DMCA Copyright Policy – VRealm Journal

This Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) Policy applies to VRealm Journal, a digital platform dedicated to the development, promotion, distribution, and user engagement surrounding Virtual Reality (VR) games. As a provider of VR gaming services and content, we are committed to respecting and protecting intellectual property rights in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Our goal is to provide a safe, innovative, and legally compliant environment for gamers, developers, creators, and publishers operating in the expanding VR gaming space. We take allegations of copyright infringement seriously and have established the following procedures and policies to respond to legitimate claims.

Protected Content in VR Gaming

In the context of VR games, copyrighted content includes, but is not limited to:

• VR game source code and compiled binaries
• 3D models, avatars, rigging files, and motion data
• Soundtracks, audio loops, voiceovers, and ambient effects
• VR environments, world-building assets, and textures
• Cinematics, camera animations, and transition effects
• In-game user interfaces, control schemes, and hand tracking systems
• Custom haptic feedback scripts or spatial triggers
• Promotional and branding materials such as box art, logos, and trailers

Any unauthorized use of these materials may constitute infringement. This includes reproduction, distribution, public performance, derivative works, and public display without permission from the rightful owner.

Submitting a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you are the copyright owner or an authorized representative and believe that your work has been used on our platform in a manner that violates your rights, you may file a formal DMCA takedown request. Your notification must include the following legally required elements:

• A physical or electronic signature of the rights holder or authorized agent.
• Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed.
• A description of where the material is located on our platform (e.g., listing name, VR experience title, username, or relevant section).
• Your contact information, including full legal name, address, telephone number, and email address.
• A good faith statement that you believe the use is not authorized by the copyright owner or law.
• A declaration under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and that you are the rights holder or authorized to act on their behalf.

Once a valid takedown notice is received, we will remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content and notify the party responsible for uploading or sharing the material.

Responding with a Counter-Notice

If you believe that content you uploaded or distributed was removed due to mistake or misidentification, you may file a counter-notification. Your counter-notice must meet the following criteria:

• Identify the content that was removed or disabled, and the location at which it appeared.
• Provide your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
• Include a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the content was wrongly removed.
• Consent to the jurisdiction of the appropriate U.S. Federal District Court and agree to accept service of process from the original complainant.
• Include your physical or electronic signature.

Upon receiving a valid counter-notice, we may restore the content within a reasonable time frame unless the original complainant initiates a court proceeding.

Repeat Infringer Policy

To comply with legal obligations and protect the creative community in the VR space, we enforce a policy against repeat infringers. A user, developer, or uploader who repeatedly violates copyright law or receives multiple valid takedown notices may have their access to our services suspended or permanently revoked.

We reserve the right to monitor user activity, review prior complaints, and take action as necessary to maintain a fair and legal environment.

Guidelines for VR Developers and Users

To avoid legal issues, all participants in the VR ecosystem—whether developers, modders, streamers, or players—should observe the following guidelines:

• Do not upload or distribute VR titles that contain unlicensed or pirated assets.
• Use only legally acquired 3D models, audio files, or animations in your creations.
• Do not incorporate protected elements from other VR games without proper licensing.
• Respect the intellectual property of hardware manufacturers, input tracking systems, and SDK providers.
• Clearly distinguish between original content and derivative works.
• Avoid using copyrighted music, characters, or environments in user-generated experiences without permission.

Our platform encourages creativity, but not at the expense of legal ownership rights or fair competition.

Use of Mods and Community Creations

VR games are often enriched by community-made mods, custom assets, and experimental add-ons. We support innovation but require compliance with copyright law. Content created by users must:

• Be original or used under an appropriate license
• Avoid unauthorized reuse of proprietary animations, audio, or environment packs
• Not replicate premium features from paid VR games
• Respect the rights of developers and publishers of base content

We may remove mods or community contributions that violate the rights of third parties or conflict with the usage guidelines of the original creators.

Streamed VR Content and Fair Use

We understand that creators may use screen-captured VR content in streams, tutorials, reviews, or educational formats. While some of these uses may qualify under the doctrine of fair use, this is a nuanced legal concept.

Examples that might fall under fair use include:

• VR gameplay reviews and critique videos
• Educational content demonstrating VR mechanics or accessibility
• Comparative studies between VR platforms or engines
• Original commentary over VR playthroughs

However, fair use is not guaranteed. Content creators are responsible for ensuring their use of protected materials complies with the law. We do not evaluate fair use claims on a case-by-case basis unless legally compelled to do so.

Misuse of the DMCA Process

Submitting false, fraudulent, or abusive DMCA takedown requests or counter-notices is prohibited. Misuse of this process may expose the offending party to legal and financial penalties. All parties engaging in DMCA claims must act in good faith.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that knowingly submit false copyright claims or misuse our reporting system for competitive or malicious purposes.

Legal and Platform Safeguards

We take active steps to minimize copyright violations on our VR platform. This includes:

• Reviewing content uploaded by users and developers
• Responding promptly to valid DMCA notices
• Removing unauthorized material without prior notice
• Educating our community about copyright standards
• Working with rights holders to resolve disputes constructively

We maintain records of takedown notices, counter-notices, and resolution outcomes as part of our ongoing compliance efforts.

Changes to This Policy

We may update or revise this DMCA Policy as necessary to reflect changes in the law, the evolution of VR gaming technology, or internal platform policies. Users are encouraged to check this policy regularly to remain informed about their rights and responsibilities.

Contacting Our DMCA Agent

To file a takedown notice or counter-notification, or to request assistance regarding a copyright matter, please contact our designated DMCA Agent through the contact information provided in our legal section. Inquiries must include complete and verifiable information to be processed efficiently.