Paste the takedown notice you got on Medium and get an instant read — legitimate, questionable, or likely fake — with the missing legal elements and what to do next.
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How Medium handles copyright takedowns
Medium removes stories on valid DMCA notices and repeat claims can suspend an account; fraudulent notices are sometimes used to silence writers or critics. Medium supports counter-notifications for wrongful takedowns, and a valid notice must identify the specific work and a verifiable rights-holder under §512.
Signs a Medium copyright notice is fake
No specific copyrighted work is identified — just a general infringement claim.
Sender is unverifiable or anonymous, possibly someone you wrote about.
Missing the penalty-of-perjury and authorization statements.
Urgency, threats, or a settlement demand instead of a clean takedown.
What to do about a Medium takedown
Confirm the takedown came from Medium rather than a direct email.
Run the notice through the checker above to see what's missing.
File a Medium counter-notification if the claim is invalid.
Keep drafts, sources, and any licenses as evidence for the appeal.
Medium copyright FAQ
Can a fake DMCA take down my Medium story?
Yes — stories are removed on DMCA notices, and false ones are used to silence writers. If the notice names no real work and the sender is unverifiable, it may be abuse you can counter.
How do I counter a Medium DMCA takedown?
Submit a counter-notification through Medium stating a good-faith belief the story was removed in error; it can be restored if the claimant doesn't pursue legal action.