Effective Date
This Intellectual Property & DMCA Policy (“Policy”) governs intellectual property rights, copyright protection, trademark protection, ownership of content, infringement reporting procedures, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) compliance, and related matters concerning the use of Chekpros.com (“Chekpros,” “Platform,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).
This Policy applies to all users, including employers, freelancers, agencies, consultants, contractors, businesses, organizations, visitors, and any other individuals or entities accessing or using the Platform.
By accessing or using Chekpros.com, users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with this Policy.
- Purpose of This Policy
Chekpros respects intellectual property rights and expects all users to do the same.
The purpose of this Policy is to:
- Protect intellectual property rights
- Prevent copyright infringement
- Protect trademarks and branding
- Protect proprietary business information
- Establish reporting procedures
- Support lawful content creation
- Address infringement complaints
- Promote fair use of intellectual property
- Protect the integrity of the Platform
Chekpros takes intellectual property protection seriously and reserves the right to take appropriate action against users who violate intellectual property laws or platform policies.
- Definitions
For purposes of this Policy:
Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property (“IP”) includes, but is not limited to:
- Copyrights
- Trademarks
- Service marks
- Trade names
- Logos
- Patents
- Trade secrets
- Proprietary information
- Domain names
- Software
- Source code
- Databases
- Creative works
- Designs
- Documentation
Copyright
Copyright protects original works of authorship, including:
- Written content
- Images
- Videos
- Audio recordings
- Software code
- Graphic designs
- Marketing materials
- Publications
Trademark
Trademarks include names, logos, symbols, slogans, branding elements, and other identifiers that distinguish products or services.
User Content
User Content includes all materials submitted, uploaded, posted, transmitted, displayed, shared, or otherwise made available through the Platform.
- Ownership of Chekpros Intellectual Property
Chekpros and its licensors retain ownership of all rights, title, and interest in and to the Platform, including:
- Website design
- Software
- Source code
- Databases
- User interfaces
- Logos
- Trademarks
- Branding
- Content
- Documentation
- Proprietary technology
- Platform features
Nothing in this Policy grants users ownership of any Chekpros intellectual property.
Users receive only a limited, non-exclusive, revocable license to access and use the Platform in accordance with applicable policies.
- Chekpros Trademarks
The Chekpros name, logos, service marks, branding elements, slogans, graphics, and associated identifiers are proprietary assets of Chekpros.
Users may not:
- Copy trademarks
- Modify trademarks
- Register confusingly similar marks
- Misrepresent affiliation with Chekpros
- Use trademarks without authorization
Unauthorized use may result in legal action.
- User Content Ownership
Users generally retain ownership of intellectual property rights in content they create and submit to the Platform.
Examples include:
- Portfolio items
- Project deliverables
- Designs
- Source code
- Written content
- Videos
- Images
- Marketing materials
- Business documents
Users remain solely responsible for ensuring that they possess all necessary rights to submitted content.
- License Granted To Chekpros
By submitting content to the Platform, users grant Chekpros a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable license to:
- Host content
- Store content
- Display content
- Reproduce content
- Distribute content
- Promote content
- Improve platform services
- Operate marketplace functions
This license exists solely to enable operation, promotion, improvement, security, and administration of the Platform.
Users retain underlying ownership rights unless otherwise agreed.
- Ownership of Project Deliverables
Ownership of project deliverables may depend upon:
- Agreements between parties
- Contract terms
- Project requirements
- Applicable law
Unless otherwise agreed in writing between users:
- Freelancers generally retain ownership of work until full payment is received.
- Upon full payment, intellectual property rights may transfer to the employer to the extent permitted by applicable law and contractual agreement.
Users are encouraged to define ownership terms clearly before commencing work.
Chekpros is not responsible for negotiating ownership arrangements between users.
- User Representations and Warranties
By submitting content, users represent and warrant that:
- They own the content or possess necessary rights.
- The content does not infringe intellectual property rights.
- The content does not violate laws.
- The content is not fraudulent or misleading.
- They have authority to grant applicable licenses.
Users assume full responsibility for submitted content.
- Copyright Infringement Prohibitions
Users may not upload, post, distribute, share, sell, transmit, or otherwise make available content that:
- Infringes copyrights
- Violates trademarks
- Violates patents
- Misappropriates trade secrets
- Violates publicity rights
- Violates privacy rights
Examples include:
- Stolen artwork
- Unauthorized software
- Pirated media
- Copied website content
- Unlicensed photographs
- Unauthorized branding materials
Infringing content may be removed immediately.
- Digital Millennium Copyright Act (Dmca)
Chekpros respects the rights of copyright owners and seeks to comply with applicable copyright laws, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), where applicable.
