1. Purpose

PCS respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects all employees, contractors, and users of PCS’s services to do the same. This policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for the use, protection, and enforcement of copyright within the company, ensuring compliance with applicable copyright laws, including the U.S. Copyright Act.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, clients, and users of PCS's resources and services. It covers the creation, use, distribution, and reproduction of copyrighted material, whether owned by PCS or third parties.

3. What is Copyright?

Copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to use and distribute that work for a limited time. Copyright protection applies to a wide range of works, including:
Text, articles, and books
Photographs, images, and illustrations
Music and sound recordings
Videos, films, and digital media
Software and code
Architectural designs
Copyright law prohibits the unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of these works without the permission of the copyright holder.

4. Ownership of Copyright

Company-Owned Works: Any original work created by an employee or contractor during their employment with PCS as part of their duties belongs to PCS, unless otherwise agreed in writing. This includes content, software, designs, and any intellectual property developed using company resources or within the scope of employment.
Third-Party Works: The use of copyrighted material owned by third parties requires appropriate permission or licensing. Employees must ensure that they have the legal right to use any third-party material and must provide attribution where required by the terms of the license.

5. Employee

Responsibilities
Employees and contractors of PCS must:
Obtain proper permission or licensing for any copyrighted material used in company projects, presentations, or publications.
Credit the copyright owner where appropriate, including proper attribution for images, texts, or other media used under a Creative Commons or other license.
Refrain from copying, distributing, or altering copyrighted material without permission, unless the use falls under an exception, such as "fair use" under the U.S. Copyright Act.
Report any suspected infringement of PCS's copyrighted works by third parties or any potential violations of this policy.

6. Fair Use

Fair use is a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright owner for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Employees and contractors should consult legal counsel or the Human Resources Department to determine whether their intended use qualifies as fair use.

7. Prohibited Conduct

The following actions are prohibited unless proper authorization is obtained or the use is covered under fair use:
Reproducing, distributing, or displaying copyrighted works without permission.
Downloading or sharing unauthorized copies of music, movies, software, or other digital media.
Plagiarizing or claiming authorship of a copyrighted work that belongs to someone else.
Using company resources to engage in copyright infringement.

8. Copyright Infringement

If PCS becomes aware of any copyright infringement occurring within its services, products, or operations, the company will take appropriate action, which may include:

Removing the infringing material
Investigating and addressing the infringement through disciplinary measures
Contacting the infringer to cease and desist from further violations
Taking legal action, where necessary, to protect PCS's intellectual property

9. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Compliance

PCS complies with the provisions of the DMCA and will promptly respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement. The process for filing a DMCA takedown notice is as follows:
DMCA Takedown Notice: If you believe that your copyrighted work has been used on PCS's website or services without authorization, you may file a DMCA takedown request by providing the following information to [Designated Copyright Agent]:
A description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed.
A description of where the infringing material is located on PCS’s website or services.
Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, and email).
A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
Your electronic or physical signature.
Designated Copyright Agent Contact Information: [Designated Copyright Agent Name]
PCS
P O Box 1 Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
support@PCS.org
843-647-5562
Upon receiving a valid DMCA notice, PCS will remove the infringing content and notify the person responsible for uploading the material.

10. Reporting Copyright Violations

Employees, contractors, and users of PCS’s services are encouraged to report any suspected copyright violations or misuse of company or third-party copyrighted material to the Human Resources Department or the Legal Department. All reports will be investigated promptly and, if necessary, corrective action will be taken.

11. Policy Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to comply with changes in copyright laws or regulations. PCS is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights of its employees, partners, and third parties, and encourages awareness and understanding of copyright issues throughout the organization.