Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Notice & Policy (17 U.S.C. §512)

 

Effective date: August 12, 2025

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Applies to: welcometowhat.com, the "Welcome to Whatcom" app, and any related online services operated by Austin Hudspeth (collectively, the "Service").

 

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect our users to do the same. This policy explains how to send a notice of claimed infringement under the DMCA and how to submit a counter‑notification if you believe content was removed in error.

1) Designated Agent for DMCA Notices

 

Name: Austin Hudspeth (Designated Agent)

Email: legal@welcometowhat.com

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Mailing Address

3410 Woburn St,

Bellingham, WA 98226, United States

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If you submit your notice by email, we may begin our review; however, we must receive your signed statement (electronic or physical signature) by email attachment (e.g., PDF) or by mail before we are required to take action under the DMCA.

 

2) How to Submit a Proper DMCA Notice (Copyright Owner or Authorized Agent)

 

A valid DMCA notice must include all of the following:

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1. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed; if multiple works at a single online location are covered by one notice, provide a representative list.

2. Identification of the infringing material to be removed or to which access is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material (e.g., full URL(s), screenshots, post title, date/time, username).

3. Your contact information: full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

4. The following statements:

   • “I have a good‑faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.”

   • “The information in this notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner.”

5. Your signature (physical or electronic). An electronic signature may be typed or digitally applied and must clearly identify the signer (e.g., "/Jane Doe/").

 

Format tips: Please send notices in English, include the subject line “DMCA Notice”, and attach supporting documentation when available. Prefer a single PDF where possible.

 

3) What We Do Upon Receipt of a Valid Notice

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• We will act expeditiously to remove or disable access to the identified material.

• We may notify the user who posted the material and provide the notice (with personal information redacted where appropriate).

• We may request additional information if the notice is incomplete or unclear.

Misuse warning: There are substantial penalties for false claims under 17 U.S.C. §512(f). Do not submit claims for materials you do not own or control.

 

4) How to Submit a Counter‑Notification (If Your Content Was Removed)

 

If you believe your content was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter‑notification containing all of the following:

1. Your physical or electronic signature.

2. Identification of the material that has been removed or to which access has been disabled, and the location (URL)at which the material appeared before it was removed/disabled.

3. A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good‑faith belief that the material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification.

4. Your name, mailing address, and telephone number, and a statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the federal district court for the judicial district in which your address is located, or if your address is outside the U.S., for any judicial district in which we may be found, and that you will accept service of process from the person who provided the original DMCA notice or that person’s agent.

Send counter‑notifications to the Designated Agent listed above and include the subject line “DMCA Counter‑Notification.”

After we receive a valid counter‑notification, we may restore the material 10–14 business days after forwarding the counter‑notification to the original complainant, unless our Designated Agent first receives notice that the complainant has filed court action seeking to restrain you from engaging in the allegedly infringing activity. (Timeline subject to 17 U.S.C. §512.)

 

5) Repeat Infringer Policy; Termination

 

In appropriate circumstances, we terminate or suspend accounts of users who are determined to be repeat infringers. We also reserve the right to remove content and take other actions at our discretion when content appears to infringe intellectual property rights.

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6) Standard Technical Measures

 

We accommodate and do not interfere with standard technical measures recognized by the industry used by copyright owners to identify and protect copyrighted works, consistent with 17 U.S.C. §512(i).

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7) Not Legal Advice

 

This policy is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. You should consult your own attorney regarding rights and obligations under the DMCA and other applicable laws. For more information, visit the U.S. Copyright Office at https://www.copyright.gov/.

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8) Updates to This Policy

 

We may modify this policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected by the Effective date above.