Does PinDownload host copyrighted files?
No. PinDownload does not upload, store or host any pin. When someone uses the tool, our server reads the pin's public data from Pinterest and creates a link that expires after one hour; the file itself streams from Pinterest's servers and no copy is kept.
What we can control is whether our tool processes a given pin. When we receive a valid notice, we stop PinDownload from producing download links for the pins it identifies. The original stays on Pinterest unless Pinterest removes it, so we also explain below how to report it there.
What must a copyright notice contain?
A notice should contain the six elements set out in section 512 of the U.S. Copyright Act. The U.S. Copyright Office introduces them like this.
“The notice-and-takedown system allows rightsholders to send a notification to the online service provider regarding infringing material that appears on the service provider’s system. To be effective, a notice must contain substantially the following information:”
In practice, for PinDownload, please include the following.
- Your physical or electronic signature (a typed full name is fine in an email).
- The work you own: its title, and a link to the original if it is online.
- The pin links (pinterest.com/pin/… or pin.it/…) that our tool should stop processing.
- Your contact details: name, email address, and the rights holder you act for.
- A statement that you believe in good faith that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent or the law.
- A statement that the notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that you are the owner or authorized to act for the owner.
The full legal wording is in 17 U.S.C. 512, and the Copyright Office offers a sample notice on its section 512 page.
Where do I send the notice?
Email it to contact@pindownload.net with the subject line "Copyright notice". Email is the only channel; we do not take notices by phone or post. A pin link we can open is the single most useful item, because it lets us find the exact pin at once.
| Item | Example | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Subject line | Copyright notice | Recommended |
| Pin link | pinterest.com/pin/ followed by the pin number | Yes |
| Original work | Title and link to your site or channel | Yes |
| Your name and email | Owner or authorized agent | Yes |
| Good-faith statement | Not authorized by owner, agent or law | Yes |
| Accuracy and authority statement | Under penalty of perjury | Yes |
| Signature | Typed full name | Yes |
What happens after PinDownload receives a notice?
We read every notice, check that it contains the elements above, and confirm by email. For a complete notice, we block the listed pins from being processed by PinDownload, so the tool no longer shows download buttons for them.
- We confirm receipt and check the notice is complete.
- If something is missing, we tell you what to add.
- We block the listed pin links in our tool.
- We reply to confirm the block.
Because PinDownload has no user accounts and no uploads, there is no uploader on our side to notify. Anyone who believes a pin was blocked by mistake can write to the same address with an explanation, and we will review it.
Should I also report the pin to Pinterest?
Yes, if you want the pin itself removed. Blocking it on PinDownload does not delete it from Pinterest. Pinterest runs its own copyright process for content saved on its service, described on its copyright policy page, which also covers counter notifications and repeat infringers.
What if a notice is false?
Sending a knowingly false notice has legal consequences. The U.S. Copyright Office warns about this directly.
“Please note, however, that if you knowingly make a material misrepresentation (that is, falsely assert) in your notice that the complained-of use is infringing, you can be liable for any damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees incurred by the user and/or the OSP.”
If you are unsure whether a use infringes, consider getting legal advice before sending a notice. The Copyright Office's DMCA overview and its designated agent directory are good starting points.
Where can I learn more?
For how people should use saved pins, see is it legal to download Pinterest videos. The rules for using the tool are in the terms of use, and other ways to reach us are on the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Does PinDownload store copies of pins?
No. Files stream from Pinterest's servers through links that expire after one hour.
Where do I send a DMCA notice for PinDownload?
Email contact@pindownload.net with the subject "Copyright notice".
Do I need to register my copyright first?
The U.S. Copyright Office says a registration is not required before sending a takedown notice.
Will a notice remove the pin from Pinterest?
No. It stops our tool from processing the pin. To remove the pin from Pinterest, use Pinterest's own copyright process.
Can I send one notice for several pins?
Yes. List every pin link in the same email.
Sources
- Section 512 of Title 17: Safe Harbors and the Notice-and-Takedown System — U.S. Copyright Office
- The Digital Millennium Copyright Act — U.S. Copyright Office
- Copyright Law of the United States, Chapter 5 (17 U.S.C. 512) — U.S. Copyright Office
- DMCA Designated Agent Directory — U.S. Copyright Office
- Copyright — Pinterest Policy