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This fund is used to defend Project DoD Inc. or its users in the face of threats or litigation. In short it funds our ability to protect the legal interests of Project DoD Inc., its projects, and its users.
In the past we have been threatened with legal action for simply following the process outlined in the DMCA. Part of what makes corporate hosts weak proponents of free-speech and due process is not that they object to those specific ideas, but that they fear for their bottom line. This fund makes us resilient to legal threats because it helps remove that fear, and, as a result, allows us to better represent our user's interests.
A good example of this would be any user that posts obviously legal content, yet receives a DMCA takedown notice for that content. Since the DMCA requires us to remove the content in question to obtain safe-harbor, and for the content to be restored our user must file a counter notice, this puts both Project DoD and our user on the line for litigation if we choose to wave that safe-harbor or the user chooses to fight the case. Since sending a counter notice means the complainant must file a lawsuit to keep the content down, this puts a certain stress on the user. In our observations we have seen that the overwhelming majority of times a takedown notice is sent to our server, the user feels it's unjust, but doesn't have the resources to send a counter notice to defend his or her position. This legal defense fund may be used to back our user's case, back our choice to wave safe-harbor, or begin our own process of litigation against the complainant. That is, if we choose to waive safe-harbor, take the complainant to court, or if our user chooses to put themselves at risk for the content on their page, then we can use this fund to bolster those actions.
Furthermore, every time this fund becomes full we will send a $2500.00 grant to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to further their work. In the case that we must use this fund we will ALWAYS consult the EFF first to see if they would like to take our case. If they would, then we will send them a grant for the estimated cost of the litigation. This means that you can feel comfortable that donations to Project DoD Inc.'s legal defense fund will go to protect our rights, and our user's rights, online, while furthering the work of the EFF.
| $20000.00 | Estimated Cost of Basic Litigation | | $5000.00 | Travel and Lodging |
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