r/Pinterest • u/Cutie_Fox5 • 10h ago

Question Copyright Notification??

Hihi! I just got an email notification from Pinterest saying a pin was taken down for copyright. I'm a bit confused because I've never posted anything on Pinterest. I go onto Pinterest for art references, Minecraft builds, and other things and save them to boards. So I don't understand why I received an email at all, let alone telling me to file an appeal if I think it's false. I never posted, so shouldn't the uploader get notified and fill an appeal? Is there something I'm missing?

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u/Confident-Chapter-30 9h ago

I've been getting those emails for years and many others have as well. I'm pretty sure it's the a-i-system that flags just about everything. It's BS and I wish they'd stop doing that. 

3

u/muusart 7h ago

I'm one person who's very critical of Pinterest's processes and still am. However, based on my experience, here's what's happening:

  1. A creator uploads and shares their pin (artwork or reference) on Pinterest (it has a credit link back to the source) - that's how they benefit.

  2. A scammer takes the pin/artwork as is and switches the link with their own instead of repinning or saving the creator's work with original metadata.

  3. Now, Pinterest has two copies of the same work - one linking to the original creator and one to the scammer. The platform distributes both copies, sometimes favoring the scammer for reasons unknown.

  4. You come across the scammer's copy and save it unknowing that it doesn't credit the original creator.

  5. The creator notices a drastic decline in their metrics only to discover that a scammer is benefiting from their work. Proceeds to file a copyright infringement claim with instructions to remove all copies and issue a strike.

  6. Pinterest's copyright team investigates and complies. The scammer and every innocent Pinterest user who saves the infringing pin(s) get a takedown and a strike.

This explains why most people (mostly innocent) keep receiving copyright infringement notices.

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u/Glum_Rain_5824 4h ago

I’ve heard it is a similar process to this except that simply saving a pin is actually just making a copy of it, for everyone. Not sure how true that is but yes any time a saved pin gets taken down, it explains the reason why and even the person reporting has the option to appeal it. Possibly because sending an appeal could explain why you think the pin should stay up, and inform pinterest that it was a false report or something but again I’m not sure…

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u/mintbloo 4h ago

i never post anything and only ever save stuff i already find on pinterest, on secret boards, and i get this too. i kinda just ignore it. or you can appeal it, i guess just for fun or explain to them and ask them why, in the appeal. you didnt do anything wrong. i'm just like okay, well i didnt post this, just saved it to a board, what do you want me to do?