DMCA and Copyright Policy

Last updatedNovember 16, 2025

Effective Date: November 16, 2025

ProteinIQ respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects our users to do the same. This policy outlines our procedures for responding to claims of copyright infringement in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), 17 U.S.C. § 512.

1. Scope and Applicability

1.1 When This Policy Applies

This policy governs copyright claims related to:

  • Publicly shared computational results on ProteinIQ
  • User-uploaded files marked as public
  • Job templates shared with the community
  • Any user-generated content made publicly accessible

1.2 Scientific Data Considerations

Important: Most scientific data on ProteinIQ (protein sequences, structures, computational outputs) may not be subject to copyright protection. Copyright typically applies to:

  • Original written descriptions or annotations
  • Proprietary datasets not in the public domain
  • Creative visualizations or presentations
  • Software code or scripts

Facts, data, and scientific discoveries are generally not copyrightable. However, we will process all good-faith copyright claims.

1.3 Private Content

This policy does NOT apply to:

  • Private results visible only to the uploading user/team
  • Results not marked as public
  • Content shared only within a private team

For disputes about private content, contact support@proteiniq.io.

2. Reporting Copyright Infringement

2.1 DMCA Takedown Notice

If you believe that content on ProteinIQ infringes your copyright, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice to our Designated Copyright Agent.

Notice must include ALL of the following:

  1. Your contact information:

    • Full legal name
    • Email address
    • Mailing address
    • Phone number (optional)

  2. Identification of copyrighted work:

    • Description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed
    • If multiple works, a representative list
    • Copyright registration number (if registered)

  3. Identification of infringing material:

    • URL or specific location of the allegedly infringing content on ProteinIQ
    • Sufficient detail for us to locate the material
    • Job ID, file ID, or template ID if known

  4. Good faith statement:

    • "I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted material described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law."

  5. Accuracy statement:

    • "I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner."

  6. Physical or electronic signature:

    • Physical signature on mailed notices
    • Electronic signature (typed name) on email notices

2.2 Where to Send Notices

Email (preferred): dmca@proteiniq.io

Postal Mail: ProteinIQ - DMCA Agent Available upon written request to dmca@proteiniq.io

Subject Line: "DMCA Takedown Notice"

2.3 Incomplete Notices

Notices that do not include all required elements will not be processed. We may request clarification, but are not obligated to do so.

2.4 False Claims

Warning: Submitting a false or fraudulent DMCA notice may result in:

  • Liability for damages (including costs and attorneys' fees)
  • Perjury charges under federal law
  • Permanent ban from ProteinIQ services

Only submit takedown notices if you genuinely believe your copyright has been infringed.

3. Response to DMCA Notices

3.1 Investigation

Upon receiving a valid DMCA notice, we will:

  • Investigate the claim promptly
  • Review the allegedly infringing content
  • Verify the notice meets all DMCA requirements

3.2 Takedown

If we determine the notice is valid, we will:

  • Remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content
  • Notify the uploader that their content was removed due to a DMCA claim
  • Provide the uploader with a copy of the takedown notice
  • Document the takedown for our records

Typical response time: 2-5 business days

3.3 No Obligation to Investigate Validity

ProteinIQ acts as a service provider under the DMCA safe harbor provisions. We are not required to:

  • Determine if content actually infringes copyright
  • Assess the validity of the copyright claim
  • Mediate disputes between parties

We respond to properly formatted notices to maintain DMCA safe harbor protection.

4. Counter-Notification

4.1 If Your Content Was Removed

If you believe your content was wrongly removed due to mistake or misidentification, you may file a DMCA counter-notification.

Counter-notice must include ALL of the following:

  1. Your contact information:

    • Full legal name
    • Email address
    • Mailing address
    • Phone number

  2. Identification of removed content:

    • Description of the material that was removed
    • URL or location where it appeared before removal
    • Job ID, file ID, or template ID

  3. Good faith statement:

    • "I swear, under penalty of perjury, that I have a good faith belief that the material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification of the material to be removed or disabled."

  4. Consent to jurisdiction:

    • "I consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the judicial district in which my address is located (or San Francisco, California if my address is outside the United States)."
    • "I will accept service of process from the person who filed the original DMCA notice or an agent of that person."

  5. Physical or electronic signature:

    • Physical signature on mailed counter-notices
    • Electronic signature (typed name) on email counter-notices

4.2 Where to Send Counter-Notices

Email: dmca@proteiniq.io Subject Line: "DMCA Counter-Notification"

4.3 Response to Counter-Notices

Upon receiving a valid counter-notice:

  1. We will forward the counter-notice to the original complainant
  2. We will wait 10-14 business days for the complainant to file a court action
  3. If no court action is filed, we may restore the content at our discretion
  4. If court action is filed, content remains removed pending legal resolution

Important: Filing a counter-notice may expose your contact information to the complainant and may result in legal action against you.

