DMCA Policy – BoardLore

At BoardLore, we value and respect the intellectual property rights of board game designers, publishers, artists, and all other creators who contribute to the development of tabletop gaming. Our platform offers a space for players, collectors, and enthusiasts to discuss, review, and share experiences related to board games. This Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) policy explains our commitment to protecting creators’ rights while fostering a safe and creative community for everyone involved in the world of board games.

1. Purpose of This Policy

Board games often include a wide range of creative works that are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. These works may consist of written rulebooks, original artwork, illustrations, graphic layouts, custom game components, packaging designs, and thematic stories. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or public display of these materials without permission from the copyright owner may constitute infringement.

2. Scope of Protected Works

• Written rulebooks, scenarios, expansions, and campaign materials
• Illustrations, box art, game board designs, and graphic layouts
• Game pieces, tokens, miniatures, cards, dice, and other physical components
• Original storylines, characters, and thematic content
• Promotional materials, photographs, and marketing images

Copying or sharing these works without permission, whether in physical or digital format, is prohibited. This includes scanning rulebooks, replicating original art, distributing game component designs, or uploading print-and-play versions without authorization.

3. Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you believe that your copyrighted board game material has been used on our platform without authorization, you may submit a DMCA Takedown Notice. Your notice must include:

• Your full legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address
• Identification of the copyrighted work you believe has been infringed
• A description of the infringing material and where it is located on our platform
• A statement of good faith belief that the use is not authorized by you, your agent, or the law
• A statement under penalty of perjury that the information provided is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner
• Your physical or electronic signature

Once a valid notice is received, we will promptly review the claim, remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content, and notify the user responsible for uploading it.

4. Counter-Notification Procedure

If your board game-related content has been removed or disabled because of a DMCA notice and you believe this action was in error or that your work is protected under fair use or other rights, you may submit a counter-notification including:

• Your full legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address
• Identification of the content that was removed and its original location
• A statement under penalty of perjury that you believe the removal or disabling was a mistake or misidentification
• A statement agreeing to the jurisdiction of the appropriate court in your region, or if outside the United States, any judicial district in which our company may be found
• A statement that you will accept service of process from the original complainant
• Your physical or electronic signature

Upon receipt of a valid counter-notification, we will forward it to the original complainant. If no legal action is taken within the required period, the removed content may be restored.

5. Repeat Infringer Policy

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate the accounts of users who repeatedly upload infringing material. Repeat violations may also result in restricted access to certain platform features or permanent account removal.

6. Fair Use and Board Games

Some uses of board game materials may qualify as fair use under copyright law, such as:

• Reviews and critiques of game mechanics or components
• Educational demonstrations or tutorials explaining gameplay
• Parody or transformative works based on original games
• News reporting and commentary about board games

Fair use determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, and it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that their content qualifies before posting.

7. Misuse of the DMCA Process

Knowingly submitting false DMCA notices or counter-notifications may lead to legal liability. All parties are expected to provide accurate and truthful information and to act in good faith when using the DMCA process.

8. Enforcement and Policy Updates

We actively monitor and enforce this DMCA policy to maintain a legal and respectful environment for the board gaming community. We may update this policy at any time to reflect changes in copyright law, industry standards, or our operational needs.

By following this policy, we aim to ensure that the creativity and hard work of board game creators are respected, while allowing fans and players to share their passion in a lawful and responsible way.