Was ist eine Urheberrechtsverletzung im Internet?

Eine Urheberrechtsverletzung liegt vor, wenn geschütztes Material (Bilder, Videos, Texte, Musik) ohne Erlaubnis des Urhebers und außerhalb gesetzlicher Schranken (z.B. Zitatrecht) verbreitet wird. Google verarbeitete 2024 rund 3,5 Milliarden Takedown-Anfragen wegen Urheberrechtsverletzungen (Quelle: Google Transparency Report).

Wie kann ich eine Urheberrechtsverletzung melden?

Mit der leak.red Software-Plattform kannst du den Meldeprozess automatisieren. Die KI erkennt Übereinstimmungen mit deinem Content und bereitet standardisierte Löschanträge (DMCA für US-Plattformen, Notice-and-Action nach DSA für EU-Plattformen) vor, und versendet diese in deinem Namen.

Was ist ein DMCA Takedown?

Ein DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) Takedown ist eine formelle Aufforderung an eine Plattform, urheberrechtsverletzende Inhalte zu entfernen. Es handelt sich um US-amerikanisches Recht, das von den meisten internationalen Plattformen als Standard akzeptiert wird. Für EU-Plattformen ist ergänzend das Notice-and-Action-Verfahren nach dem Digital Services Act (DSA) maßgeblich.

Wie lange dauert ein DMCA Takedown?

YouTube reagiert innerhalb von 48 Stunden, Instagram/Facebook innerhalb von 24-72 Stunden, TikTok innerhalb von 3-5 Tagen. Die durchschnittliche Bearbeitungszeit liegt bei ca. 10 Werktagen. Mit leak.red KI Priority Boost wird der Prozess bis zu 3x schneller.

Welche Strafen drohen bei Urheberrechtsverletzungen?

Nach deutschem UrhG drohen bis zu 3 Jahre Freiheitsstrafe, bis zu 5 Jahre bei gewerbsmäßiger Verletzung. Zivilrechtlich sind Unterlassung, Beseitigung, Auskunft und Schadensersatz möglich.

Was kostet der Takedown-Service?

leak.red bietet ein All-in-One-Paket ab 99 EUR pro Monat (zzgl. MwSt.) mit unbegrenzten Takedowns. Keine zusätzlichen Kosten pro Entfernung.

Brauche ich einen Anwalt?

leak.red automatisiert den technischen Meldeprozess als Software-Tool. Es ersetzt jedoch keine anwaltliche Rechtsberatung. Bei komplexen Urheberrechtsstreitigkeiten kann juristischer Beistand sinnvoll sein – wir vermitteln auf Wunsch den Kontakt zu spezialisierten Rechtsanwälten.

Was ist die CUII (Clearingstelle Urheberrecht im Internet)?

Die CUII ist eine Vereinigung von Internetprovidern und Rechteinhabern in Deutschland, die auf Provider-Ebene die Sperrung von strukturell urheberrechtsverletzenden Websites koordiniert. Sie wird nicht durch einzelne Takedown-Requests aktiviert, sondern agiert bei großflächigen, strukturellen Verstößen.

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Featured in Berliner Zeitung | RTL | inFranken.de | Hamburger Abendblatt

3.5 billion

DMCA takedown requests processed by Google in 2024*

~10 million

URLs are reported daily for copyright infringements^*

$75 billion

in annual global losses due to content piracy

2.2 billion

What is a copyright infringement?

A copyright infringement occurs when protected material is reproduced, distributed, or made publicly available without the author’s consent (taking into account legal exceptions such as the right to quote under Section 51 of the German Copyright Act). In the digital age, the problem has grown massively: In 2024, Google processed around 3.5 billion DMCA takedown requests—that’s nearly 10 million reported URLs per day.

The economic damage is enormous: content piracy causes over $75 billion in damage worldwide each year, and the trend is rising. By 2028, this figure is projected to rise to $125 billion.

What types of content are protected?

Images & Photos

Unauthorized sharing on social media, websites, or messaging platforms. In 2025, over 72 million potential image copyright infringements were documented.^*

Videos

Re-uploading to YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, or piracy sites. Video piracy alone causes $40–97 billion in damages per year.

Music & Audio

Unauthorized use of music tracks or audio content. In 2024, YouTube processed 2.2 billion copyright claims via Content ID alone.

Texts & Articles

Copying articles, blog posts, or other written content without the author’s permission.

Exclusive Content

Distribution of content behind a paywall. 50–70% of all paid creator content is leaked online.

Software & Digital Products

Illegal distribution of software, apps, e-books, or digital courses. The global software piracy rate stands at 37%.

Are you affected?

Our AI software helps you search for infringements and automates the preparation of your takedown requests. Featured in Berliner Zeitung, RTL, inFranken.de, and Hamburger Abendblatt.

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How leak.red supports you with copyright infringements

Our software platform automates the time-consuming work—from detection and verification to sending your takedown requests. You retain full control; we provide the technology. All reports are sent in your name and on your behalf. Actual removal is the responsibility of the respective platform operators.

Automatic Detection

Our AI continuously scans the internet for your content. Using image, video, and audio analysis, copyright infringements are reliably identified—even if content has been altered, cropped, recoded, or combined with other content.

Technical Matching

The technology compares findings with your original content to precisely filter for technical matches. The results are transparently displayed in your dashboard.

Submit takedown requests

Based on your specifications, the system generates standardized takedown requests (e.g., under the DMCA for U.S. platforms or the EU Digital Services Act for European platforms) and submits them on your behalf. Removal is handled by the respective platform—typical processing times: YouTube 48 hours, Instagram/Facebook 24–72 hours, TikTok 3–5 days.

