Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

1.1 Purpose of This Policy

The purpose of this IP Policy is to:

• Protect the rights of copyright and IP owners
• Provide a clear notice-and-takedown mechanism
• Preserve intermediary safe-harbor protections
• Prevent misuse and repeat infringement
• Balance creator rights with lawful user expression

1.2 Scope of Application

This Policy applies to:

• User-generated content (posts, comments, images, videos, audio)
• Usernames, bios, and profile elements
• Links, embeds, and shared material
• Any content hosted, stored, or transmitted through the Platform

2. Platform Role as an Intermediary

2.1 No Pre-Screening Obligation

The Platform:

• Does not pre-screen all user content
• Does not proactively monitor all content for copyright infringement, except where limited review is required to comply with applicable law, court orders, or specific enforcement obligations.
• Operates as an intermediary under applicable law

2.2 Safe Harbor Compliance

References to the DMCA are provided for procedural alignment for international rights holders. Nothing herein limits or replaces the applicability of Indian copyright law or the Information Technology Act, 2000, where such laws govern the Platform.

Copyright Contact / Grievance Desk

This Policy is designed to comply with:

• DMCA safe harbor provisions (for U.S. rights holders)
• Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (India)

Safe-harbor protection applies only when:

• Users comply with Platform policies
• Valid notices are acted upon expeditiously

3. Intellectual Property Rights We Respect

3.1 Types of Protected IP

We respect and protect:

• Copyright
• Trademarks
• Service marks
• Trade dress
• Design rights
• Other proprietary rights

3.2 Ownership of User Content

Users retain ownership of content they create and upload, subject to the license granted to the Platform under the Terms & Conditions.

Uploading content does not transfer ownership to the Platform.

4. User Obligations Regarding Copyright & IP

4.1 What Users Must Do

Users must ensure that:

• They own the content they upload, or
• They have valid permission, license, or legal basis to use it

4.2 Prohibited IP Violations

Users must not upload or share:

• Copyrighted material without authorization
• Pirated movies, music, software, or books
• Content copied from other platforms without rights
• Logos or trademarks used deceptively
• Content that infringes moral or publicity rights

4.3 Fair Use and Exceptions

Limited use of copyrighted material may be allowed where permitted by law, such as:

• Fair use (criticism, commentary, news, education)
• Fair dealing (under Indian law)

Context, purpose, and proportionality are considered.

5. Copyright Infringement Reporting (DMCA-Style Notice)

5.1 Who May Submit a Notice

A copyright infringement notice may be submitted by:

• The copyright owner
• An authorized agent of the owner
• A legal representative

5.2 Required Elements of a Valid DMCA-Style Notice

A valid notice must include all of the following:

1. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
2. Identification of the allegedly infringing material (URL or clear description)
3. Contact information of the complainant
4. A statement of good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized
5. A statement, under penalty of perjury (where applicable), that the information in the notice is accurate and that the complainant is the copyright owner or is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner
6. Physical or electronic signature of the complainant

Incomplete notices may be rejected or delayed.

5.3 Submission Method

Copyright notices must be submitted to:

5.4 Misuse of Copyright Reporting

Submitting notices that are knowingly false, misleading, or abusive may result in:

• Rejection of the notice
• Account enforcement
• Legal consequences under applicable law

6. Review and Takedown Process

6.1 Initial Review

Upon receiving a valid notice, we may:

• Review the notice for completeness
• Temporarily disable access to the content
• Notify the affected user

6.2 Expeditious Action

Where required by law, we act expeditiously to remove or disable access to infringing material.

6.3 No Admission of Liability

Content removal does not constitute admission of infringement and is performed to comply with legal obligations.

6.4 User Notification

Where permitted, we notify the user who posted the content of:

• The takedown action
• The reason for removal
• Their right to submit a counter-notice

7. Counter-Notification Procedure

7.1 Right to Submit a Counter-Notice

If you believe that content removed or disabled pursuant to a copyright notice was removed in error or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notification.

Counter-notifications are available only to:

• The original uploader, or
• An authorized representative acting on their behalf

7.2 Required Elements of a Valid Counter-Notification

A valid counter-notification must include all of the following:

1. Identification of the material that was removed or disabled and its prior location (URL or specific identifier)
2. A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good-faith belief the material was removed as a result of mistake or misidentification
3. Your full name, contact details (including email address), and other information required by applicable law.
4. A statement consenting to the jurisdiction of the appropriate court under applicable law (including U.S. federal court, where DMCA applies), and service of process by the original complainant
5. Your physical or electronic signature

Incomplete counter-notifications may be rejected.

7.3 Submission Method for Counter-Notifications

Counter-notifications must be submitted to:

8. Restoration of Content

8.1 Review of Counter-Notification

Upon receipt of a valid counter-notification, we may:

• Review the submission for completeness and compliance
• Forward the counter-notification to the original complainant
• Temporarily maintain the content in a disabled state

8.2 Restoration Timeline (Where Applicable)

Where required by law (including the DMCA):

• Content may be restored after a statutory waiting period
• Restoration may occur if the complainant does not notify us of legal action within the required timeframe

Restoration is not automatic and may be declined where:

• Legal risk persists
• Court orders prohibit restoration
• Content violates other Platform policies

8.3 No Guarantee of Restoration

Even where a counter-notification is submitted:

• Restoration is discretionary where permitted by law
• Content may remain removed if it violates other policies (e.g., Community Guidelines)

9. Repeat Infringer Policy

9.1 Definition of Repeat Infringer

A repeat infringer is a user who:

• Receives multiple valid copyright infringement notices, or
• Demonstrates a pattern of IP violations, even if content varies

The determination of repeat infringement is made in good faith and at our discretion.

