ABBC Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy

The content available on the ABBC Sites (as defined in the ABBC Terms of Use) is protected under United States copyright law. This includes, but is not limited to, text, images, videos, and other materials created by or for ABBC. Such content may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, or broadcast in any form without prior written permission from ABBC. If third-party materials are featured on the ABBC Sites, you must obtain permission from the copyright holder of that content before use.

Users are strictly prohibited from altering, removing, obscuring, or concealing any copyright, trademark, or other notices appearing on ABBC Content (as defined in the ABBC Terms of Use). However, you are permitted to download content for your personal, non-commercial use, provided it remains unaltered and retains all copyright and trademark notices.

Third-Party Links

ABBC Sites may provide links to external websites as a courtesy to our users. These links are intended to enhance your experience and provide additional resources. However, ABBC is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or functionality of third-party sites and does not endorse them. For more details, refer to Section 17 of the ABBC Terms of Use.

The presence of third-party links does not constitute an endorsement or approval of their content, and ABBC disclaims any liability related to external sites. Users are encouraged to exercise caution when accessing third-party resources, as these sites operate independently of ABBC.

Proprietary Rights and Limitations

The ABBC Sites do not grant any license, implied or otherwise, to use copyrights, trademarks, patents, or other proprietary rights of ABBC or any third party. Unauthorized use of any materials from ABBC may constitute a violation of copyright laws and intellectual property rights, resulting in legal consequences.

Additionally, ABBC disclaims responsibility for any user-generated content, such as comments, videos, or other submissions made on the ABBC Sites. Users are expected to adhere to ABBC’s guidelines, and the organization reserves the right to remove any content that violates policies or infringes on intellectual property rights.

Repeat Infringers

ABBC takes the protection of intellectual property rights seriously. In accordance with our policies, accounts of users who are found to repeatedly infringe upon the copyright or intellectual property rights of others may be disabled or terminated at our discretion. Termination of these rights will be enforced as necessary, and users agree that their sole recourse is to discontinue the use of ABBC Sites.

Claims of Intellectual Property Infringement

If you believe your intellectual property rights have been infringed upon, you may file a formal complaint under the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), 17 U.S.C. § 512. ABBC’s Copyright Agent and Office of General Counsel will process such complaints. To ensure compliance, your notice must include the following:

1. Your Signature
   An electronic or physical signature of the authorized person acting on behalf of the copyright or intellectual property owner.
2. Description of Infringed Work
   A clear description of the copyrighted or intellectual property allegedly infringed upon.
3. Location of Infringing Material
   Details of where the infringing material is located on the ABBC Sites, such as URLs or specific page references.
4. Your Contact Information
   Your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
5. Statement of Good Faith
   A declaration under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief that the use of the material in question is unauthorized by the copyright owner, their agent, or the law.
6. Accuracy Declaration
   A statement, also under penalty of perjury, asserting that the information provided in your notice is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright or intellectual property owner.

Incomplete or inaccurate notices may result in delays or dismissal of your claim. Be advised that knowingly submitting false claims can lead to liability for damages, including costs and attorneys’ fees.

Counter Notifications

If you believe that content you uploaded to the ABBC Sites was removed due to a mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notification. Your counter-notification must include:

1. Your Signature
   An electronic or physical signature of the individual authorized to address the claim.
2. Description of Removed Material
   A description of the material that was removed or disabled, including its location on the site before removal.
3. Your Contact Information
   Your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
4. Perjury Statement
   A declaration under penalty of perjury that the material was removed as a result of error or misidentification.
5. Jurisdiction Consent
   A statement agreeing to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court where your address is located and confirming your willingness to accept service from the complainant.

ABBC will restore removed content if the original complainant does not initiate a court action within 10 business days of receiving your counter-notification. Be aware that knowingly submitting a false counter-notification may result in liability for damages.

Protecting Intellectual Property Together

The integrity of intellectual property rights is vital to fostering creativity, innovation, and fair use. ABBC remains committed to upholding copyright laws and encouraging a responsible digital environment. By respecting the intellectual property rights of ABBC and third parties, you contribute to a culture of trust, fairness, and compliance.

If you have any questions about this policy or require further assistance, please contact ABBC’s Copyright Agent through the Contact Us page.

Together, let’s maintain a collaborative and respectful online community where creativity and knowledge can thrive.