In today's digital landscape, content is created and shared at an incredible speed. For creators and brands, this brings opportunities but also significant risks. If your original photos, videos, or text are shared on Twitter (now X) without your permission, it's not just a nuisance, it can harm your business, reputation, and revenue.

This guide explains, in clear and simple language, how to use X's official system to report and remove stolen content. We will also discuss why active protection is necessary and how services like Pellonia can handle the entire process for you, saving you time and stress.

Table of Contents

• What is Copyright Infringement on X?
• The Official Tool: X's DMCA Copyright Infringement Form
• How to File a Report on X and What Happens After You Report?
• The Doctrine of Fair Use and Its Application on X
• From Reactive to Proactive: The Pellonia Solution
• Real-World Case Study: Protecting a Client from Impersonation on X
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Copyright Infringement on X?

Copyright infringement, as codified in Title 17 of the U.S. Code, occurs when a party exercises one or more of the copyright owner's exclusive rights, reproduction, distribution, public display, or the creation of derivative works, without authorization or a valid statutory defense. On the X platform, infringement is not a monolithic act but a spectrum of violations facilitated by the architecture of digital sharing of contents and trademarks.

Copyright protection attaches to original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium. This encompasses the very content that proliferates on social media: literary works (articles, scripts, product descriptions), pictorial and graphic works (photographs, logos, digital art), audiovisual works (video clips, promotional content), and musical works. The infringement litigation Concord Music Group Inc. v. X Corp (filed 2023) underscores the severity of this issue, alleging willful infringement of over 1,700 musical compositions and highlighting X's unique position as a major platform without comprehensive licensing agreements with music publishers.

Infringement on the X platform manifests through distinct yet interrelated violations of the exclusive rights granted under 17 U.S.C. § 106.

• Direct Reproduction & Distribution: The unauthorized posting of a protected image, video, or substantial text excerpt constitutes a prima facie violation of the rights of reproduction and public distribution.
• Creation of Derivative Works: Altering a protected work (e.g., cropping a watermark from an image, editing a video) and disseminating it on the platform may infringe upon the right to prepare derivative works.
• Public Display: Utilizing a copyrighted photograph as a profile or header image constitutes an unauthorized public display.
• Contributory Liability & Platform Policy: While 17 U.S.C. § 512 (the DMCA "safe harbor") may shield X from direct liability for user-generated content if it complies with takedown procedures, the platform's policies explicitly prohibit infringing activity. Rights holders must utilize the DMCA process to trigger the platform's obligation to "expeditiously remove" infringing material.

The central legal recourse for a rights holder is the submission of a valid DMCA takedown notice, initiating a formal process defined by statute and platform policy.

The Official Tool: X's DMCA Copyright Infringement Form

X, like all major platforms operating in the U.S., must comply with the DMCA. Their mechanism for this is the online Copyright Infringement Form.

This is the formal, legal pathway to request content removal. It is crucial to understand that filing a DMCA notice is a serious action. Knowingly submitting a false claim can make you liable for damages. The form requires specific information to be valid, which we outline below.

How to File a Report on X and What Happens After You Report?

To initiate a copyright infringement report on X, a rights holder must complete a specific procedural sequence. The platform's compliance with the DMCA necessitates that reports contain precise information; therefore, careful preparation is essential before submission. These steps are as follows:

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence

Before starting, collect this essential information:

Your full legal name, email address, office address, as well as a clear description and, ideally, a link to where you originally published the work (e.g., your website, portfolio). This proves your original authorship. Then you should collect the exact URL(s) of the infringing tweet(s). Please be advised that a link to a general profile is insufficient. Finally, you must confirm, in good faith, that the use is unauthorized.

Step 2: Access the Form

Navigate to X's official Copyright reporting page via their Help Center. You likely need to be logged into an X account.

Step 3: Complete the Form Accurately

Fill in all sections with care:

• Identify yourself as the copyright owner or an authorized agent.
• Paste the direct URLs to the infringing tweets.
• Describe your original copyrighted work clearly.
• Sign the form electronically by typing your full name.

Step 4: Submit and Confirm

Submit the form. You should receive an email confirmation from X acknowledging receipt of your complaint. X's team reviews your submission for completeness and validity. This can take from 24 hours to several days. If your claim is valid, X will remove the infringing tweet and notify the account that posted it.

