Under certain circumstances, you could be held liable for content on your website that infringes copyright even if you did not create or upload the content.
How does that happen?
Let me give you an example. Non-Profit, Inc. provides consulting services to public schools. Teachers can interact with each other through the Non-Profit website.
Non-Profit, Inc. receives a letter from a law firm claiming that content shared by a Non-Profit user infringes the copyright of the firm’s client and demanding $36,000 to settle the matter out of court.
Does this happen a lot?
Sadly, it does, and with increasing frequency. Copyright infringement, intentional and not, is rampant online. This has led to an entire industry of law firms whose primary business is policing against minor, or non-existent, copyright infringement, known as…“copyright trolls”
How can I protect my organization?
Take advantage of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act “safe harbor” for owners of websites and online services. To claim the safe harbor, you must meet certain requirements and follow certain procedures, as outlined in this document.
Already claiming the DMCA Safe Harbor?
Don’t lose it!
If you registered your agent in December 2016, you WILL LOSE your safe harbor protection if you don’t renew by the end of December 2019.