Released: 2025/11/20 | Effective: 2025/11/20
At PopKic, we believe in empowering creators and rewarding reputable contributions. A fundamental part of this is respecting intellectual property (IP) rights. This policy outlines our approach to IP, including how we handle reports of infringement and protect the rights of both creators and rightsholders.
Your adherence to this policy is essential for maintaining your Reputation Score and for earning Pop Coins and Pop Points through your original contributions. Using others' IP without permission undermines the fair and equitable economy we are building.
Copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship, such as videos, music, artwork, literature, and software. It protects the specific expression of an idea, not the underlying idea itself.
We do not allow content that infringes copyright. Using copyrighted work belonging to others without proper authorization or a legally valid reason (such as "fair use" or "fair dealing") is a violation of our Terms of Service and these guidelines.
If you believe your copyrighted work is being used on PopKic without permission, we encourage you to first contact the user directly to resolve the issue.
If you wish to submit a formal report, you may email us at legal@popkic.com with all the relevant information.
You may also do so via our online form at https://popkic.com/copyright-report.
To be effective, your report must comply with the statutory requirements of laws like the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) or other applicable local laws. This typically requires you to provide:
Please Note: Knowingly submitting a false or misleading report of infringement may result in liability for damages.
If we remove your content due to a copyright report, you will receive an in-app notification explaining the reason.
If you believe the removal was a mistake (e.g., you have a license, the use qualifies as fair use, or you are the rightful owner), you have two options:
A valid counter-notice must include your contact information and a statement, under penalty of perjury, that you have a good faith belief the content was removed in error. If we receive a valid counter-notice, we will forward it to the original reporter. The content may be reinstated after a waiting period, unless the reporter informs us they have filed a court action to prevent it.
Many jurisdictions allow the limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as:
These uses must be "fair." Factors considered include the purpose of the use, the amount taken, and the economic impact on the original work's value. Merely re-uploading another creator's content without adding significant, original commentary or transformation is not a reputable contribution and is likely infringement.
A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design (like a brand name or logo) that identifies the source of goods or services and distinguishes them from others.
We do not allow content that infringes trademark rights. This typically involves using a trademark in a way that is likely to cause confusion about endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship.
However, using a trademark to accurately identify, comment on, criticize, or parody the trademark owner's products or services is generally permissible.
The promotion, sale, or trade of counterfeit goods (illegal imitations of branded products) is strictly prohibited on PopKic.
If you believe your trademark rights are being infringed, you are encouraged to first contact the user.
To submit a formal report, you may email us at legal@popkic.com.
You may also make use of our online form at https://popkic.com/trademark-report.
Please provide all requested information, including your trademark registration details and a clear explanation of the infringement.
You will receive an in-app notification if your content is removed due to a trademark report. If you believe this was in error, you can contact the reporter directly or submit an appeal through the link in your notification, providing details and evidence to support your case.
As a PopKic user, you are responsible for the content you post. Before uploading content featuring music, videos, logos, or other branded material, ensure you have the necessary rights or that your use is legally permissible. When in doubt, seek legal advice or create and share your own original work.
PopKic provides a platform for user-generated content. We are not in a position to mediate complex intellectual property disputes between third parties. Our role is to provide a mechanism for addressing clear infringements in accordance with applicable law and our policies.
By respecting intellectual property, you help maintain the integrity of the PopKic ecosystem and contribute to a platform that fairly rewards creativity and reputable contribution.