FAQ

ABOUT US

WHAT IS THE DENA PROJECT?
TheDenaProject.com is a non-commercial, community-driven project dedicated to preserving the history of Altadena through shared photographs and stories. Our goal is to create a digital archive that celebrates the unique heritage of Altadena and connects community members with their shared past.

WHY WAS THE PROJECT CREATED?
Altadena’s rich history is often captured in personal photographs, family stories, and memories that might otherwise be lost. This website was founded to ensure these invaluable pieces of history are preserved for generations to come.

WHO CAN SUBMIT

WHO CAN SUBMIT PHOTOS OR STORIES?
Anyone who has photos, stories, or historical materials related to Altadena is welcome to contribute! Whether you're a long-time resident or someone who has a special connection to Altadena, your submissions help enrich the community archive.

OWNERSHIP

DO I RETAIN COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP OF MY PHOTOS?
YES, you retain full copyright ownership of any photos, stories, or materials you submit. By submitting content, you are not giving up your ownership rights—you are simply granting the website permission to a non-exclusive license to display your submission on the website. You can revoke this license at any time by submitting a written request to TheDenaProject@gmail.com

This permission is called a Non-Exclusive License, which just means:

Non-Exclusive = You still have full rights to your photo. You can share it elsewhere, post it on social media, or publish it in a book.
License = You’re letting us use it, but only in the ways we described (on the website).

HOW WE PROTECT YOU

HOW DOES THE WEBSITE PROTECT MY SUBMISSIONS FROM BEING COPIED?
We take steps to deter unauthorized use of your submissions, including:

Disabling right-click functionality to prevent easy downloading.
Monitoring for unauthorized use and responding to copyright concerns.

However, we cannot fully prevent third parties from misusing content. If you believe your submission has been copied or used without permission, contact us at TheDenaProject@gmail.com so we can take appropriate action.

HOW TO SUBMIT

HOW DO I SUBMIT PHOTOS OR STORIES?
You can submit your photos or stories directly through our website’s Submission Page by filling out the form and uploading your pics, etc. or by emailing us at TheDenaProject@gmail.com

LABELING
Please label each photo, video or audio file with as much, or as little, information as you wish to appear in the caption. the label will be used as the caption.

DESCRIPTIONS (Optional)
you are welcome to Include a written and/or audio description to accompany your submission. There are no rules. Describe the moment, the people, the place, what went through your mind, how you feel or felt. Please include the name of the person speaking. If you prefer to leave out the name, I’ll leave it out. You can always email us to make any corrections. We are low-tech. don’t forget to label audio file, to be used as caption. labeling helps everyone to enjoy your contributions.

EXAMPLES

Label on Photo: Sibyl and Allison Roth Eaton Canyon Altadena 1966 Owner Allison Roth

Caption: Sibyl and Allison Roth. Eaton Canyon. Altadena, California. 1966 © Allison Roth

Copyright symbol: All media is protected by law so each piece of material will be labeled with a copyright symbol.

example of caption: “I’m pretty sure this day we went to Eaton Canyon as a family, so Dad could try out the Super 8. I’m so grateful to our mom for creating such a special home for us in Altadena, and to our dad for capturing it.” ~ Allison Roth

GUIDELINES

WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS??

Submissions must be your original work, or you must have written permission to share them.
Content should be relevant to Altadena’s history and community.
Please ensure submissions are respectful, appropriate, and relevant.

DO I NEED TO REGISTER MY COPYRIGHT BEFORE SUBMITTING A PHOTO?
No, you are not required to register your copyright to submit a photo. However, if you are concerned about protecting your legal rights or enforcing your copyright in the event of infringement, you may want to register your photo with the U.S. Copyright Office.

WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE USES MY PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION?
If someone uses your photo without permission, you still retain the right to take action, regardless of whether your photo has a registered copyright. However, if your photo is registered with the copyright office, it will likely be easier to enforce your rights and recover damages. If you believe your submission has been used without permission, contact us at TheDenaProject@gmail.com , and we will assist where possible.

WHAT IF I THINK MY PHOTO HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT MY PERMISSION?
If you believe your submission has been copied or used without your authorization, contact us immediately at TheDenaProject@gmail.com. Provide as much detail as possible so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

About Copyright for Your Submissions

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I SUBMIT A PHOTO THAT IS NOT COPYRIGHT REGISTERED?
If your photo is not registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, you still own the copyright as the creator. Copyright is automatically granted to you as soon as you take the photo, but without registration, your ability to enforce those rights is limited. For example:

You cannot file a lawsuit for copyright infringement unless your photo is registered.
If your photo is registered before an infringement occurs, you may be entitled to statutory damages (up to $30,000 per work or up to $150,000 per work for willful infringement) and attorneys' fees in a lawsuit.
If your photo is not registered, you can still sue for infringement, but you will only be entitled to actual damages (e.g., the money you lost because of the infringement).

