Dead Format respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects all sellers and users on our platform to do the same. If you believe your copyrighted work, registered trademark, or other intellectual property is being used without your authorization, you can report the infringement using our IP Infringement Report Form or by emailing us at support@deadformat.com.
We also provide a process for sellers to respond to claims made against them.
What Can Be Reported
We review reports involving the following types of issues:
- Copyright Infringement – Unapproved use of original images, descriptions, logos, audio clips, or other creative works. Example: a seller uses your album artwork or promotional material without permission.
- Trademark Infringement – Use of a registered brand name, logo, or other protected mark that could confuse buyers. Example: a seller includes your brand name in a listing title without permission.
- Other IP Issues – We may also review reports of misrepresentation or passing off, such as listings that falsely claim to be from a specific label or misstate the edition or version of a release.
We do not mediate disputes about authenticity or ownership between buyers and sellers but may take action if listings violate our policies or mislead users.
How to File an IP Infringement Report
We recommend using our online form for the fastest response. You’ll be asked to provide:
- Your full legal name and contact information (email, phone, physical address)
- Your relationship to the IP owner (owner, agent, legal rep)
- Type of IP involved (copyright, trademark, etc.)
- Registration number(s), if applicable
- Description of the protected material
- Upload of proof of ownership (PDF, Word, JPG, or PNG, max 10MB)
- URL(s) of the infringing content on Dead Format
- Explanation of how the content infringes your rights
- A statement made under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and submitted in good faith
- Your digital signature (typed legal name)
If you prefer, you may also email a complete report to support@deadformat.com.
What We Do With Infringement Reports
- Review: We check that all required information is provided and that the claim appears valid.
- Investigation: We assess the content and may contact both parties if needed.
- Action Taken: If appropriate, we may remove the listing, request edits, or apply account warnings or suspensions
- Notification: Both the rights holder and the seller are notified of the outcome.
- Record Keeping: All claims and responses are documented for compliance.
If You Received a Takedown Notice
As a seller, here’s what to do if your listing is subject to a claim:
Read the report carefully and understand what’s being claimed. If you believe you’re using the material legally, you can submit a counter notice. Keep in mind that saying “I found it online,” “others are using it too,” or “I didn’t know it was protected” isn’t enough to dispute a claim. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult an attorney.
To make a counter notice, you must provide all of the following information:
- A description of the material that was removed or to which access was disabled. Describe what was taken down as a result of the claim.
- A description of the location where the allegedly infringing work was located on Dead Format’s service before it was removed or access was disabled. Include the URL of each page that had content removed.
- The alleged infringer's name, address and telephone number. Provide your name, address and telephone number.
- A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the alleged infringer has a good faith belief that the material was removed or that access was denied as a result of a mistake or misidentification.
You may submit a counter notice via email to support@deadformat.com
If your counter notice is complete, we’ll forward it to the original claimant. If they don’t file a legal action within 10 business days, your content may be reinstated.
Repeat Infringer Policy
We enforce a strike system for repeated violations. Validated infringement claims may result in the following actions:
- 1st Strike: Warning and removal of the content
- 2nd Strike: Temporary account suspension and required compliance review
- 3rd Strike: Permanent account termination
Strikes may be removed if successfully disputed or if they’re older than 12 months and no further violations occur.
False or Abusive Claims
Filing a false claim—especially when the material is protected by fair use or when you don’t own the rights—can lead to:
- Loss of your ability to file claims in the future
- Suspension of your Dead Format account
- Legal consequences and liability for damages
Please only submit claims you believe are accurate and lawful.
This page is meant to explain our IP process, but does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance, please consult an attorney. Dead Format reserves the right to update this policy at any time.