It is your Rotary club’s responsibility to comply with copyright laws. Over 40% of the claims under the U.S. Rotary Club & District Liability Insurance Program ("Program") now pertain to copyright infringement.
The U.S. Rotary Club & District Liability Insurance Program provides all U.S. Rotary and Rotaract clubs and districts with general liability and directors & officers / employment practices liability insurance.

You have received this email because you are a Public Image Chair of your Rotary club.

Some Rotary clubs continue to post images and other media (cartoons, songs, etc) online in disregard of copyright laws, resulting in a considerable increase in claims activity under the U.S. Rotary Club & District Liability Insurance Program ("Program"). Over 40% of the Program's open claims now pertain to copyright infringement.

Copyright owners hire companies offering software that "trolls" the internet in search of copyright violations involving their images or other media. These companies are commonly referred to as copyright trolls. When a troll finds a violation, they contact the party who mis-used the image or other media and make a demand to settle the violation. Failure to respond to the demand increases the difficulty of resolving the claim.

It is your Rotary club’s responsibility to comply with copyright laws.

Here is what your Rotary club should do to prevent receiving a notice of copyright infringement:

Immediately:
  • Review your Rotary club’s social media accounts and websites and delete any content using images or other media where you do not have the copyright owner's permission. This includes bulletins, newsletters, and other documents and forms, even if they are 10+ years old.
  • Contact Risk Management immediately if your Rotary club or district receives a notice of copyright infringement. The Program may provide coverage depending on the way the image or other media was used.
Going Forward:
  • Instead of lifting images or other media off the internet, use images or other media created by members of your Rotary club or district (first receive their permission)
  • Use the Rotary Brand Center.
  • Never use images or other media without permission.
  • Purchase images or other media online.
Randy Bretz    District 5650 Public Image Chair and member ​Rotary 14 

To view the Rotary International page on this insurance - click here.|
You can also contact our Rotary District 5650 Insurance Officer:
Rick Guill
Click here to email Rick
402-680-5401