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Copyright Complaint Procedure

Table of Contents23

Effective date: August 20, 2026
Last updated: August 21, 2026
Version: 1.0

1. Purpose

Guidemeet Pvt. Ltd. (“GuideMeet,” “we,” “us” or “our”) respects intellectual property rights and expects users of GuideMeet.com and related services (the “Platform”) to do the same.

This Copyright Complaint Procedure explains how a copyright owner or authorized representative can report content believed to infringe copyright, how a user may challenge a removal caused by mistake or misidentification, and how GuideMeet may respond.

This procedure applies to content available through the Platform, including Guide Profiles, profile photographs, gallery media, cover images, Guide Insights, comments, reviews, Service or package listings, messages or attachments where reportable, and other user-submitted material.

GuideMeet also applies technical measures to public images to help identify the Platform, support investigations into unauthorized reuse, protect private and original files, and manage abusive automated access. These measures do not prevent all copying or downloading and do not transfer ownership of an image to GuideMeet.

GuideMeet may process public images uploaded to the Platform, including:

  • Guide Profile gallery images;
  • Guide Profile cover images;
  • Guide Service or package images;
  • Guide Insight images; and
  • other future public Guide content.

Public image processing may include resizing, optimization, metadata sanitization, standardized rights metadata, visible GuideMeet platform watermarking, invisible signed asset identifiers, hashing and CDN delivery controls.

For profile avatars, GuideMeet may omit a visible watermark or use a small watermark because avatars are often displayed at small sizes.

GuideMeet does not publicly watermark or expose through public image URLs:

  • identity documents;
  • licences and certificates;
  • verification photographs;
  • report evidence;
  • private-message attachments;
  • consultation documents;
  • payment documents; or
  • images marked private.

Original uploads are stored separately from public renditions. The original image must not be accessible through a public URL or a “view original” endpoint.

2.1 Image protection does not determine ownership

A GuideMeet watermark identifies GuideMeet as the hosting platform. It does not:

  • identify GuideMeet as the copyright owner;
  • establish that GuideMeet has verified, approved or certified the image;
  • establish who owns the image;
  • grant GuideMeet ownership of the image; or
  • prevent copying, screenshots, downloading or further distribution.

GuideMeet will not describe an invisible asset identifier as a reliable ownership-protection mechanism unless it survives the agreed resilience testing described in Section 2.3.

The GuideMeet watermark must not state:

  • “Verified by GuideMeet”;
  • “GuideMeet Approved”;
  • “GuideMeet Certified”; or
  • “© GuideMeet”.

2.2 Metadata and asset records

GuideMeet may remove original public-copy metadata, including GPS coordinates, camera serial numbers, device-owner information, private filenames, contact details, embedded thumbnails and editing history.

After sanitization, GuideMeet may add controlled IPTC/XMP rights metadata, such as:

  • Creator: photographer, if supplied and verified;
  • Copyright Notice: actual rights holder, if known;
  • Credit Line: Displayed via GuideMeet;
  • Source: GuideMeet;
  • Image Unique ID: opaque public asset token;
  • Usage Terms: Reuse may require permission from the applicable rights holder.

GuideMeet will not identify itself as the copyright owner unless it actually owns the relevant image.

GuideMeet may maintain an image-asset record containing, where applicable:

  • an internal asset ID;
  • an opaque public token;
  • uploader and Guide Profile references;
  • content type;
  • private-original and public-rendition storage references;
  • rights-holder and creator information;
  • rights status;
  • original SHA-256 hash;
  • perceptual hash;
  • watermark version;
  • invisible signature;
  • metadata sanitization time;
  • processing and publication times;
  • deletion time; and
  • creation and update times.

Sequential database IDs must not be exposed in public image URLs.

2.3 Invisible signed identifiers

Where enabled, GuideMeet may embed a signed, opaque asset token in a public image, such as:

GM1:{public_asset_token}:{signature}

The token must not contain personal information and may resolve internally to the relevant asset record. Signatures may be generated using HMAC-SHA256 and a server-held secret so that third parties cannot generate valid GuideMeet identifiers.

Before this feature is enabled, GuideMeet may test recovery after:

  • 50–90% JPEG compression;
  • WebP and AVIF conversion;
  • 25–75% resizing;
  • moderate cropping;
  • screenshots;
  • brightness and contrast changes;
  • minor filters; and
  • social-media recompression.

