Copyright & DMCA.
Creators deserve respect. Here’s the process for reporting copyright concerns and responding to notices involving hosted services.
Overview
RackHamsters is a hosting brand operated by Angry Hamsters Media, LLC. We respect the intellectual-property rights of content owners and expect our hosting customers and their users to do the same.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), 17 U.S.C. § 512, describes processes and conditions that may apply to online service providers. Publishing this page does not itself establish eligibility for a DMCA safe harbor.
Where to send an infringement report
Send a written complaint to [email protected] with the subject “Copyright / DMCA Notice.” Include enough information to locate the allegedly infringing material and identify the service or content involved.
This email is our general intake point for copyright reports. A formally designated agent for statutory DMCA purposes must also be registered and publicly identified as required by law; we do not claim that this email has been registered as such.
What a valid copyright notice should contain
A notice intended to meet the requirements of 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3) should contain: (1) a physical or electronic signature of an authorized person; (2) identification of the copyrighted work; (3) identification and location of the allegedly infringing material; and (4) contact information such as the reporting party’s name, address, telephone number, and email address.
The notice should also contain (5) a statement that the reporting party has a good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the owner, its agent, or the law; and (6) an accuracy statement, under penalty of perjury, that the reporting party is authorized to act for the owner of the exclusive right.
Review and response
We may evaluate reports, request clarifying details, notify an affected customer, and act under applicable law and our Terms or Acceptable Use Policy. Where required and appropriate, this may involve disabling access to specified material or services.
A report is an allegation, not a court determination. We consider the available details and applicable obligations; urgent or repeat conduct may warrant faster action.
Customer cooperation
Customers are responsible for material and activities hosted on their services, including downstream users. If we forward a credible notice, respond promptly and provide relevant authorization, licensing evidence, removal confirmation, or other information needed to evaluate or resolve it.
Attempts to evade enforcement through replacement accounts or repeated uploads may lead to suspension or termination.
Counter-notifications
If content was disabled based on a DMCA complaint and you believe the action resulted from a mistake or misidentification, you may send a written counter-notification to [email protected], identifying the disputed removal.
When the statutory procedure applies, a compliant counter-notification generally needs a signature; identification and prior location of the material; a statement under penalty of perjury of good-faith belief in mistake or misidentification; your name, address, telephone number; and consent to the relevant federal court jurisdiction and service of process required by 17 U.S.C. § 512(g). Seek legal advice before sending a formal counter-notice.
Possible restoration of content
A valid counter-notification does not always require immediate restoration. Where statutory restoration rules apply, subsequent steps, waiting periods, and exceptions are governed by applicable law.
A separate court order, lawful restriction, security risk, or violation of another policy may independently prohibit restoration.
Repeat-infringer policy
We maintain a policy to terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of customers who repeatedly infringe copyright. We consider credible notices, relevant history, lawful counter-notices, and corrective action, and we seek to implement the policy reasonably.
Customers may also be restricted or terminated for other serious intellectual-property violations under our Acceptable Use Policy.
False notices and other IP complaints
Knowingly material misrepresentations in notices or counter-notices may result in liability under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f). Reports should be accurate and made in good faith.
Trademark, trade-secret, and other intellectual-property concerns can be reported to the same contact point with supporting details, but may follow a different legal process.
Additional information
Review our Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service for broader customer duties. The official U.S. Copyright Office DMCA directory and guidance can be found at copyright.gov/dmca-directory/.
General copyright and abuse questions can be directed to [email protected].