Digital Collections Takedown Policy
About This Policy
This policy describes areas of potential concern related to materials in Clemson Libraries Digital Collections and outlines steps that individuals may take to request removal of items and/or information from the Libraries Digital Collections.
Copyright
Any copies made from materials held by Clemson University may be protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code), which governs reproduction, distribution, public display, and certain other uses of protected works. The Libraries takes steps to ensure that it has appropriate rights to digitize and provide access to content. Where possible, Clemson Libraries secures rights to use works that are in copyright.
Parties who wish to contest Clemson Libraries’ uses of specific works may issue a DMCA takedown notice to the University’s DMCA compliance officer. Clemson University’s DMCA compliance process, please read our Copyright Infringement Policy.
In all cases, users are responsible for determining copyright restrictions relating to us of an object(s) in Clemson Libraries Digital Collections and securing relevant permissions to use the object(s).
Privacy
Clemson Libraries respects the privacy of individuals represented in its digital collections. The Libraries takes steps to identify and remove sensitive information that could threaten the privacy and security of living individuals represented in the collection(s) and seeks to comply with all applicable privacy laws, including FERPA, for material it makes available in its digital collections.
Affected living individuals (or individuals who are acting on behalf of a minor child or an incapacitated parent, spouse, domestic partner, or adult child) who wish to request removal of specific objects from Clemson Libraries Digital Collections due to privacy concerns may submit a takedown request via the process outlined below.
In all cases, users are responsible for addressing issues of privacy and publicity rights relating to use of object(s) in Clemson Libraries Digital Collections and securing any necessary permissions to use the object(s). The rights of privacy and publicity are distinct from copyright.
Other
For concerns not addressed above, please refer to the Clemson Libraries Challenged Materials Policy.
Takedown Requests
Parties who wish to request the removal of specific materials due to copyright should follow the CCIT Copyright Infringement Process.
Parties who wish to request the removal of specific materials due to privacy concerns may submit a take-down request.
In your communication, please include:
- Contact information
- A physical or electronic signature of the affected party. If an agent is providing the notification, also include a statement that the agent is authorized to act on behalf of the owner or affected party.
- Identification of the material with enough information to enable the Library to locate the material (e.g., the URL of the material)
- Reason for removal request
Upon receiving communication regarding a possible inappropriate use, the Libraries will promptly acknowledge the communication and remove the material in question from public view while we address the concern. The Libraries will respond to an initial communication within 7 working days.
The Libraries may work with the Clemson University Office of General Counsel and/or Chief Privacy Officer to make determinations about appropriate use. Depending on these determinations, the Libraries may remove the material(s) from its systems, restrict access to the material(s) in question, or continue to provide access to the material(s).
Approved by Libraries Council 2026-01-15.