I post exclusive content on OnlyFans/Patreon. A subscriber used a scraper to download my entire archive and uploaded it to a free “leak” forum. My new subscriptions dropped 40%. I need to issue DMCA takedowns and sue the leaker, but lawyers cost $500/hour.
Key Takeaways
- Enforcement vs. Defense: Media Liability covers you if you are sued. It rarely pays for you to sue others (Enforcement).
- “Abatement” Insurance: This is a rare, specialized policy that covers the cost of pursuing IP infringement. It is expensive and hard to get.
- DMCA Services: In 2026, you don’t use insurance for this; you use “Brand Protection Services” (like Rulta or BranditScan). Insurance is the wrong tool.
- Cyber Liability: If the leak happened because your cloud was hacked, Cyber insurance covers the forensic investigation and potential liability to other subscribers whose data was exposed.
The “Why” (The Trap): Offensive Legal Costs
Insurance is “Shield” (Defense). It is not “Sword” (Offense).
Insurers do not want to fund your lawsuits because the ROI is low.
Therefore, the cost to sue the leaker is 100% out of pocket unless you have Intellectual Property Abatement coverage.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a DMCA Takedown Notice template]
The Investigation: I Called Them
I asked, “My content was stolen. Will you pay to sue them?”
1. Standard Media Liability
- The Answer: No. “We defend you. We don’t fund plaintiffs.”
2. IP Abatement Specialists
- The Answer: Available, but premiums are
5kâ5kâ10k/year. Only worth it if you have a massive IP portfolio (e.g., Disney level).
3. Rulta / BranditScan (Services)
- The Solution: These are AI-driven takedown services. They cost ~$150/month. They are far more effective than a lawyer.
Comparison Table
| Service | Cost | Function |
| Media Liability Ins. | ~$600/yr | Defends YOU from lawsuits |
| IP Abatement Ins. | ~$5,000/yr | Pays YOU to sue others |
| Takedown Service | ~$150/mo | Automated DMCA removals |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Hire a Takedown Service: Sign up for Rulta or similar immediately. They use bots to scrape and delist leaks.
- Watermark Everything: In 2026, invisible watermarking helps identify which subscriber leaked it.
- Ban and Sue: Once identified, ban the user. If they have assets, your lawyer can send a demand letter for statutory damages.
- Cyber Claim: If the leak was a hack of your device, file a Cyber claim to secure your systems.
FAQ
Can I sue the forum hosting the leaks?
They often hide in non-extradition countries (Russia, etc.). DMCA delisting from Google is more effective than suing the host.
Does copyright registration matter?
YES. You cannot sue for statutory damages ($150k) unless you registered the copyright with the USCO before the infringement (or within 3 months of publication). Register your best content!
Is lost revenue covered?
No. Insurance cannot prove how many “leechers” would have actually paid.