A takedown notice is only valid if it meets the legal requirements. Here's the §512(c)(3) checklist — paste your notice above to see which elements it's missing.
A valid DMCA notification must include: (1) a physical or electronic signature of the rights-holder or authorized agent; (2) identification of the specific copyrighted work; (3) identification of the infringing material and information reasonably sufficient to locate it; (4) the sender's contact information; (5) a statement of good-faith belief that the use is not authorized; and (6) a statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and the sender is authorized to act for the owner.
Missing any required element weakens or invalidates the notice. The most common gaps in fake or careless notices are no specific identified work, no verifiable sender, and no perjury statement. Substantial defects can mean the provider isn't obligated to act on it.
A notice can be technically complete yet still abusive — e.g. a real perjury statement but a bogus 'original work', or a real work targeted at content that's clearly fair use. The checker above flags both: missing legal elements and abuse signals.
Six elements under 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3): signature, the specific copyrighted work, the infringing material's location, sender contact info, a good-faith-belief statement, and a penalty-of-perjury statement of accuracy and authorization.
A substantially defective notice doesn't trigger the provider's takedown obligation, and knowingly false notices can expose the sender to liability under §512(f). You can also file a counter-notification to restore removed content.