Start with the right question
A strong comparison file lets another person inspect the actual works instead of relying on a description such as they copied everything. Keep the evidence neutral and complete, including differences and any known permission. Do not edit a comparison to exaggerate resemblance.
Work through the checks
Preserve both versions
Keep the original work and a dated capture of the disputed use. Record filenames, URLs, publication dates if known, and access conditions. Mark estimated dates rather than substituting the date you first noticed the material.
Identify the claimed elements
Point to the specific text, image, code, or arrangement at issue. Separate expressive material from general ideas, functional features, or common phrases that may require a different analysis.
Include the context
Record whether the material appears in criticism, advertising, a product, or another setting. Preserve nearby text and attribution. Context can matter and should not disappear from a cropped screenshot.
Check the rights trail
Gather authorship records, agreements, and relevant licenses. Note joint contributors and outside assets. A comparison is incomplete if it assumes ownership of material that was licensed or created by someone else.
A record you can use
- Original work reference
- Disputed location and capture date
- Specific corresponding element
- Differences and context
- Ownership or permission record
Keep this record locally. Use document references rather than publishing account numbers or other people's personal details. An empty field means the information is still missing; it should not be filled with an AI guess.
Worked example
A fictional designer compares a brochure with an online sales page. The file marks three reused photographs, separately notes a common heading, and includes the license under which one photograph was obtained. The reviewer can assess each element without being pushed toward an all-or-nothing accusation.
This example is fictional and illustrates the method, not a real case result.
Limits and next steps
Do not state that infringement is proven solely from a match or an automated similarity score. Ownership, protectability, permission, exceptions, and remedies require legal assessment. Avoid publicly accusing an identified person before the facts are checked.
Use the comparison file to obtain advice or prepare an accurate platform report. Keep any proposed notice separate until its factual assertions and legal declarations have been reviewed.