5. Repeat Infringer Policy

5.1 Three Strikes Policy

We maintain a repeat infringer policy to protect copyright holders:

Strike 1: First DMCA takedown

  • Content removed
  • Warning issued to user
  • Account remains active

Strike 2: Second DMCA takedown (within 12 months)

  • Content removed
  • 30-day account suspension
  • Warning of permanent termination risk

Strike 3: Third DMCA takedown (within 12 months)

  • Permanent account termination
  • All content removed
  • No refund of subscription fees or Credits
  • May extend to associated accounts

5.2 Counter-Notices and Strikes

  • Valid counter-notices may remove a strike if content is restored
  • False or abusive takedown notices do not count as strikes against the uploader

5.3 Appeals

Users terminated under the repeat infringer policy may appeal to legal@proteiniq.io with evidence of:

  • False DMCA claims
  • Mistake or misidentification
  • Authorized use of copyrighted material

Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Decisions are final.

6. Safe Harbor and Limitations

6.1 DMCA Safe Harbor

ProteinIQ qualifies for DMCA safe harbor protection under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c) as an online service provider. We:

  • Do not have actual knowledge of infringing activity until notified
  • Do not receive financial benefit directly attributable to infringing activity
  • Respond expeditiously to remove infringing content upon notification
  • Have designated a Copyright Agent and filed with the U.S. Copyright Office

6.2 No Obligation to Monitor

We are NOT obligated to:

  • Monitor user content for copyright infringement
  • Proactively screen uploads for copyrighted material
  • Investigate potential infringement without a DMCA notice
  • Determine copyright ownership or validity of claims

6.3 No Liability for Good Faith Removals

ProteinIQ is not liable to users for good faith removal of content pursuant to valid DMCA notices, even if:

  • The content was not actually infringing
  • The notice was later withdrawn
  • A counter-notice results in content restoration

7. Other Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Trademarks

This policy addresses copyright claims only. For trademark infringement claims, contact legal@proteiniq.io.

7.2 Patents

Scientific data, methods, and computational results may be subject to patent rights. Patent disputes are not covered by this DMCA policy. Contact legal@proteiniq.io for patent concerns.

7.3 Trade Secrets

If you believe publicly shared content discloses trade secrets, contact legal@proteiniq.io immediately. Trade secret claims are handled separately from copyright claims.

8. Scientific Data and Fair Use

8.1 Scientific Research Exception

Much activity on ProteinIQ may qualify as fair use under copyright law, including:

  • Scientific research and education
  • Transformative computational analysis
  • Non-commercial academic use
  • Sharing data for reproducibility

We encourage copyright holders to consider fair use before filing DMCA notices.

8.2 Public Domain Data

The following are generally NOT protected by copyright:

  • Protein sequences from public databases (PDB, UniProt, etc.)
  • Facts and data
  • U.S. Government works
  • Expired copyrights

Claiming copyright over public domain material may result in liability for false DMCA claims.

8.3 Licensing

Many scientific datasets are released under permissive licenses (CC-BY, CC0, etc.) that allow sharing and reuse. Users are encouraged to:

  • License their shared results under permissive licenses
  • Respect license terms when using others' data
  • Provide attribution as required by licenses

9. Modifications to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in law or our procedures. Material changes will be posted with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Information

10.1 Copyright Agent

For DMCA notices and counter-notices:

Email: dmca@proteiniq.io Postal Address: Available upon written request to dmca@proteiniq.io

10.2 General Inquiries

For questions about this policy:

Email: legal@proteiniq.io Support: support@proteiniq.io (for non-legal questions)

10.3 Legal Disputes

For ongoing legal matters related to copyright:

Email: legal@proteiniq.io Mailing Address: Available upon written request

DMCA Notice Template

For your convenience, use this template:

To: dmca@proteiniq.io
Subject: DMCA Takedown Notice

I, [Your Full Legal Name], submit this DMCA takedown notice:

1. CONTACT INFORMATION:
   Name: [Your Full Name]
   Email: [Your Email]
   Address: [Your Mailing Address]
   Phone: [Optional]

2. COPYRIGHTED WORK:
   Description: [Describe the copyrighted work]
   Copyright Registration: [Number, if registered]

3. INFRINGING MATERIAL:
   Location: [URL on ProteinIQ]
   Description: [How it infringes your copyright]

4. GOOD FAITH STATEMENT:
   I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted material described
   above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

5. ACCURACY STATEMENT:
   I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this notification
   is accurate and that I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on
   behalf of the copyright owner.

6. SIGNATURE:
   [Your typed name for electronic signature]
   Date: [Today's date]

This policy was last updated on November 16, 2025.

By using ProteinIQ and sharing content publicly, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this DMCA and Copyright Policy.