DMCA Policy – NextLevel

At NextLevel, we respect the intellectual property rights of creators, developers, publishers, designers, artists, musicians, and all other contributors who bring virtual games and related digital content to life. Our Virtual Games Club is dedicated to providing a safe, interactive, and enjoyable environment for players, while ensuring full compliance with copyright law and maintaining the integrity of intellectual property. This DMCA Policy explains how rights holders can report unauthorized use of their works, how our club responds to such claims, and how users can issue counter-notifications when they believe a mistake has been made.

1. Purpose of This Policy

This policy exists to protect both copyright holders and the members of the Virtual Games Club. As part of our activities, members may stream gameplay, upload content, share game assets, or use materials during events and tournaments. To ensure fair practices, this policy applies to:

• Game software, executable files, and code
• In-game characters, avatars, items, maps, and environments
• Music, sound effects, and voice recordings
• Cinematic sequences, cutscenes, and dialogue
• Artwork, concept designs, and promotional images
• Videos, gameplay captures, reviews, and community content

Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, display, or modification of any copyrighted material is strictly prohibited unless properly licensed, permitted under law, or qualified as fair use.

2. Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you are a copyright holder or authorized agent, and you believe your work is being used without permission in connection with the Virtual Games Club, you may submit a DMCA Takedown Notice. Your written notice must include:

• Your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address
• Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed
• Clear description or location of the allegedly infringing material used in the club or shared by members
• A statement affirming your good faith belief that the use is not authorized by you, your agent, or the law
• A declaration, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner
• Your physical or electronic signature

Upon receipt of a valid notice, the club will act promptly to remove or disable the allegedly infringing material and notify the member or user responsible.

3. Counter-Notification

If you believe your content was wrongfully removed or disabled, you may submit a counter-notification including:

• Your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address
• Identification of the material removed and its original location
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you believe the removal was due to error or misidentification
• A statement of consent to the jurisdiction of the relevant court and agreement to accept service of process from the complainant
• Your signature (physical or electronic)

Once received, the club will forward your counter-notification to the complainant. Unless the complainant initiates legal action within the required period, the content may be restored.

4. Repeat Infringements

The Virtual Games Club enforces a strict policy against repeat infringers. Any member who repeatedly violates copyright law may face suspension or permanent removal from the club. Serious or repeated violations can also lead to legal consequences beyond club membership.

5. Fair Use Considerations

Certain uses of copyrighted content may qualify as fair use. Examples include:

• Gameplay streaming with commentary or educational analysis
• Criticism, reviews, and transformative works
• Demonstrations, tutorials, or discussions that alter or add significant value to the original work

However, members are personally responsible for determining whether their activities meet fair use standards.

6. Misuse of DMCA

Knowingly submitting false DMCA notices or counter-notifications is prohibited. Abuse of this process may result in penalties, including termination of membership, loss of privileges, and possible legal liability.