Best Practices for Documenting Online Infringement (Screenshots, URLs, Timestamps)

Documentation quality determines whether a report is reviewable, reproducible, and escalation-ready.

Capture complete page context#

A cropped screenshot without URL context is often insufficient.

Timestamp every critical artifact#

Use UTC timestamps in filenames and status logs to align cross-team workflows.

{
  "artifact": {
    "url": "https://example.com/listing/123",
    "capturedAtUtc": "2026-01-02T08:14:00Z",
    "operator": "analyst-01",
    "evidenceType": "listing-screenshot"
  }
}

Keep URL registry clean#

Minimum fields#

URL
Platform
Violation type
Capture timestamp
Current status

Documentation quality benchmark

Another reviewer should be able to verify the claim using only your stored records.

Disclaimer

This framework supports enforcement operations and is not legal advice.

FAQ#

Should we keep screenshots after takedown?#

Yes. Retention supports trend analysis, recurrence tracking, and internal audit needs.

Are browser exports enough?#

Not always. Combine screenshots, URL logs, and submission records for completeness.

Do timestamps need timezone normalization?#

Yes. Standardize to UTC to avoid cross-team confusion.