Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Policy
Effective Date: July 30, 2025
This Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Policy explains how Histicle responds to reports of copyright infringement on our website at https://histicle.com. The DMCA is a federal law (17 U.S.C. § 512) that protects both copyright holders and online service providers like us.
Our Commitment: We respect intellectual property rights and respond promptly to valid copyright infringement claims. This policy outlines how to report copyright infringement and what happens during our review process.
Scope and Applicability
This policy applies to all content on histicle.com, including:
- Original educational articles and historical content
- Historical images and educational graphics
- Maps, timelines, and educational visualizations
- Social media content shared on our platforms
- Educational resources and book recommendations
- Any material hosted on our website or associated social media accounts
How to File a Copyright Takedown Notice
If you believe your copyrighted work has been used on our website without permission, you may submit a takedown notice.
Important: Only submit a notice if you genuinely believe there is copyright infringement. False claims may result in legal liability under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.
Required Information for Takedown Notices
Your notice must include ALL of the following information to be considered valid:
1. Your Contact Information:
- Full legal name (individual or company)
- Physical mailing address (street address or P.O. Box)
- Phone number
- Email address
2. Copyrighted Work Identification:
- Clear description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed
- If multiple works, provide a representative list
3. Infringing Material Location:
- Specific URL(s) where the allegedly infringing material appears on our website
- Sufficient detail to help us locate the material quickly
4. Required Legal Statements:
You must include these exact statements:
“I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted materials described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.”
“The information in this notice is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf.”
5. Your Signature:
- Physical signature on mailed documents OR
- Electronic signature (typed full name) on emailed notices
Where to Send Takedown Notices
DMCA Designated Agent:
John S. Herwick
Histicle
[Physical Address – To Be Added]
Email: john@histicle.com
Phone: [Phone Number – To Be Added]
Important: Please use “DMCA Takedown Notice” in the email subject line.
Our Response to Valid Takedown Notices
When we receive a valid takedown notice, we will:
- Acknowledge Receipt within 24-48 hours
- Review the Claim for completeness and validity
- Remove or Disable Access to the allegedly infringing material if the notice meets DMCA requirements
- Notify Any Affected Users if applicable
- Document the Process for our records
Timeline: We aim to process valid notices within 2-3 business days of receipt.
Counter-Notice Procedures (Restoring Removed Content)
If you believe your content was removed by mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notice.
Warning: Counter-notices have serious legal consequences. Only submit if you genuinely believe the takedown was wrong, as you may face perjury charges for false statements.
Required Information for Counter-Notices
Your counter-notice must include ALL of the following:
1. Your Contact Information:
- Full name and physical address
- Phone number and email address
2. Content Identification:
- Description of the material that was removed
- Location where the material appeared before removal (URL if known)
3. Consent to Legal Jurisdiction:
“I consent to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the 4th Circuit, and I will accept service of process from the person who provided the original takedown notice or an agent of such person.”
4. Good Faith Statement:
“I swear, under penalty of perjury, that I have a good faith belief that the material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification.”
5. Your Physical or Electronic Signature
Counter-Notice Process
- Send your complete counter-notice to our designated agent (same contact information as above)
- We will forward your counter-notice to the original complainant
- Restoration Timeline: We may restore your content after 10-14 business days unless the original complainant files a court action during this period
Repeat Infringer Policy
Account Termination: We maintain a policy of addressing repeat copyright infringers in appropriate circumstances. This applies to users who:
- Receive multiple valid takedown notices for different copyrighted works
- Ignore our warnings about copyright compliance
- Demonstrate a pattern of infringing activity
Our Process:
- First Notice: We provide education about copyright compliance
- Second Notice: Formal warning with account review
- Subsequent Notices: Account suspension or termination based on severity and circumstances
User Protections:
- We provide notice to users about complaints against them
- Users have at least 10 business days to respond with counter-notices
- We remove strikes when counter-notices are successful
- Good faith users with positive track records receive additional consideration
Special Considerations for Educational Content
Historical Images: As an educational website about history, we may use historical images, maps, and documents under fair use for educational, commentary, and informational purposes. We strive to use only authorized images or those covered by fair use provisions.
Educational Materials: We may reference historical facts, timelines, and educational information that are generally considered to be in the public domain or factual information not subject to copyright.
Book Recommendations: We provide educational book recommendations and may include book covers and descriptions for informational and review purposes under fair use guidelines.
Misuse of DMCA Procedures
False Claims: Submitting false or bad faith copyright claims is illegal under federal law (17 U.S.C. § 512(f)) and may result in:
- Liability for damages and attorney’s fees
- Perjury charges for false statements under oath
- Loss of credibility for future legitimate claims
We reserve the right to ignore repeated frivolous or abusive claims and may seek legal action against persistent false claimants.
Fair Use Considerations
We respect fair use rights under copyright law. Before submitting a takedown notice, please consider whether the use may be protected by fair use, including:
- Educational use for teaching and learning about history
- Commentary or criticism of historical events or figures
- News reporting on historical discoveries or research
- Transformative use that adds new educational meaning or context
Note: Fair use is determined case-by-case based on factors including purpose, nature of the work, amount used, and market impact.
Contact Information for Legal Questions
For questions about this DMCA policy or copyright issues not related to takedown requests:
General Legal Inquiries:
Email: john@histicle.com
Mail: [Physical Address – To Be Added]
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM EST
Legal Disclaimers and Limitations
- This policy applies only to copyright infringement claims under the DMCA
- For trademark issues, patent concerns, or other intellectual property matters, please contact us separately
- We are not responsible for investigating the validity of copyright claims
- This policy may be updated periodically; changes will be posted on this page
- Legal advice should be sought for complex intellectual property questions
Policy Updates and Maintenance
Registration: Our DMCA designated agent is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office as required by law. We maintain current registration and contact information.
Review Schedule: This policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect changes in law or our procedures.
Record Keeping: We maintain records of DMCA notices and responses as required by law and for transparency.
Last Updated: July 30, 2025
This DMCA Policy is effective as of the date listed above and supersedes any previous versions.
Related Policies: For more information about our website and policies, visit our About, Publishing Principles, Affiliate Disclosure, Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer, and Accessibility Statement pages.
