Copyright Policy

This page explains how SetFork handles copyright complaints under the notice-and- takedown framework of the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") and equivalent laws. It is not legal advice; consult a professional about your specific situation before taking action that might affect your rights.

Effective date: July 10, 2026

The process in a nutshell

The DMCA provides two procedures that all users should know about: (i) a takedown notice procedure for copyright holders to request that content be removed; and (ii) a counter notice procedure for users to get content re-enabled when it was taken down by mistake or misidentification.

The copyright owner sends SetFork a complaint about a user's content. If it is complete, we pass the complaint along to the user. If the user disputes the complaint, they can send a counter notice. SetFork exercises little discretion in the process other than determining whether the notices meet the statutory requirements. It is up to the parties (and their lawyers) to evaluate the merit of their claims, bearing in mind that notices must be made under penalty of perjury.

This process applies only to copyright complaints. For other problems — harassment, private information, trademark — use the report mechanisms described in our Acceptable Use Policy.

How it works, step by step

1. The copyright owner investigates. Before sending a notice, confirm both that you own the copyright to the work and that the use on SetFork is unauthorized and infringing — including that it is not protected by fair use or an existing license.
2. The copyright owner sends a notice. Send a takedown notice meeting the requirements below to copyright@setfork.com. If it is sufficiently detailed, we will notify the affected user and give them approximately 1 business day to delete or modify the identified content.
3. The user makes changes and tells us, or doesn't. If the user tells us they have made the specified changes within that window, we verify the changes and notify the copyright owner. If not, we disable the content. If the notice alleges that an entire list infringes, we disable the list expeditiously without the change window.
4. The copyright owner renews, revises, or retracts. If the changes are insufficient, the copyright owner may renew or revise their notice. Silence longer than two weeks after changes is treated as an implied retraction.
5. The user may send a counter notice. If you believe your content was disabled as a result of a mistake or misidentification, you may send a counter notice meeting the requirements below. If it is complete, we will pass it to the copyright owner.
6. The copyright owner may file a legal action. To keep the content disabled after a counter notice, the copyright owner must notify us within 10–14 days that they have filed a legal action seeking a court order. Otherwise, we will re-enable the disabled content.

What about forks?

SetFork users can fork one another's lists. We will not automatically disable forks when disabling a parent list: forks belong to different users, may have been altered in significant ways, and may be licensed or used in a way that is protected by fair use. If you believe forks are also infringing, you must expressly include them in your takedown notice after reviewing them.

Requirements for a takedown notice

Your notice must include:

1. identification of the copyrighted work you believe has been infringed (or a representative list if there are several);
2. identification of the material you believe is infringing — direct URLs on setfork.com, so we can find it;
3. your contact information: name, email address, and (optionally) postal address and phone number;
4. a statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
5. a statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright that is allegedly infringed; and
6. your physical or electronic signature.

Requirements for a counter notice

Your counter notice must include:

1. identification of the material that has been removed and the location where it appeared before removal;
2. your name, email address, and postal address;
3. a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief that the material was removed as a result of mistake or misidentification;
4. a statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the courts at your address (for U.S. addresses, the federal district court for your district; for addresses outside the U.S., any judicial district in which SetFork may be found), and that you will accept service of process from the person who filed the original takedown notice or their agent; and
5. your physical or electronic signature.

Transparency

We may publish redacted copies of legal notices we receive (with personal contact information removed). When we remove content, we post a notice in its place.

Repeated infringement

It is the policy of SetFork, in appropriate circumstances and in its sole discretion, to disable and terminate the accounts of users who repeatedly infringe the copyrights or other intellectual property rights of others.

Submitting notices

Send takedown notices and counter notices to copyright@setfork.com with the subject "DMCA". Misrepresenting that material is infringing (or was removed by mistake) can carry liability for damages under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f).

Adapted from GitHub's DMCA Takedown Policy (CC0-1.0).