Help for Instructors

Skyfarer Academy’s Policy on Copyright and Trademark Materials

Updated Aug 19, 2024

Skyfarer Academy respects the intellectual property rights of third parties. We have a strict policy regarding the use of copyrighted and trademarked materials on our platform:

1. DMCA Notifications: If we receive a DMCA notice about the use of copyrighted materials on our platform, we will immediately remove the identified material. This may mean that your session/course listing will be temporarily taken down until the infringing content is removed or proven to be not infringing.

2. Trademark Infringement: If notified of trademark infringement, particularly involving logos or word marks, we will evaluate the claim. If necessary, the identified material will be removed from your listing.

Understanding Copyright and Trademark Protections

Copyright protects creative works such as images, videos, music, and written content. Using copyrighted material requires permission unless it falls under the ‘fair use’ principle, which allows for brief, educational references under certain conditions. It’s important to note that the ‘fair use’ principle has specific criteria that must be met.

Trademarks protect names, words, logos, and symbols associated with a company or product. When referencing a trademark in your course title or description, ensure it’s clear that your session is not an official product of the trademarked entity.

Guidelines for Session & Course Listings

When creating your listing:

• Use Public Domain Content: Opt for content that is free of copyright restrictions, such as public domain images and videos.
• Licensed Content: If you use licensed content (e.g., from Shutterstock or Getty Images), ensure you comply with the licensing terms, including any required attributions.
• Open Source Content: Consider using Creative Commons licensed materials, but be sure to follow the specific licensing requirements, such as providing appropriate attribution.
• Trademark Use: If necessary, reference trademarks in a way that clarifies there is no affiliation or endorsement by the trademark owner.

Guidelines for Session & Course Content

During your sessions:

• Use Public Domain or Licensed Content: Ensure that any material used in your sessions is either in the public domain or properly licensed for educational use.
• Fair Use: If using copyrighted material under ‘fair use,’ ensure it meets the legal criteria, such as being brief and directly relevant to the educational purpose of your session.

Best Practices

To help you navigate copyright and trademark issues, we recommend:

• Using Public Domain or Licensed Content: This minimizes the risk of infringement.
• Providing Disclaimers: When using trademarks, clearly state that your session is not affiliated with or endorsed by the trademark holder.

Respecting Intellectual Property Rights

Skyfarer Academy takes copyright and trademark infringements seriously. If you violate intellectual property rights, you may be personally liable for damages. We reserve the right to remove any infringing material from our platform. If your session listing is taken down due to a DMCA notice or trademark complaint, we will inform you and provide an opportunity to correct the issue.

Resources

For more information on copyright and trademarks, please refer to the resources below. Remember to conduct your own research to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

• Copyright: https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-definitions.html
• Copyright fair use: https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/more-info.html
• Trademark: https://www.uspto.gov/page/about-trademark-infringement
• Trademark fair use: https://www.inta.org/TrademarkBasics/FactSheets/Pages/Fair-Use-of-TrademarksNL.aspx