This article explains Upwork's commitment to intellectual property (IP) rights and the importance of respecting copyright laws. It outlines prohibited actions such as copying, plagiarizing, or encouraging IP violations and provides steps for reporting infringements through a DMCA notice. Users can submit counter-notices if they believe content was wrongly removed. - AI helped create this summary
Intellectual property (IP) includes original creations like logos, artwork, code, writing, music, and designs—all protected by law. These protections ensure that creators control and benefit from their work.
We’re committed to respecting and protecting IP rights. Offering or requesting work that infringes on someone else’s IP—such as plagiarized content or unlicensed use of creative work—is strictly prohibited by our Terms of Service. If you’re using publicly available content, make sure it follows all legal and licensing requirements.
What to avoid
- Copying or cloning – Do not duplicate code, designs, or branded content without permission
- Plagiarizing – Always create original work and properly credit sources
- Encouraging violations – Never request reverse-engineering, software cracking, watermark removal, or any other IP infringement
Reporting violations
If you believe your copyrighted work is being used on Upwork without permission, you can file a DMCA notice.
How to report
- Submit a DMCA notice via our online form or email legalnotices@upwork.com.
- Include key details such as:
- A description of your copyrighted work
- The URL of the infringing content
- A statement confirming your good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized
What happens next
- We may remove or disable the reported content while we review the claim
- The user who posted it will be notified and can submit a counter-notice if they believe it was removed by mistake
Counter-notice process
If your content was removed and you believe it was an error, you can submit a counter-notice within seven days. Please include:
- The specific URL of the removed content
- A sworn statement affirming your good-faith belief that the takedown was incorrect
If the original complainant does not take legal action within 14 days, we may restore the content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I see a job or profile that looks plagiarized?
Flag the post (Learn how under Report Suspicious Activity section here). We’ll investigate and take action if it violates our policies.
I’m a client who received plagiarized work. What should I do?
Contact the freelancer to discuss revisions, or open a dispute if necessary. You can also report it to us if you believe it violates our policies. Learn how under the Report Suspicious Activity section here.
Where can I learn more about IP policies on Upwork?
Review our Terms of Service for more details.