Introduction
FanWork respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects our users to do the same. This Copyright Policy outlines how we handle copyright matters on our platform, including the procedure for reporting copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and similar laws worldwide.
Our Commitment
FanWork is committed to:
- Responding promptly to valid copyright infringement notices
- Removing or disabling access to infringing content
- Terminating accounts of repeat infringers
- Providing a fair process for counter-notifications
Copyright and Fan Content
Understanding Fair Use and Fan Creativity
FanWork is a platform for fan creativity. We recognize that fan content often involves copyrighted material and encourage responsible creation that respects intellectual property rights.
What's Generally Acceptable
| Content Type | Guidelines |
|---|---|
| Fan Art | Original artwork inspired by artists/characters, clearly labeled as fan-made |
| Fan Fiction | Original stories, clearly fictional, with appropriate disclaimers |
| Commentary/Review | Analysis, criticism, or review incorporating limited clips/images |
| Covers | Music covers crediting original artists (not full karaoke tracks) |
| Edits | Transformative edits with creative additions, crediting sources |
What's Not Acceptable
| Content Type | Issue |
|---|---|
| Full Songs/Albums | Uploading complete copyrighted music files |
| Full Episodes/Movies | Sharing complete video content |
| Official Photos | Reposting official photos without transformation or credit |
| Merchandise Designs | Copying official merchandise designs for reproduction |
| Claiming Others' Work | Presenting others' fan art/content as your own |
DMCA Notice Procedure
If Your Copyright Has Been Infringed
If you believe content on FanWork infringes your copyright, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice.
Required Information
Your notice must include:
-
Your Contact Information
- Full legal name
- Physical address
- Email address
- Phone number (optional but helpful)
-
Identification of Copyrighted Work
- Description of the work you claim is infringed
- URL or location of your original work (if available online)
-
Identification of Infringing Content
- URL(s) of the allegedly infringing content on FanWork
- Sufficient information to locate the content
-
Good Faith Statement
- "I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted materials described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law."
-
Accuracy Statement
- "I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner, or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed."
-
Your Signature
- Physical or electronic signature
Where to Send DMCA Notices
Email: townhall@fanwork.kr
Mail: DMCA Agent Data Town Inc. Seoul Center, Korea Tourism Organization 40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu Seoul, South Korea
Notice Template
``` DMCA Takedown Notice
Date: [DATE]
To: FanWork DMCA Agent
-
Contact Information: Name: [Your Name] Address: [Your Address] Email: [Your Email] Phone: [Your Phone] (optional)
-
Copyrighted Work: [Description of your copyrighted work] Original URL (if applicable): [URL]
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Infringing Content Location(s): [URL(s) of infringing content on FanWork]
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Good Faith Statement: I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted materials described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
-
Accuracy Statement: I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner, or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
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Signature: [Your Signature] ```
What Happens After We Receive a Notice
Our Process
-
Review (1-2 business days)
- We review the notice for completeness and validity
- Incomplete notices may be returned for revision
-
Action (Within 48 hours of valid notice)
- We remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content
- We notify the user who posted the content
-
User Notification
- The affected user receives:
- Notification of the takedown
- Copy of the complaint (with your contact info, as required by law)
- Information about counter-notification rights
- The affected user receives:
-
Documentation
- We maintain records of all DMCA notices and actions taken
Counter-Notification Procedure
If Your Content Was Removed
If you believe your content was removed due to a mistake or misidentification, you may file a counter-notification.
Before Filing
Consider:
- Is your use actually fair use, parody, or otherwise authorized?
- Do you have a license or permission?
- Are you willing to defend your position in court if necessary?
Counter-Notification Requirements
Your counter-notification must include:
-
Your Contact Information
- Full legal name
- Physical address
- Email address
- Phone number
-
Identification of Removed Content
- Description of content that was removed
- URL where content appeared before removal
-
Statement Under Penalty of Perjury
- "I swear, under penalty of perjury, that I have a good faith belief that the content was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification."
