Before You File
The person who files a claim is the claimant. If someone responds, they’re the respondent. If that person files their own claim back, they’re a counterclaimant. You’ll use eCCB (the CCB’s online system) to handle your case.
What You’ll Need
- Identify the work that was infringed
- Pick the type of claim (infringement, noninfringement, or DMCA misrepresentation)
- Say what you want out of it (money, an agreement to stop, or attorney’s fees)
Types of Works
Examples of things you can file a claim about:
- Books, poems, and code (literary)
- Music, sound recordings, lyrics
- Art, jewelry, maps, photos
- Movies, games, ads, webinars
- Dances and choreography
- Building designs
Important: Copyright Registration
Your work must be registered or you must show you’ve applied. You’ll need to give either a registration number or a service request (SR) number.
Need it faster? After your claim becomes active, you can request expedited registration.
Types of Claims
- Infringement: Someone used your work without permission.
- Declaration of noninfringement: You’re being accused but think you didn’t do anything wrong.
- DMCA Misrepresentation: Someone lied in a takedown or counter notice.
Relief You Can Ask For
- Money: Up to $30,000 per case. You can choose actual damages or statutory damages.
- Agreement to stop: The CCB can’t force someone to stop, but it can record a mutual agreement.
- Attorney’s Fees: Only if someone acts in bad faith — up to $5,000 or $2,500 if unrepresented.
Smaller Claims
If you’re asking for $5,000 or less, you can choose a simpler, faster process reviewed by one officer.
Identifying the Respondent
You’ll need to list the person or company you’re filing against. If they’re a business, check if they’ve named a service agent in the CCB’s directory.
Libraries and Archives
If your claim is against a library, check if they’ve opted out — you may not be able to file it with the CCB.
Representation
You can represent yourself or have a lawyer — or even work with a law student at a legal clinic. The system is designed for people without legal training.
Timing
You have 3 years to file after the issue happens. Filing with the CCB pauses that clock — even if your claim gets dismissed later.
After You File
Your claim gets reviewed. If it’s okay, you’ll be told how to notify the other side. If it’s not okay, you can fix and resubmit. If it’s still not right, it may be dismissed — but you can still go to federal court.
Ineligible Claims
- Already handled or being handled in federal court
- Involving the government
- Against someone outside the U.S. (unless they started it)
- Too complex for the CCB
Service (Notifying the Other Side)
Once approved, you have 90 days to serve the claim. This can mean hand-delivering or mailing it, depending on who they are.
Companies might have a listed agent. Check the CCB’s service agent directory. You might also be able to serve them by email.
You can also ask the other side to waive formal service, giving them more time to respond.
Next Step?
Visit the CCB’s Start a Claim page to begin. You’ll use the eCCB system to file and manage everything.