The feature will be enabled only after agreed resilience thresholds are met. Even then, recovery is not guaranteed in every copy or alteration.

2.4 Search visibility and accessibility

GuideMeet may use robots.txt and related crawler controls for crawler management, but those controls are not security measures. GuideMeet does not globally block Google Images where image search visibility supports Platform acquisition.

GuideMeet does not globally disable right-click because that can interfere with accessibility and normal browser functionality. Image dragging may be disabled selectively as a casual deterrent.

Private directories and original storage must remain technically inaccessible regardless of robots.txt.

3. Before Submitting a Complaint

Copyright protects original expression, such as photographs, videos, written content, illustrations, music and certain other creative works. It generally does not protect facts, ideas, systems, methods, short phrases or material in the public domain, although other laws may apply.

Before reporting content, consider whether:

  • you own the copyright or are authorized to act for the owner;
  • the reported content actually uses protected parts of the work;
  • the user has permission, a licence or another legal right to use it; or
  • an exception or limitation may apply, such as fair use, fair dealing, quotation, criticism, review, news reporting or another use permitted by applicable law.

Copyright law can be complex. If you are uncertain, consider obtaining legal advice before submitting a complaint.

Do not use this process for trademark, impersonation, privacy, defamation, harassment or general content disputes. Use the appropriate reporting tool or contact GuideMeet support for those concerns.

A complaint should be submitted by:

  • the copyright owner;
  • the owner of an exclusive right allegedly infringed; or
  • a person legally authorized to act for that owner.

If you are reporting on behalf of an individual or organization, you must identify your authority to act. GuideMeet may request reasonable evidence of ownership or authorization.

Submit a written complaint containing all of the following:

  1. Your identity and contact details: full legal name, organization if applicable, postal address, telephone number and email address.
  2. Authority to act: whether you are the copyright owner or an authorized representative, with supporting information if requested.
  3. Identification of the copyrighted work: a clear description of each work claimed to have been infringed. For multiple works at one location, you may provide a representative list where legally permitted.
  4. Evidence or reference copy: a link to an authorized example, registration information where available, a copy of the original work, publication details or other information reasonably sufficient to identify the work. Copyright registration is not necessarily required for GuideMeet to review a complaint.
  5. Location of the reported material: the exact GuideMeet URL, Guide Profile, Insight, post, message reference, image, video or other information reasonably sufficient for us to locate each item. A general reference to the homepage, a username or an entire account may be insufficient.
  6. Specific material complained of: explain which part of the GuideMeet content allegedly infringes which work.
  7. Good-faith statement: “I have a good-faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent or the law.”
  8. Accuracy and authority statement: “The information in this complaint is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.”
  9. Signature: your physical or valid electronic signature and the date.

GuideMeet may be unable to act on an incomplete complaint. We may contact you for missing information, clarification or a narrower identification of the content.

6. How to Submit a Complaint

Submit your complaint using one of the following approved channels:

Online form: https://guidemeet.com/copyright-report
Copyright email: legal@guidemeet.com
Copyright contact: Guidemeet Pvt. Ltd.
Postal address: KOTESHWAR, KATHMANDU 44600, NEPAL

Use the subject line “Copyright Complaint – GuideMeet” when submitting by email.

If GuideMeet registers a designated agent with the U.S. Copyright Office, the agent information displayed here must exactly match the current public designation. Do not describe the contact as a “DMCA Agent” or “Designated Agent” until that registration is completed and active.

Sending a complaint through social media, to an individual employee or through an unrelated support channel may delay review.

7. What Happens After We Receive a Complaint

GuideMeet may:

  1. acknowledge receipt and assign a case reference;
  2. check whether the complaint contains the required information;
  3. request clarification or supporting information;
  4. review the identified material and relevant context;
  5. temporarily restrict access where reasonably necessary to prevent harm or preserve the integrity of the review;
  6. remove or disable access to identified material when appropriate;
  7. notify the user who submitted or controls the material, subject to legal, safety and privacy restrictions;
  8. provide information about a counter-notice or appeal process; and
  9. preserve relevant records as required for legal, security, moderation or dispute-handling purposes.

For a sufficiently complete and legally valid notice, GuideMeet aims to act without undue delay. Review time depends on the completeness and complexity of the complaint, the number of items, legal questions, safety concerns and the need for additional information.

