1. Introduction
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was enacted in 1998 to address the challenges posed by the internet and digital media to copyright law. This legislation aims to protect the rights of copyright holders while also providing a framework for the fair use of copyrighted materials. The Service is committed to complying with the DMCA and respects the intellectual property rights of others. This document outlines our policy regarding copyright infringement and the procedures for reporting and addressing such infringements.
2. Copyright Infringement Notification
If you believe that your copyrighted work has been infringed upon by content available on The Service, you may submit a notification to our designated agent. The notification must include specific information as required by the DMCA, including a description of the copyrighted work, the location of the infringing material, your contact information, and a statement of good faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner. Upon receipt of a valid notification, The Service will take appropriate action, which may include removing or disabling access to the infringing material.
3. Safe Harbor Provision
The DMCA provides a 'Safe Harbor' provision that protects online service providers from liability for copyright infringement, provided they comply with certain requirements. To qualify for Safe Harbor, The Service must not have actual knowledge of infringing activity and must act expeditiously to remove or disable access to infringing material upon receiving proper notification. Additionally, The Service must not receive a financial benefit directly attributable to the infringing activity. This provision encourages service providers to cooperate with copyright holders while fostering an environment for innovation and the sharing of information.
4. Counter-Notification
If content that you posted on The Service has been removed due to a copyright infringement notification, you may submit a counter-notification. This counter-notification must include your name, address, a description of the material that was removed, and a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief that the material was removed mistakenly or misidentified. Upon receiving a valid counter-notification, The Service may restore the removed content unless the copyright owner files a lawsuit seeking a court order against you.
5. Repeat Infringers
The Service has a policy in place to terminate the accounts of users who are found to be repeat infringers of copyright. A repeat infringer is defined as a user who has been notified of infringing activity on more than one occasion. This policy is designed to protect the rights of copyright holders and to ensure that The Service remains compliant with the DMCA. Users are encouraged to respect the intellectual property rights of others and to refrain from posting content that may infringe upon those rights.
6. Disclaimer of Liability
The Service disclaims any liability for copyright infringement that may occur as a result of user-generated content. While The Service takes steps to comply with the DMCA and to protect the rights of copyright holders, it cannot guarantee that all infringing material will be removed or that all users will comply with copyright laws. Users are responsible for ensuring that their content does not infringe upon the rights of others, and The Service shall not be held liable for any damages arising from copyright infringement claims.
7. Changes to This DMCA Policy
The Service reserves the right to modify this DMCA policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting the revised policy on this page. Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our practices regarding copyright infringement. Continued use of The Service following the posting of changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.
For any questions regarding this DMCA policy or to submit a copyright infringement notification or counter-notification, please contact our designated agent at the address provided on The Service. It is important to provide complete and accurate information to ensure that your inquiry is addressed promptly and effectively.
