So it happened… You’re scrolling Pinterest and you find a Pin that belongs to you but it’s not directing to your content, products or social channels?

Maybe you panic.

Maybe you get angry.

You should definitely submit a copyright claim. You might even want to apply to the copyright claim portal and upload your content there to enforce action. More on this to come.

When to File a Copyright Claim on Pinterest

This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means but it is a start.

• Your content was taken from a platform off of Pinterest, published to Pinterest and not linked anywhere at all.
• Your content was taken from a platform off of Pinterest, published to Pinterest and linked to your website.
• Your content was taken from Pinterest and either of the previous examples were done to it.
• Your content was used in the creation of pins linking to a domain that doesn’t have the authority to use those images/videos.
• Full blogs are stolen and posted with your pins linking to them (this has happened to myself and clients)
• Your work is being used for commercial purposes without a license

When Not to Submit a Copyright Claim on Pinterest

This is obviously up to you and you’re the last line of defense for your content copyright so take these with a grain of salt but these are generally when I wouldn’t file a claim.

• Proper attribution is given whether in the article or page it is linked to (obviously you can revoke authorization at anytime but if they are doing their best to cite you as the original owner of the work then it might not be necessary)
• If someone pins your content to their board and Pinterest does that thing where it shows a different profile link on the pin but it links to your domain
• Someone is pinning your content to their boards for personal use and the link is missing (you can claim this in the copyright portal to enforce attribution while allowing the image to remain on the platform)

Example of Copyright Infringement

This is a TikTok video that was downloaded using a 3rd party tool without my TikTok profile watermark. Then uploaded to Pinterest with no links back to my video. They could have easily linked it to the TikTok video or saved the video to Pinterest from TikTok but they chose not to. Instead they are using my video to generate views on their profile as if it’s their content in an attempt to pervert the algorithm to show their audience more of their content. This is copyright infringement. No one is allowed to use your content without your explicit permission commercially.

How to File a Copyright Claim on Pinterest

Find the pin and locate the 3 dots on the pin and click it.

Once you do that another window is going to open a menu of options. On this menu choose “My intellectual property” and follow the steps on the form.

Fill out this form with your details and submit it to Pinterest for review.

Before we move on we need to talk about enforcement actions on this form. You have 2 options – remove all or strike.

If you remove all this includes versions of your Pins. I wouldn’t go this route if you’re actively relying on those pins to drive traffic to your domain.

If you choose strike then your report if successful will get the other account a strike which could lead to their account being removed.

Once you submit the report you’ll get 2 notifications. One is right on the form after you submit it.

How to Apply to the Copyright Claim Portal

To submit content you want claimed on Pinterest as yours you can do so through the copyright claim portal. You have to apply to gain access to this portal and not everyone gets approved.

Once you have applied they will review your application and approve or reject you. I applied and got approved in 24 hours. Inside you can then being to upload content in batches of 50 at a time and choose enforcement on that work. Located in the menu on your profile once approved will be a quick link to the portal.

You can then upload your work and choose the enforcement action. Your attribution options are as follows:

• Attribution
• Mine only
• Website only
• Block all

When to Use the Copyright Claim Portal

To have constant attribution to your work on the platform. This could be each time you submit content to Pinterest or only for specific instances.

You can however submit content to both the portal and submit a complaint to the copyright team. You’re not restricted to one or the other.

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