Automated follow-up

If the platform does not respond, the system automatically sends a reminder. The status of each request is transparently visible in your dashboard.

Reporting & Source Tracking

All activities are transparently displayed in your dashboard. The software addresses removal requests to the source, not just to individual copies—and monitors relevant platforms 24/7 for new findings. Removal is the responsibility of the respective operators.

Legal Basis (Germany & International)

Germany

Copyright Act (UrhG)

Provides comprehensive protection for copyright holders. Up to 3 years’ imprisonment, up to 5 years for commercial infringement. Civil remedies: injunction, removal, disclosure, damages.

DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)

U.S. copyright law accepted by most international platforms (Google, YouTube, Meta, TikTok) as the standard for processing copyright takedown requests. Google processed approximately 3.5 billion such requests in 2024.

CUII (Clearinghouse for Copyright on the Internet)

An association of internet service providers and rights holders that coordinates the blocking of websites that structurally infringe copyright at the provider level. The CUII is not triggered by individual takedown requests but acts in cases of widespread, structural infringements.

EU-wide

Digital Services Act (DSA) & Digital Services Act (DDG)

In effect since February 2024. Article 16 of the DSA requires all online platforms in the EU to establish notice-and-action procedures and to promptly address complaints regarding illegal content. Applicable to EU platforms alongside the DMCA.

EU Copyright Directive

Strengthens the rights of content creators vis-à-vis large platforms. Upload filters and remuneration obligations for user-generated content.

GDPR

If you are personally identifiable in leaked images or videos, additional data protection rights may apply (Art. 17 GDPR – Right to erasure). The GDPR protects personal data, not copyrights per se.

Note on Use

leak.red is a software platform (SaaS) that automates the technical submission of takedown requests on behalf of and at the user’s request. Our technical tool automates your reporting processes—however, it does not replace legal advice from an attorney. The user is responsible for the accuracy of the content in the removal requests. The actual removal of content is the responsibility of the respective platform operators and cannot be guaranteed. Should legal assistance be necessary, we can, upon request, put you in contact with specialized attorneys.

^* Sources: Google Transparency Report 2024; YouTube Copyright Transparency Report 2024. All information is provided without warranty.

Want to regain control over your content? Start the onboarding process now.

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Advantages over manual takedowns

Speed

The software responds immediately—no waiting time due to manual processing. Removal requests are prepared in seconds, not days.

Scalability

Hundreds of takedown requests simultaneously, at no additional cost. Automated reporting processes for maximum efficiency.

24/7 reliability

Round-the-clock monitoring on relevant platforms. New findings are detected and takedown requests are sent on your behalf.

Source reporting

The software sends takedown requests directly to the host providers (the technical source of storage), not just to individual copies. This aims to curb the spread.

Cost-effectiveness

Flat rate starting at 99 EUR/month instead of expensive per-takedown fees. Takedown requests at a fixed monthly price.

Transparent Reporting

All takedowns, results, and the current status of your cases in a clear dashboard.

Who is this service for?

Content Creators

Protect exclusive content from unauthorized distribution across all platforms.

Photographers & Videographers

Automate your reporting processes—across all platforms. 72 million image copyright infringements were documented in 2025.^*

Musicians & Artists

Protect your work from illegal reproduction. In 2024, YouTube paid over $12 billion to rights holders via Content ID.

Agencies

Manage copyright protection for multiple creators simultaneously with a single account.

Businesses

Protect brand content, product images, and intellectual property from unauthorized use.

Whether you’re a creator, photographer, or agency—get started now with onboarding and the initial scan.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Copyright Infringement

What is a copyright infringement on the internet?

A copyright infringement occurs when protected material (images, videos, text, music) is distributed without the copyright holder’s permission and outside the scope of legal exceptions (e.g., the right to quote under Section 51 of the German Copyright Act). In 2024, Google processed approximately 3.5 billion takedown requests (source: Google Transparency Report).

How can I report a copyright infringement?

With the leak.red software platform, you can automate the reporting process. The AI detects matches with your content and prepares standardized takedown requests (DMCA for U.S. platforms, Notice-and-Action under the DSA for EU platforms), then submits them on your behalf. You can also manually submit links via the dashboard.

What is a DMCA takedown?

A DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown is a formal request to a platform to remove copyright-infringing content. It is a U.S. law that is accepted as the standard by most international platforms. For EU platforms, the Notice-and-Action procedure under the Digital Services Act (DSA) also applies. leak.red automates the technical submission of these requests on your behalf.

How long does a DMCA takedown take?

YouTube responds within 48 hours, Instagram/Facebook within 24–72 hours, and TikTok within 3–5 days. The average processing time is approximately 10 business days. With the AI Priority Boost, the process is up to 3x faster.

What penalties apply for copyright infringements?

Under German copyright law (UrhG), penalties include up to 3 years of imprisonment and up to 5 years for commercial infringement. Under civil law, injunctions, removal, disclosure, and damages may be sought.

How much does the takedown service cost?

Starting at 99 EUR per month (plus VAT) with unlimited takedowns. There are no additional costs per removal, no limits, and no hidden fees.

Do I need a lawyer?

leak.red automates the technical reporting process as a software tool. However, it does not replace legal advice from an attorney. In complex copyright disputes, legal assistance may be advisable—we can connect you with specialized attorneys upon request.

What is the CUII?

The CUII (Clearingstelle Urheberrecht im Internet) is an association of internet service providers and rights holders in Germany. It coordinates the blocking of websites that structurally infringe copyright at the provider level. The CUII is not activated by individual takedown requests but acts in cases of widespread, structural infringements.

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