Copyright & takedown

Policy version: 2026-09-27-r2

Paper Common respects the rights of authors, teachers, schools, publishers and examination bodies. We accept only contributions that uploaders have the right to share through this service. We respond to copyright complaints and may restrict access while a dispute is reviewed.

Possessing, buying, receiving or finding a paper online does not by itself give you permission to share it here. Removing names, adding answers, crediting the author, or using it for education does not by itself authorize redistribution. A school's classroom licence may not cover an independent sharing platform.

Request removal

Rights holders and their authorized representatives can request removal without an account, payment or download credits. Email our copyright contact below, or use the Contact form and choose Report a problem. Include the following so we can identify the material and assess your request:

• Your name, a reply email, the rights holder's name, and your authority to act for them if applicable.
• Identify the original work and the specific paper URLs or other precise locations on our service. Explain which material is at issue; provide supporting links or evidence where available.
• Explain why the use is unauthorized. Confirm that you believe this in good faith, that the information you provide is accurate, and that you are the rights holder or authorized to act for them. Sign or otherwise authenticate your notice.

Email [email protected] · Contact

For a formal Hong Kong notice of alleged infringement, use the mandatory fields and declarations in Form A of the official Code of Practice linked below, and send it to our copyright contact. A brief report can alert us to a concern but may need further details to constitute a formal notice. Do not send identity documents or unrelated personal information unless specifically needed.

How we handle a complaint

We review complaints as soon as practicable, acknowledge receipt and request missing details where needed. Where a complaint identifies an apparent infringement, we take reasonable steps as soon as practicable to remove the material or disable access. We notify the uploader and explain how to respond. Removing access during review is not a court determination of infringement.

Hiding or removing a paper prevents subsequent catalogue access, previews, unlocks and downloads through our service, including new download requests using an existing grant. It cannot recall copies already downloaded or transfers already in progress. Related records may be retained with restricted access for handling the dispute.

If your upload was removed

Reply to our notice or contact us with the paper URL, our reference, and evidence explaining why removal was mistaken, such as a licence covering this service. Do not re-upload the material while the dispute is pending. For a formal Hong Kong counter notice, provide the mandatory fields and declarations in Form B of the official Code of Practice. Individuals must state whether they permit or oppose disclosure of their personal data to the complainant.

We assess responses and handle valid counter notices under the applicable legal process, including notice to the complainant and any required reinstatement. We explain the relevant deadlines in our correspondence. A separate, documented breach of our rules, such as disclosure of student personal information, may still need to be addressed. Knowingly false notices or counter notices can have legal consequences.

We use complaint and response information to investigate, communicate with the parties, prevent abuse and meet legal obligations. Necessary details may be shared with the other party, advisers, service providers or authorities where lawfully required. We respect an individual's statutory choice against disclosure of personal data in a counter notice; a lawful court order may require disclosure. Notices are not published in the public catalogue.

Hong Kong copyright Code of Practice (Forms A and B)

Copyright violations and account access

We suspend service access for users who repeatedly infringe copyright, taking account of the evidence and any successful challenges. A serious violation may also result in immediate suspension. Do not upload removed material again, alter it to avoid review, or use another account to bypass a restriction. Relevant contribution credits may be reversed under our moderation rules.

Other concerns

Use “Report an issue” on a paper page for inaccurate metadata, personal information, or inappropriate content. Urgent privacy and copyright concerns can be sent by email without an account.