Crafted Memories Copyright & Photo Rights Policy

Customer Ownership of Photos

Your photos remain your property throughout the design process and after project completion. We respect your intellectual property rights and handle your images with care and confidentiality.

Permission to Use Submitted Photos

We only use customer photos for legitimate business purposes directly related to fulfilling your order, including:

• Album design, layout, and editing
• Photo restoration, enhancement, and color correction
• Printing and order fulfillment
• Quality control and proofing
• Communication with you about your project
• Any additional tasks required to complete your order

Storage and Protection of Customer Images

3.1 Secure Storage

• Customer images are stored securely on password-protected systems during the design and print process
• We use industry-standard security measures to protect your files from unauthorized access
• Access to customer files is limited to authorized personnel working directly on your project

3.2 Online Photo Uploads

• Photos may be submitted through the secure Photo Upload page on our website
• Upload accounts are reviewed and approved by us before uploading is enabled
• Uploaded photos are stored in a private, access-restricted cloud folder (Google Drive) set up for your project and are not publicly visible
• We may decline, remove, or delete any upload, and suspend or close any upload account, that does not comply with this policy

3.3 File Retention

• We do not retain customer files after project completion unless specifically requested in writing for a defined period (typically up to 90 days maximum)
• Customers are solely responsible for maintaining backups of all original files and designs
• Upon project completion, files may be deleted from our systems without notice
• If you require long-term file storage, please request this in writing at the time of ordering

3.4 File Deletion Requests

• Customers may request immediate deletion of their files at any time by emailing info@craftedmemories.us
• We will confirm deletion within 5 business days
• Please note that once files are deleted, we cannot recover them or provide reprints without resubmission of images

3.5 Third-Party Sharing

• We do not share customer photos with third parties except as necessary to fulfill your order
• Printing partners: professional printing services contractually bound to use images only for fulfilling your specific order and not for any other purpose
• Cloud storage provider: Google Drive hosts uploaded files on our behalf; it does not use them for any other purpose
• Shipping carriers: photos may be visible in the final printed album during shipping, but carriers do not have access to digital files
• We only work with reputable, professional service providers who respect customer privacy and intellectual property rights

Customer Warranty Regarding Photo Rights

By submitting photos to Crafted Memories Photo Albums LLC, whether online, by email, or in person, you warrant and represent that:

• You own all rights to the submitted images, including copyright and any other intellectual property rights, OR
• You have obtained all necessary permissions, licenses, releases, and authorizations from the copyright holders to use the images for the intended purpose
• The images do not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights, including copyright, trademark, publicity rights, or privacy rights
• You have obtained necessary releases from any identifiable people appearing in the photos, particularly for commercial use or public display
• You have the authority to grant us permission to use the images for album creation and (if applicable) marketing purposes

4.1 Indemnification

4.2 Copyright Concerns

If you have concerns about the copyright status of images you wish to use:

• Family photos: generally safe if taken by family members or professionals who granted you rights
• Professional photos: you must have the photographer's permission or release to reproduce them
• Social media images: just because an image is publicly posted doesn't mean you have the right to reproduce it
• Stock photos: you must have a valid license that permits reproduction in printed albums

Content Standards & Acceptable Use Policy

We are committed to creating beautiful, meaningful photo albums for our customers. However, we reserve the right to refuse service or decline to work with any content that violates our content standards, makes us uncomfortable, or is illegal, obscene, or inappropriate.

5.1 Our Right to Refuse Service

5.2 Strictly Prohibited Content

We will immediately refuse and report the following types of content:

Illegal Content:

• Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or any sexualized depictions of minors
• Non-consensual intimate images
• Content depicting illegal activities
• Counterfeit currency or fake identification documents
• Content that violates federal, state, or local laws

Sexual or Pornographic Content: we do not accept pornographic or sexually explicit images, images depicting sexual acts or sexual content, nude or semi-nude images of real human subjects, sexually suggestive or provocative images, boudoir photography, maternity nudes or semi-nudes, or any images with exposed genitalia, buttocks, or female breasts.

Exception: Fine art paintings or sculptures depicting nudity (such as classical artwork reproductions) may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but photographs of nude humans are not accepted.

Violent or Graphic Content: extreme violence, gore, or graphic injury; images depicting abuse, torture, or cruelty; content glorifying violence or harm; graphic crime scene or accident photos; content depicting self-harm or suicide.

Hateful or Discriminatory Content: racist, sexist, or discriminatory imagery; hate symbols or extremist propaganda; content harassing or targeting individuals; content promoting hate groups or extremist ideologies.

