Frequently Asked Questions about
Copyrights and the DMCA
Jason
Updated 10 months ago
SlideShare is now a part of Scribd. These policies apply to content uploaded to both
Scribd and SlideShare. This page is intended as general information and is not legal
advice.
Policies
Does Scribd allow copyright infringements on Scribd and
SlideShare?
No. Copyright infringement is illegal and not permitted under any circumstances.
Does Scribd delete accounts with infringing content?
Yes. Scribd automatically deletes the account of repeat infringers on a three-strikes basis. Scribd
does not act on requests or demands to remove suspected infringers.
Why does Scribd allow anyone to upload documents?
Scribd understands that some of the most compelling and innovative authors do not have a
publishing deal with a major publisher, and that independent authors are in need of services that
help empower their ability to distribute their content. While Scribd understands that an “open
door” policy occasionally leads to abuse, including copyright infringement, such uses are in the
minority. Scribd’s services are available to everyone.
Can Scribd determine copyright ownership?
No. Scribd is not able to determine which items on Scribd and SlideShare may or may not
infringe copyright. A valid DMCA notification is the minimum that Scribd can accept as proof-
of-copyright, even if you reside outside the United States.
Can I demand the removal of a Scribd member that
infringes my content?
No. Scribd does not act on requests or demands to remove suspected infringers. Repeat
infringers, however, are removed automatically on a three-strikes basis.
How do I request permission to use content that I find on
Scribd?
Scribd’s members retain the rights to the content they upload to Scribd and SlideShare. Scribd
does not serve as a right agent or broker for matters related to permissions and licensing. All
queries regarding the licensing of specific documents should be directed to the person that
uploaded the content. Many members provide contact information on their profile page, but
Scribd cannot provide additional contact information. Many authors and publishers feature
copyright information and permission instructions on their websites.
Copyright
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection granted by law to authors of original creative works. Copyright
applies to any creative expression including a book, photographs, artwork, writing, or recording.
A copyright guarantees that the author or rights holder determines who gets to copy, re-use, or
alter the original work. In the United States, an original work is under copyright protection from
the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyrights can be held
exclusively by the creator of the original work, or shared via license with another entity, such as
a publisher or agency.
The period for which a work remains under copyright varies from country to country. After a
period of time, copyrights revert to the public domain. Works in the public domain can be copied
or reused without restrictions. Some alternatives to full copyright have emerged in an attempt to
add greater flexibility to copyright licensing. The most flexible and widely-used alternative
is Creative Commons. Scribd provides uploaders the option of using Creative Commons
licenses. Other alternatives to copyright, such as copyleft and the GNU Public License, are also
in use across the Internet but are not supported on Scribd.
Scribd is based in the United States and complies with all domestic and international copyright
laws.
What is copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement is the copying or re-use of a copyrighted work without permission of the
rights holder. Copyright infringement can include copying all or part of a protected work for any
purpose, or repurposing protected material in a derivative work. Copyright infringement, whether
intentional or accidental, is illegal in most countries. You can be held monetarily liable for
copyright infringement any time you upload copyrighted content without the rights holder’s
permission, even when:
the content is infringed elsewhere;
you previously purchased a copy of the copyrighted work, or intend to purchase a copy at
a later time;
the copyright owner made the document available “for free” on Scribd or on another
website;
you derive no financial compensation or benefit from the infringement;
you share copyrighted works for so-called “educational” or “non-commercial” use;
you declare that “no copyright infringement is intended”;
you set a copyrighted work to “private,” or when you intend to share only with a small
group of your friends or family;
you accurately attribute the owner or author of the copyrighted content;
you use your creativity to update, change, or alter a copyrighted work;
your Scribd account has been suspended.
What are the consequences of copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement, at the very least, can lead to the removal of your Scribd account and all
your documents. However, you may still be prosecuted and held liable for monetary damages.
What is fair use?
“Fair Use” is a doctrine under United States copyright law that provides for extremely limited
use of limited portions of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the copyright
holder. Fair Use does not allow you to distribute copyrighted works in their entirety for non-
commercial or educational purposes, nor does it allow you to redistribute copyrighted works that
you have previously purchased or downloaded for free on another website.
Scribd does not evaluate claims of fair use, and must rely on the direction of a judge or other
appropriate official. You may be liable for monetary damages if you use copyrighted work in a
manner that is determined by a court of law to not meet the standard of Fair Use.
What is the public domain?
