Copyright
Introduction
This Copyright Policy outlines the guidelines and procedures regarding copyright protection and compliance with intellectual property laws for Confronting Code, a Managed IT and Web Development company. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, clients, and any other individuals who create, use, or manage copyrighted materials in the course of their work with Confronting Code.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Confronting Code respects the intellectual property rights of others and protects its own intellectual property assets. This policy provides guidelines for the appropriate use of copyrighted materials, procedures for obtaining necessary permissions and licenses, and protocols for responding to copyright infringement claims.
Responsibilities
Employees and Contractors:
- Employees and contractors are responsible for ensuring that any materials they create or use in the course of their work comply with copyright laws and respect the rights of copyright holders.
- They should seek permission or obtain proper licenses before using copyrighted materials owned by others, unless such use falls within the scope of fair use or other applicable exceptions under copyright law.
- Employees and contractors should promptly report any potential copyright infringement issues to the designated copyright officer or appropriate supervisor.
Clients and Third Parties:
- Clients and third parties engaging with Confronting Code are responsible for ensuring that any materials they provide or use comply with copyright laws and that they have necessary permissions or licenses for such materials.
- Confronting Code may require clients and third parties to provide assurances of copyright compliance before using their materials in projects or services provided by Confronting Code.
Copyrighted Materials
Creation of Original Works:
- Confronting Code encourages the creation of original works by its employees, contractors, and collaborators. Ownership of such works may vary depending on contractual agreements, but Confronting Code generally retains rights to use and distribute works created within the scope of employment or engagement with the company.
- Employees and contractors should be aware of and comply with any contractual agreements regarding ownership and rights to intellectual property created during the course of their work.
Use of Third-Party Materials:
- Confronting Code may use third-party materials such as images, text, software, and multimedia content in its projects and services. However, such materials should only be used with proper authorisation, including obtaining necessary permissions or licenses from copyright holders.
- Employees and contractors should verify the copyright status of third-party materials and adhere to any usage restrictions or conditions specified by copyright holders.
Copyright Infringement
Reporting Copyright Infringement:
- Employees, contractors, clients, or third parties who believe that their copyright has been infringed upon should report the infringement to the designated copyright officer or appropriate supervisor promptly.
- Reports of copyright infringement should include relevant details and evidence to support the claim, such as descriptions of the copyrighted work, identification of the infringing material, and contact information of the copyright owner.
Response to Infringement Claims:
- Confronting Code will promptly investigate and respond to reports of copyright infringement in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Upon receipt of a valid infringement claim, Confronting Code may remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material, notify the alleged infringer, and take appropriate actions to resolve the matter.
Policy Compliance
Failure to comply with this Copyright Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or contract. Confronting Code reserves the right to monitor and enforce compliance with this policy and may implement additional measures as necessary to protect intellectual property rights.
Review and Modification
This Copyright Policy is subject to periodic review and may be updated or modified by Confronting Code as necessary to reflect changes in copyright laws, industry best practices, or company procedures. Employees, contractors, clients, and third parties engaging with the company will be notified of any changes to the policy, and it is their responsibility to review and adhere to the updated policy.