5.3 Content We Accept With Discretion

The following types of content may be accepted depending on context, presentation, and our comfort level. We review all submissions and reserve the right to request removal or modification of specific images:

Medical or Birth Photos: generally acceptable — newborn hospital photos, family welcoming baby, non-graphic medical milestones. Case-by-case: birth photography with graphic medical detail, surgery photos, medical procedures.

Hunting and Outdoor Recreation: generally acceptable — hunting photos, fishing photos, outdoor recreation with harvested game. Case-by-case: trophy photos with graphic wounds, field dressing, or excessive blood.

Cultural or Religious Content: generally acceptable — religious ceremonies, cultural celebrations, traditional practices. Case-by-case: religious content that may be considered offensive or extreme.

Sensitive Personal Content: generally acceptable — funerals, memorials, hospital visits, emotional moments. Case-by-case: extremely graphic illness, advanced medical decline, or disturbing imagery.

5.4 Review Process

All Orders Are Reviewed: we assess all images for content compliance when we begin designing. If we have concerns, we will contact you, offer to exclude, replace, or modify concerning images, and reserve the right to cancel the order if concerns cannot be resolved.

If We Have Concerns About Your Content: Step 1 — we contact you to discuss the specific images and explain the concern. Step 2 — you may remove/replace the images, modify them (crop, blur, edit), or cancel the order. Step 3 — if we cannot reach a mutually acceptable solution, we will cancel the order with a refund per our cancellation policy.

5.5 Cancellation Due to Content Violations

• Before Design Work Begins: full refund of deposit minus $50 administrative fee
• After Design Work Begins: refund calculated according to our standard cancellation policy (typically deposit minus $50-$150 depending on work completed)
• After Final Proof Approval: no refund (rare, as we review content during design)
• Illegal Content: order immediately cancelled with no refund; content reported to authorities as legally required

5.6 Reporting Illegal Content

We are legally required to report certain content: child sexual abuse material (CSAM) reported to NCMEC and law enforcement, threats of violence reported to law enforcement when credible, and other illegal activity reported as required by law.

If you have questions about whether specific content is acceptable, please contact us before submitting your order.

5.7 Quick Reference Guide

❌ We Do NOT Accept:

• Pornography or sexually explicit content
• Nude or semi-nude photos of real humans
• Child sexual abuse material (ILLEGAL)
• Non-consensual intimate images
• Extreme violence or gore
• Hateful or discriminatory content

✅ We DO Accept:

• Family photos and celebrations
• Weddings and events
• Travel and vacation photos
• Pet and animal photos
• Hunting and fishing photos (non-graphic)
• Newborn and family photos
• Memorial and funeral photos (tasteful)

⚠️ Case-by-Case Review:

• Medical or birth photos (depending on graphic detail)
• Hunting photos with harvested game (depending on presentation)
• Emotional or sensitive family moments

Company Ownership of Album Designs

While customers own their original photos, the custom album layouts, page designs, templates, and creative arrangements created by Crafted Memories Photo Albums LLC remain the intellectual property of the Company unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6.1 Our Intellectual Property Includes:

• Page layouts and design compositions
• Design templates and frameworks
• Creative arrangements and sequencing
• Custom graphic elements, borders, and embellishments
• Color grading and artistic effects we apply
• Text styling and typography choices
• Overall album structure and flow

6.2 Customer License

Customers receive a personal, non-transferable, non-exclusive license to use the final album design for personal, non-commercial purposes; display and share photos of their completed album with family and friends; order reprints or additional copies through Crafted Memories Photo Albums LLC; and share digital proofs with family members for approval purposes.

6.3 Restrictions on Use

Customers may NOT resell, redistribute, or license our design templates to others; use our templates to create albums with other printing services or competitors; claim our designs as their own original work; modify our designs and resell them commercially; extract and reuse our design elements in other projects without permission; or provide our design files to other album companies or designers.

6.4 High-Resolution Design Files

High-resolution design files are provided (if requested) for archival and reprint purposes only. These files remain subject to the license restrictions above. Unauthorized commercial use or redistribution may result in legal action.

Permission for Marketing Use (Optional)

From time to time, we may request permission to feature completed albums in our marketing and promotional materials. This permission is completely optional and voluntary.

7.1 Marketing Permission is:

7.2 What We May Request to Use

If you grant permission, we may use finished album spreads and page layouts, select customer photos within the context of the album design, before-and-after photo restoration examples, cover designs and album exterior shots, and detail shots showcasing printing quality or binding.