GuideMeet may reject, close or decline to act on a complaint that is incomplete, outside the scope of copyright, abusive, fraudulent, clearly mistaken or unsupported after a reasonable request for information.

8. Notice to the Affected User

Where appropriate and legally permitted, GuideMeet may give the affected user:

  • the case reference;
  • identification of the removed or restricted material;
  • the reason for the action;
  • a copy or summary of the complaint;
  • the complainant’s identity and relevant contact details; and
  • instructions for submitting a counter-notice or appeal.

By submitting a complaint, you understand that GuideMeet may share the complaint and your contact information with the affected user, advisers, service providers, authorities or others where reasonably necessary to process the claim or comply with law. Do not include unnecessary sensitive personal information.

GuideMeet may withhold or redact information when disclosure would be unlawful, unnecessary or create a credible safety, security or privacy risk.

9. Counter-Notice for Mistake or Misidentification

If GuideMeet removes or disables material because of a copyright complaint and you believe the action resulted from mistake or misidentification, you may submit a written counter-notice.

The counter-notice must include:

  1. your full legal name, address, telephone number and email address;
  2. your physical or valid electronic signature and the date;
  3. identification of the material removed or disabled and the location where it appeared before removal;
  4. the relevant GuideMeet case reference, if available;
  5. a brief explanation of why removal was a mistake or misidentification, such as ownership, permission, licence, public-domain status or an applicable legal exception;
  6. the statement: “Under penalty of perjury, I have a good-faith belief that the material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification”; and
  7. if the counter-notice is submitted under the U.S. DMCA, the following statement: “I consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the judicial district in which my address is located, or, if my address is outside the United States, for any judicial district in which GuideMeet may be found. I will accept service of process from the person who submitted the original copyright notification or that person’s agent.”

Submit the counter-notice to the same copyright contact listed in Section 6 with the subject “Copyright Counter-Notice – Case [REFERENCE]”.

Do not submit a counter-notice merely because you disagree with the complainant. It is a legal statement and may be shared with the person who filed the original complaint.

10. Action Following a Counter-Notice

GuideMeet may review the counter-notice for completeness, send it to the original complainant and inform the complainant that the material may be restored.

Where the U.S. DMCA applies, GuideMeet may restore the material no sooner than 10 and no later than 14 business days after receiving a valid counter-notice unless the designated contact receives notice that the complainant has filed a court action seeking to restrain the user from the alleged infringement.

For complaints handled under other laws or contractual procedures, GuideMeet may restore, continue restricting or permanently remove the material based on the available information, applicable law, court orders, Platform policies and risk to users or third parties.

Restoration is not guaranteed. GuideMeet may independently restrict content that violates the Terms of Use, Community & Messaging Guidelines, Guide Standards or another Platform policy even if the copyright complaint is withdrawn or disputed.

11. Image Matching and Investigation

GuideMeet may use cryptographic hashes, perceptual hashes, watermark identifiers, metadata, upload records, CDN logs and other reasonable technical or operational information to:

  • locate substantially identical or similar copies;
  • identify repeated uploads;
  • investigate reports of unauthorized reuse;
  • connect a public rendition with its internal asset record;
  • preserve evidence; and
  • enforce Platform policies.

A hash or watermark match is an investigative signal, not by itself a final legal determination of copyright ownership or infringement. Image-processing operations, cropping, screenshots and recompression may prevent a match.

GuideMeet may retain deleted public renditions, private originals or related technical records only where required for an active report, dispute, legal hold, security investigation, legal obligation or applicable retention schedule.

12. Repeat and Serious Infringement

GuideMeet may warn, restrict, suspend or terminate accounts of users who repeatedly infringe copyright or repeatedly submit content that violates intellectual property rights, in appropriate circumstances and at GuideMeet’s reasonable discretion.

When evaluating repeat or serious infringement, GuideMeet may consider:

  • the number and validity of complaints;
  • counter-notices and outcomes;
  • court orders or authoritative findings;
  • whether the conduct was knowing, commercial, deceptive or harmful;
  • attempts to repost removed material;
  • patterns across related accounts; and
  • other relevant circumstances.

GuideMeet may act immediately in cases involving large-scale, deliberate or clearly unlawful infringement. A paid Guide subscription, verification signal, Guide status or collaboration does not prevent enforcement.

