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Understory Content & Copyright Policy

 

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

 
1. Our Community Philosophy

Understory is built to support a thoughtful, respectful, and welcoming reading community.

We (Understory Studios LLC) encourage honest opinions, diverse perspectives, and meaningful conversation. At the same time, we expect all users to contribute in a way that supports a safe and constructive environment.

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2. Content Guidelines

The following types of content are not allowed on Understory and may be removed at our discretion. Repeated or severe violations may result in account suspension or termination.

2.1 Harmful or Abusive Content

We do not allow:

  • Hateful content or speech targeting individuals or groups based on identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics)

  • Harassment, bullying, threats, or intimidation

  • Content intended to attack or demean other users

Disagreement is welcome, but it must be expressed respectfully.

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2.2 Privacy Violations

We prohibit:

  • Sharing or threatening to share someone’s personal or confidential information

  • Doxxing or exposing private details without consent

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2.3 Spam and Self-Promotion

We take a strict approach to spam and self-promotion.

You may not post content that is primarily intended to promote:

  • Your own website, or social media

  • Affiliate links or referral programs

  • Products, services, or communities you benefit from

If you reference something you are affiliated with, you must clearly disclose that relationship.

We reserve the right to remove content that appears to be promotional in nature.

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2.4 Intellectual Property Violations

You may not:

  • Post plagiarized content

  • Use copyrighted material without permission

  • Share or link to pirated books or illegal downloads

 
2.5 Misleading or Low-Quality Contributions

We may remove content that:

  • Is clearly posted in bad faith

  • Misrepresents whether a book was read

  • Focuses primarily on attacking an author rather than reviewing the book

  • Is unrelated to the content of the book or reading experience

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2.6 Commercial or Undisclosed Reviews

If you receive compensation, free products, or any benefit related to a book or content, you must disclose it.

Undisclosed sponsored or incentivized content may be removed.

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3. Moderation and Enforcement

Understory reserves the right to:

  • Remove, restrict, or archive content at any time

  • Suspend or terminate accounts that violate this policy

  • Make case-by-case decisions about whether content violates our guidelines

  • Censor partial or full reviews, comments, book group names, usernames or other user-generated content

These decisions are made at our sole discretion to protect the community.

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4. User Responsibility and Opinions

Content posted on Understory reflects the opinions of individual users.

  • We do not endorse or verify user-generated content

  • We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of user opinions

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5. Copyright Policy (DMCA Compliance)

Understory respects the intellectual property rights of others and complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

5.1 Reporting Copyright Infringement

If you believe that content on Understory infringes your copyright, please send a notice that includes:

  • Your physical or electronic signature

  • Identification of the copyrighted work(s)

  • Identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location on the Service

  • Your contact information (name, address, phone number, email)

  • A statement that you have a good faith belief the use is unauthorized

  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that your notice is accurate and you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner

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5.2 Our Response

Upon receiving a valid notice, we may:

  • Remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content

  • Notify the user who posted the content

  • Terminate repeat infringers

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5.3 Counter-Notification Process

If you believe your content was removed by mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notice including:

  • Your physical or electronic signature

  • Identification of the removed content and its prior location

  • A statement under penalty of perjury that the removal was a mistake

  • Your contact information

  • A statement consenting to jurisdiction in your local federal court (or appropriate jurisdiction if outside the U.S.)

We may restore content if a valid counter-notice is received and no further legal action is taken.

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6. Repeat Infringer Policy

Accounts that repeatedly violate copyright or content guidelines may be permanently removed.

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7. Privacy of Notices

Information submitted in copyright notices or counter-notices may be shared with relevant parties or as required by law.

These submissions are not protected under our Privacy Policy.

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8. Updates to This Policy

We may update this policy at any time. Continued use of Understory means you accept the updated policy.

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9. Contact

For questions about this policy, contact us at support@understory-app.com

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