Ownership / Possession of user created content

-10 · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010, 07:25 AM

Hey all,

I'm wondering what the correct way would be to allow users to retain full ownership and possession of everything they upload to my site.

On the one hand, they will probably like to keep possession of their content.

On the other, I'd like to be immune from any legal issues if they choose to host content which is illegal in my country or in the USA.

The server is in the USA, I am in the UK.

Would appreciate any advice.

**HTMLBasicTutor** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010, 11:52 AM

Here are some website disclaimer examples. The first couple are from the UK.

You also have to consider that in the US they have the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (opens PDF) and the hosting company is obligated to honour it.

JakeMoore · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2011, 01:08 PM

I would also look at having a specific notification procedure and investigation process similar to what youtube does. There are pros and cons like you have to actually administer the program, but if you have a formal process for someone to dispute a copyright violation you will be much less likely to be responsible for any violation.

And of course there is no such thing as immunity from legal issues, only lessening the likelihood they come up.