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Tag: facebook

Facebook: Copyrighted Content

I’ve just answered a post on LinkedIn where somebody asked (in the “Casual Games” discussion group):

“There is a hacked flash version of one of our games listed as an application at facebook. I could not find any real support contact information at the facebook website. Just FAQs and canned responses. Do you know anybody working at facebook whom I could contact in this matter? Thank you!”

As I think this may be an issue I’ll have to look at in the future, I’m copying my reply here:

You’ll probably be best sending them a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) request as detailed on http://www.facebook.com/copyright.php and their form on http://www.facebook.com/copyright.php#/copyright.php?notify=1 . (See also http://www.facebook.com/help.php?topic=copyright )

As long as you provide the full details requested (including detailing the exact URL the content can be found: “A page on your site…” isn’t detailed enough to be an official request). Basically, if the DMCA is sent and is correctly detailed (see http://www.blogherald.com/2008/08/04/dmca-safe-harbor-part-two-the-dmca-checklist/ ), then Facebook may then become liable for any penalties for copyright breaches from 14 working days from that point (as, by notifying them via a DMCA complaint, they then lose the “safe harbour” provision for user generated content).

If the content is hosted by a third party (which may be difficult to tell if it is integrated using the FBML canvas frame method: if it’s integrated via an iFrame, it should be easier to tell: if you want assistance, feel free to contact me with the page on Facebook and I’ll try to help), then you can also contact the third party webhost/ISP for assistance.