Copyright Policy

Last updated: October 2025

1. Our Commitment to Copyright Protection

Elite Gaming National Association ("EGNA") respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects our users to do the same. This Copyright Policy outlines our procedures for handling copyright infringement claims and protecting intellectual property on our platform.

2. EGNA Intellectual Property

Our Protected Content

The following materials are owned by EGNA and protected by copyright:

EGNA Brand: Logos, trademarks, and brand elements
Website Content: Text, graphics, design, and layout
Platform Software: Tournament management systems and tools
Original Content: Articles, tutorials, and educational materials
Tournament Assets: Brackets, statistics, and custom graphics

Permitted Uses

You may use our content for:

Personal, non-commercial use of our services
Sharing tournament results and achievements
Educational or journalistic purposes (with attribution)
Community discussion and promotion

Prohibited Uses

You may NOT:

Use EGNA branding for commercial purposes without permission
Copy or redistribute our proprietary software
Create derivative works without authorization
Remove copyright notices or attribution

3. User-Generated Content

Your Content Rights

You retain ownership of original content you create
You are responsible for ensuring you have rights to content you upload
You grant EGNA license to use your content for platform operations
You represent that your content doesn't infringe others' rights

Types of User Content

Profile Content: Avatars, usernames, and descriptions
Tournament Content: Team names, strategies, and communications
Community Posts: Forum discussions, comments, and reviews
Media Content: Screenshots, videos, and streaming content

4. Third-Party Content

Game Publishers and Developers

We respect the intellectual property of game publishers:

Game assets are used under fair use or licensing agreements
Tournament streaming complies with publisher guidelines
We remove content upon valid takedown requests
Users must own legitimate copies of games to participate

Licensed Content

Some content on our platform is licensed from third parties:

Music and sound effects in streams and videos
Graphics and images from stock photo services
Software components and development tools
Analytics and tracking services

5. DMCA Compliance

Digital Millennium Copyright Act

EGNA complies with the DMCA and responds to valid takedown notices. We have implemented procedures to:

Promptly investigate copyright infringement claims
Remove or disable access to infringing content
Notify users of takedown actions
Provide counter-notification procedures

Safe Harbor Protection

EGNA qualifies for DMCA safe harbor protection by:

Designating a copyright agent for notices
Implementing repeat infringer policies
Responding expeditiously to valid notices
Not interfering with automated protection measures

6. Filing a Copyright Complaint

Required Information

To file a valid DMCA takedown notice, include:

Identification: Description of the copyrighted work
Location: URL or location of the infringing content
Contact Information: Your name, address, phone, and email
Good Faith Statement: Belief that use is not authorized
Accuracy Statement: Information is accurate under penalty of perjury
Authorization: Physical or electronic signature

Where to Send Notices

Send copyright infringement notices to our designated agent:

Email: copyright@egna.pro
Subject Line: "DMCA Takedown Notice"
Mail Address: EGNA Copyright Agent, Legal Department
Response Time: We typically respond within 24-48 hours

7. Counter-Notification Process

If Your Content Was Removed

If you believe content was wrongly removed, you may file a counter-notification:

Identify the removed content and its location
Provide your contact information
State under penalty of perjury that removal was a mistake
Consent to jurisdiction of federal court
Include your physical or electronic signature

Counter-Notice Timeline

Filing: Submit counter-notice within 10 business days
Review: We review and forward to original complainant
Waiting Period: 10-14 business days for response
Restoration: Content restored if no court action filed

8. Repeat Infringer Policy

Three-Strike System

First Strike: Warning and content removal
Second Strike: Temporary account suspension
Third Strike: Permanent account termination
Severe Cases: Immediate termination for egregious violations

Appeal Process

Users may appeal strikes within 30 days
Provide evidence that content was not infringing
Valid appeals result in strike removal
False appeals may result in additional penalties

9. Fair Use Guidelines

What Constitutes Fair Use

Fair use may apply to:

Commentary: Game reviews and analysis
Education: Tutorial and instructional content
News Reporting: Esports journalism and coverage
Criticism: Critical analysis of games or tournaments

Fair Use Factors

Purpose and character of use (commercial vs. educational)
Nature of the copyrighted work
Amount and substantiality of portion used
Effect on market value of original work

10. Licensing and Permissions

Obtaining Licenses

For content use beyond fair use:

Contact copyright owners directly
Use licensed content libraries and services
Consider Creative Commons alternatives
Work with EGNA for official collaborations

EGNA Content Licensing

To license EGNA content for commercial use:

Contact our business development team
Specify intended use and distribution
Agree to licensing terms and fees
Provide proper attribution as required

11. International Copyright

EGNA respects copyright laws globally:

We comply with international copyright treaties
Local copyright laws may apply to your content
Cross-border disputes follow established procedures
We work with international enforcement agencies

12. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Copyright Policy to reflect:

Changes in copyright law and regulations
Platform feature updates and new services
Community feedback and best practices
Legal precedents and court decisions

13. Contact Information

For copyright-related questions and concerns:

Copyright Agent: copyright@egna.pro
General Legal: legal@egna.pro
Business Licensing: licensing@egna.pro
Address: Elite Gaming National Association, Legal Department