Copyright owners who believe their rights have been infringed may submit a copyright complaint.
Submission of a complaint does not guarantee removal of content.
Chekpros may review complaints and take appropriate action at its discretion.
- Copyright Complaint Requirements
A copyright complaint should include:
- Identification of the copyrighted work
- Description of allegedly infringing material
- Location of the material on the Platform
- Contact information of the complainant
- Good faith statement regarding unauthorized use
- Statement of accuracy
- Statement of ownership or authority
- Physical or electronic signature
Incomplete notices may be rejected.
- Counter-Notification Procedures
Users whose content is removed may submit a counter-notification where legally appropriate.
Counter-notifications may include:
- Identification of removed content
- Explanation of rights to use content
- Good faith statement
- Contact information
- Consent to applicable legal jurisdiction where required
Submission of a counter-notification does not guarantee restoration of content.
- Repeat Infringer Policy
Chekpros reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts of users who repeatedly violate intellectual property rights.
Actions may include:
- Content removal
- Account restrictions
- Suspension
- Permanent termination
- Legal referrals
Repeat infringement determinations are made at Chekpros’ sole discretion.
- Trademark Complaints
Trademark owners may report:
- Unauthorized trademark use
- Counterfeit branding
- Misleading branding
- Trademark impersonation
- False affiliation claims
Trademark complaints should include supporting documentation demonstrating ownership rights.
Chekpros may investigate and take appropriate action.
- Trade Secret Protection
Users may not disclose or misuse confidential information, including:
- Proprietary business information
- Trade secrets
- Client information
- Internal documents
- Confidential technical information
Unauthorized disclosure may result in enforcement action.
- Software and Source Code
Users uploading software, scripts, code, plugins, applications, or related materials represent that they possess all necessary rights to do so.
Users may not upload:
- Malware
- Unauthorized software
- Infringing code
- Illegal software
- Harmful programs
Chekpros reserves the right to review and remove software-related content.
- Fair Use and Permitted Uses
Certain uses of copyrighted materials may be permitted under applicable law, including:
- Fair use
- Fair dealing
- Educational uses
- Commentary
- Criticism
- News reporting
Chekpros does not make legal determinations regarding fair use and reserves the right to review content on a case-by-case basis.
Users remain responsible for compliance with applicable laws.
- Investigations
Chekpros reserves the right to investigate alleged intellectual property violations.
Investigations may include:
- Reviewing content
- Reviewing communications
- Reviewing ownership claims
- Requesting documentation
- Consulting third-party experts
- Cooperating with authorities
Users agree to cooperate with reasonable investigations.
- Enforcement Actions
Chekpros may take action against users who violate intellectual property rights.
Actions may include:
- Content removal
- Warning notices
- Account restrictions
- Suspension
- Termination
- Payment holds
- Legal referrals
- Cooperation with law enforcement
Enforcement decisions are made at Chekpros’ discretion.
- Limitation of Platform Responsibility
Chekpros operates as a technology platform and does not pre-screen all content submitted by users.
Users acknowledge that:
- Chekpros is not responsible for user-generated content.
- Chekpros cannot guarantee ownership of content.
- Chekpros cannot independently verify every intellectual property claim.
- Users remain responsible for their own conduct and content.
- Indemnification
Users agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Chekpros, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, contractors, agents, and partners from claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, and expenses arising from:
- Intellectual property disputes
- Copyright claims
- Trademark claims
- User content
- Policy violations
This includes reasonable legal fees and enforcement costs.
- Policy Modifications
Chekpros reserves the right to modify, amend, update, or replace this Policy at any time.
Changes become effective upon publication unless otherwise required by applicable law.
Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of revised terms.
- Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Chekpros shall not be liable for:
- User-generated content
- Intellectual property disputes between users
- Copyright claims
- Trademark claims
- Ownership disputes
- Business losses arising from intellectual property issues
Users acknowledge that participation in online marketplaces involves inherent legal and business risks.
- Governing Law
This Policy shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Any disputes arising from this Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Nigeria.
- Contact Information
Copyright complaints, trademark complaints, intellectual property inquiries, DMCA notices, counter-notifications, and related matters should be submitted through the official support channels provided on Chekpros.com.
Chekpros may designate a specific Intellectual Property or DMCA contact address for such matters.
- Acknowledgment
By accessing or using Chekpros.com, users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with this Intellectual Property & DMCA Policy.
Users further acknowledge that Chekpros may investigate intellectual property complaints, remove content, suspend accounts, terminate access, cooperate with authorities, and take enforcement actions as deemed appropriate under this Policy and applicable law.