Copyright & DMCA Policy

Last updated: 2024-12-17

1. Our Approach to Copyright

CultureSherpa compiles cultural information from:

• Public domain sources and government publications
• Openly licensed content (Creative Commons, etc.)
• Fair use excerpts for educational/research purposes
• Original synthesis by our editorial team

We do not intentionally reproduce copyrighted material without authorization.

2. DMCA Compliance

CultureSherpa complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you believe content on our site infringes your copyright, you may submit a takedown notice.

Requirements for a Valid DMCA Notice

Under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3), your notice must include:

1. Identification of the copyrighted work you claim is infringed
2. Identification of the material on our site that allegedly infringes, with sufficient detail to locate it (URL preferred)
3. Your contact information (name, address, phone, email)
4. A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law
5. 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
6. Your physical or electronic signature

Where to Send DMCA Notices

3. Counter-Notification

If you believe your content was wrongly removed, you may file a counter-notification including:

1. Identification of the removed material and its prior location
2. A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification
3. Your name, address, and phone number
4. Consent to jurisdiction of federal court in your district
5. Your physical or electronic signature

4. Traditional Knowledge & Cultural Content

We recognize that copyright law may not adequately protect traditional cultural expressions and indigenous knowledge. For concerns about cultural content:

• See our Cultural Disclaimer
• Contact us directly — we prioritize community concerns
• We will work with communities to address sensitive content

These requests do not require formal DMCA procedures.

5. Repeat Infringer Policy

In accordance with DMCA requirements, we maintain a policy to terminate access for repeat infringers in appropriate circumstances.

6. Fair Use

We believe in the importance of fair use for education, research, criticism, and commentary. We will consider fair use defenses when evaluating DMCA notices and may decline to remove content we believe constitutes fair use.

7. No Legal Advice

This page provides general information, not legal advice. If you have specific copyright questions, consult a qualified attorney.

8. Contact

For copyright questions or concerns:

• Email: cultural-community@culturesherpa.org
• Subject line: "Copyright Inquiry"

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