Copyright Policy
1. Introduction
RevWala ("we," "our," or "us") respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects our users to do the same. This Copyright Policy outlines our procedures for addressing copyright infringement claims and protecting intellectual property rights on our platform.
We comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other applicable copyright laws. This policy applies to all content on our website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Service").
2. RevWala's Copyrighted Content
2.1 Platform Content
Our Intellectual Property:
- RevWala logo, trademarks, and branding
- Website design, layout, and user interface
- Software code and platform functionality
- Original graphics, icons, and visual elements
- Platform content and documentation
Permitted Use:
- You may use our Service for personal, non-commercial purposes as outlined in our Terms of Use
- No part of our platform may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without written permission
- Screen captures or sharing of platform content must include proper attribution to RevWala
2.2 Restrictions
Prohibited Activities:
- Copying, modifying, or creating derivative works of our platform
- Reverse engineering or attempting to extract source code
- Using our trademarks or branding without permission
- Scraping or systematically downloading content from our platform
3. User-Generated Content and Copyright
3.1 User Responsibilities
When Posting Content, You Must:
- Only post content you own or have permission to use
- Ensure photos, videos, or text don't infringe others' copyrights
- Provide proper attribution when using licensed content
- Respect businesses' intellectual property rights in your reviews
Prohibited Content:
- Copyrighted images without permission (stock photos, professional photography, etc.)
- Text copied from other websites, blogs, or publications
- Screenshots from apps, games, or other services without permission
- Branded content or logos used without authorization
3.2 License Grant
By posting content on RevWala, you grant us a limited license to display, distribute, and use your content as described in our Terms of Use. However, you retain ownership of your original content.
3.3 Fair Use Guidelines
Acceptable Uses:
- Brief quotes from your experience with proper context
- Personal photos taken by you of products or services
- Factual descriptions of your interactions with businesses
- Original opinions and commentary about your experiences
Best Practices:
- Use your own photos whenever possible
- Provide context and original commentary
- Keep quotes brief and relevant to your review
- Respect business privacy and proprietary information
4. Business Content and Listings
4.1 Business-Submitted Content
Business Responsibilities:
- Ensure all submitted photos, descriptions, and content are original or properly licensed
- Respect photographer and designer copyrights
- Obtain necessary permissions for branded content
- Provide accurate information about content ownership
Content Types:
- Business photos and logos
- Service descriptions and marketing materials
- Menu items, product catalogs, and pricing information
- Contact information and business details
4.2 User Photos of Businesses
Guidelines for Review Photos:
- You may photograph publicly visible business exteriors
- Interior photos should respect business policies
- Avoid photographing copyrighted artwork, signage, or displays without permission
- Be mindful of other customers' privacy in photos
5. DMCA Compliance and Takedown Procedures
5.1 Reporting Copyright Infringement
If you believe content on RevWala infringes your copyright, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice containing:
Required Information:
- Your physical or electronic signature
- Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
- Identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location on our Service
- Your contact information (address, telephone number, email)
- A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized
- A statement that the information is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner
- Statement made under penalty of perjury
How to Submit:
- Email: [[email protected]]
- Mail: [Your DMCA Agent Address]
- Subject Line: "DMCA Takedown Notice"
5.2 Our Response Process
Upon Receiving a Valid Notice:
- We will promptly remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content
- We will notify the user who posted the content
- We will provide the user with a copy of the takedown notice
- We will document the incident for repeat infringer tracking
Timeline:
- Initial response within 24-48 hours of receiving a complete notice
- Content removal typically within 24 hours of validation
- User notification within 48 hours of content removal
5.3 Counter-Notification Process
If you believe your content was wrongfully removed, you may submit a counter-notification containing:
Required Information:
- Your physical or electronic signature
- Identification of the removed content and its former location
- A statement under penalty of perjury that the content was removed by mistake or misidentification
- Your contact information and consent to jurisdiction
- A statement that you consent to service of process from the complaining party
Counter-Notification Review:
- We will forward valid counter-notifications to the original complainant
- Content may be restored in 10-14 business days unless the complainant files a court action
- We reserve the right to refuse restoration if we believe the content violates our policies
6. Repeat Infringer Policy
6.1 Account Monitoring
We maintain a policy of terminating accounts of users who are repeat copyright infringers:
Tracking System:
- All DMCA notices and counter-notifications are logged
- User accounts are flagged for multiple infringement claims
- Pattern analysis to identify systematic infringement
Consequences:
- First Offense: Warning and content removal
- Second Offense: Temporary account suspension
- Third Offense: Permanent account termination
6.2 Appeal Process
Users facing termination for repeat infringement may appeal by:
- Providing evidence that claims were invalid or withdrawn
- Demonstrating good faith efforts to respect copyright
- Showing that infringement was unintentional or corrected
7. Copyright Education and Resources
7.1 User Guidelines
Understanding Copyright:
- Copyright protects original works of authorship
- Fair use has specific legal requirements and limitations
- Permission is required for most copyrighted content
- Creative Commons and public domain alternatives exist
Best Practices:
- Use original photos and content whenever possible
- Seek permission before using others' content
- Provide proper attribution when required
- Consider licensing stock photos for business use
7.2 Resources
External Resources:
- U.S. Copyright Office: [copyright.gov]
- Creative Commons: [creativecommons.org]
- Stock photo sources with proper licensing
- Fair use guidelines and educational materials
8. Safe Harbor Provisions
RevWala qualifies for safe harbor protection under the DMCA as an online service provider. We:
- Do not have actual knowledge of infringing activity
- Act expeditiously to remove infringing content when notified
- Have designated an agent for receiving copyright notices
- Have implemented a repeat infringer policy
9. International Copyright
9.1 Global Compliance
While based in [Your Country], we respect international copyright laws including:
- Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties
- National copyright laws of countries where we operate
9.2 Cross-Border Issues
For International Users:
- Local copyright laws may provide additional protections
- Some content may be restricted based on geographic location
- International takedown requests are evaluated under applicable law
10. Contact Information
10.1 DMCA Agent
RevWala
Email: [[email protected]]
10.2 General Copyright Inquiries
For questions about this Copyright Policy:
11. Policy Updates
We may update this Copyright Policy to reflect changes in law or our practices. We will notify users of material changes through our Service or by email. Continued use of our Service after such notice constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Legal Disclaimers
Limitations:
- This policy does not constitute legal advice
- Copyright law is complex and fact-specific
- Users should consult with legal counsel for specific situations
- We reserve the right to remove content at our discretion
No Waiver:
- Our response to one infringement claim does not waive rights regarding other claims
- Failure to enforce this policy in one instance does not constitute a waiver
- We reserve all rights under applicable law
Note: This policy is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. In case of conflicts, the most restrictive interpretation will apply to protect intellectual property rights.