If a game uses your artwork without permission, first confirm that you own the relevant rights, preserve evidence of both your original work and the game’s use, and check whether a license or legal exception applies. If the use appears unauthorized, you can contact the developer or submit a copyright notice through the platform hosting the game or image. A takedown notice is a formal legal claim, and the uploader may challenge it. This guide focuses on U.S. copyright law and platform processes; other countries have different rules.
First, confirm that you own the rights
In the United States, copyright generally attaches to original artwork once it is fixed in a tangible form, such as a digital file or physical drawing. Copyright protects original expression, not an abstract idea, system, or procedure. The U.S. Copyright Office explains these basics in its copyright overview.
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Before filing a complaint, check who owns the specific artwork and whether you are authorized to act for that owner. A commission agreement, employment terms, rights transfer, or license may affect the answer. Find the contract or permission terms if the work was made for a client, employer, or collaborator.
Gather records that connect you to the work
- Keep the original file, including layered or editable versions when available.
- Save dated drafts, publication records, and relevant commission, employment, licensing, or transfer agreements.
- Compare the original with the image used in the game and note which elements appear to have been copied.
Document where the game uses it
Record the game title, developer or publisher if known, the page or store listing, the URL, the date you observed the use, and where the artwork appears. Save screenshots and copies for your records. These are practical preservation steps, not a single evidence format mandated by the cited platform forms; those forms do require enough information to identify the original work and the allegedly infringing material.
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Check permission and possible legal exceptions
Review any license or permission you may have granted, as well as the terms of a commission or employment arrangement. Also consider whether the use might qualify for fair use or another legal exception. In the United States, fair use depends on the circumstances; there is no fixed percentage or number of words or notes that automatically makes a use lawful. The U.S. Copyright Office explains this in its Fair Use FAQ. Epic also tells reporters to consider fair use, fair dealing, or similar exceptions before submitting a report.
Rules differ outside the United States. If you are unsure whether the use is authorized or legally protected, consider speaking with a copyright attorney before making a formal claim.
Choose between contacting the developer and filing a platform notice
A concise, factual message to the developer or uploader may resolve a mistake or lead to a voluntary change. Valve says a claimant might consider contacting the individual before filing because the issue could be a simple misunderstanding. Direct contact is not required, and it may not be suitable in every situation. If it does not resolve the issue, use the host’s official process.
| Platform | What the cited process covers | What to prepare or know |
|---|---|---|
| Steam / Valve | Copyright complaints about material on Valve’s systems. | The form asks for the URL of the material on Valve’s systems, a description of the allegedly infringing content, details and a URL for the copyrighted work when available, claimant contact details, authority and good-faith declarations, and a signature. Valve says complaint contents, including your name and email, may be provided to the uploader. Use the Steam copyright notice form. |
| Epic Games | Copyright removal requests for content posted on Epic products and services. | Epic warns that a notice is a legal process and that false claims can carry legal and account consequences. Its page explains that a user who believes removal was mistaken or authorized can challenge it by counter-notice. As of August 10, 2026, Epic says it no longer processes IP reports for ArtStation or Sketchfab: it directs ArtStation reports to [email protected] and Sketchfab reports to [email protected]. Recheck the Epic reporting page for current instructions and destinations. |
| Nintendo (U.S.) | Notices concerning material on Nintendo websites or within its video-game products. | Nintendo asks for a description of the copyrighted work and allegedly infringing material, details locating the material, contact information, a good-faith statement, an authority and accuracy statement under penalty of perjury, and a signature. Check its U.S. intellectual-property policy. |
Make a formal notice carefully
A DMCA notice is a legal assertion, not just a customer-service report. Submit one only if you have a good-faith basis and authority to act for the rights holder. Knowingly making a material misrepresentation can have legal consequences. Platform notices may disclose your contact details or complaint to the uploader, so check the platform’s current terms before submitting.
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Know what can happen after a takedown
An uploader whose material is removed may submit a counter-notice claiming the removal resulted from mistake or misidentification. Under the U.S. process described by the Copyright Office, after forwarding a compliant counter-notice, a service provider may restore the material no earlier than 10 and no later than 14 business days later unless the claimant notifies the provider of a lawsuit seeking to restrain the use. See the Copyright Office’s Section 512 resources.
A counter-notice includes formal declarations and consent to jurisdiction. If you receive one, the dispute may move beyond the platform process. Consider the strength of your ownership records, the use’s legal basis, the remedy you want, and the cost of taking further action before deciding how to respond.
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Escalate only if the dispute warrants it
If the platform process does not resolve the matter, U.S. options can include federal court or, for eligible claims, the voluntary Copyright Claims Board (CCB). The Copyright Office describes the CCB as limited to eligible matters with a total cap of $30,000. Read its Section 512 guidance and seek legal advice about your specific circumstances; the appropriate route depends on ownership, evidence, jurisdiction, the remedy sought, and cost.
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- Ownership is uncertain: Start with the original files and any contract, commission, employment, or licensing terms. Clarify who owns the rights before submitting a notice.
- The use may be licensed or legally excepted: Review the permission and facts first. Do not assume that a small amount or altered image is automatically lawful or automatically infringing.
- The issue may be a misunderstanding: If safe and practical, send the developer or uploader a factual message identifying the work and where it appears.
- You have a good-faith claim and the content is on a platform: Use that platform’s current official form, provide the requested identifying details, and understand that your notice may be shared with the uploader.
- The uploader counters or the stakes are significant: Get advice from a copyright attorney before deciding whether to pursue further action.
For readers outside the United States, check local copyright rules and the relevant platform’s current reporting process. Platform procedures and contact routes can change.
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