Disclaimer: The information provided by IONOS Inc on this website is offered only as a general information service to the public. Because each issue or situation is different and unique, each person should seek their own legal advice for that particular situation from competent legal counsel.
 

In 1998, Congress passed legislation intended to protect copyright holders whose intellectual property was being distributed online. This law, codified as section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), exempts on-line service providers like IONOS who follow the safe harbor provisions from claims of copyright infringement resulting from the conduct of their customers. The safe harbor provisions are based on a series of notice and takedown provisions. If a service provider qualifies for the safe harbor exemption, only the infringing customer is liable for monetary damages; the service provider's network through which they engaged in the alleged activities is not liable.