DMCA Copyright Policy

The Recipe Atlas respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users to do the same. We comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and will respond to valid notices of copyright infringement.

Copyright Protection

All original content on The Recipe Atlas is protected by copyright law, including:

• Recipe text and instructions
• Original photographs and images
• Video content
• Articles and blog posts
• Website design and layout
• Graphics and illustrations

Unauthorized use of our copyrighted material may violate copyright laws and is subject to legal action.

Reporting Copyright Infringement

If you believe that your copyrighted work has been copied or used on The Recipe Atlas in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please notify us by submitting a DMCA takedown notice.

How to File a DMCA Notice

Your DMCA notice must include the following information as required by 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3):

1. Identification of the Copyrighted Work

Clearly identify the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed. If multiple works are involved, provide a representative list.

Example: "My original recipe for 'Triple Chocolate Brownies' published on [Your Website] on [Date]"

2. Identification of the Infringing Material

Provide specific information about where the allegedly infringing material is located on our Website.

Include:

• Direct URL(s) to the infringing content
• Description of where on the page the content appears
• Screenshots (if helpful)

Example: "The infringing content is located at therecipeatlas.com/recipes/chocolate-brownies"

3. Your Contact Information

Provide sufficient information for us to contact you:

• Full legal name
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Telephone number (optional but recommended)

4. Good Faith Statement

Include this statement:

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

5. Accuracy Statement

Include this 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

Your DMCA notice must include:

• A physical signature on a printed notice, OR
• An electronic signature (typed full legal name)

Where to Send DMCA Notices

What Happens After You Submit a Notice

Upon receiving a valid DMCA notice, we will:

1. Acknowledge Receipt: Confirm we received your notice (typically within 2-3 business days)
2. Review the Claim: Evaluate the notice for completeness and validity
3. Take Action: If valid, we will:
   • Remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material
   • Notify the user who posted the content
   • Document the takedown for our records
4. Follow Up: Inform you of the actions taken

Timeframe: We aim to process valid DMCA notices within 5-7 business days of receipt.

Counter-Notification Procedure

If your content was removed due to a DMCA notice and you believe the removal was incorrect or that you have the right to use the material, you may submit a DMCA counter-notification.

Filing a Counter-Notification

Your counter-notification must include:

1. Identification of Removed Material

Specify which material was removed and where it appeared before removal.

2. Your Contact Information

Provide:

• Full legal name
• Address
• Email address
• Telephone number

3. Consent to Jurisdiction

Include this statement:

"I consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the judicial district in which my address is located (or the [appropriate federal district] if outside the United States), and I will accept service of process from the person who filed the original DMCA notice or their agent."

4. Good Faith Statement

Include this 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."

5. Physical or Electronic Signature

Sign the counter-notification physically or electronically (typed full legal name).

Where to Send Counter-Notifications

What Happens After a Counter-Notification

Upon receiving a valid counter-notification:

1. We will forward it to the original complainant
2. The complainant has 10-14 business days to file a court action
3. If no court action is filed, we may restore the content after this period
4. If court action is filed, the content remains removed pending legal resolution

Repeat Infringer Policy

In accordance with the DMCA, The Recipe Atlas maintains a policy to terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of users who are repeat copyright infringers.

What Constitutes Repeat Infringement

A repeat infringer is a user who:

• Has received multiple valid DMCA notices
• Continues to post infringing content after warnings
• Demonstrates a pattern of copyright violations

Consequences

Repeat infringers may face:

• Removal of all uploaded content
• Account suspension or termination
• Permanent ban from the Website
• Referral to legal authorities

Fair Use Considerations

Before filing a DMCA notice, please consider whether the use might qualify as fair use under copyright law.

Fair Use Factors

Fair use may apply when content is used for:

• Commentary and criticism
• News reporting
• Teaching and education
• Research and scholarship
• Parody

If you believe content on our site is fair use, include this information in your counter-notification.

Recipe Copyright and Public Domain

What Is Copyrightable in Recipes

Copyrightable:

• Original written instructions and descriptions
• Unique explanatory text and commentary
• Original photographs and videos
• Creative presentation and styling

NOT Copyrightable:

• Lists of ingredients (facts)
• Basic cooking techniques (processes)
• Traditional recipes (public domain)
• Recipe titles (generally not protected)

Our Position on Recipe Copyright

The Recipe Atlas respects that:

• Ingredient lists are factual and not subject to copyright
• Traditional recipes that have existed for generations are in the public domain
• Original expression in recipe instructions and photographs is protected

When we create recipes inspired by traditional dishes or other sources, we:

• Rewrite instructions in our own words
• Add original commentary and tips
• Create our own original photographs
• Provide attribution when inspired by specific sources

Misrepresentation Warning

Only submit DMCA notices if you are certain of copyright infringement. Consider seeking legal advice if you're unsure.

International Copyright

The Recipe Atlas operates from the United States and complies with U.S. copyright law. However, we respect international copyright laws and will consider valid complaints under:

• Berne Convention
• WIPO Copyright Treaty
• Local copyright laws (when consistent with U.S. law)

For international claims, include information about the applicable copyright law and how it applies.

Our Copyrighted Content

Using Our Recipes and Content

You may:

• Make the recipe at home for personal, non-commercial use
• Share the recipe link on social media or your website
• Print recipes for personal use
• Reference our recipes with proper attribution and a link back

You may NOT:

• Copy entire recipes to your website or blog without permission
• Republish our photographs without authorization
• Scrape or bulk download our content
• Create derivative works for commercial purposes
• Remove copyright notices or attribution

Requesting Permission

For permission to use our content beyond fair use, contact us:

We typically respond within 5-7 business days.

Limitation of Liability

The Recipe Atlas assumes no liability for:

• User-generated content
• Content posted by third parties
• Inaccurate DMCA notices or counter-notifications
• Consequences of content removal or restoration

We act in good faith to comply with the DMCA but cannot guarantee perfect outcomes in all disputes.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this DMCA policy to reflect changes in:

• Legal requirements
• Our procedures
• Industry best practices

Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

Additional Resources

For more information about copyright and the DMCA:

• U.S. Copyright Office
• DMCA.com Resources
• Copyright Alliance

Contact Information

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Legal Notice: This DMCA policy is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions about copyright or the DMCA, consult a qualified intellectual property attorney.

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

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