Is this DMCA takedown email for an unpaid theme legit?

[Sonny82]

I received a DMCA takedown notification for supposedly using a theme I didn't pay for. If this were legitimate wouldn't I also receive notification in my Shopify Admin area?

[milans]

DMCA takedown notification usually come through emails, as far as I know. I used to deal with a lot of DMCA emails regarding the images I'm using on my website, they were all along the lines 'give me backlink or remove picture', but I purchased them from stock photos platform - it is one of the link building strategies that seems to be working.

[Sonny82]

So how did you resolve it? Did you send them the backlink or what?

[milans]

No because those were basically scams. I purchased images from a reputable platform for stock images and I just simply referred them to that platform.

I'm not sure what your specific situation is, but you should check the licensing agreement for the theme you have purchased or contact support for your theme.

[ghaslam]

We received the same notice.  What is interesting is that they sent one to our test-store as well, which is typically not discoverable.  I still think it is a scam, but it seems to be highly sophisticated

[Ben310]

Possible "DMCA Trolls" who initiate vexatious DMCA and IP Infringement claims in bad faith. More on that from the Shopify CEO as well as General Counsel on LinkedIn here and here.