Copyright, Fair Use & DMCA

Jaded Evidence is an independent investigative journalism and educational platform covering criminal investigations, courtroom proceedings, forensic evidence and public-interest matters. We respect the rights of copyright owners. Our reporting may include photographs, video excerpts, screenshots, source documents, quotations and third-party material where relevant to reporting, criticism, commentary, research or education. We do not claim ownership of third-party materials. Original Jaded Evidence reporting, commentary, graphics and creative elements are protected to the extent permitted by copyright law.

U.S. copyright law allows certain unauthorized uses of protected work when the circumstances establish fair use. Courts consider: (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether it serves new commentary or analysis and whether it is commercial; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality used; and (4) the effect on the potential market for the original. No single factor decides the result. Reporting, education, public availability, attribution, and use of court materials do not automatically establish fair use. Jaded Evidence may use limited materials to analyze criminal investigations, testimony, forensic claims and public statements, with case-specific consideration of applicable law.

All copyright reports must identify the submitter by first and last name, email address, relationship to the disputed content, relevant URLs, and an explanation. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. Because inaccurate, malicious, retaliatory or frivolous allegations can occur, preliminary reports may be logged as Verification Pending. We may send an acknowledgment or verification email and request evidence of ownership or authorization. If we cannot verify a preliminary report or reach its sender, the report may be recorded without changing content until adequate information is received. This screening policy does NOT delay or supersede legal obligations to respond expeditiously to legally sufficient DMCA notices under 17 U.S.C. § 512.

A legally sufficient notice must substantially include: (1) a physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or authorized agent; (2) identification of the copyrighted work, or a representative list of works at one site; (3) identification and location of the allegedly infringing material sufficient for us to find it, preferably exact page and image/video URLs; (4) reasonably sufficient contact information, such as mailing address, telephone and email; (5) a statement of good-faith belief that the complained-of use is not authorized by the copyright owner, agent or law; and (6) a statement that the information is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, the notifying person is authorized to act for the owner of the exclusive right allegedly infringed. Email formal notices to jadedevidence@gmail.com with subject ‘DMCA Copyright Infringement Notification’. The form below accepts preliminary concerns; claimants submitting formal DMCA notices should include these statutory items in the free-text declaration fields or email them directly.

We may acknowledge receipt, contact the sender, request missing information, review evidence of copyright ownership, licenses, public-domain status and fair use, and remove, modify, replace or disable disputed content when warranted. A complaint does not itself prove infringement. Valid statutory notices will be processed as required by law, including expeditious removal or disabling of access when applicable.

When eligible user-submitted content has been removed under the DMCA and the contributor believes removal resulted from mistake or misidentification, the contributor may submit a counter-notification with a physical/electronic signature; identification of the removed material and its former URL; a good-faith statement under penalty of perjury regarding mistake or misidentification; name, address and telephone; consent to the relevant U.S. federal district court jurisdiction; and agreement to accept service of process. Statutory notice and restoration procedures apply. Restoration generally occurs 10–14 business days after a valid counter-notification, unless a qualifying court action is reported.

Knowingly materially misrepresenting that content is infringing or that content was removed by mistake can expose a person to liability under federal law. Copyright procedures should not be used to suppress lawful investigative journalism, commentary or criticism.

Accuracy disputes, privacy concerns and requests for attribution or editorial corrections are distinct from copyright takedown notices. Email jadedevidence@gmail.com with subject ‘Editorial Review / Content Correction Request’, include the exact URL, statement disputed, requested correction and supporting records. We may correct inaccuracies, update outcomes, clarify allegations or redact sensitive material when warranted. We do not guarantee removal of accurate, lawful and newsworthy information merely because someone objects.

Contributors must respect copyright law. Where applicable, Jaded Evidence maintains a repeat-infringement policy for contributors and may terminate access in appropriate circumstances. Copyright in third-party works remains with their owners; original Jaded Evidence writing, timelines, analysis and graphics are protected as applicable, but copyright does not cover underlying facts, ideas or historical events.

Jaded Evidence may update this policy to reflect applicable laws, procedures and editorial operations. Questions and copyright notices: jadedevidence@gmail.com. Website: https://jadedevidence.com. Effective November 1, 2026.