What to Do When Your Content Is Stolen: A Real-World Example with TikTok DMCA Notices

We recently worked with a YouTube creator whose videos were being stolen and reposted on TikTok without permission. Like many creators, this client was frustrated—someone else was benefiting from their hard work, and TikTok wasn’t acting quickly.

In late July, we began submitting DMCA takedown notices to TikTok. It wasn’t until early September—just under six weeks later—that TikTok finally responded and removed the infringing material. Unfortunately, in that six-week gap, even more of the creator’s content had been uploaded by the same infringer.

To address the ongoing problem, we not only filed additional DMCA notices but also served TikTok with a 512(h) subpoena, which compels service providers to identify alleged infringers. Under the DMCA:

17 U.S.C. § 512(h) — Subpoena to Identify InfringerA copyright owner (or an authorized agent) may request the clerk of a U.S. District Court to issue a subpoena to a service provider for identification of an alleged infringer.

This changed the dynamic. The next batch of infringing videos was removed within just seven days.

Now, there are a number of possible reasons why TikTok responded so much faster the second time around. It may have been because:

• It was a repeat notice following a successful takedown.

• The infringing user had been flagged internally after multiple complaints.

• Or, most likely, TikTok took the subpoena seriously and decided to act quickly to limit their exposure.

Whatever the exact reason, the important takeaway is this: not all DMCA notices are treated equally, and your enforcement strategy matters.

If you’re a creator dealing with stolen content, consider all of the tools available to you. A simple takedown request might be enough in some cases, but if the problem persists, a more formal step—like a subpoena—may prompt faster action.

At the end of the day, protecting your work online requires persistence, strategy, and sometimes legal muscle. That’s where we come in. We help creators navigate the DMCA process, enforce their rights, and keep control of their content.