DMCA Copyright Policy – StartZone

At StartZone, we respect and uphold the intellectual property rights of developers, publishers, artists, musicians, and all individuals involved in the creation and distribution of video games. As a platform operating within the gaming industry, we are committed to complying with the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and to protecting content owners from unauthorized use of their creative works.

Scope of Copyright in Video Games

The world of video games is made up of a diverse collection of creative assets and technical components, all of which are subject to copyright protection. These may include:

  • Game software and source code
  • Graphics, characters, environments, and animations
  • Musical scores, sound effects, and voice acting
  • Scripts, narratives, dialogue, and lore
  • In-game cinematics and visual cutscenes
  • Game mechanics and user interface elements
  • Game trailers, promotional images, and screenshots
  • Downloadable content (DLC), mods, and patches

Any unauthorized copying, distribution, performance, or modification of these elements may infringe upon the rights of the original content creators and result in legal consequences.

DMCA Takedown Notification Procedure

If you are a copyright holder or an authorized agent and believe that your copyrighted content has been used without your permission on our platform, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice. In order to be valid under the DMCA, your notice must include the following elements:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
  • A clear and specific identification of the copyrighted work(s) allegedly infringed.
  • Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing, including its location on our site or platform.
  • Your full contact information, including your name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
  • A good faith statement that the use of the content is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
  • A statement made under penalty of perjury that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the owner or are authorized to act on the owner’s behalf.

Once a complete and valid DMCA notice is received, we will take prompt action to remove or restrict access to the allegedly infringing content. We will also notify the user responsible for posting the content and inform them of the removal and the reason for the action.

Counter-Notification Procedure

If you believe that your content was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notification. This counter-notice must contain the following:

  • Your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
  • Identification of the material that was removed and its previous location.
  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you have a good faith belief that the content was removed or disabled due to mistake or misidentification.
  • A statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the federal district court in your area (or any jurisdiction where our company is located, if outside the United States) and that you will accept service of process from the person who submitted the original takedown notice or their agent.
  • Your physical or electronic signature.

Upon receiving a valid counter-notification, we may restore the removed material within 10–14 business days unless the original complainant initiates legal action to prevent its restoration.

Policy on Repeat Infringers

We take copyright infringement seriously. In accordance with the DMCA, we have adopted a policy that provides for the termination, in appropriate circumstances, of users or account holders who are found to be repeat infringers. A repeat infringer is any user for whom we have received multiple valid takedown notices.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access to our services or platform for users who violate our copyright policy more than once or who upload content that consistently infringes on the rights of others.

Responsibilities of Game Developers and Content Creators

If you are a game developer, publisher, or creator submitting content to our platform, you are solely responsible for ensuring that your work does not violate the intellectual property rights of others. You must:

  • Use only original assets or content you have the legal right to distribute
  • Avoid incorporating music, images, code, or characters from other games without proper authorization
  • Respect the terms of third-party licenses when using external tools or assets
  • Provide clear attribution when required under licensing agreements
  • Ensure that promotional material, descriptions, or images are not misleading or infringing

We reserve the right to remove any content that we determine, at our sole discretion, to be in violation of this policy or applicable law.

User-Generated Content and Community Guidelines

Our platform may allow users to post reviews, share gameplay footage, upload screenshots, or participate in forums and discussions. All such user-generated content must comply with copyright laws. Users may not:

  • Upload content containing copyrighted audio or visual elements without permission
  • Use assets from commercial games in mods or fan creations without proper licensing
  • Misrepresent others' creations as their own
  • Share links to pirated or cracked versions of games or software
  • Post images, logos, or trademarks that belong to third-party developers or publishers without permission

We may moderate or remove any user-generated content that violates these rules, and may take further action against accounts that repeatedly submit infringing material.

Fair Use and Legal Exceptions

Some content may qualify as fair use under copyright law, such as material used for commentary, criticism, education, or parody. However, fair use is not an automatic protection—it depends on factors like the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the original work, the amount used, and the effect on the market value of the original.

Only a court can determine whether a specific use qualifies as fair use. Users who believe they are engaging in fair use should be prepared to defend that position and may still be subject to takedown notices or legal challenges.

Misuse of the DMCA Process

Filing false or misleading DMCA notices or counter-notifications is a serious offense. Anyone who knowingly misrepresents that content is infringing or that material was removed by mistake may be liable for damages under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.

We may suspend or terminate the accounts of users who abuse the DMCA process to harass, censor, or otherwise disrupt the rights or activities of others.

Commitment to Content Protection

As a company committed to supporting the video game community, we aim to balance the rights of creators with the freedoms of players and fans. We pledge to:

  • Respond promptly and professionally to valid copyright complaints
  • Notify users of takedown actions and provide them an opportunity to respond
  • Offer clear instructions for both submitting a takedown request and a counter-notice
  • Monitor patterns of infringement and enforce our repeat infringer policy
  • Continuously educate our users on copyright issues in gaming

Our platform thrives on creativity, innovation, and respect for intellectual property. We encourage all members of the gaming community to act responsibly and uphold these values.

Contacting Our DMCA Agent

If you believe your rights have been violated, or if your content was wrongly removed, you may contact our designated DMCA Agent using the required information described above. Please ensure that your communication includes all necessary elements so that we may address your claim efficiently.

We do not provide legal advice. If you have questions regarding your rights under copyright law, please consult a qualified legal professional before submitting a DMCA notice or counter-notice.