Why does my Facebook say copyright infringement?

If you have received a notification from Facebook stating that your account has been disabled due to a copyright infringement claim, it can be concerning. However, there are some common reasons why this may occur and steps you can take to resolve the issue.

Common Causes of Copyright Infringement Notifications on Facebook

Here are some of the most common reasons your Facebook account may have received a copyright infringement notification:

• Posting an image, video or other content that you did not create or do not have the rights to use. This includes memes, viral videos, movie or TV clips, music, and photos taken by others.
• Sharing an entire news article or large portions of copyrighted content without permission.
• Using trademarks like logos and brand names without authorization from the trademark holder.
• Having an account that impersonates or falsely represents a celebrity, public figure, brand or organization.
• Sharing links to pirated content like illegal movie streaming sites.
• Repeatedly posting photographs that were previously reported for copyright infringement.

Facebook has algorithms that automatically detect when copyrighted or trademarked material has been posted without permission. They also provide a way for copyright holders to easily report unauthorized use of their content. If you have posted anything that falls into the categories above, that is likely why your account received a copyright notice.

How to Fix a Copyright Infringement Violation on Facebook

If you have received a notice that your Facebook account has been disabled or restricted due to a copyright issue, here are some steps to resolve it:

1. Remove any infringing content immediately. Delete any posts, photos, videos or other content on your Facebook page that uses material you do not have licensing or permission to use.
2. Request a review of the disabled account. Go to the Facebook Help Center and find the section about disabled accounts due to copyright. There will be prompts to request a review.
3. Respond to any messages from Facebook. If Facebook’s content management team contacts you directly, be sure to respond to their messages and comply with their requests.
4. Submit a counter-notification outlining why the content was removed incorrectly. In some cases, you can file a counter-notification arguing for reinstatement of your account.
5. Contact the copyright holder. If you have contact information, reach out and ask them to retract their complaint.
6. Wait for Facebook to review your appeal. The review process may take some time. Do not continue posting infringing content while waiting.

With repeated copyright violations, Facebook may permanently disable accounts. However, for a first offense where you remove the violating content quickly, they will likely reinstate your access.

How to Avoid Copyright Issues on Facebook in the Future

Once your account access has been restored, be cautious with future posts to avoid further copyright problems. Here are some tips:

• Only upload and share content that you own or have explicit permission to use. Get written licensing agreements when needed.
• Give credit to creators and sources when posting content made by others.
• Avoid sharing full-length news stories. Instead, post snippets and give credit with links.
• Be sparing when sharing memes and viral content. Only post short segments.
• Use Facebook’s tools to identify whether content is rights-protected before sharing.
• Familiarize yourself with Facebook’s Community Standards and copyright policies.
• Never impersonate a public figure, celebrity or brand on Facebook.
• Report copyright violations by others rather than reposting infringing content.

With increased awareness around what constitutes copyright or trademark infringement, you can avoid future issues. Keep in mind that it is illegal to use copyrighted content without permission or licensing.

What Happens When You Share Copyrighted Material Without Permission?

Sharing posts, photos, videos or other media that is copyrighted without the creator’s authorization is considered copyright infringement. This violates Facebook’s policies, but more importantly, it breaks copyright law. So what exactly happens if you fail to get permission before sharing copyrighted content?

• Your Facebook account may be temporarily or permanently disabled, removing your access.
• You may receive a formal DMCA takedown notice from Facebook per their legal obligations.
• The copyright holder can file a lawsuit against you seeking financial damages for the violation.
• You may be required to pay substantial monetary damages to the copyright holder from any lawsuit.
• Posting pirated content is a crime that can result in criminal charges in some cases.
• At minimum, copyright infringement can lead to negative marks on your Facebook account.

Not getting proper permission puts your Facebook account and personal finances at risk. Always think carefully before sharing content you did not create yourself on social media.

What Types of Content are Protected by Copyright?

Many different forms of media and creative work are subject to copyright protections, including:

• Photographs
• Videos and films
• Music recordings and compositions
• Written works like books, articles, poems
• Visual artwork like paintings, drawings, graphs
• Software code
• Architectural plans and designs
• Choreographed dances or other performances
• Memes
• Advertisements and marketing materials

Essentially any original creative work fixed in a tangible medium is protected by copyright from the moment of creation. You always need direct permission from the creator before sharing their copyrighted content.

How to Get Permission to Use Copyrighted Material on Facebook

If you want to share content on Facebook that is protected by someone else’s copyright, you need their explicit permission. Here are some tips for getting authorization:

• Look for licensing or contact information on the original source of the content you want to use. There may be certain licensing terms or procedures to follow.
• Reach out to the creator directly via email or social media. Explain how you intend to use their content.
• Provide proper attribution visibly when sharing the copyrighted material.
• For well-known media, you may need permission from their legal department or agent.
• Offer incentives like promoting the creator’s social media or offering financial compensation.
• Research fair use doctrine and limitations like using very small segments of video/music.

Gaining permission protects you legally and shows respect for content creators. There are sometimes fees involved with licensing copyrighted materials for sharing on social media.

Does Using Small Amounts of Copyrighted Material Count as Fair Use?

Under copyright law, occasionally small portions of copyrighted material can be used without permission under fair use doctrine. On Facebook, fair use applies in these cases:

• Using very short snippets of video, music or text for commentary or criticism.
• Using portions for educational or noncommercial purposes like teaching or research.
• Posting meme formats with transformative commentary or additions.
• Parody work that comments on the original copyrighted work.

