Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, Inc.,
DMCA Copyright Infringement Policy
Effective Date of Policy: 18th Day of September, 2025.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) provides a process for a copyright owner to give notification to a service provider, such as Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“Paulding Putnam”), of claimed copyright infringement. In compliance with the DMCA, Paulding Putnam will respond to proper notifications of claimed infringement and terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of subscribers who are repeat infringers.
Paulding Putnam is committed to complying with U.S. copyright and related laws and requires all customers and users of the Service to comply with these laws. Accordingly, you may not store any material or content on, or access, share, or disseminate any material or content over, the Service (or any part of the Service) in any manner that constitutes an infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, including rights granted by U.S. copyright law. Paulding Putnam complies with the DMCA and provides a method for copyright owners to communicate information about alleged infringements to us and for us to inform our customers about them. You may receive notices or alerts if your Service account is identified by a copyright owner as having been used in connection with acts of alleged copyright infringement.
What is Paulding Putnam’s DMCA Policy?
Owners of copyrighted works who believe that their rights under U.S. copyright law have been infringed may take advantage of certain provisions of the DMCA to report alleged infringements. It is Paulding Putnam’s policy in accordance with the DMCA and other applicable laws to reserve the right to terminate the Service provided to any customer or user who is either found to infringe third-party copyright or other intellectual property rights, including repeat infringers, or who Paulding Putnam, in its sole discretion, believes is infringing these rights. Paulding Putnam may terminate the Service at any time with or without notice for any affected customer or user.
How Do Copyright Owners Report Alleged Infringements to Paulding Putnam Under the DMCA?
Copyright owners may report alleged infringements of their works by sending Paulding Putnam’s authorized agent a notification of claimed infringement that satisfies the requirements of the DMCA. Upon Paulding Putnam’s receipt of a satisfactory notice of claimed infringement for these works, Paulding Putnam will respond expeditiously to either directly or indirectly: (i) remove the allegedly infringing work(s), if applicable, or (ii) disable access to the work(s). Paulding Putnam will also promptly notify the affected customer or user of the Service of the removal or disabling of access to the work(s).
Copyright owners may send Paulding Putnam a notification of claimed infringement to report alleged infringements of their works under the DMCA to:
Paulding Putnam
Chief Operating Officer
401 McDonald Pike
Paulding, Ohio 45879
Copyright owners may use their own notification of claimed infringement form that satisfies the requirements of Section 512(c)(3) of the U.S. Copyright Act. Under the DMCA, anyone who knowingly makes misrepresentations regarding alleged copyright infringement may be liable to Paulding Putnam, the alleged infringer, and the affected copyright owner for any damages incurred in connection with the removal, blocking, or replacement of allegedly infringing material.
What Can Customers Do if They Receive a DMCA Notification of Alleged Infringement?
If you receive a DMCA notification of alleged infringement as described above and you believe in good faith that the allegedly infringing works have been removed or blocked by mistake or misidentification, then you may send a counter notification to Paulding Putnam. Upon Paulding Putnam’s receipt of a counter notification that satisfies the requirements of the DMCA, Paulding Putnam will provide a copy of the counter notification to the person who sent the original notification of claimed infringement and will follow the DMCA’s procedures with respect to a received counter notification, including, without limitation, reinstating the removed material and/or reestablishing access to the same within 10 to 14 business days after receipt of the counter notification, unless the person who sent the original notification seeks a court order against the customer. In all events, you expressly agree that Paulding Putnam will not be a party to any disputes or lawsuits regarding alleged copyright infringement.
If a notification of claimed infringement has been filed against you, you can file a counter notification with Paulding Putnam's designated agent using the contact information above. All counter notifications must satisfy the requirements of Section 512(g)(3) of the U.S. Copyright Act.
I. Notice of Claimed Copyright Infringement:
Pursuant to the DMCA, copyright owners may submit to the designated agent of a service provider a notice of claimed copyright infringement carried out on the service provider’s network or on the service provider’s system.
When Paulding Putnam receives a proper notification of claimed copyright infringement from a copyright owner or its authorized agent under the DMCA, it will take the following steps:
- First warning – Paulding Putnam will send a letter to the subscriber describing the claimed copyright infringement and stating that the infringement constitutes a violation of Paulding Putnam’s Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) and terms and conditions of service. The letter will also inform the subscriber that Paulding Putnam may suspend or terminate service if violation continues.
- Second warning – If there is a second offense within a 12-month period, Paulding Putnam will send a second warning letter. This letter will notify the subscriber of the claimed copyright infringement and violation of the AUP and terms and conditions of service. The letter will also inform the subscriber that Paulding Putnam may suspend or terminate service if violation continues.
- Final warning – If there is a third offense in a 12-month period, Paulding Putnam will issue a final warning letter to the subscriber. This letter will be sent via certified mail. This letter will notify the subscriber of the claimed copyright infringement and violation of the AUP and terms and conditions of service. The letter will also inform the subscriber that Paulding Putnam may suspend or terminate service if violation continues.
- Notice of termination – If there is a fourth offense in a 12-month period, Paulding Putnam will terminate the subscriber’s service and send a letter to the subscriber via certified mail. This letter will notify the subscriber that its account has been terminated effective immediately, and that all equipment should be returned to Paulding Putnam.
Paulding Putnam reserves the right to act immediately and without notice to suspend or terminate services in response to a court order or other legal requirement that certain conduct be stopped, or when Paulding Putnam determines that the allegedly infringing conduct may:
- Expose Paulding Putnam to sanctions, prosecution, or civil action;
- Cause harm to or interfere with the integrity or normal operations of Paulding Putnam’s network or facilities;
- Interfere with another person’s use of Paulding Putnam services or the internet;
- Damage or disparage the reputation of Paulding Putnam or its services; or
- Otherwise present a risk of harm to Paulding Putnam or its subscribers, employees, officers, directors, agents or other representatives.
If Paulding Putnam’s designated agent receives an effective counter notification from a subscriber under the DMCA, Paulding Putnam will replace any removed material and/or restore access to the subscriber’s service, if the subscriber’s account has been terminated, between 10 and 14 business days following receipt of the counter notification, unless as otherwise provided by law.
II. Record Retention:
All copyright infringement notifications received, related supporting documentation and related correspondence with the subscriber shall be retained by Paulding Putnam for at least 5 years.
A database that includes account numbers, dates of notification, and other pertinent information related to copyright infringement notices and correspondence will also be maintained by Paulding Putnam.
III. Designated Agent:
The Chief Operating Office shall be Paulding Putnam’s designated agent to receive all copyright infringement and DMCA notifications. This position, with the help of IT and customer support, is responsible for carrying out the steps of this policy.