7.3 Where Marketing Materials May Appear

With your permission, featured albums may appear in our website portfolio and gallery pages, social media posts, marketing materials and advertisements, sample albums shown to prospective customers, blog posts and case studies, trade show displays, and email newsletters.

7.4 Privacy Considerations

When requesting permission, we will discuss whether you prefer to remain anonymous or be credited, whether faces should be shown or blurred/cropped, any sensitive content that should not be used, specific images you prefer to exclude, and time limitations on usage (if any).

Photo & Album Usage Release Form

Customers who agree to allow marketing use must sign our Photo & Album Usage Release Form, a separate document that provides explicit consent.

8.1 The Release Form Outlines:

• Specific images or album spreads that may be used
• Specific platforms and purposes for which images may be used
• Duration of permission (indefinite, time-limited, or until revoked)
• Attribution preferences (credited by name, anonymized, or photographer credited)
• Compensation or consideration (if any)
• Your right to revoke permission at any time

8.2 Signing the Release Form

The form must be signed and dated by the customer (and photographer, if applicable). Electronic signatures are accepted. A copy will be provided to you for your records. You may request modifications to the standard form.

8.3 No Obligation

Revoking Marketing Permission

Customers may revoke marketing permission at any time for any reason.

9.1 How to Revoke Permission

Send an email to info@craftedmemories.us with "Revoke Marketing Permission" in the subject line. Include your name, order details, and specify which images you want removed.

9.2 Our Response Timeline

Upon receiving a revocation request, we will acknowledge receipt within 5 business days, remove images from our website and active marketing materials within 30 days, cease using the images in new promotional materials immediately, and make reasonable efforts to remove from social media.

9.3 Limitations

Professional Photographers and Commercial Clients

For professional photographers, studios, wedding photographers, or commercial clients, different terms may apply regarding design ownership and usage rights.

10.1 Photographer Partnership Agreements

Professional photographers working with us may enter into a separate Photographer Partnership Agreement that addresses ownership of designs created for the photographer's clients, rights to use album designs in the photographer's own marketing, volume pricing and package deals, co-branding opportunities, and portfolio usage rights with proper attribution.

10.2 Contact Us for Commercial Terms

If you are a professional photographer or commercial client, please contact us to discuss customized terms at info@craftedmemories.us or 1 (512) 522-4521.

Digital Proofs and Previews

11.1 Low-Resolution Watermarked Proofs

All digital proofs provided during the design process are low-resolution, watermarked previews. These proofs are for approval and review purposes only — they are not suitable for printing, reproduction, or public sharing. Watermarks and copyright notices must not be removed or obscured.

11.2 Unauthorized Use of Proofs

You may not print or reproduce low-resolution proofs, remove watermarks, share proofs publicly on social media (private sharing with family for approval is acceptable), or use proofs for any commercial purpose.

11.3 High-Resolution Files

High-resolution, print-ready files are only provided after full payment is received. These files are for archival and reprint purposes only (through our company). The usage restrictions in Section 6 still apply to high-resolution files.

Copyright Infringement Notification (DMCA Compliance)

If you believe that content on our website, portfolio, or marketing materials infringes your copyright, please contact us immediately.

12.1 Required Information for DMCA Notice

To submit a valid copyright infringement notification, please provide: identification of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed; location of the infringing material on our website; your contact information (name, address, phone number, email); a statement of good faith belief that the use is not authorized; a statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury; and your physical or electronic signature.

12.2 Where to Send DMCA Notices

12.3 Our Response

We will respond promptly to valid copyright concerns and will investigate the claim within 5 business days, remove infringing content if the claim is valid, notify the customer who submitted the content (if applicable), and take appropriate action to prevent future infringement.

Privacy and Content Review

13.1 How We Review Content

All image submissions are reviewed by authorized personnel during the design process. We do not use automated content scanning or AI moderation — we review manually. We handle all submissions with discretion and confidentiality. Our team is trained to recognize prohibited content and handle sensitive material appropriately.

13.2 Privacy During Review

Only authorized Crafted Memories Photo Albums LLC personnel view your images. We do not share your images with others except as required to fulfill your order (printing partners) or as required by law. If we must report illegal content, we will provide only the necessary information to authorities. We maintain confidentiality even for content we decline to work with (except illegal content).

Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Copyright & Photo Rights Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website.

14.1 Notification of Changes

The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent changes. Material changes may be communicated via email to customers with active orders. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14.2 Past Projects

Changes to this policy do not retroactively affect permissions or agreements made under previous versions of this policy. Past release forms and agreements remain valid under their original terms.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Copyright & Photo Rights Policy, copyright concerns, content standards, or requests regarding your images, please contact us: