Takedown notices - whether DMCA or NTD - are a thorn in the side of Usenet. Here's how to minimize them when downloading from newsgroups.
So, you’re trying to find specific content on Usenet, and you’re not having any luck. Even when you think you’ve found the right file, the download fails.
Those pesky DMCA takedowns! How are you supposed to grab your favorite content if it keeps getting removed within days – or even hours – of being posted?
This is a somewhat common problem within the Usenet space, and it leads folks on a search for Usenet providers with no DMCA.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. We’re going to lay out a few Usenet providers with no DMCA, as well as some other Usenet takedown workarounds. Keep reading to find out more.
'Usenet Providers with No DMCA' contents (select to expand)
DMCA vs NTD: Two Types of Takedowns
Let’s start with the bad news. There are no Usenet providers that completely ignore takedowns.
However, there are differences in what notices they follow and how they handle them.
For starters, there are several European Usenet providers that don’t follow DMCA. They do follow NTD, which is quite similar to DMCA, but there are slight differences in how these 2 takedown regimes are enforced.
Because of this, some content may last a little longer on providers that follow NTD as opposed to DMCA.
Top NTD Usenet: Usenet Providers with No DMCA
Here are four providers that follow NTD instead of DMCA.
Eweka
- Based in the Netherlands
- Unlimited data
- Up to 4,800 days of retention
- 20 connections
For more information go to Eweka or read our full Eweka review.
TweakNews
- Based in the Netherlands
- Unlimited and block plans
- Up to 2,500 days retention
- 60 connections
For more information go to TweakNews or read our full TweakNews review.
Usenet.Farm
- Based in the Netherlands
- Unlimited and block plans
- 75 to 500 days of retention
- 40 connections
For more information go to Usenet.Farm or read our full review of Usenet.Farm.
ViperNews
- Based in the Netherlands
- Unlimited and block plans
- Up to 100 days retention
- 40 connections
For more information go to ViperNews.
Other Ways to Avoid or Minimize DMCA Takedowns
Other than using a provider that uses NTD, here are a few other ways to avoid DMCA hassles.
Using Multiple Providers
Many newsgroup download veterans have plans with multiple Usenet providers. Providers that are on different backbones will react to take down notices for content at slightly different times, meaning something that’s no longer available on one provider may still be up for another.
For instance, you could combine an unlimited subscription to Newshosting (DMCA regime) with a block account from a Usenet provider with no DMCA, like TweakNews (NTD regime), which gives you two different providers with two different takedown policies at a reasonable cost.
It can also be a good idea to use multiple indexers too, since they often have access to slightly different content.
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Searching for Obfuscated Content
As takedown requests increase (both DMCA and NTD), Usenet posters are using more and more obfuscation.
While this doesn’t avoid the takedowns entirely, it does slow them down a bit, giving users time to grab the content. And with a good indexer and downloader, the obfuscated files are still quite easy to find and download quickly on your end.
Read more about obfuscated Usenet content.
Automating Usenet Process
Lastly, by automating your Usenet downloads through programs like Sonarr and Radarr, your downloader will automatically grab content as soon as it’s posted – and beat the takedown requests.
Read more about Usenet automation.
Usenet Providers with No DMCA: Final Thoughts
There are ways around DMCA takedowns.
Whether you choose one of the Usenet providers with no DMCA above, combine an unlimited & block account that are on separate backbones, seek out obfuscated content, or embrace full Usenet automation, you can get around DMCA takedowns.