Copyright and DMCA Policy

Last Updated: October 4, 2025

Introduction

Texas Music Café respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects our users to do the same. This Copyright and Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Policy explains our procedures for addressing claims of copyright infringement and our commitment to protecting intellectual property rights globally.

Our Copyright Policy

Our Content

All original content on texasmusiccafe.org is protected by copyright law. This includes:

Copyright Owner: Texas Music Café
All Rights Reserved

Licensed Content

Some content on our website is used under license from:

We respect all licensing agreements and use content only as authorized.

User-Generated Content

If you submit content to our website (comments, photos, videos, reviews, testimonials):

Permitted Uses of Our Content

Personal Use

You may:

Educational Use

Educational institutions and non-profit organizations may use our content for educational purposes under fair use guidelines, provided:

Media and Press

Media outlets may:

Prohibited Uses

You may NOT:

How to Request Permission

To request permission to use our copyrighted content beyond fair use:

Contact:
Texas Music Café – Rights and Permissions
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Address: 110 S. 6th St. Waco,TX 76701

Please Include:

We typically respond within 5-7 business days. Permission is granted in writing only.

DMCA Compliance (United States)

Texas Music Café complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), 17 U.S.C. § 512. We respond promptly to valid notices of copyright infringement.

Designated DMCA Agent

All DMCA notices should be sent to our designated agent:

DMCA Agent:
Texas Music Café
Attn: Copyright Agent
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Address: 110 S. 6th St. Waco,TX 76701

Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you believe that content on texasmusiccafe.org infringes your copyright, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice. Your notice must include:

  1. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed. If multiple works are involved, provide a representative list.
  2. Identification of the infringing material and information sufficient to locate it (e.g., specific URLs where the material appears on our website).
  3. Your contact information including:
    • Full legal name
    • Mailing address
    • Telephone number
    • Email address
  4. A statement of good faith belief that use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
  5. A statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
  6. Your physical or electronic signature.

DMCA Notice Template

To: DMCA Agent, Texas Music Café
Email: [email protected]

I, [Your Full Name], hereby certify that I am the copyright owner or authorized agent of the copyright owner for the work(s) described below.

COPYRIGHTED WORK(S):
[Describe the copyrighted work(s) being infringed]

INFRINGING MATERIAL:
The following material on texasmusiccafe.org infringes my copyright:
[Provide specific URL(s) where infringing content appears]

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name: [Your full legal name]
Address: [Your full mailing address]
Phone: [Your phone number]
Email: [Your email address]

GOOD FAITH STATEMENT:
I have a good faith belief that the use of the material described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

ACCURACY STATEMENT:
I declare, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner.

Signature: [Your physical or electronic signature]
Date: [Date]

Our Response to DMCA Notices

Upon receiving a valid DMCA notice, we will:

  1. Acknowledge receipt within 1-2 business days
  2. Review the notice for completeness and validity
  3. Remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material promptly
  4. Notify the user who posted the content (if applicable)
  5. Document the claim for our records

DMCA Counter-Notice

If you believe that material you posted was removed in error or misidentification, you may file a counter-notice.

Your counter-notice must include:

  1. Your physical or electronic signature
  2. Identification of the material that was removed and its location before removal
  3. A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification
  4. Your contact information (name, address, phone, email)
  5. A statement consenting to jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the judicial district in which your address is located (or McLennan County, Texas if outside the US)
  6. A statement that you will accept service of process from the person who filed the original DMCA notice

Counter-Notice Procedure

Send your counter-notice to our DMCA Agent at [[email protected]].

Upon receiving a valid counter-notice, we will:

  1. Forward it to the original complainant
  2. Inform them that we will restore the content in 10-14 business days
  3. Restore the content unless the complainant files a court action

Repeat Infringer Policy

We maintain a policy of terminating, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts or access of users who are repeat copyright infringers. This includes:

International Copyright Compliance

Texas Music Café respects copyright laws globally, including:

Berne Convention

We comply with the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, which provides copyright protection in over 170 countries.

International Notices

If you are outside the United States and believe your copyright has been infringed:

Regional Copyright Laws

We also comply with:

Music-Specific Copyright Information

As an organization focused on Texas music, we take special care with music copyrights:

Performance Rights

Public performances of music require licenses from:

We maintain appropriate performance licenses for our venue and events.

Mechanical Rights

Recordings of musical compositions require mechanical licenses. We obtain proper licenses when:

Synchronization Rights

Using music with video content requires synchronization licenses. We obtain proper permissions for:

Artist Permissions

We obtain written permission from performing artists for:

Fair Use and Exceptions

Certain uses of copyrighted material may be permitted under fair use or other exceptions to copyright law. Fair use factors include:

  1. Purpose and character of the use (educational, non-profit, transformative)
  2. Nature of the copyrighted work
  3. Amount and substantiality used in relation to the whole
  4. Effect on the potential market or value

Important: Fair use is determined case-by-case. When in doubt, seek permission or consult legal counsel.

Common Fair Use Examples

May be permissible:

Attribution Requirements

When using content with permission or under fair use:

Proper Attribution:

Example:

Photo by [Photographer Name], © [Year] [Copyright Owner]
Used with permission. Source: texasmusiccafe.org

Public Domain and Creative Commons

Public Domain

Some historical Texas music materials may be in the public domain:

We clearly mark public domain materials when known.

Creative Commons

Some of our content may be available under Creative Commons licenses. Check individual content for CC licensing terms:

Trademark Information

In addition to copyrights, the following are trademarks of Texas Music Café:

Use of our trademarks requires written permission. Contact [[email protected]].

Reporting Other Intellectual Property Violations

For non-copyright intellectual property concerns:

Trademark Infringement: [[email protected]]
Patent Issues: [[email protected]]
Trade Secret Violations: [[email protected]]
Right of Publicity: [[email protected]]

False Claims and Abuse

Penalties for False Claims

Under the DMCA, anyone who knowingly misrepresents that material is infringing may be liable for damages, including:

Abuse of Process

We take false DMCA claims seriously. Submitting fraudulent notices may result in:

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Copyright and DMCA Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Material changes will be announced via:

Educational Resources

We support copyright education and provide resources at:

Questions and Additional Information

For questions about copyright, permissions, or this policy:

General Copyright Questions:
Email: [[email protected]]

DMCA Notices:
Email: [[email protected]]

Permission Requests:
Email: [[email protected]]

Legal Inquiries:
Email: [[email protected]]

Mailing Address:
Texas Music Café110 S 6th St. Waco TX 76701

Related Policies

© 2025 Texas Music Café. All rights reserved.

Texas Music Café is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Texas music heritage, empowering future generations of musicians, and supporting artists in need.