9.2 Enforcement Against Repeat Infringers

Actions against repeat infringers may include:

• Content removal
• Account warnings
• Feature restrictions
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent account termination

Permanent termination may occur without prior warning in severe cases.

9.3 No Circumvention

Users must not attempt to evade enforcement by:

• Creating new accounts
• Using alternate identities
• Transferring account ownership
• Re-uploading infringing material after removal

Circumvention constitutes an independent violation.

9.4 Strikes and Enforcement Alignment

Valid copyright notices may result in one or more strikes added to the user's account, with escalating enforcement consistent with the Community Guidelines.

Minor or isolated strikes may expire over time, while severe or repeated violations may result in permanent strikes. Strike removal is not guaranteed.

10. Trademark and Other IP Claims

10.1 Trademark Infringement

Trademark owners may report:

• Unauthorized use of logos
• Confusingly similar branding
• Impersonation of brands or organizations

Trademark complaints must include sufficient evidence of ownership and infringement.

10.2 Other IP Rights

We may also address claims involving:

• Design rights
• Trade dress
• Moral rights
• Publicity or personality rights

Claims are evaluated under applicable law and Platform policies.

10.3 Fair Use / Fair Dealing Assessment

When evaluating notices or counter-notices, we may consider:

• Purpose and character of use
• Nature of the copyrighted work
• Amount and substantiality used
• Effect on the potential market

Our review is not a court judgment and does not constitute legal advice. It is conducted to meet intermediary obligations.

10.4 Abuse of IP Reporting System

Abuse includes submitting knowingly false claims, using copyright notices to harass or censor, or filing notices without ownership or authority.

Abuse of the IP reporting system may result in rejection of future notices, account enforcement, or legal consequences under applicable law.

11. Platform-Owned Intellectual Property

11.1 Ownership of Platform IP

All rights, title, and interest in and to the Platform, including but not limited to:

• Software and source code
• User interface and design
• Layout, look-and-feel, and visual elements
• Logos, trademarks, and service marks
• Databases, compilations, and proprietary algorithms
• Platform-generated content and documentation

are owned by or licensed to the Company and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

11.2 No Transfer of Platform IP

Nothing in this Policy or the Terms & Conditions grants users any right, title, or interest in Platform-owned intellectual property, except for a limited, revocable license to use the Platform in accordance with the Terms.

11.3 Prohibited Use of Platform IP

Users must not, without prior written authorization:

• Copy, reproduce, or distribute Platform branding
• Use Platform logos in a misleading manner
• Reverse engineer or derive source code
• Create derivative works based on Platform IP
• Use Platform branding to imply endorsement or partnership

Unauthorized use may result in enforcement actions and legal remedies.

11.4 Trademark and Brand Usage Guidelines

Use of Third-Party Trademarks by Users: Users may reference third-party trademarks only where such use is lawful, the reference is factual, descriptive, or nominative, and there is no likelihood of confusion or deception. Use of trademarks to impersonate or mislead is prohibited.

Platform Trademark Usage: Any use of the Platform's trademarks, logos, or branding requires prior written permission or explicit authorization under a published brand usage policy. Absent such permission, all trademark rights are reserved.

12. Open-Source and Licensed Materials

12.1 Use of Open-Source Software

The Platform may incorporate open-source software subject to applicable licenses. Such licenses may grant certain rights and impose specific obligations. Open-source components are used in compliance with their respective license terms.

12.2 User Responsibility for Licensed Content

Users uploading content under open-source or creative commons licenses are responsible for:

• Complying with license terms
• Providing required attribution
• Ensuring compatibility with Platform use

Failure to comply may result in content removal.

13. International Copyright Claims

13.1 Global Rights Holders

We accept copyright and IP notices from rights holders worldwide. Claims are evaluated under applicable local law, international copyright principles, and Platform policies.

13.2 Jurisdictional Variations

Copyright and IP laws vary by jurisdiction. Our response to claims may differ depending on applicable law, validity of the notice, and legal risk and obligations.

13.3 Cross-Border Enforcement

Where appropriate, we may restrict access to content regionally, apply geo-blocking, or coordinate with international authorities.

14. Policy Updates

14.1 Right to Update

We may update this Copyright & IP Policy to reflect:

• Legal or regulatory changes
• Platform feature changes
• Industry best practices

14.2 Notification of Changes

Material changes may be communicated via:

• Platform notices
• Updating the "Last Updated" or "Effective Date" displayed on the Policy
• Other appropriate communication channels

Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy, to the extent permitted by law.

15. Contact Information

For copyright, trademark, or intellectual property concerns, contact:

Additional contact details may be published on the Platform as required by law.

Limitation of Liability Regarding IP

No Legal Advice

The Platform does not provide legal advice regarding copyright law, fair use or fair dealing, or licensing requirements. Users are responsible for understanding their legal obligations.

Intermediary Limitation

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company is not liable for:

• User-uploaded infringing content
• Misuse of IP by users
• Damages arising from takedowns or restorations performed in good faith

Government and Court Orders

We may remove or disable content where required by court orders, government directives, or regulatory mandates. Such actions may occur without notice to the user, where legally prohibited.

Relationship to Other Policies

This Policy must be read together with:

• Terms & Conditions
• Community Guidelines
• Privacy Policy

In case of conflict, the Terms & Conditions shall prevail.

User Acknowledgement and Acceptance

By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood this Copyright & IP Policy
• You agree to comply with its provisions
• You understand that violations may result in enforcement actions