Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: January 1, 2025
At LegalGuides.net, we respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect our users to do the same. This DMCA / Copyright Policy outlines how we handle copyright infringement claims, the responsibilities of content owners, and the obligations of users. It has been designed in compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), 17 U.S.C. § 512.
By using LegalGuides.net, you agree to abide by this policy. If you believe your copyrighted work has been copied and published on our website without authorization, you may submit a formal notice as explained below.
1. Purpose of This Policy
The purpose of this policy is to:
Protect intellectual property rights.
Provide a clear process for copyright owners to report infringing content.
Outline our responsibilities as a service provider under the DMCA.
Balance the interests of copyright holders with the rights of users who may rely on fair use or other exceptions under copyright law.
2. Ownership of Content on LegalGuides.net
All original content published on LegalGuides.net — including but not limited to articles, blog posts, graphics, logos, design, layout, and multimedia — is the property of LegalGuides.net unless otherwise stated.
Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, modification, or exploitation of our original content without prior written consent is strictly prohibited.
Where third-party content (such as stock images, embedded videos, or referenced material) is used, we ensure compliance with licensing agreements.
Users must respect the copyrights of all material available on or through LegalGuides.net.
3. What Constitutes Copyright Infringement
Copyright infringement occurs when copyrighted material is used without permission from the copyright owner, in a way that violates their exclusive rights under the law. Examples include:
Copying and republishing our articles on another website without authorization.
Using our images, videos, or graphics without license or credit.
Modifying or distributing our content as if it were your own.
Please note: Certain uses of copyrighted material may fall under fair use (such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, or research). However, the determination of fair use is a legal question and must be assessed carefully.
4. Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice
If you believe your copyrighted work has been used on LegalGuides.net in a way that constitutes infringement, you may submit a DMCA Takedown Notice.
Your notice must include the following information (as required by 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3)):
Identification of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed.
Identification of the infringing material on LegalGuides.net, including a URL or specific location.
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.
A statement that the information in your notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner.
Your contact information, including your full legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
Your physical or electronic signature.
5. How to Submit a Notice
Send your DMCA Takedown Notice to our designated copyright agent:
Copyright Agent – LegalGuides.net
200 Liberty Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10281
United States
Email: copyright@legalguides.net
Phone: +1 (212) 555-4730
Please note: Submitting false claims of copyright infringement may result in legal liability, including damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees under the DMCA.
6. Counter-Notification Procedure
If we remove or disable access to content in response to a DMCA Takedown Notice, the user who posted the material may file a Counter-Notification if they believe the removal was a mistake or that they have the legal right to use the material.
A valid Counter-Notification must include:
Identification of the material removed or disabled, including the location before removal.
A statement under penalty of perjury that you believe the material was removed due to a mistake or misidentification.
Your name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
A statement consenting to the jurisdiction of the federal court in New York County, New York, and that you will accept service of process from the party who submitted the takedown notice.
Your physical or electronic signature.
Upon receiving a valid Counter-Notification, we may restore the material within 10–14 business days, unless the original complainant files a lawsuit against the user during that period.
7. Repeat Infringer Policy
LegalGuides.net enforces a strict repeat infringer policy. Users who repeatedly violate copyright law or submit content subject to multiple valid DMCA notices may have their access restricted, accounts suspended, or permanently banned.
8. Limitations of Liability
LegalGuides.net acts as a service provider and is protected under the “safe harbor” provisions of the DMCA. This means:
We are not liable for infringing content uploaded or submitted by third parties, provided we act promptly to remove or disable access upon receiving proper notification.
We cannot adjudicate disputes between copyright owners and users — only a court of law can make a final determination.
We do not guarantee that all uses of copyrighted material on our website are authorized or constitute fair use; such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.
9. Copyright Complaints Outside the U.S.
Although the DMCA is a U.S. law, LegalGuides.net is accessible globally. If you are located outside the United States and believe your work has been infringed, you may still submit a complaint to our copyright agent. However, legal procedures may vary depending on your jurisdiction.
10. Modifications to This Policy
LegalGuides.net reserves the right to update, modify, or revise this DMCA / Copyright Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting. Continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Information
For all copyright-related inquiries, please contact:
LegalGuides.net – Copyright Department
200 Liberty Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10281
United States
Email: copyright@legalguides.net
Phone: +1 (212) 555-4730
12. Final Note
LegalGuides.net takes intellectual property rights seriously and encourages all users to respect the work of creators, authors, lawyers, and professionals worldwide. We are committed to maintaining a safe, fair, and lawful environment for the exchange of legal knowledge and educational resources.