Copyright & Takedown

Last updated: October 3, 2026

1. Our policy: We respect copyright. Members who post photos confirm that the photos are their own or their family's, or that they have permission to share them.

2. Report a post: The quickest way to flag a post or comment is to use "Report" on it and choose "Copyright".

3. Formal takedown notice: A notice under 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3) must include:

  • Your physical or electronic signature.
  • Identification of the copyrighted work you say is infringed.
  • Identification of the material on AmericaThen and its URL.
  • Your name, address, phone number and email.
  • A statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
  • A statement that the information in the notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act for the owner.

4. Where to send it: Email [email protected] with the subject "Copyright notice".

5. What we do: When we receive a valid notice, we promptly remove or disable access to the material and notify the member who posted it.

6. Counter-notice: If your material was removed and you believe that was a mistake, you may send a counter-notice under 17 U.S.C. §512(g)(3) that includes:

  • Your physical or electronic signature.
  • Identification of the removed material and where it appeared.
  • A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good-faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification.
  • Your name, address and phone number.
  • Your consent to the jurisdiction of the federal district court for your address (or, if you are outside the United States, any district where AmericaThen may be found), and that you will accept service from the person who sent the notice.

We may restore the material in 10 to 14 business days unless the person who sent the notice tells us they have filed a court action.

7. Repeat infringers: We terminate the accounts of members who repeatedly infringe copyright.

8. Misrepresentation: Under 17 U.S.C. §512(f), anyone who knowingly makes a false claim in a notice or counter-notice may be liable for damages, including costs and attorneys' fees.