-
Consent to Jurisdiction
- "I consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the district in which my address is located, or if my address is outside the United States, the jurisdiction of the courts in Seoul, South Korea. I will accept service of process from the person who provided the original notification or an agent of such person."
-
Your Signature
- Physical or electronic signature
Where to Send Counter-Notifications
Email: townhall@fanwork.kr (Subject: "Counter-Notification")
What Happens After Counter-Notification
- We Forward: We send your counter-notification to the original complainant
- 10-14 Day Window: The complainant has 10-14 business days to file legal action
- Content Restoration: If no legal action is filed, we may restore your content
- Legal Action: If the complainant files suit, content remains down pending court resolution
Repeat Infringer Policy
Our Policy
FanWork will terminate the accounts of users who repeatedly infringe copyrights.
What Constitutes Repeat Infringement
| Infractions | Consequence |
|---|---|
| 1st valid notice | Warning \+ content removal |
| 2nd valid notice | 7-day account suspension \+ content removal |
| 3rd valid notice | Account termination |
Exceptions
- Counter-notifications that are upheld do not count as infractions
- Notices that are withdrawn do not count as infractions
- We consider the nature and severity of each case
Copyright Complaints for Specific Regions
European Union (Copyright Directive)
For EU users, we comply with the EU Copyright Directive. This includes:
- Complaint and redress mechanisms
- Consideration of exceptions and limitations
- Human review of automated decisions
Korea (Copyright Act)
We comply with Korean copyright law, including:
- Response to requests from the Korea Copyright Protection Agency
- Cooperation with rights holders' organizations
Other Jurisdictions
We respect copyright laws in all jurisdictions where we operate and will respond to valid notices under applicable local laws.
Tips for Content Creators
Protecting Your Work
- Watermark your fan art with your username
- Include credits in video descriptions
- Use clear "fan-made" labels on your content
- Document your creation process (screenshots, WIP images)
If Your Fan Work Is Stolen
- Try contacting the user directly first
- Report through FanWork's report function
- If no response, file a copyright notice
Avoiding Copyright Issues
- Always credit original artists and sources
- Transform content rather than simply copying
- Don't monetize copyrighted content without permission
- Respect takedown requests from artists and companies
- When in doubt, don't post it
Entertainment Company Guidelines
We work with entertainment companies to protect their intellectual property while supporting legitimate fan activity.
For Entertainment Companies
If you represent an entertainment company and need to submit multiple takedown requests:
- Contact us at townhall@fanwork.kr for bulk submission procedures
- We can establish a direct communication channel
- We're open to discussing partnership approaches
Our Position on Fan Content
We believe:
- Fan creativity strengthens fandoms and benefits artists
- Clear guidelines help fans create responsibly
- Collaboration between platforms and rights holders serves everyone
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I post screenshots from music videos?
A: Limited screenshots for commentary, review, or discussion are generally acceptable. Full video uploads are not.
Q: Can I post song lyrics?
A: Brief quotes for discussion or review are generally okay. Full lyrics may be subject to removal.
Q: What if an artist shares my fan art?
A: This doesn't transfer any rights. You retain your copyright in your original creation. The artist sharing it is a compliment, not a license.
Q: What if I give credit?
A: Credit is important and appreciated, but it doesn't authorize use of copyrighted content. Some uses may still infringe even with credit.
Q: How long do I have to file a counter-notification?
A: There's no strict deadline, but we recommend filing within 14 days if you believe removal was in error.
Contact Information
DMCA Agent: Data Town Inc. Email: townhall@fanwork.kr
Address: Seoul Center, Korea Tourism Organization 40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu Seoul, South Korea
General Copyright Questions: townhall@fanwork.kr
Policy Updates
We may update this Copyright Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.
Last Updated: [21 Feb 2026] Version: 1.0
FanWork supports a balanced approach to copyright that protects rights holders while enabling legitimate fan creativity.