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Free DMCA Takedown Letter Template for Cloned Stores

Recon Team · takedownsbrand protectiontemplates

Copy the relevant version, replace every bracketed field, and review it before sending. One version is for the hosting provider; the other is for the domain registrar.

Before You Send

You’ll need the following information ready:

  1. Your information: Full legal name, company name, address, phone number, email
  2. Your original store URL: e.g., https://yourbrand.com
  3. The infringing site’s URL: e.g., https://yourbrand-official-shop.com
  4. Specific infringing pages: List the URLs on the cloned site that contain your copyrighted content
  5. Your original pages: The corresponding pages on your real store that were copied
  6. Evidence: Screenshots showing the original vs. the copy (attach to your email)
  7. Where to send it: The hosting provider’s abuse contact (found via WHOIS lookup at who.is)

Version 1: DMCA Notice to Hosting Provider

Use this when you’ve identified the hosting provider through a WHOIS/nameserver lookup. Send to their abuse or DMCA contact.

Subject: DMCA Takedown Notice — Copyright Infringement on [infringing domain]

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to notify you of copyright infringement occurring on a website hosted by your service, in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512).

I. Copyright Owner Information

Name: [Your Full Legal Name] Company: [Your Company Name] Address: [Your Full Address] Phone: [Your Phone Number] Email: [Your Email Address]

II. Identification of Copyrighted Work

I am the owner of the copyrighted content published at:

  • [Your store URL — e.g., https://yourbrand.com]
  • [Specific original page URL 1]
  • [Specific original page URL 2]
  • [Add more as needed]

This content includes but is not limited to: original product photographs, product descriptions, website design and layout, brand logo and graphics, and other creative works authored by me / my company.

III. Identification of Infringing Material

The following URLs contain material that infringes my copyright by reproducing my copyrighted content without authorization:

The infringing website is a clone of my legitimate online store. It reproduces my copyrighted product images, product descriptions, page layouts, and brand assets without my permission or authorization.

IV. Good Faith Statement

I have a good faith belief that the use of the copyrighted material described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

V. Accuracy and Authority Statement

I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly being infringed.

VI. Request

I request that you expeditiously remove or disable access to the infringing material identified above, in accordance with 17 U.S.C. § 512.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Legal Name] [Your Signature — type your name if sending electronically] [Date]

Version 2: Abuse Report to Domain Registrar

Use this when you want the domain itself suspended. Send to the domain registrar’s abuse contact (found in the WHOIS record).

Subject: Abuse Report — Fraudulent Domain Impersonating [Your Brand Name]

To the Abuse Team:

I am writing to report a fraudulent domain registered through your service that is being used to impersonate my legitimate business and defraud consumers.

Fraudulent Domain: [infringing domain — e.g., yourbrand-official-shop.com]

My Legitimate Business:

  • Company: [Your Company Name]
  • Official Website: [Your store URL — e.g., https://yourbrand.com]
  • In operation since: [Date your store launched]

Nature of Abuse:

The domain listed above is hosting a cloned version of my legitimate online store. The site reproduces my copyrighted brand assets, product photographs, product descriptions, and website design without authorization. It is collecting customer payment information under the false pretense of being my business.

This constitutes:

  • Copyright infringement (unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted content)
  • Trademark infringement (unauthorized use of my brand name and assets)
  • Consumer fraud (impersonating a legitimate business to collect payments)
  • Phishing (collecting personal and financial information through deception)

Evidence:

I have attached the following:

  • Screenshots of the fraudulent site alongside my legitimate store for comparison
  • WHOIS records showing the domain was registered after my business was established
  • [Any additional evidence — e.g., customer complaints about the fake site]

DMCA Notice:

I have also filed a DMCA takedown notice with the hosting provider. A copy is attached for your records.

Request:

I request that you investigate this domain and take appropriate action, including suspension of the domain, in accordance with your acceptable use policies and ICANN’s requirements regarding domain abuse.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Legal Name] [Your Company Name] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number] [Date]

Tips for Sending

For the hosting provider DMCA notice:

  • Email it to their designated DMCA agent. This is often listed on their website under “Legal” or “DMCA.” Many providers also list their DMCA agent with the U.S. Copyright Office at copyright.gov/dmca-directory.
  • Attach screenshot evidence as image files or a PDF.
  • Keep a copy of everything you send, including timestamps.

For the domain registrar abuse report:

  • Most registrars have an online abuse form (preferred) or accept email at abuse@[registrar].com.
  • Include the DMCA notice as an attachment for additional weight.
  • If the registrar doesn’t respond within 5-7 business days, escalate to ICANN’s complaint process at icann.org/compliance/complaint.

Additional reporting (do these in parallel, not sequentially):

Automate the Detection

After filing, keep monitoring the domain and nearby variants. Recon watches for lookalike domains and copied storefronts, then keeps the evidence with the finding so you can prepare the next report.

Install Recon free →

This template is general information, not legal advice. If you have questions about your situation, consult a qualified attorney. Template provided by Recon.

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