WHAT IF MY PHOTO IS REGISTERED WITH THE U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE?
Registering your photo with the U.S. Copyright Office provides several legal benefits:

Proof of Ownership: Registration creates a public record of your copyright and serves as legal evidence that you own the work.
Enhanced Legal Protections: If someone infringes on your photo after registration, you may be eligible for statutory damages and attorneys’ fees, which can be much higher than actual damages.
Broader Enforcement Options: You can take legal action more effectively if your work is registered, as courts often require registration to proceed with a lawsuit.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REGISTER A COPYRIGHT?

The cost to register a single photo or collection of photos online is typically $45–$65 (depending on the type of work and the registration category).
You can register your copyright through the U.S. Copyright Office at their official website: https://copyright.gov.

If you're submitting valuable or rare photos to our website, you may want to consider registering them first to fully protect your rights.

DISCLAIMER: This information is purely informational and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized advice about your copyright or intellectual property rights, consult with an attorney.

Using Content from the Website

Can I download or use photos from the website?
No, visitors are not allowed to download, reproduce, or use submissions from the website without explicit written permission from the content owner or the Website Administrator. If you’re interested in using a photo, please contact us at TheDenaProject@gmail.com to request permission.

How do I request permission to use a photo?
If you’d like to use a photo or story from the website, please email us at TheDenaProject@gmail.com with the following information:

Your name and contact details.
A description of the photo or story you’d like to use.
The purpose of your use (e.g., educational, non-commercial, or other).

We’ll review your request and consult with the content owner.

Your Rights and Privacy

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO REMOVE MY SUBMISSIONS?
If you decide to remove your submission, you can email us at TheDenaProject@gmail.com with your request. We will remove your content from the website within a reasonable timeframe. However, please note that previously distributed materials (e.g., newsletters) may not be retrievable.

DO YOU PROTECT MY PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Yes, we are committed to respecting your privacy. We only collect and use personal information to manage submissions and improve the website. Your name will not be publicly displayed with your submission unless you request otherwise.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE PROJECT

HOW CAN I HELP SUPPORT THE WEBSITE?
Since this is a non-commercial passion project, the best way to support it is by:

Sharing your photos, stories, and knowledge of Altadena.
Spreading the word about the project to others who might be interested.
Engaging with the community by commenting and sharing memories.

If you’re interested in volunteering, offering suggestions, or contributing in other ways, contact us at TheDenaProject@gmail.com —we’d love to hear from you!

Effective Date: February 18, 2025

Welcome to TheDenaProject.com! This website is a non-commercial, community-driven project dedicated to preserving the history of Altadena through shared photographs and stories.

These terms of use are entered into by and between You (“Users” or “User”) and Allison Roth (“Website Administrator” or “us” or “we”). The following terms and conditions, together with any documents they expressly incorporate by reference (collectively, "Terms of Use" or “Terms”), govern your access to and use of TheDenaProject.com, including any content, functionality and services offered on or through TheDenaProject.com (the "Website").

1. Acceptance of Terms
By using the Website or by clicking to accept or agree to the Terms of Use when this option is made available to you, you accept and agree to be bound and abide by these Terms of Use. If you do not want to agree to these Terms of Use, you must not access or use the Website.

2. Purpose of the Website
The Website is intended as a digital photo journal for the community of Altadena to share and preserve images, stories, and history. It is a non-commercial, passion-driven project and is not intended for profit or commercial use.

3. User Submissions
3.1 Submission Guidelines
Users are invited to submit photographs, stories, and other content ("Submissions" or “Submission”) that contribute to the preservation of Altadena’s history. By submitting content, you confirm that:

You own or control all rights in and to the Submissions and have the right to grant the license granted below to us and our affiliates and service providers, and each of their and our respective licensees, successors and assigns.
The Submissions do not infringe on any third party’s intellectual property, privacy, or other rights.
The Submissions are appropriate, respectful, and relevant to the Website’s purpose.
The Submissions must comply with the Content Standards set out in these Terms of Use.

3.2 License to Display Submissions
Any Submissions you post to the site will be considered non-confidential and non-proprietary. By providing any Submission, you grant Website Administrator and its affiliates and service providers, a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your Submissions on the website. Any other use will require permission from the owner of the Submission. This license is revocable by written request to TheDenaProject@gmail.com

4. Protection of Submissions
4.1 No Unauthorized Use
The Website is designed to respect the integrity of Submissions and prevent unauthorized use. Visitors and third parties may view content on the Website but are prohibited from reproducing, downloading, copying, displaying, distributing, or otherwise using Submissions without explicit written consent from the owner of the Submission or the Website Administrator, as granted in writing by the owner of the Submission.
Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of Submissions may result in legal action, including but not limited to claims for damages, injunctive relief, and recovery of legal fees incurred in pursuing such action.

4.2 Watermarking and Display Controls
The Website may employ measures such as watermarking or disabling right-click functionality to deter unauthorized use of Submissions. However, Website cannot guarantee complete protection from misuse and is not liable for unauthorized copying or redistribution of content by third parties.

