Introduction

At GamingTether, we recognize the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the digital age. Our platform enables users to buy and sell gaming accounts and related digital assets, and with that comes the responsibility to ensure that copyrighted content is not misused or distributed without permission.

This DMCA Policy describes how we handle claims of copyright infringement in compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) and other applicable laws. It outlines the rights of copyright owners, the responsibilities of users, and the steps GamingTether will take when notified of potential violations.

Important Notice

By using GamingTether, you agree to abide by this policy. Violations may result in suspension or permanent termination of your account.

Purpose and Scope

This DMCA Policy applies to:

  • All users of GamingTether, including buyers, sellers, and community participants
  • All content uploaded or displayed on our site, including text, images, videos, listings, screenshots, and promotional materials
  • All communications conducted through our platform, such as chats, user profiles, and blogs
  • Third-party integrations and embedded content
  • User-generated reviews and testimonials
  • Marketing materials and promotional content

Our goal is to balance user freedom with the need to protect copyrighted works from unauthorized use while maintaining a thriving gaming marketplace.

Designated DMCA Agent

In compliance with the DMCA, GamingTether has designated an official agent to receive notices of alleged copyright infringement:

DMCA Agent Contact Information

dmca@gamingtether.com
GamingTether Legal Department

Important: Our DMCA Agent is the only point of contact authorized to process such notices. All correspondence must be sent to the designated email address above.

Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you believe that your copyrighted work has been used on GamingTether without authorization, you must submit a written DMCA Takedown Notice. To be valid, your notice must include the following (as outlined by 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3)):

Required Information for Valid Notice:
  • Your legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address
  • A clear description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed
  • The exact URL(s) or location(s) of the infringing content on GamingTether
  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use of the material is unauthorized
  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on their behalf
  • Your physical or electronic signature
  • Identification of the specific copyrighted work (registration number, if available)
  • Evidence of ownership or authorization to act on behalf of the rights holder

Legal Recommendation: We recommend consulting an attorney before filing a DMCA notice to ensure your rights and responsibilities are properly understood.

Our Response to Valid Notices

Once a valid DMCA Notice is received, GamingTether will take the following actions:

Our Response Process:
  • Prompt Removal: Remove or disable access to the infringing content within 24-48 hours
  • User Notification: Notify the user who uploaded or posted the content
  • Counter-Notice Rights: Inform them of their right to file a counter-notice if they believe the content was wrongly removed
  • Documentation: Document the claim for record-keeping and compliance purposes
  • Account Review: Review the user's account for potential repeat infringement
  • Restoration Process: Outline the process for content restoration if applicable

We maintain detailed logs of all DMCA-related activities to ensure transparency and compliance with legal requirements.

Filing a Counter-Notice

If your content was removed in error or due to misidentification, you may submit a counter-notice. A valid counter-notice must include:

  • Your full legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address
  • Identification of the content removed and its location prior to removal
  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification
  • A statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the federal district court for your address (or where GamingTether is located if outside the U.S.)
  • Your physical or electronic signature
  • Supporting evidence for your claim (optional but recommended)
Counter-Notice Timeline:

Upon receiving a valid counter-notice, GamingTether will forward it to the original claimant. If the claimant does not initiate a court proceeding within 10–14 business days, the removed material may be restored at our discretion.

Repeat Infringer Policy

GamingTether enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against repeat infringers. Our policy includes:

Enforcement Measures:
  • First Offense: Content removal and warning notification
  • Second Offense: Temporary account suspension (7-30 days)
  • Third Offense: Permanent account termination
  • Severe Cases: Immediate termination for egregious violations

This policy protects our community, deters abuse, and ensures compliance with payment processors like Stripe and PayPal. Users subject to repeat infringement claims may also face:

  • Restriction from creating new accounts
  • Forfeiture of pending transactions
  • Reporting to relevant authorities when applicable

Misuse of the DMCA Process

Submitting false or misleading DMCA Notices or Counter-Notices is a serious offense with legal consequences.

Legal Consequences:

Under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), individuals who knowingly misrepresent claims of infringement may be held liable for damages, including costs and attorney's fees.

GamingTether reserves the right to:

  • Pursue legal remedies against anyone abusing the DMCA process
  • Terminate accounts of users who file false claims
  • Report malicious actors to relevant authorities
  • Seek damages for costs incurred due to false claims

Safe Harbor and Limitation of Liability

As a service provider, GamingTether qualifies for "safe harbor" protection under the DMCA. This means:

  • We are not liable for user-generated content, provided we respond promptly to valid DMCA notices
  • We act as a neutral platform and do not pre-screen all content uploaded by users
  • Our responsibility is limited to removing or disabling access to infringing material once properly notified
  • We maintain policies to prevent known repeat infringers from using our service
Platform Neutrality:

GamingTether operates as a neutral intermediary. We do not endorse, verify, or take responsibility for user-generated content, but we act swiftly when legitimate infringement claims are brought to our attention.

