In GOG we strive to protect our users and other people from illegal harms online. We want GOG services to be a safe and trustworthy online environment where you can have fun in a safe way.
We do not allow content that:
- is illegal and/or infringes on the legal rights of others, including copyright,
- is incompatible with the terms and conditions of GOG services (especially our User Agreement and the GOG Code of Conduct),
- is otherwise harmful (content that is not formally illegal but may be considered unethical and socially undesirable for other reasons e. g. disinformation, violence, racism, xenophobia).
We will further refer to such content as the infringing content.
1. Content moderation in GOG
We aim for the GOG services to be free of any content that is harmful, infringes laws or our terms and conditions. We try to delete infringing content whenever we notice it. You can also support us in these endeavours by flagging any infringing content you happen to see so that we can take appropriate moderation measures. We want to work together with our Community and empower you to help us keep the GOG services a safe space for all.
When does content moderation happen in GOG
We have set up rules on what our users can post using GOG services. You will find details on this in the GOG Code of Conduct and our User Agreement.
GOG staff may take their own initiative to review content generated by GOG users and apply moderation measures.
Moderation measures can also be taken by GOG staff as a result of content being reported by a GOG user or any other person or institution.
We may receive an official order to act against any illegal content on GOG services or to provide specific information about one or more of our users, issued by the relevant authorities. If so, we will provide the authorities with necessary information (including the information about our proceedings), as required by the law.
How you can report the infringing content
If you notice any content that you think is illegal or not compliant with our User Agreement or GOG Code of Conduct, you can report it via this form.
In case you feel your copyright has been infringed by one of our games, please follow the instructions from point 2 below (Copyright Protection).
In order for your report to be processed, you will need to:
- explain the reasons why you deem the specific content to be illegal or infringing the terms and conditions of GOG services;
- pinpoint the exact location of that content, for instance by providing us with the URL or URLs, and, where necessary, additional information that will help us understand which piece of content you are referring to;
- as a rule - provide us with your name and email address. You do not need to provide your name and email only when you are reporting the infringing content that relates to:
a. offences concerning sexual abuse,
b. offences concerning sexual exploitation,
c. offences concerning child pornography,
d. solicitation of children for sexual purposes,
e. any incitement, aiding and abetting, and attempt of any of the above. - provide a statement confirming your good-faith belief that the information and allegations contained in your report are accurate and complete.
Please keep in mind that reports that do not meet the above standards will not be processed.
Please also make sure that you are reporting actual infringing content before you make a report. If you frequently file reports that are manifestly unfounded (f. ex. relate to content we do not list as infringing content in our terms or are repeatedly aimed at one specific user or a group of users as a result of a conflict within GOG community), we may issue you a warning. After that, if you continue to file manifestly unfounded reports, we are allowed to temporarily suspend the processing of your reports. In deciding on that, we will take into account:
a) the number of items of manifestly unfounded reports, submitted within a given time frame;
b) the relative proportion of such unfounded reports in relation to the total number of notices
c) submitted within a given time frame;
d) the gravity of your unfounded reports, including their content, and of their consequences;
e) where it is possible to identify it, your intentions.
What happens after you file the report
If you provide us with your contact details in the report, we will let you know once your report has reached us.
In case of content flagged by users, GOG staff will review your report, assess the content flagged by you and, if deemed necessary, take the infringing content down. We may also apply other moderation measures described below if we find them necessary to ensure online safety in GOG services.
We will also inform you on the decision we make regarding the content you flagged. We will also let you know in our communication how you can request a secondary review of your report in case you think we made the wrong call. You will have 6 months following delivery of the decision to ask us to review our initial ruling.
Consequences - moderation measures
GOG staff may take various actions to ensure that the GOG remains a safe space for everyone. The measures we apply may differ from case to case, depending on the recurrence rate (i.e. if a given user is a repeat offender), severity of the infringement, how it might affect other GOG users and - if possible to identify - intentions of the user.
If you post infringing content, we may:
a) stop your content from being published (f.ex. with the use of swearwords filters),
b) remove the infringing content you posted in whole or in part, disable visibility of your content or demote it,
c) issue a warning,
d) disable the option for you to post content (temporarily or permanently) in a specific functionality or one or all of GOG services,
e) disable the option for all users to post under a specific forum thread,
f) ban your whole GOG account temporarily,
g) ban your whole GOG account permanently. If your GOG account is permanently banned, you may lose all rights to games you have in your library, any GOG Wallet balances and other items that you may have purchased or claimed.
If you have multiple accounts (at least one of which was used to break our terms), we may take action against all of your accounts.
Generally, you will receive a notification if the content you had posted has been removed. The same will happen if your account is banned.
We may also work with respective law enforcement agencies, including when we believe that there's risk of physical harm or threat to anyone’s safety.
There might be situations where a specific user does not necessarily violate laws or the GOG Code of Conduct and our User Agreement but you do not want this user to contact you. Remember that you can block the user you do not like.
What to do if your content was deemed infringing by mistake
We trust our moderators to make the right moderation decisions that will foster the safe GOG environment. We are aware that it is a challenge to judge the content and make the right calls in each unique situation. On top of that, however awesome our Team is, everyone is allowed to make a mistake.
This is why, if you feel your content has been mistakenly judged infringing, you can contact our moderators to have your case revisited. You will find the details on how to do that in the moderation decision regarding your content. You will have 6 months following delivery of the decision to ask us to revisit our initial ruling. You can expect that we will help you better understand the reasoning for the decision or correct the mistake if one was made.
2. Copyright protection
We respect the intellectual property of others and we expect the users of our services do the same. If you believe that your copyrighted work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright or other intellectual property rights infringement and is accessible through a website or other online service operated by us, you may notify us in accordance with the European Union’s E-Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC (including appropriate EU Member State implementing legislation) and Regulation 2022/2065 on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act) in relation to applicable intellectual property rights, or the United States’ Digital Millennium Copyright Act 1998 (DMCA).
To file a copyright infringement notification with us, you will need to send a written communication by email to legal@gog.com or mail to the address set out below, that includes the following (please consult your legal counsel or, if applicable, see Section 512(c)(3) of the DMCA to confirm these requirements):
a) explanation of the reasons why you deem the specific content to be infringing (including indication of the work claimed to have been infringed);
b) pinpoint of the exact location of that content, for instance by providing us with the URL or URLs, and, where necessary, additional information that will help us understand which piece of content you are referring to;
c) your name and email address;
d) a statement confirming your good-faith belief that the information and allegations contained in your report are accurate and complete (i.e. that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorised by the owner, its agent, or the law) and under penalty of perjury under the DMCA, that you are authorised to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right which allegedly is infringed;
e) a physical or electronic signature of a person authorised to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
Please mind that the information from your notice may be forwarded to the person providing the allegedly infringing content.
Please note that if applicable under Section 512(f) of the DMCA any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material or activity is infringing may be subject to liability for damages. Please take this seriously!
Designated Copyright Agent contact details:
Legal Department
GOG sp. z o.o.
ul. Jagiellońska 74
03-301 Warsaw
Poland
Email: legal@GOG.COM