Podcast Plagiarism: What to Do When Someone Copies Your Work
Imagine my surprise when someone not only copied the structure of my podcast launch group coaching program, but, to promote it, actually read my sales page word-for-word on her own show as if she’d created the content.
What do you do if a podcaster copies your content? You file a DMCA Takedown Notice with their podcast media host, and on episode 79 of Podcasting Step by Step, I teach you how to do that.
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How to file a DMCA Takedown Notice to protect your podcast
Step 1 You’ll send your DMCA Takedown notice to the podcast media host of the person plagiarizing your work. You can find out who the host is by looking up their show on podnews.net
Step 2 After you find the media host, go to their site and look up ‘DMCA’ to find out exactly where you need to send the notice.
Step 3 Type up your notice with the following info (see links below for templates you can use):
What was copied (your original work)
Where it’s been copied
Who’s infringed your work and their contact details
A statement that what you say is true and your complaint is in ‘good faith’
Your signature
What to include in your DMCA Takedown Notice
How To File A DMCA Takedown Notice
DMCA Notices: Here’s Everything You Need To Know
Step 4 The podcast media host will get in touch with the alleged infringer, and hopefully the podcaster will take down the copied content. If the podcaster doesn’t respond to the message from the podcast media host, they’ll remove the content and could even remove the whole show. There’s also the possibility that the person who copied you could counter your claim.
In my case, the media host CCed me in the email to the other podcaster who was using my work.
This was the response from the podcaster:
“You are right. I did take notes from your episode. I can understand how infuriating it must feel and I've taken the episode down. Please accept my deepest apologies. Lesson learned. I hope you will agree to removing the DMCA notice.”
And here was my response back:
“Thank you for removing the episode. There’s no longer the need for the DMCA take down order. I think you are a very talented podcaster and you seem like you are a person with a good heart. I’m happy that I’ve inspired you with my work, but obviously copying crosses a line. I have faith that this won’t happen again and I accept your apology. I wish you the best.”
We’re all inspired by other people. Our ideas are unique takes on things that have come before us, so of course our creations will be influenced by other people. But we can’t outright copy the work of others, that’s against the law. If someone inspires us or we want to share an idea, let’s give credit where credit is due.
Are you about to launch your podcast and are looking for a media host? Buzzsprout is my top recommendation. As a listener to Podcasting Step by Step, you can try it for free and get a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan using my partner link.