DMCA Copyright Policy

Effective Date: February 9, 2026
Essence of Melanin
Owned and operated by 8x10designs, Duchess Arrita Robinson
Email: hello@essenceofmelanin.com
Phone: 484-378-9108

Copyright Protection Notice

All designs, graphics, artwork, logos, slogans, and creative content on the Essence of Melanin website are original works created by Duchess Arrita Robinson and are protected by United States copyright law and international copyright treaties.

Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, or modification of our copyrighted materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

Our Copyrighted Materials

Protected materials include but are not limited to:

  • Custom graphic designs and artwork
  • Product designs and templates
  • Logos and brand elements
  • Website content and layout
  • Photographs and images
  • Marketing materials
  • Written content and slogans
  • Digital products and downloads

Permitted Uses

You may:

  • Purchase products for personal, non-commercial use
  • Share links to our website on social media
  • Post photos of products you’ve purchased (with credit to Essence of Melanin)
  • Reference our brand in fair use contexts (reviews, commentary, education)

Prohibited Uses

You may not:

  • Copy, reproduce, or replicate our designs
  • Resell our products as your own creations
  • Remove copyright notices, watermarks, or branding
  • Use our designs for commercial purposes without written permission
  • Create derivative works based on our designs
  • Upload our designs to print-on-demand platforms
  • Claim ownership of our intellectual property
  • Distribute our digital products to third parties

DMCA Compliance

Essence of Melanin complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and will respond to valid notices of copyright infringement.

If Your Copyright Has Been Infringed

If you believe that content on our website infringes your copyright, please send a DMCA takedown notice to our designated Copyright Agent with the following information:

Required Information:

  1. Your contact information:
    • Full legal name
    • Mailing address
    • Phone number
    • Email address
  2. Identification of the copyrighted work:
    • Detailed description of the work you claim has been infringed
    • If available, provide a URL or copy of the original work
  3. Identification of the infringing material:
    • URL or specific location on our website where the alleged infringing material appears
    • Sufficient detail for us to locate the material
  4. Statement of good faith belief:
    • “I have a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.”
  5. Statement of accuracy:
    • “The information in this notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the owner, or authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.”
  6. Physical or electronic signature:
    • Your handwritten or electronic signature

Send DMCA Notices to:

Copyright Agent:
Duchess Arrita Robinson
8x10designs / Essence of Melanin
Email: hello@essenceofmelanin.com
Subject Line: “DMCA Takedown Notice”
Phone: 484-378-9108

Our Response to Valid DMCA Notices

Upon receiving a valid DMCA notice, we will:

  1. Promptly investigate the claim
  2. Remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material if appropriate
  3. Notify the alleged infringer of the takedown
  4. Provide the alleged infringer with a copy of the DMCA notice
  5. Document the complaint for our records

Counter-Notification Process

If you believe that material you posted was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification, you may file a DMCA counter-notification with the following information:

Required Information:

  1. Your contact information (name, address, phone, email)
  2. Identification of the material that was removed and its location before removal
  3. Statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification
  4. Statement consenting to jurisdiction of Federal District Court in Pennsylvania
  5. Statement that you will accept service of process from the complainant
  6. Your physical or electronic signature

Send Counter-Notifications to:
Email: hello@essenceofmelanin.com
Subject Line: “DMCA Counter-Notification”

Repeat Infringer Policy

We maintain a policy of terminating, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts or access of users who are repeat copyright infringers.

If You Infringe Our Copyrights

Cease and Desist

If we discover unauthorized use of our copyrighted materials, we will:

  1. Send a cease and desist letter demanding immediate removal
  2. Request compensation for damages if applicable
  3. Take legal action if the infringement continues

Legal Remedies

Unauthorized use of our copyrighted materials may result in:

  • Civil lawsuits for copyright infringement
  • Injunctive relief to stop further infringement
  • Monetary damages (statutory damages up to $150,000 per work infringed)
  • Recovery of attorney’s fees and court costs
  • Criminal penalties in cases of willful infringement for commercial advantage

We take copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all available legal remedies.

Licensing Inquiries

If you would like to license our designs for commercial use, please contact us:

Email: hello@essenceofmelanin.com
Subject Line: “Licensing Inquiry”

Include:

  • Description of intended use
  • Duration of license needed
  • Geographic scope
  • Distribution channels

All licensing agreements must be in writing and signed by Duchess Arrita Robinson.

Fair Use Disclaimer

We recognize that fair use of copyrighted materials is permitted under US copyright law for purposes such as:

  • Criticism and commentary
  • News reporting
  • Teaching and scholarship
  • Research
  • Parody

However, commercial use of our designs does not constitute fair use. If you are uncertain whether your use qualifies as fair use, please contact us before proceeding.

Trademark Notice

In addition to copyright protection, certain brand elements including our name “Essence of Melanin,” logos, and slogans may be protected as trademarks. Unauthorized use of our trademarks is prohibited.

International Copyright

Our copyrights are protected internationally under the Berne Convention and other international copyright treaties. Infringement in any country may result in legal action.

False DMCA Claims

Filing a false or fraudulent DMCA notice may result in legal liability, including damages and attorney’s fees. Only file a DMCA notice if you are certain that your copyright has been infringed.

Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to modify this DMCA Copyright Policy at any time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Additional Resources

For more information about copyright law and the DMCA:

Contact Us

For copyright questions or licensing inquiries:

Essence of Melanin
Duchess Arrita Robinson
Email: hello@essenceofmelanin.com
Phone: 484-378-9108

Essence of Melanin and 8x10designs are committed to respecting intellectual property rights and expect the same from others.

Last Updated: February 9, 2026