DMCA On Steam 101

In this guide you will find all relevant information regarding the DMCA complaint of UGC (User Generated Content) on Steam. Furthermore, this guide contains some general info about the Copyright Law.

Also available in: Deutsch

Note & Legal

Hey you, yes you!

Take time to read the guide and sit back.

If you don't understand something, read it a second time?

But sometimes only a coffee helps:

No need to thank us.

What is the 'DMCA'?

Tip: When using Steam, please remember that any behaviour must comply with the Steam Subscriber Agreement and the Online Code of Conduct.

Likewise, you should not forget that American jurisprudence may differ to other countries.

The word DMCA describes the American "Digital Millenium Copyright Act" - The DMCA is a law which results from the American Copyright Law and was passed specifically for the digital media/content.

The DMCA is designated for the report of copyright infringements from the copyright holder (or legally authorized representatives; usually granted with legal documents that allow you to file a complaint on behalf of e.g. Mr. John Doe).

In general, the DMCA only applies to digital content that is physically hosted in the USA.
This is the case with Steam (Valve), therefore you are able to take action against e.g. your "stolen" artwork or avatar using a DMCA complaint.

In principle, all digital contents are comprehensively protected and these could e.g. be:

• Text files (.txt, .docx, .pdf, ...)
  
• Image files (.png, .jpg, .gif, ...)
  
• Video files (.mpg, .avi, .mp4, ...)
  
• Audio files (.mp3, .wav, .mid, ...)

Related to Steam e.g. profile pictures, artworks, group pictures, videos or any other digital content that you have published/can publish on Steam.

Tip: DMCA complaints are serious legal matters and should only be the "Ultima-Ratio" (last resort). At first try to ask the user, who has stolen your content, whether he/she could remove the stolen content from Steam.

How do I file a DMCA complaint? (Applicant)

STOP! Do you really think it's possible that the content you want to report is a copyright infringement?
Note that you only can submit a DMCA complaint, if you are the copyright holder (or authorized representative)!

To initiate a DMCA complaint use this link: https://steamcommunity.com/dmca/create/
Alternatively, you can access this form by using the report function (), which is located next to or below each content (the link is the faster way).

Tip: A DMCA complaint is not meant to be used for reporting inappropriate content! The DMCA complaint can only be used to enforce copyright claims.

Instead, follow these steps to report inappropriate content: Instructions

1. Identify Content

Indicate which content you think was violated and describe it. The description is sufficient, as long as you roughly list what you see violated:



Now you have to claim why you think it is possible that it is a copyright infringement.
Your description should contain relevant URL's, dates and account names:

Tip: It can make the process much quicker by simply adding a note to the bottom of the original content page such as “Copyright 20XX [Copr. Holder.] This item is not authorized for posting on Steam, except under the Steam account named ______” or just a watermark in the content itself, for example: "© [Copr. Holder]".

2. Contact Details

The contact form must be filled out truthfully and serves to identify the copyright holder, for example:

STOP! Are you sure that you are the copyright holder? If not, stop and rethink your assumptions.

Please also note that the information provided in this legal notice may be shared with third-parties or made public.

3. Authorization & Signature

Here you have to authorize the correctness of your given data and insure them with your digital signature.

Tip: As a last step before submitting the DMCA complaint, you should check the correctness of all the information you have entered. Remember, these info must be absolutely correct. Please also note that the information provided in this legal notice may be shared with third-parties or made public.

If you are sure that a DMCA complaint is really necessary, press the button:

How do I deal with a DMCA complaint against me? (Defendant)

You will receive a notification (email, Steam Support) that a DMCA complaint has been filed against you and the following warning will be added above the content:



After examination the content gets removed by Steam (Valve).

Follow the instructions immediately to avoid further legal consequences.
If you are in a lawsuit before you have received the DMCA complaint or already received a subpoena, you should definetly seek legal counsel.

It can additionally be, that you'll get a temporary or permanent upload ban on Steam.

Tip: If you believe you have received a faulty complaint or that you think you are the real copyright holder and assume fraud, you can file a DMCA counter indictment.
But you should seek legal advice before making a counter indictment! (Focus: Copyright and Media Law)

How long do I have to wait for an answer?

The processing of a DMCA complaint takes about max. 72 hours. This depends on the legal situation. Sometimes it can be processed within 24 hours in unclear cases even several weeks.

This depends on e.g.:

• Processing time of Valve
  
• Complexity of the complaint
  
• Open legal questions
  
• Any doubts?

So be patient if it takes longer. DMCA complaints are serious legal matters that must be examinated properly.

Global Copyright Law?

As you maybe have already thought, there is no global copyright law. Copyright law is based on national legislations which differ fundamentally.

Despite the differences between copyrights, almost 180 countries have ratified an agreement - the (revised) "Berne Convention[en.wikipedia.org]", administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) [www.wipo.int], it guarantees a minimum standard of protection for the right of authors and their works anywhere in the world.

• The minimum standards can be found here: Summary[www.wipo.int]
  
• You can see the participating countries here: Memberlist[www.wipo.int]

(America is not participating!)

In addition, efforts have been and are being made to harmonise copyright law in Europe and other regions. However, there is still no uniform regulation.

Concluding Remark

Tip: You want to take a look at the American Copyright Law? You can do this here: Copyright Online[www.copyright.gov]

(official site of the ministry)

Thank you very much for reading this guide!

If you find a mistake or just want to give feedback, you are welcome to do so in the comments section of the guide. We are also happy to answer questions!

You liked the guide? Then rate it positively, so that even more Steam users can see it!

You have successfully worked your way through the guide, great!
You deserve a cookie, take one:


A big thank you to the Steam Community Moderators Max, Fox and Colt for the support! Thanks to Yoskazwa and Xeeran for helping me to write & correct the guide.

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[Undefined]

Thank you, Munin!

[Munin]

There's no other way than waiting for a reply, I'm afraid. If it was like 2 weeks ago I'd pers. open a ticket.

[Undefined]

Hi, do you know of a way to check up on the status of a copyright complaint?

[Munin]

The information mentioned in this guide are from early 2020 and the guide wasn't updated since (hence the red warning on top).

I changed it to: "Please also note that the information provided in this legal notice may be shared with third-parties or made public." which is accurate as of today. There's no other public statement.

Thank you for letting me know.

For your privacy concerns, please reach out to Valve Legal like I suggested below.

[The PortoGeese]

No, under the contact details section you put and I quote: "Also note that your personal data will be disclosed to the defendant."

[Munin]

may not will always.

[The PortoGeese]

But you said in the guide that my personal information will be disclosed to the defendant so...

[Munin]

The info provided may be shared with third-parties or even made public (added that last part to the guide since I noticed it was missing).

I personally think in normal cases your personal info won't get disclosed to anyone but Valve's Copyright Agent (Valve Legal). However, I don't work for Valve nor have the other authors of this guide.

My suggestion is to write an email to [e-mail] and ask your questions about how Valve handles your personal information in regards to DMCA. Be sure to include "FAO Valve Legal" in your email subject, they should redirect it to Legal then. Alternatively, you could contact Steam Support, but I sincerely doubt you'll ever reach someone from Legal.

[The PortoGeese]

I'm asking this as the person who stole my work is a troll and I don't want him getting my adress or real name, please reply ASAP

[The PortoGeese]

If I dmca someone, are they getting my adress and my name? You said the personal info would be disclosed to the defendant so what part of it gets disclosed