5. Content Standards
Users must ensure that all Submissions and activities on the Website adhere to the following standards:
These content standards apply to any and all User Submissions. Submissions must in their entirety comply with all applicable federal, state, local and international laws and regulations. Without limiting the foregoing, Submissions must not:

Contain any material that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, offensive, harassing, violent, hateful, or otherwise objectionable.
Infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other intellectual property or other rights of any other person.
Violate the legal rights (including the rights of publicity and privacy) of others or contain any material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable laws or regulations or that otherwise may be in conflict with these Terms of Use.
Submissions must not promote sexually explicit or pornographic material, or violence.
Submissions must align with the purpose of the Website and contribute positively to the preservation of Altadena’s history.

6. Prohibited Activities
Users are prohibited from engaging in the following activities on the Website:

Sending unsolicited or unauthorized advertisements, junk mail, spam, or any form of solicitation.
Introducing viruses, trojan horses, worms, logic bombs, or other material that is malicious or technologically harmful.
Attempting to gain unauthorized access to, interfere with, damage, or disrupt any parts of the Website, the server on which the Website is stored, or any server, computer, or database connected to the Website.
Attacking the Website via a denial-of-service attack or a distributed denial-of-service attack.
Using the Website in any manner that could disable, overburden, damage, or impair the site or interfere with any other party's use of the Website, including their ability to engage in real-time activities through the Website.
Using any robot, spider, or other automatic device, process, or means to access the Website for any purpose, including monitoring or copying any of the material on the Website.
Otherwise attempting to interfere with the proper working of the Website.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Ownership of Submissions
Ownership of Submissions remains with the original contributor. By granting Website Administrator a license to display Submissions, you are not transferring ownership of your content.

7.2 Website Content
All other content on the Website, including text, layout, and design, is the property of Website Name and may not be used without permission.

7.3 Copyright Infringement
If you believe that any Submissions violate your copyright, please request our Copyright Policy via email at TheDenaProject@gmail.com for instructions on sending us a notice of copyright infringement.

8. Community Guidelines
Users are expected to interact respectfully and contribute constructively. The Website reserves the right to remove content or restrict access for Users who violate these Terms or the spirit of the community.

9. Reliance on Information Posted
The information presented on or through the Website is made available solely for general information purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to the Website, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents.
This Website may include content provided by third parties, including materials provided by other users, bloggers, and third-party licensors, syndicators, aggregators, and/or reporting services. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by the Website Administrator, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Website Administrator. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.

10. Mandatory Arbitration of Claims
Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use or your use of the Website shall be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration. Arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the Consumer Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). You agree to provide written notice of any claim or dispute at least 30 days before initiating arbitration, allowing the parties an opportunity to resolve the matter informally. Notices of claims should be sent to: TheDenaProject@gmail.com

10.1 Opting Out of Arbitration
You have the right to opt out of this arbitration agreement. To do so, you must send written notice of your decision to opt out, including your full name and contact information, to the above address within 30 days of your first use of the Website. Opting out of this arbitration agreement will not affect any other provisions of these Terms of Use.

10.2 Limitation on Time to File Claims
ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OR CLAIM YOU MAY HAVE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OF USE OR THE WEBSITE MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES; OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION OR CLAIM IS PERMANENTLY BARRED.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties
The Website is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. While efforts are made to maintain accurate and secure content, Website Administrator does not guarantee the reliability, security, or availability of the Website.

12. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PROVIDED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL THE WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR LICENSORS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE WEBSITE, ANY WEBSITES LINKED TO IT, ANY CONTENT ON THE WEBSITE OR SUCH OTHER WEBSITES OR ANY SERVICES OR ITEMS OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEBSITE OR SUCH OTHER WEBSITES, INCLUDING ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PERSONAL INJURY, PAIN AND SUFFERING, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, LOSS OF REVENUE, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS OR ANTICIPATED SAVINGS, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF GOODWILL, LOSS OF DATA, AND WHETHER CAUSED BY TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF FORESEEABLE.
THE FOREGOING DOES NOT AFFECT ANY LIABILITY WHICH CANNOT BE EXCLUDED OR LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW..

13. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Website Administrator harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with these Terms or your use of the Website. You will cooperate as required by us in the defense of any claim. We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, and you will not in any event settle any claim without our prior written consent.

14. Modification of Terms
These Terms of Use may be updated at any time to reflect changes to the Website or its policies. The latest version will always be available on the Website, and continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms of Use or your Submissions, please contact: TheDenaProject.com at TheDenaProject@gmail.com

FAQ

ABOUT US

WHO CAN SUBMIT

OWNERSHIP

HOW WE PROTECT YOU

HOW TO SUBMIT

GUIDELINES

About Copyright for Your Submissions

Using Content from the Website

Your Rights and Privacy

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE PROJECT

HOME
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submit
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CONTACT

THE DENA PROJECT © 2025 / TERMS OF USE

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

TheDenaProject@gmail.com

FAQ

ABOUT US

WHO CAN SUBMIT

OWNERSHIP

HOW WE PROTECT YOU

HOW TO SUBMIT

GUIDELINES

About Copyright for Your Submissions

Using Content from the Website

Your Rights and Privacy

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE PROJECT

HOMECOLLECTIONFAQterms of usesubmitaboutCONTACT

THE DENA PROJECT © 2025 / TERMS OF USE

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

TheDenaProject@gmail.com

Terms of Use

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FAQ
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submit
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