Who is responsible for copyright and takedown matters at CultureObserver.uk?
Patrick Nolan, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, together with Editor‑in‑Chief Vanessa Shaw, oversees all copyright and takedown requests for CultureObserver.uk. Patrick can be reached directly at patrick.nolan@cultureobserver.uk or on +44 20 4587 9491, and Vanessa at vanessa.shaw@cultureobserver.uk or +44 20 4587 9486. The publication is operated by Sliema Media Limited, a private company registered in Malta (company number C 84217) with registered office at Level 3, Tower Business Centre, Tower Street, Swatar, Birkirkara BKR 4013. All formal copyright correspondence should be sent to copyright@cultureobserver.uk.
CultureObserver.uk takes intellectual property rights seriously. Our editorial team follows established procedures to ensure that images, video clips, and other media are used lawfully and with appropriate attribution. Any person or organisation who believes their material has been used without proper clearance is encouraged to contact us promptly.
How does CultureObserver.uk source and use images and media?
We rely on licensed stock photography, official press images, promotional materials supplied by studios and networks, and original photography taken by our contributors. Every image is assessed for rights compatibility before publication: staff check licensing terms, embargo dates, and any restrictions on editorial use. Proper crediting is applied wherever possible, including the photographer or agency name and a link to the source licence when required.
Where we use images from third‑party press agencies or public‑relations wire services, we maintain records of the licence or permission. Our fact‑checking and image‑attribution workflow is managed by Patrick Nolan, who also reviews any attribution concerns raised by readers. The full standards for sourcing are detailed in our Sources & Standards page.
What should I do if I believe my copyrighted material has been used without permission?
Submit a written request to copyright@cultureobserver.uk with sufficient detail for us to identify and evaluate the material. Include your full name, contact information, a description of the work you believe is infringed, the exact URL or screenshot showing the content on our site, and a statement that you are the rights holder or authorised to act on their behalf. We also ask you to confirm that the information in your notice is accurate.
If the request involves an image, please include the specific file name or a direct link to the page where it appears. For written content, provide the headline and publication date. We will acknowledge receipt within two business days and begin our investigation. You may also submit a correction request if the issue is misattribution rather than unauthorised use; such requests are handled under our Corrections Policy.
What happens after I submit a takedown or correction request?
Patrick Nolan will review the submission, consult with the relevant editor (for example, Grace Hollis for film‑related images or Leon Carter for celebrity content), and may contact you for further clarification. If our investigation confirms that the material was used without a valid licence or permission, we will remove or replace it promptly and notify you of the action taken. For disputed cases, we will provide a written explanation of our decision and, where appropriate, offer a right of appeal addressed to the Editor‑in‑Chief.
We aim to resolve all takedown and correction requests within ten business days. If the matter involves a legal claim, we may refer it to our external legal advisers. Please note that submitting a false or abusive claim may result in the request being rejected and the complainant being reported to the relevant authorities. Our full legal framework is set out in the Terms of Use.
Our commitments
- We respond to every copyright and takedown request within two business days and aim for a full resolution within ten business days.
- We credit all images and media to their original source or licence holder wherever our records allow, and we correct attribution errors promptly.
- We only use images that have been cleared for editorial publication, whether through a paid licence, official press channels, or explicit permission from the rights owner.
- We maintain a documented record of every rights assessment and takedown action, which is reviewed quarterly by the Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead.
- We will never knowingly continue to host infringing material after receiving a valid notice, and we cooperate in good faith with rights holders and their representatives.
For further information about how we handle complaints, please see our Complaints Procedure and Contact page. To understand how we balance copyright with editorial freedom, refer to our Editorial Policy.