing online.
Frequently asked questions about online copyright infringement
Can copied website content be removed without going to court?
Yes. In many cases, infringing material can be removed through complaints, takedown procedures or legal correspondence without litigation.
Can website hosts remove infringing content?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction, a host may remove infringing material after being put on notice. Sometimes domain name registrars will suspend the entire copycat website.
What if the infringer is based abroad?
Practical enforcement steps may still be available depending on where the content is hosted and how it is being used.