📘 CT-SOP-117.1.17 — Instructor Course Takedown & Intellectual Property Dispute SOP

Effective Date: July 27, 2025 Applies To: CLO, CrownThriveU Admins, Legal Ops, Platform Moderators, Content Dispute Reviewers Review Cycle: Quarterly or after copyright regulation updates Related Legal Depot Sections: Sections 4.1, 4.4, CrownThriveU Addendum, Terms of Use

1. Purpose

To define a legally sound, transparent process for removing courses flagged for copyright infringement or IP violations, and for resolving instructor disputes fairly—while preserving CrownThrive’s role as a neutral platform host.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to:

• All courses, PDFs, videos, worksheets, or downloadable content hosted on CrownThriveU
• Reported content involving:
• Plagiarized slides or handouts
• Stolen video/audio materials
• Unauthorized use of trademarks, names, or likeness
• All disputes between instructors, members, or third-party content owners

3. Takedown Request Submission

All submissions must be emailed to [email protected] with subject line: Takedown Request – [Course Name].

4. Takedown Review Process

4.1 Initial Review

• CLO or Legal Ops reviews:
• Completeness of request
• Evidence of original work
• Instructor of record + upload date
• If request is incomplete or abusive → rejected
• If request is valid → temporary takedown initiated

4.2 Content Removal & Instructor Notification

• Course is hidden from public listing but not deleted
• Instructor is notified of:
• Specific content flagged
• Deadline to respond (7 calendar days)
• Right to file a counter-claim with proof of ownership

4.3 Instructor Response Options

• Submit original creation proof (timestamps, source files, registration)
• Provide signed license (if using third-party content legally)
• If no response by deadline → content remains offline
• If response is compelling → course reinstated and dispute archived

5. Final Decision & Platform Action

All final decisions are documented, versioned, and timestamped in the CrownThrive Legal Archive.

6. Instructor Protection Measures

✅ CrownThrive never deletes course content outright—only hides during review ✅ Instructors retain IP unless proven otherwise ✅ No punishment applied unless clear evidence of violation or refusal to cooperate ✅ Appeals are allowed once per takedown cycle

7. Escalation Contacts

8. Compliance Markers

✅ DMCA takedown form required ✅ Course hidden, not deleted ✅ Instructor given opportunity to respond ✅ Legal decision timestamped and archived ✅ Course either reinstated or fully removed with explanation ✅ CrownThrive acts only as neutral host unless proven liable

9. Version Control

• Version: 1.0
• Last Updated: July 27, 2025
• Maintained By: CLO + CrownThriveU Admin
• Next Review Due: October 2025