User-Generated Content (UGC) Policy

At capetown.today, we’re committed to fostering a vibrant, informative, and community-driven platform where freelance journalists and contributors can share news, reviews, and insights about Cape Town for locals and tourists alike. Our dedication to promoting a diverse array of voices comes with the responsibility to respect copyright and personal rights.

User-Generated Content (UGC) Guidelines

Content Ownership and Responsibility: Contributors retain ownership of their content. By submitting your work to capetown.today, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, and worldwide license to publish, distribute, and display the content on our platform and associated media channels. You affirm that you have the legal right to distribute the content and that it does not infringe on any third party’s rights.

Respecting Copyrights and Intellectual Property: Contributors must ensure that all content submitted, including text, images, and videos, respects the intellectual property rights of others. This includes obtaining necessary permissions for any copyrighted material not owned by the contributor.

Handling Copyright Infringement Claims: If you believe that your copyright or intellectual property rights have been infringed by content hosted on our platform, please contact us immediately. We require the following information in your notice:

  • Your contact details.
  • A description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed.
  • The specific URL or description of where the alleged infringing material is located on capetown.today.
  • A statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
  • A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf.

Content Removal and Dispute Resolution: Upon receiving a valid infringement notice, capetown.today will promptly remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content. We will also notify the contributor of the action and provide them with an opportunity to respond or contest the claim.

Repeat Infringer Policy: Contributors who are found to repeatedly infringe on copyright or other intellectual property rights may have their content removed from the platform and could face suspension or termination of their access to capetown.today.

Liability: Capetown.today acts as a platform for user-generated content and does not vet all content published. The opinions and information expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of capetown.today. We disclaim all liability for any legal or financial consequences resulting from the publication of UGC on our platform.

Expanded Guidelines

Privacy and Personal Information:

  • Protection of privacy and handling of personal information with care is paramount. Contributors should avoid sharing identifiable personal details without explicit consent.

Misinformation and Fact-Checking:

  • Accuracy and truthfulness in content creation are critical. Deliberate misinformation or spreading of fake news will result in content removal and potential account suspension.

Hate Speech and Harassment:

  • Content promoting hate speech, discrimination, or harassment is strictly prohibited. A respectful community environment must be maintained.

User Conduct and Community Standards:

  • Users are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and ethically, adhering to community standards and avoiding prohibited content.

Reporting and Enforcement:

  • Clear mechanisms will be provided for reporting violations, with a dedicated team to review and enforce policy adherence.

Modification and Notification:

  • The UGC policy may be updated to reflect new legal requirements or community needs, with contributors notified of significant changes.

Final Provisions

We reserve the right to modify these UGC guidelines at any time to adapt to new legal requirements or address emerging issues. Contributors are encouraged to review the guidelines periodically to ensure compliance.