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Terms of Service (Contributors): Image and Video Donation

Last updated: Feb 1, 2026

Please read the following terms of service carefully. By submitting images and/or videos (“Content”) to Kogia’s Oceanic Library, operated by Kogia, you (“Contributor”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement.

1. Purpose of Image and Video Donation

Kogia’s Oceanic Library is a nonprofit media library established to support conservation organizations, nonprofits, scientists, researchers, activists, and educators working to protect oceans and marine life.

By contributing Content, you support Kogia’s mission to make high-quality marine imagery and footage accessible exclusively for non-commercial, non-profit, conservation, educational, and advocacy purposes.

2. Ownership & Rights

2.1 Copyright Ownership

You retain full copyright ownership of all Content you submit to Kogia’s Oceanic Library. Nothing in this Agreement transfers ownership of your intellectual property to Kogia or to any third party.

2.2 Moral Rights

Kogia acknowledges and respects your moral rights, including the right of attribution and the right to object to misleading, derogatory, or inappropriate use of your Content.

3. License Granted to Kogia

You grant Kogia a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, revocable license to:

  • Host, store, archive, and display the Content
  • Distribute the Content through the Oceanic Library
  • Grant limited, non-commercial access to vetted library members in accordance with Kogia’s Terms of Service for Users
  • Use the Content for Kogia’s own nonprofit communications, education, outreach, and fundraising activities

This license is granted solely for purposes consistent with Kogia’s nonprofit mission.

4. Licensing Framework

Content made available through the Oceanic Library is distributed under a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, nonprofit-only content license, granted by Kogia to vetted members, with mandatory attribution and no commercial rights.

Content made available through the Oceanic Library is distributed under a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, nonprofit-only license, administered by Kogia and granted to vetted members, with mandatory attribution and no commercial rights.

This licensing framework is contractual and membership-based, and is not a public or open license.

5. Permitted Uses by Library Members Your Content may be made available to vetted members for the following non-commercial uses only:

  • Educational, conservation, and awareness videos
  • Nonprofit fundraising materials
  • Social Media for advocacy or education
  • Websites and online publications for nonprofit initiatives
  • Educational exhibitions
  • Educational printed materials
  • Awareness, conservation, or activist campaigns
  • Small-scale, non-commercial art projects

Commercial use is strictly prohibited unless separately negotiated directly with you, the Contributor.

5. Attribution & Credit

We greatly value your contribution and are committed to ensuring appropriate credit for your Content. All members are contractually required to credit both Kogia and the Contributor as a mandatory condition of use.

6.1 Standard Attribution Format

Unless otherwise requested by you in writing, attribution must include both Kogia and the Contributor, and will follow this format:

Contributor Name / Kogia

or

Kogia / Contributor Name

6.2 Platform-Specific Credit Guidelines

Kogia’s Member Terms of Service require users to credit Contributors as follows:

  • Photos (Watermarked):
    • Kogia’s official watermarked versions constitute proper and sufficient attribution.
    • Custom watermarks are acceptable if they clearly follow the standard attribution format.
    • For social media use of watermarked images, the User must additionally:
      • Tag Kogia’s official account where technically possible, and
      • Tag or clearly name the Contributor.
  • Photos (Non-Watermarked):
    • Attribution must appear in captions, credits, or adjacent to the image depending on the medium.
    • On social media, users must credit in the caption or first comment and tag both Kogia and the Contributor where possible.
  • Video & Film:
    • Contributors must be credited in end credits where credits are included.
    • Where applicable, video descriptions must include:

      Footage courtesy of Kogia’s Oceanic Library — [Contributor Name]
    • On social media, users must tag both Kogia and the Contributor where platform functionality allows.
  • Educational Materials, Exhibitions & Installations:
    • Credits must appear on wall labels, captions, or accompanying materials where credits are customarily provided.

Kogia will take reasonable steps to address missing or improper attribution when identified. Furthermore, Attribution must remain intact for the entire duration of the media’s use. Removal or alteration of credits after publication constitutes misuse.

7. Withdrawal of Content

7.1 Right to Withdraw

You may request removal of your Content from Kogia’s Oceanic Library at any time by written notice to info@kogia.org or nessim@kogia.org

7.2 Effect of Withdrawal

Upon withdrawal:

  • Kogia will remove the Content from the Oceanic Library
  • Existing, lawful uses by members prior to removal may continue
  • Withdrawal does not invalidate past uses made in compliance with the User Terms of Service

This protects both Contributors and nonprofit users who relied on the license in good faith.

8. No Commercial Exploitation

Kogia shall not sell, license, or commercially exploit your Content. Any commercial inquiries received by Kogia will be referred directly to you unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9. Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time. Termination does not affect rights granted or uses made prior to termination in accordance with this Agreement.

10. Amendments

Any amendments or modifications to this Agreement must be made in writing by Kogia. Continued participation after updates constitutes acceptance of revised terms.

11. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States of America. Any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in the United States, at Kogia’s election.

By submitting Content to Kogia’s Oceanic Library, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.