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:

Email: [[email protected]]
Subject Line: "Copyright Policy Inquiry"

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.