13. Reposting Removed Material and Circumvention

Users must not repost, alter, relocate or otherwise make available content removed for copyright reasons in an attempt to evade enforcement. Users must not create or use another account to bypass restrictions.

GuideMeet may use reasonable technical, operational and moderation measures to identify repeat uploads or circumvention, consistent with the Privacy Policy and applicable law.

14. False, Misleading or Abusive Complaints

Do not knowingly submit a false complaint, counter-notice, forged document or material misrepresentation. Misuse may cause loss of account access, liability for damages, costs or legal fees, and referral to relevant authorities where appropriate.

Copyright complaints must not be used to suppress criticism, reviews, lawful competition, reporting, licensed material, permitted quotation or other lawful expression.

GuideMeet may investigate patterns of abusive reporting and may restrict access to reporting tools or accounts where permitted by law.

15. Withdrawal of a Complaint

To withdraw a complaint, contact the copyright address in Section 6 from the same verified email used for the original submission and include:

  • the case reference;
  • the exact material covered by the withdrawal;
  • a clear statement withdrawing the complaint; and
  • your physical or valid electronic signature.

A withdrawal does not require GuideMeet to restore content that independently violates Platform rules or applicable law.

16. Private Messages and Non-Public Content

If the reported material appears in GuideMeet Messages or another non-public area, provide the conversation or attachment reference through the available report function where possible. Do not publish private communications or personal information merely to submit a complaint.

GuideMeet will access and review non-public content only as described in its Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, including when content is reported, escalated, reasonably necessary for safety or legal review, or otherwise permitted by law.

Private originals and sensitive images are not made public through image-protection processing. Their storage and access remain subject to the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, applicable retention schedules and authorized internal access controls.

17. Evidence, Records and Privacy

GuideMeet may retain complaints, counter-notices, supporting evidence, account information, communications, asset records, hashes, watermark identifiers, CDN records and enforcement records for as long as reasonably necessary to:

  • process and document the matter;
  • establish, exercise or defend legal claims;
  • comply with legal obligations or court orders;
  • detect repeat infringement, fraud or abuse; and
  • enforce Platform policies.

Information will be handled in accordance with the GuideMeet Privacy Policy. Submitting a complaint does not guarantee confidentiality.

GuideMeet is a Platform provider, not a court. Restricting, removing or restoring content is an operational decision and is not a final legal determination about copyright ownership, infringement, fair use, fair dealing or any other defence.

GuideMeet does not provide legal advice, represent either party or resolve ownership disputes that require judicial determination. Parties remain responsible for pursuing their rights through the appropriate legal process.

GuideMeet’s watermark, metadata, hash, asset record or image-processing system does not establish that GuideMeet owns an image or that an image is verified, approved or certified.

GuideMeet may comply with valid court orders, subpoenas and other legally binding requests. Legal process must be submitted to legal@guidemeet.com and KOTESHWAR, KATHMANDU 44600, NEPAL, and must meet applicable legal requirements.

GuideMeet may disclose information where required or permitted by law, consistent with the Privacy Policy. Nothing in this Procedure requires GuideMeet to disclose information in response to an informal request that lacks valid legal authority.

21. Image Deletion and Lifecycle

When a public image is deleted, GuideMeet may:

  1. immediately remove it from the relevant Guide Profile, Service, Insight or other Platform location;
  2. invalidate or purge public CDN copies;
  3. mark the related image asset as deleted;
  4. remove the private original according to the applicable retention schedule;
  5. preserve it only where required for an active report, dispute, legal hold or security investigation; and
  6. record the deletion in an audit log.

Account closure may trigger the same process for the account’s public images.

Deletion from the Platform may not immediately remove copies stored by third parties, search engines, archives or users. GuideMeet may submit appropriate cache or search-removal requests where available, but cannot control third-party systems.

22. Changes to This Procedure

GuideMeet may update this Procedure to reflect legal, operational or Platform changes. The effective date and last-updated date show when it was most recently revised. Material changes may be communicated through the Platform where appropriate.

24. Contact GuideMeet

Guidemeet Private Limited

Company registration number: 39018/82/83
PAN/VAT number: 623613331
Registered address: KOTESHWAR, KATHMANDU 44600, NEPAL
Email: info@guidemeet.com
Support email: support@guidemeet.com
Copyright/legal email: legal@guidemeet.com
Website: https://guidemeet.com