Medium · Medium Terms of Service · View original document ↗

DMCA Takedown and Copyright Infringement Policy

Medium severity Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Recent governance activity Medium recorded 3 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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Document Record

What it is

If someone reports that your content infringes their copyright, Medium can remove your content or even delete your account without a court order — and you can dispute this through a counter-notice process.

This analysis describes what Medium's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

Your content can be removed based on an unverified third-party complaint, and repeated accusations — even if disputed — could result in permanent account termination.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users' content can be removed and accounts terminated based on DMCA takedown notices without prior notice to the user, creating risk for creators who publish original work that may be mistakenly reported as infringing.

How other platforms handle this

Hugging Face Medium

While the categories of Restricted Content above provide a clear framework, we may also moderate other types of Content in response to evolving challenges posed by advancements in Machine Learning. As we assess such Content, we hold consent as a core value, ensuring our approach remains thoughtful, ...

Mistral AI Medium

Mistral AI may monitor use of the Mistral AI Products through automated means in accordance with the Usage Policy. This monitoring is conducted to ensure compliance with Mistral AI's terms and policies, and to maintain the security and integrity of Mistral AI Products. We reserve the right to review...

Neon Medium

This Neon Platform Services Product Specific Schedule ("Product Specific Schedule") is entered into as of the Effective Date between Neon, LLC ("Neon" or "we"), an affiliate of Databricks, Inc. ("Databricks"), and Customer (as defined below) ("Customer", "you," or "your") and governs Customer's use ...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement and take down content in violation of copyright law. We reserve the right to delete or disable content alleged to be infringing, and to terminate accounts of repeat infringers. If you believe content on Medium infringes your copyright, please send a notice to our designated agent: copyright@medium.com. Medium's DMCA Agent is registered with the Copyright Office.

— Excerpt from Medium's Medium Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision is governed by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §512 (safe harbor provisions). Medium's compliance with §512(c) requires a registered DMCA agent, a takedown and counter-notice procedure, and a repeat infringer policy. Failure to comply with §512 requirements can result in loss of safe harbor protection, exposing Medium to direct copyright infringement liability. The EU's Digital Single Market Directive (Article 17, transposed into member state law) imposes additional upload filter obligations on qualifying platforms.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority where DMCA processes are used deceptively or where platform content moderation practices constitute unfair trade practices affecting consumers.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Medium Terms of Service
Entity
Medium
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 8, 2026
Last verified
May 8, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-005979
Document ID
CA-D-00245
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
477730d69828c66a9df914df3b38e4bf84877dae4baa1020761453e4f95cbcc3
Analysis generated
May 8, 2026 02:57 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Medium
Document: Medium Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-005979
Captured: 2026-05-08 02:57:47 UTC
SHA-256: 477730d69828c66a…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/medium/medium-terms-of-service/dmca-takedown-and-copyright-infringement-policy/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Medium's DMCA Takedown and Copyright Infringement Policy clause do?

Your content can be removed based on an unverified third-party complaint, and repeated accusations — even if disputed — could result in permanent account termination.

How does this clause affect you?

Users' content can be removed and accounts terminated based on DMCA takedown notices without prior notice to the user, creating risk for creators who publish original work that may be mistakenly reported as infringing.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Medium?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Medium.