However, fair use is very limited in scope. Posting full music tracks, large sections of text, entire artworks or lengthier videos and claiming fair use will likely still result in infringement notices. Contacting the copyright holder directly for any substantive use is best. And when in doubt, avoid posting it until you have received permission.

Why You Should Not Share Pirated Content on Facebook

Here are some major reasons you should avoid posting or linking to pirated content on Facebook and other social media sites:

• It violates copyright law and puts your account at risk for termination and legal penalties.
• Sharing pirated links harms creative professionals who rely on legal content distribution.
• The pirated content itself is often low quality, corrupted or contains malware.
• Facebook specifically prohibits linking to or distributing pirated material.
• Promoting illegal activity publicly reflects very poorly on yourself and your character.
• You may be banned from social media platforms and lose your account access.

Stick to legally obtained content from reputable sources. If you want to share pirated videos, ebooks or music, reconsider the impacts. Copyright infringement is a very serious matter with real financial and legal consequences in many cases.

How Can Creators Report Copyright Violations on Facebook?

If you are the original creator and copyright holder of content that has been posted without your permission on Facebook, here is how you can report it for removal:

1. Locate the infringing content on Facebook and click the dropdown arrow in the top right corner.
2. Select “Report post” or “Report photo” depending on the content type.
3. Choose “I think it shouldn’t be on Facebook” and then “It’s unauthorized use of my intellectual property.”
4. Enter your contact information and details about your rights to the content.
5. Carefully review and submit the copyright infringement report to Facebook.

Copyright holders can also submit DMCA takedown notices to have infringing materials removed promptly. Facebook provides forms and instructions in their Help Center to start the official takedown process.

What Kind of Content Can You Share Freely on Facebook?

While copyright protections are extensive, some general types of content can be freely shared on Facebook without concern over infringement. These include:

• Original content that you personally created like status updates, photos you took, videos you recorded, etc.
• Promotional material and branded content from pages and advertisers you follow.
• Properly attributed quotes but not large passages of text.
• News article summaries and headlines but not full reposts.
• Facts, data and general information without creative expression.
• Non-commercial use of very small portions of materials under fair use allowances.

When in doubt, only share content that is clearly your own creation or that the copyright holder has given explicit permission for you to use on social media. Avoid lengthy verbatim sharing of others’ creative work.

Can Pages and Public Figures Use Copyrighted Content on Facebook?

Facebook Pages and profiles for businesses, brands, celebrities and other public figures are also subject to copyright law. Simply having a large audience does not exempt them from needing permissions. However, some uses like promotional posts may be covered under licensing agreements. In general:

• Obtain licenses before using most copyrighted materials like songs or videos in ads.
• Attribute quotes and small shares to original creators with links.
• Rely primarily on sharing original company-owned content like branded images.
• Avoid posting full copies of articles or publications verbatim.
• Read Facebook’s terms around use of user-generated content in promotions.

While reporting and enforcement may be more lenient, copyright still applies for all Facebook users regardless of audience size or public figure status. Proceed cautiously and legally before sharing protected content.

What Happens When You Get a Copyright Warning on Facebook?

Receiving an official warning or notification from Facebook about a copyright infringement claim typically leads to these consequences:

• The infringing post will be removed and your account may be restricted temporarily.
• Continued violations can lead to permanent disabling of your Facebook profile.
• A formal mark will show on your account regarding the copyright violation.
• You have a limited window to appeal the decision if you believe it was in error.
• The copyright holder can still pursue legal action separately from Facebook’s warning.

If you get an infringement notice, address it quickly. Remove any disputed content immediately and be cautious with future posting. Multiple copyright strikes can become very serious.

Can You Reactivate a Disabled Facebook Account After Copyright Violations?

If your Facebook account has been temporarily or permanently disabled due to copyright problems, here are your options for reinstatement:

• Temporary disabling – Account access will be restored after a set time period like 24 hours or 7 days.
• Permanent disabling – You can request a review after 30 days but access is not guaranteed.
• Submit an appeal following the proper Facebook protocols.
• Remove all infringing content and comply with all requests from Facebook.
• Wait the allotted time based on the severity of violations.
• Avoid further copyright issues which may prevent reactivation.

Repeated or egregious copyright infringement makes account reinstatement very unlikely. However, minor first-time offenses typically result in temporary restrictions you can recover from if you responsibly remove disputed content.

Top Facebook Copyright Infringement FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about copyright violations on Facebook:

Question	Answer
How long does a Facebook copyright ban last?	Temporary restrictions may last 1-7 days or longer. Permanent bans are indefinite but you can request a review after 30 days.
Can I use a meme someone else made on my Facebook page?	Small portions of memes may qualify as fair use, but getting creator permission is best whenever possible.
What if I share copyrighted content without realizing it?	You can request a review, but lack of intent does not exempt you from infringement claims.
Can I post cover songs recorded by myself or friends?	You need direct permission from music publishers and songwriters before sharing full cover song performances.
Is it illegal to post copyrighted music and movie clips on Facebook if I give the artist credit?	Yes, attribution does not substitute for getting direct licensing permission from the copyright holder.

When in doubt, avoid posting any substantial portions of work belonging to others without express written permission. This protects your account and respects creative rights.

Conclusion

Receiving a copyright infringement notice on Facebook can be concerning but is usually fixable. Avoid posting protected materials without licensing, and always remove disputed content immediately. Seek creator permission before sharing anything substantive you did not make yourself. With proper attribution and respect for creative rights, you can avoid copyright problems on Facebook and other social media.