DMCA & Copyright Policy

2.1 DMCA Takedown Notice Requirements

To file a DMCA takedown notice, you must provide a written communication that includes:

• Identification of the copyrighted work: A description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed. If multiple works are involved, provide a representative list.
• Identification of the infringing material: The specific URL(s) or description of where the allegedly infringing material is located on our platform, with enough detail for us to find it.
• Your contact information: Your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
• Good faith statement: A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
• Accuracy statement: A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner.
• Signature: Your physical or electronic signature.

2.2 Where to Send DMCA Notices

2.3 Incomplete Notices

We may not be able to act on incomplete notices. If your notice is missing required elements, we may contact you for clarification. To ensure prompt action, please ensure your notice is complete.

4.1 When to File a Counter-Notice

If you believe your content was removed by mistake or misidentification, you may file a counter-notice. Before doing so, consider:

• Do you own the copyright or have authorization to use the content?
• Is your use covered by fair use, fair dealing, or another exception?
• Was there a misidentification of the material?

Warning: Filing a false counter-notice can result in legal liability. Consider consulting an attorney before filing.

4.2 Counter-Notice Requirements

A valid counter-notice must include:

• Your signature: Physical or electronic signature
• Identification of removed material: Description of the material that was removed and its location before removal
• Good faith statement: A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed due to mistake or misidentification
• Consent to jurisdiction: A statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for your address (or Ontario, Canada if outside the US)
• Contact information: Your name, address, telephone number, and email
• Acceptance of service: A statement that you will accept service of process from the original complainant

4.3 Counter-Notice Process

Upon receiving a valid counter-notice:

• We will forward the counter-notice to the original complainant
• The complainant has 10-14 business days to file a court action
• If no court action is filed, we may restore the removed content
• We will notify you of the outcome

5.1 Strike System

• First infringement: Content removed, warning issued
• Second infringement: Content removed, formal notice sent, may restrict posting abilities
• Third infringement: Account suspension pending review
• Fourth infringement or egregious violation: Permanent account termination

5.2 Factors Considered

When evaluating repeat infringement, we consider:

• Whether counter-notices were filed and their outcomes
• The nature and severity of the infringement
• Whether the infringement appeared willful
• The user's overall history on the platform

6.1 False Claims

Under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material is infringing, or that material was removed by mistake, may be liable for damages.

Before submitting a DMCA notice, please consider whether the use might be covered by fair use, fair dealing, or other legal exceptions.

6.2 Abuse of Process

We reserve the right to:

• Reject notices that appear to be fraudulent or in bad faith
• Report abuse of the DMCA process to appropriate authorities
• Seek recovery for damages caused by fraudulent notices