User Responsibilities

By using GamingTether, you agree to:

  • Upload only original content or content you are authorized to use
  • Not misuse copyrighted logos, images, or in-game items in your listings
  • Cooperate with any investigation of alleged infringement
  • Understand that repeat violations will lead to permanent account termination
  • Respect intellectual property rights of game developers and publishers
  • Obtain proper licensing for any third-party content used
  • Report suspected copyright infringement when encountered
Best Practices:
  • Use original screenshots and descriptions for your listings
  • Credit sources when using permitted content
  • Verify licensing terms before using third-party materials
  • Keep records of permissions and licenses obtained

Remedies and Consequences

In addition to removal of infringing content, GamingTether may take the following actions:

Enforcement Actions:
  • Account Actions: Suspend or terminate user accounts
  • Financial Consequences: Withhold or reverse payments for transactions involving infringing material
  • Information Sharing: Provide information to copyright owners or law enforcement, if legally required
  • Payment Provider Reporting: Report repeat infringers to payment providers (Stripe, PayPal) to prevent abuse
  • Legal Cooperation: Assist in legal proceedings when required by law
  • Content Monitoring: Enhanced monitoring of flagged accounts

International Users

GamingTether operates globally and serves users from various jurisdictions. While this policy is based on U.S. copyright law, we respect intellectual property rights worldwide.

Global Compliance:
  • Users outside the United States are still subject to this DMCA Policy
  • Local copyright laws may also apply in your jurisdiction
  • We cooperate with international copyright enforcement efforts
  • Cross-border legal requests are handled according to applicable treaties and agreements

For users in the European Union, additional protections under the Digital Services Act and Copyright Directive may apply. We work to ensure compliance with all applicable international copyright laws and regulations.

Gaming Industry Considerations

The gaming industry presents unique copyright challenges that we specifically address:

Gaming-Specific Protections:
  • Character Designs: Protection of copyrighted game characters and avatars
  • Game Assets: Safeguarding of in-game items, textures, and models
  • Storylines: Protection of narrative content and lore
  • Screenshots: Proper use of game screenshots and promotional materials
  • Streaming Content: Guidelines for gameplay footage and streams
  • Modding Content: Rules regarding modified game content

We maintain relationships with major game publishers to ensure rapid response to legitimate copyright concerns while supporting the vibrant gaming community.

Digital Assets and NFTs

With the rise of digital assets and NFTs in gaming, special considerations apply:

  • NFT Authenticity: Verification of legitimate NFT ownership and provenance
  • Smart Contract Rights: Understanding of blockchain-based ownership rights
  • Metadata Protection: Safeguarding of NFT metadata and associated content
  • Cross-Platform Assets: Handling of assets that exist across multiple platforms
NFT-Specific Policies:

Users must provide proof of legitimate ownership for all digital assets and NFTs. Selling counterfeit or unauthorized digital assets is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account termination.

Streaming and Content Creation

For content creators and streamers using our platform:

  • Gameplay Footage: Guidelines for using gameplay videos in listings
  • Commentary Rights: Protection for original commentary and reviews
  • Music Licensing: Requirements for background music in videos
  • Fair Use Considerations: Understanding of fair use in gaming content
Creator Guidelines:

Original commentary, reviews, and transformative content are generally protected. However, pure gameplay footage without significant commentary may be subject to copyright claims from game publishers.

Automated Detection Systems

GamingTether employs advanced automated systems to detect potential copyright infringement:

Detection Technologies:
  • Image Recognition: AI-powered detection of copyrighted images and artwork
  • Text Analysis: Natural language processing to identify copied content
  • Audio Fingerprinting: Detection of copyrighted music and sound effects
  • Pattern Matching: Identification of suspicious listing patterns
  • Blockchain Verification: Authentication of digital asset ownership

While these systems help identify potential infringement, all automated flags are reviewed by human moderators before action is taken. Users may appeal automated decisions through our standard counter-notice process.

Policy Updates

GamingTether reserves the right to update this DMCA Policy at any time to reflect:

  • Changes in applicable laws and regulations
  • Industry best practices and standards
  • Technological developments
  • User feedback and community needs
  • Business requirements and platform evolution
Update Notifications:

Updates will be posted on this page with the "Last Updated" date. Significant changes will be communicated to users via email notification. Continued use of our platform constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact Information

All DMCA Notices and Counter-Notices must be sent to our designated DMCA Agent:

Official DMCA Contact

dmca@gamingtether.com
GamingTether Legal Department
Response Time: 24-48 hours
Important Reminder:

Please use the designated DMCA email address only for copyright-related matters. For general inquiries, technical support, or other legal matters, please use our standard contact channels.

Acknowledgement

By using GamingTether, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this DMCA Policy. You also acknowledge that:

  • Copyright law is complex and you may need independent legal advice regarding your rights and obligations
  • Violations of this policy may result in serious consequences including account termination
  • You are responsible for ensuring all content you upload is properly licensed or original
  • You understand the procedures for filing takedown notices and counter-notices
  • You agree to cooperate with copyright enforcement efforts
Commitment to Excellence:

GamingTether is committed to maintaining the highest standards of copyright protection while fostering a vibrant gaming community. We appreciate your cooperation in respecting intellectual property rights and maintaining the integrity of our platform.