How to File a DMCA Takedown on Imgur
Imgur's viral image culture means artwork, photography, and comics get reposted there constantly, usually with the creator's name nowhere in sight. Imgur accepts DMCA notices by email to its designated agent, but it has one unusual requirement most guides skip: it expects your work to be registered with the US Copyright Office. Here is the process, including that catch.
Before you start
- Proof of ownership, your original files and a link to where the work first appeared.
- Your US copyright registration number, or a copy of the application you filed. Imgur explicitly says it reserves the right to ignore DMCA notices based on unregistered works, so this matters more here than on most platforms.
- Direct links to every infringing post, the imgur.com post URL and, where possible, the direct image URL.
- Your contact details, email preferred, plus a mailing address and phone number.
Step 1: Deal with the registration question first
Imgur's Terms of Service ask filers to include a copyright registration number, noting that a US infringement claim can only be filed in court once the work is registered. If your work is unregistered, you can still send a notice, Imgur may act on it, but be aware they reserve the right to ignore it. If the stolen work is valuable to you, consider registering it at copyright.gov; it strengthens every future takedown, not just this one.
Step 2: Collect the links to every infringing post
Open each post that uses your work and copy the URL. Popular images get reposted across many Imgur posts, so search Imgur for your work's title or likely keywords and list every copy you find. Imgur needs enough information to locate the material, and it will only act on what you identify.
Step 3: Write your DMCA notice
Imgur has no webform, so you write the notice yourself. Include: identification of your copyrighted work (with the registration number or application copy); the URL of each infringing post; a statement of good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized by you, your agent, or the law; a statement that your notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that you are the owner or authorized to act for them; your physical or electronic signature; and how to contact you, preferably email, plus address and phone.
Step 4: Send the notice to Imgur's agent
Email your notice to [email protected]. If you prefer paper, mail it to MediaLab.Ai Inc. c/o Imgur, 8023 Beverly Blvd. Suite 347, Los Angeles, CA 90048. The same channel handles trademark and other infringement claims.
Step 5: Keep records and follow up
Save the sent email, the date, and every URL you reported. If a post is still up after a week or two, follow up with a polite, complete re-send, incomplete notices are the most common reason nothing happens.
What happens after you file
If Imgur accepts your notice, the images come down and repeat offenders risk losing their accounts entirely. Two honest caveats: Imgur reserves the right to keep material up if it believes the use is fair use, and if the uploader files a legitimate counter-notice, the dispute can move beyond a simple takedown. Meanwhile, viral images have a way of reappearing under new posts within days.
If chasing reposts across Imgur and the rest of the internet is eating your time, Rulta is a done-for-you takedown service that monitors for stolen copies of your work and files the notices on your behalf.
This guide is educational information, not legal advice.
Need the notice text?Generate a complete DMCA notice for Imgur — free, one minute
Exhibit A — official takedown formhttps://imgur.com/tos
Frequently asked questions
Where do I send a DMCA notice for Imgur?
Imgur's Terms of Service direct copyright notices to [email protected], or by mail to MediaLab.Ai Inc. c/o Imgur, 8023 Beverly Blvd. Suite 347, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Do I really need a copyright registration to file against Imgur?
Imgur asks for your registration number, or a copy of your application if registration is pending, and says it reserves the right to ignore DMCA notices based on unregistered works. Registration is not required by every platform, but Imgur is stricter than most.
Do I need an Imgur account to file?
No. The process is handled by email, so you never need to sign up for Imgur to protect your work there.
Can Imgur refuse to remove my content?
Yes. Imgur says it reserves the right to refuse removal of material it considers fair use, and it may attempt to notify the uploader when it believes a takedown targets fair use.
What happens to accounts that keep stealing content?
Imgur blocks or removes the images of repeat infringers and terminates their accounts. A legitimate counter-notice from the uploader does not count toward repeat infringer status.