A Practical Guide to Copyright Claims

This guide was developed to help civil society organizations (CSOs), independent newsrooms, and nonprofit publishers navigate U.S. copyright law and the growing challenges posed by automated copyright enforcement in digital spaces. As journalism and advocacy increasingly rely on online publishing, social media, and multimedia storytelling, organizations must balance their public-interest mission with the need to comply with complex and rapidly evolving copyright rules.

This guide provides practical strategies for minimizing the risk of automated claims, asserting legitimate defenses, and responding effectively to bot-generated notices, helping to ensure that protected speech, reporting, and advocacy are not chilled by overbroad enforcement.