DMCA & Copyright Policy
Copyright & infringement policy, including DMCA notices.
Studio 621 Films Canada Inc., DBA Studio 621, operating as Studio 621 Films · Nirmal Shah Photography · Wedlock Films.
1. Ownership of our work
Studio 621 Films Canada Inc. ("the Studio", "we", "us") respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects the same of anyone using our websites, platforms and services.
All photographs, films, audio recordings, text, graphics, branding elements, digital products and creative works displayed, delivered or distributed through our platforms are protected under the Copyright Act (Canada) and applicable trademark and intellectual property law, unless stated otherwise. Unauthorised use, reproduction, distribution, modification or misrepresentation of these works is prohibited.
2. What this policy covers
- Content published on Studio websites, blogs and journals
- Portfolios and galleries, including client proof galleries
- Files delivered through client portals
- Material distributed across Studio-owned platforms, feeds and archives
- Work created or licensed under Studio 621 Films, Nirmal Shah Photography or Wedlock Films
- Content submitted by users, where applicable
3. What clients may do with delivered work
Copyright in commissioned photographs and films remains with the Studio. Clients receive a licence to use the delivered files, not ownership of them. Unless the written agreement for that commission states otherwise:
- Permitted: personal use, professional profiles, company websites, social media, press and printing of the delivered files as supplied
- Not permitted without written agreement: resale or sublicensing, use by a third party or another business, paid advertising, stock libraries, and use in artificial intelligence training or generation
- Not permitted at any time: cropping, recolouring, filtering or otherwise altering a delivered image or film, or removing credit or metadata
Where a commission requires broader rights — advertising, campaign use, exclusivity, or a buyout — those are agreed and priced before the shoot and set out in the agreement for that project. Licensing scope, usage terms, model releases and the Studio's right to show commissioned work in its own portfolio are set out in our Terms & Conditions.
4. The legal framework
The Studio operates in British Columbia and is governed by the Copyright Act (Canada), which uses a notice-and-notice system rather than the American notice-and-takedown regime. Where our content is hosted or distributed through platforms based in the United States, those platforms operate under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and notices directed to them follow DMCA requirements. This policy accommodates both, which is why DMCA language appears alongside Canadian law.
5. Submitting an infringement notice
If you believe copyrighted material you own has been copied, displayed or used on a Studio platform in a way that infringes your rights, send us a written notice containing all of the following:
- A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or an authorised agent
- Identification of the copyrighted work said to have been infringed
- Identification of the material alleged to be infringing, with enough detail for us to locate it
- Your name, mailing address, telephone number and email address
- A statement that you believe in good faith that the use is not authorised by the copyright owner, its agent or the law
- A statement that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorised to act on their behalf. Where the notice is directed to a United States platform under the DMCA, this statement is made under penalty of perjury; in Canada it is made as a statement of truth
Incomplete or inaccurate notices may not be processed. We acknowledge valid notices and act on them promptly.
6. Counter-notification
If material you submitted, or material featuring you, was removed or disabled through mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notification containing:
- Your physical or electronic signature
- Identification of the removed material and where it previously appeared
- A statement that you believe the material was removed as a result of mistake or misidentification
- Your name, address, telephone number and email address
- Your consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia, Canada
On receiving a valid counter-notification we may restore the material, unless the original complainant commences legal action within the period required by the applicable law.
7. Repeat infringers
The Studio maintains a repeat-infringer policy. Users or clients found to repeatedly infringe intellectual property rights may have content removed, access restricted, accounts suspended or services terminated, without prior notice.
8. False claims and abuse of process
Anyone who knowingly submits a false infringement claim or counter-notification may be liable for damages, legal fees and costs. We reserve the right to pursue remedies against misuse of this process.
9. Our own enforcement
The Studio monitors unauthorised use of its copyrighted works, including photography, film, digital products, branding and educational content. Where our intellectual property is used without permission we may:
- Issue a takedown notice to the user, the platform or the host
- Invoice licensing fees retroactively for the period of unauthorised use
- Commence legal action where appropriate
Failure to respond to an infringement notice may result in escalation.
10. Requesting permission to use our work
Publications, brands, agencies and individuals who wish to reproduce or license Studio imagery or film may request permission in writing. Tell us which work you want to use, where it will appear, for how long, and in what territory. Most requests are straightforward and are granted under a written licence.
Editorial and press use is generally accommodated where the work is credited as Photo: Studio 621 Films and is reproduced without alteration.
11. Artificial intelligence and automated collection
No work published by the Studio may be used to train, fine-tune, or generate outputs from artificial intelligence or machine-learning systems, and no part of our websites may be scraped or harvested by automated means, without our express written permission. This applies whether or not the material carries a watermark or credit.
12. No waiver of rights
Nothing in this policy limits the Studio's right to enforce its intellectual property rights, seek injunctive relief, or pursue statutory and common-law remedies. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.
13. Governing law
This policy is governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada, and applicable federal copyright law. Nothing here limits rights or remedies available under international copyright treaties or other applicable law.
14. Designated copyright contact
All copyright notices, infringement claims and counter-notifications must be submitted in writing to:
Copyright Agent, Studio 621 Films Canada Inc. (DBA Studio 621)
Studio 621 Films | Nirmal Shah Photography | Wedlock Films
106 W 1st Street, Unit 307, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1A9, Canada
Email: info@studio621films.com