Document Automation
To help you protect your intellectual property rights we have created some document automation tools that will allow you to get a start on handling your day-to-day legal problems with ease. Please note that these tools exist to provide a basic template, and it is recommended that you make further edits to the document provided by the automator to tailor it to your situation. Furthermore, you should always seek professional help from a lawyer to help draft important legal documents. Furthermore, we here at Creator Counsel do not give legal advice and our document automation tools are for your information only.
DMCA Takedown Notice
DMCA stands for Digital Millenium Copyright Act 1998. This is a US law that creates the framework for removing copied content online and applies to all websites hosted in the US. Although it is a US law, many other countries use the DMCA process for online content and thus it has widespread application.
A DMCA takedown is when a particular content is taken down from the platform at the request of the owner of the content. Notice needs to be given to the platform which will remove the content. Keep in mind that these online platforms are obliged to follow DMCA and can face penalties for failing to comply with it. As a result, don’t be afraid to enforce your rights!
Most online platforms will have their own system to file a DMCA takedown which will require you to fill an online form. In fact, all websites under DMCA need to have some method of receiving copyright infringement complaints. We have provided a DMCA takedown notice document automator for your use in case you need to manually file the notice.
Cease and Desist Letter
A Cease and Desist letter is essentially a letter demanding that someone else stop doing something. In the context of content creators, it will usually be used to ask someone to stop using someone’s intellectual property. These letters are meant to be forceful and usually will threaten legal action in the event that the recipient refuses to follow the demands.
To ensure that the letter is actually taken seriously, you need to outline your rights clearly and how the recipient has infringed on them. Make sure you have a good understanding of the legal issues before sending a cease and desist letter or else the recipient may just call your bluff. Also make sure your demands are reasonable and that you give the recipient a reasonable amount of time to respond. Being too threatening and unreasonable may lead to the recipient ignoring your demands as well.
The document automator we have provided here provides a basic template that will help you formulate your arguments and demands against any potential copyright infringers, but make sure to get a lawyer to look over it if you want to have a really effective letter.
License Agreement
some kind of commercial purpose. In return, you the intellectual property owner and licensor can demand payment or ‘royalties’. Furthermore, you can limit the license to only permit the use of your IP for particular products or circumstances, as well as set the total duration of the license. As the owner you have full control over the rights and permissions you grant to others.
We provide two types of document automators for license agreements so that you can grant licenses to sell merchandise or for advertising. Both of these templates contain standard terms that will ensure that your rights are adequately protected and that the agreement is fair to both parties.