5/4/23, 11:28 AM Frequently Asked Questions about Copyrights and the DMCA – Scribd Help Center

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Copyright, DMCA, and BookID™

Frequently Asked Questions about Copyrights

and the DMCA
Jason
Updated 2 years ago

SlideShare is now a part of Scribd. These policies apply to content uploaded to both Scribd
and SlideShare. This page is intended as general information and is not legal advice.

Policies

Does Scribd allow copyright infringements on Scribd and

SlideShare?
No. Copyright infringement is illegal and not permitted under any circumstances.

Does Scribd delete accounts with infringing content?

Yes. Scribd automatically deletes the account of repeat infringers on a three-strikes basis. Scribd does not act
on requests or demands to remove suspected infringers.

Why does Scribd allow anyone to upload documents?

Scribd understands that some of the most compelling and innovative authors do not have a publishing deal
with a major publisher, and that independent authors are in need of services that help empower their ability to
distribute their content. While Scribd understands that an “open door” policy occasionally leads to abuse,
including copyright infringement, such uses are in the minority. Scribd’s services are available to everyone.

Can Scribd determine copyright ownership?

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5/4/23, 11:28 AM Frequently Asked Questions about Copyrights and the DMCA – Scribd Help Center

No. Scribd is not able to determine which items on Scribd and SlideShare may or may not infringe copyright. A
valid DMCA notification is the minimum that Scribd can accept as proof-of-copyright, even if you reside outside
the United States.

Can I demand the removal of a Scribd member that infringes my

content?
No. Scribd does not act on requests or demands to remove suspected infringers. Repeat infringers, however,
are removed automatically on a three-strikes basis.

How do I request permission to use content that I find on Scribd?

Scribd’s members retain the rights to the content they upload to Scribd and SlideShare. Scribd does not serve
as a right agent or broker for matters related to permissions and licensing. All queries regarding the licensing of
specific documents should be directed to the person that uploaded the content. Many members provide
contact information on their profile page, but Scribd cannot provide additional contact information. Many
authors and publishers feature copyright information and permission instructions on their websites.

Copyright
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection granted by law to authors of original creative works. Copyright applies to any
creative expression including a book, photographs, artwork, writing, or recording. A copyright guarantees that
the author or rights holder determines who gets to copy, re-use, or alter the original work. In the United States,
an original work is under copyright protection from the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible medium of
expression. Copyrights can be held exclusively by the creator of the original work, or shared via license with
another entity, such as a publisher or agency.

The period for which a work remains under copyright varies from country to country. After a period of time,
copyrights revert to the public domain. Works in the public domain can be copied or reused without
restrictions. Some alternatives to full copyright have emerged in an attempt to add greater flexibility to
copyright licensing. The most flexible and widely-used alternative is Creative Commons. Scribd provides
uploaders the option of using Creative Commons licenses. Other alternatives to copyright, such as copyleft and
the GNU Public License, are also in use across the Internet but are not supported on Scribd.

Scribd is based in the United States and complies with all domestic and international copyright laws.

What is copyright infringement?

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