Google search engine is the top search engine on the Internet, but it has a DMCA policy that is markedly different from most other Internet hosts. While dealing with Internet companies, you need to make sure that you meet DMCA requirements. Most companies have similar DMCA policies, but Google requires more. What works for other companies will not work for Google. To file a complaint of copyright infringement or a DMCA notice, the person filing the notice has to hand sign the paper and then fax or mail it in.

Google’s Policy in Handling DMCA Issues

Google search engine’s DMCA policy is outlined on its policy page. This policy gives details on how people can claim copyright infringement. They state that they want to allow notices to be submitted in a straightforward way, while reducing the number of fraudulent notices. Most of the steps are similar to that of other Internet hosting companies.

To file a notice, Google requires written communication. This letter must identify the work that is believed to have been infringed and the work guilty of the infringement. The letter must also include contact information for the author and any information that will help Google to notify the owner of the webpage that is infringing copyright. Google also requires that the letter includes these two statements:

•    One statement reflecting that the writer of the letter believes that the copyrighted materials is infringing copyright and is not authorized by the copyright owner, agent or the law.
•    Another statement swearing that the information in the letter is accurate and that the writer of the letter is the copyright owner.

These steps are very similar to the steps required by other companies under Internet copyright law. However, other companies usually allow this notification to be emailed. Google requires that the notification be signed and sent by letter or fax.

This extra step may seem like a small thing, but it makes it more difficult for people to notify Google of Internet plagiarism. There is an extra burden to people filing complaints, particularly those who live outside of the United States. International copyright holders have to pay for international postage or international calling rates to deliver their notice. It will also frustrate small copyright holders, who do not have the same legal assistance available as larger copyright holders.

Under Google’s policy, dealing with DMCA notices takes longer and is more burdensome. It takes Google longer to receive the notice and with no clickable links, visiting the material on the Internet more difficult. There is a belief that this policy will deter many people from submitting DMCA notices. Some people will choose to simply leave it alone, rather than going to the effort of sending a signed notification by mail.

Google Compared to LiveJournal

In comparison to Google, LiveJournal has a very good DMCA reporting system. LiveJournal provides a simple form that fulfills the requirements of a DMCA notice. Instead of requiring a signature, the DMCA form on LiveJournal provides a box where people filing a complaint can type in their name. Instead of writing, signing and mailing or faxing a letter, anyone wishing to file a copyright infringement complaint can simply fill in the form.

Why is Google’s DMCA Policy Important for Webmasters?

Even though Google requires more than other companies when it comes to DMCA notices, it is important for webmasters to understand the steps and to be prepared to take the extra measures if necessary. Google is by far the largest search engine on the Internet. In terms of search hours per month, Google is used 18.7 million hours per month, compared to the next highest search engine, AOLSearch, which is used 15.5 million hours per month. Google has 112 million searches per day. AOLSearch has 93 million and Yahoo 42. A large proportion of people searching on the Internet will use Google.

So what does this mean to webmasters in relation to DMCA?  What it means is that if Google is directing people to sites that infringe your copyrighted material, then lots of people will see those sites. In fact, they may be directed to those sites before they find their way to your website – even though your website contains the original material.

It may be tempting to consider just forgetting about it, but this is not the right action to take. People who are guilty of plagiarism may be benefiting from your hard work. They may even be making money from it. They could also be directing traffic away from your website with the original material. It’s not nice to think of plagiarism – Internet related or otherwise – but it does happen. It is wise for all webmasters to be aware of it and to spend time in plagiarism detection, looking for copies of their work on a regular basis. As Google is the largest search engine, it makes sense to start there.

Even though it’s a bit of work, it is much better to go to the effort of signing a copyright infringement notice and mailing or faxing it to Google, than letting other webmasters benefit from your copyrighted work, getting traffic to their website from the Google search engine.