However, the user can file a "counter-notice" if they believe the removal was a mistake, which could lead to the content being restored unless you take legal action within 10 days. Under X's Repeat Infringer Policy, accounts with multiple valid copyright violations risk suspension or permanent ban.

The Doctrine of Fair Use and Its Application on X

In intellectual property law, the doctrine of fair use serves as a critical, legally recognized exception to the exclusive rights of a copyright holder. It is not an infringement but a defensible privilege that permits the limited use of copyrighted material without permission under specific circumstances.

On the X platform, the fair use doctrine introduces a significant layer of complexity for both rights holders and users. While X's policy acknowledges that not all unauthorized uses are infringing, it explicitly states that the platform itself does not adjudicate fair use claims during its initial review of a DMCA takedown notice. Instead, a user's potential fair use defense typically becomes relevant only if they choose to file a formal counter-notice after their content is removed. This means a rights holder's good-faith belief that a use is not fair is sufficient for a valid takedown request. Consequently, the invocation of fair use on X is less of a shield against initial removal and more of a legal argument to be asserted in a subsequent dispute, highlighting the gap between platform enforcement and ultimate judicial determination.

From Reactive to Proactive: The Pellonia Solution

While the DMCA form is essential, relying on it alone presents severe challenges for a business:

Manually scouring X's vast network for stolen content is like finding a needle in a haystack. Preparing a legally sound notice for each infringement can take 20–30 minutes. For businesses with widespread copying, this becomes a full-time job. In addition, when you file personally, your contact information is shared with the infringer, which can lead to harassment.

This is where a dedicated protection service like Pellonia transforms your defense strategy as your digital protection partners. We handle the entire monitoring and enforcement lifecycle. Our services include:

• 24/7 Proactive Monitoring: Our systems continuously scan X, other social platforms, and the broader web for unauthorized uses of your images, text, and videos. This means we detect theft before you might ever find it.
• Expert Evidence Gathering: We compile all necessary links, timestamps, and details to build a bulletproof takedown case.
• Streamlined Takedown Execution: Our specialists draft and submit legally precise DMCA takedown notices to X on your behalf. We use our agency information, shielding your personal contact details from infringers.
• Cross-Platform Protection: We do not stop at X. We enforce your rights wherever your content appears online, providing comprehensive security.
• Clear Reporting: You receive transparent reports detailing infringements found and actions taken, giving you peace of mind and proof of protection.

Real-World Case Study: Protecting a Client from Impersonation on X

Manual reporting addresses individual tweets, but what about a more sinister threat: a full account impersonating your brand to scam customers?

We faced this exact scenario with our client, Kenhub, a leading online anatomy education platform. A malicious actor created a Twitter account impersonating the official Kenhub brand with an account named "KenhubTr", potentially to divert traffic, steal credentials, or damage trust.

In protecting our client's rights, we gathered all evidence of the impersonating account's activity. We escalated the case directly to X's trust & safety team under their Impersonation Policy, a more powerful tool than a standard DMCA notice for a single tweet. We managed the entire process until definitive action was taken. As a result, X suspended the fraudulent account, eliminating the direct threat to Kenhub's users and brand integrity, as indicated in the below photo.

This case highlights that effective protection requires expertise to navigate different types of platform violations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is using the X form free?

A: Yes, submitting a copyright report is free. However, the hidden cost is your valuable time and the risk of managing a complex legal process yourself.

Q: I received a copyright complaint on X. What should I do?

A: Review the notice carefully. If you believe it was a mistake, you can file a counter-notice or seek a retraction from the reporter. It is advisable to consult with a legal professional in such situations.

Q: Why choose Pellonia over doing it myself?

A: Because time, reputation, and revenue are at stake. We provide 24/7 vigilance, expert handling to avoid procedural errors, cross-platform coverage, and protect your privacy. We turn copyright defense from a distracting chore into a managed, efficient service.

Don't wait until you discover your work has been stolen and exploited. Take control of your digital footprint. Contact Pellonia today to learn how our tailored monitoring and enforcement services can protect your brand's most valuable assets.