01 Purpose of This Policy
This policy explains how content published on the Servite Mission Sisters website may be viewed, shared, downloaded or reproduced.
It also explains how to request permission to use protected materials.
02 Ownership of Website Content
Unless otherwise stated, content published on this website belongs to the Servite Mission Sisters, affiliated entities, authorised contributors or third parties who have granted permission for its use.
Protected content may include:
- Website text and written materials.
- Logos, symbols and visual identity elements.
- Photographs and illustrations.
- Videos and audio recordings.
- Music, hymns and liturgical materials.
- Graphics, icons and website layouts.
- Formation and vocation resources.
- Educational and pastoral materials.
- Prayer texts and reflections.
- Reports, publications and downloadable documents.
- Social-media designs and promotional materials.
- Website source code and original design components.
03 Personal and Non-Commercial Use
Visitors may normally view and use website content for personal, devotional, educational or informational purposes.
Visitors may also share links to website pages through email, social media or messaging platforms, provided that the content is not presented in a misleading way.
Limited extracts may be quoted for appropriate non-commercial purposes where:
- The quotation is accurate.
- The meaning is not changed.
- The source is clearly acknowledged.
- The use is lawful and respectful.
- The extract does not represent a substantial part of the original work.
04 Prohibited Use
Website content must not be used without permission in a way that:
- Misrepresents the Servite Mission Sisters.
- Suggests unauthorised endorsement or partnership.
- Removes copyright notices or source information.
- Alters photographs or statements deceptively.
- Uses content for commercial advertising or resale.
- Copies large portions of the website onto another website or platform.
- Distributes protected resources as if they were independently created.
- Uses content in a defamatory, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative manner.
- Uses images of children or vulnerable people inappropriately.
- Uses the logo or name to collect money without authorisation.
05 Logo, Name and Brand Identity
The Servite Mission Sisters name, logo, symbols, crest, colours, slogans and other visual-identity elements may not be copied, modified or used without written permission.
The logo must not be used:
- On an unauthorised website or publication.
- For fundraising not approved by the Institute.
- On merchandise or commercial products.
- In a way that suggests official representation or membership.
- In altered colours, distorted proportions or modified forms without approval.
06 Photographs and Images
Photographs and images displayed on the website may belong to the Servite Mission Sisters, photographers, members, partner organisations or licensed sources.
Images must not be downloaded, republished or used for commercial, political, fundraising or promotional purposes without permission.
Special care must be taken with images showing:
- Children and young people.
- Vulnerable adults.
- Patients or people receiving healthcare.
- People receiving welfare or humanitarian assistance.
- Members in formation or vocation candidates.
- Private religious ceremonies or community activities.
07 Images of Children and Vulnerable People
Images or personal stories involving children and vulnerable people must be handled with particular care.
Such materials must not be:
- Used without appropriate permission.
- Copied into unrelated publications.
- Used to identify sensitive personal details.
- Presented in a degrading or exploitative manner.
- Used in advertising, fundraising or social-media promotion without approval.
Use of these materials may also be subject to the Safeguarding Policy and Privacy Policy.
08 Video, Audio and Music
Videos, audio recordings, music, hymns, voice recordings and audiovisual materials may be protected by several rights, including copyright in:
- The recording.
- The musical composition.
- The lyrics.
- The performance.
- The video production.
- The artwork and visual design.
These materials must not be copied, edited, uploaded to another platform or used in public productions without suitable permission.
09 Downloadable Documents
Some documents may be made available for download, including brochures, forms, prayer resources, formation materials and reports.
Unless otherwise stated, downloaded documents are provided for personal or authorised organisational use.
They must not be:
- Sold or commercially distributed.
- Altered in a misleading manner.
- Republished without attribution.
- Presented as an official revised version without approval.
11 Third-Party Content
Some content used on the website may belong to third parties, including:
- Photographers.
- Designers and artists.
- Music composers and performers.
- Video-production services.
- Religious publishers.
- Partner organisations.
- Stock-image and media providers.
- Embedded platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo.
Third-party content remains subject to the rights and licence terms of the relevant owner or provider.
Permission granted by the Servite Mission Sisters cannot override the rights of a third-party owner.
12 Scripture and Liturgical Texts
Scripture quotations, liturgical texts, prayers, hymns and other religious works may be subject to copyright or publishing permissions depending on the translation, edition or source.
Where appropriate, acknowledgements should be preserved and licence requirements respected.
13 Educational and Pastoral Use
Permission may be granted for limited educational, pastoral or devotional use of selected materials.
Requests should explain:
- The material you wish to use.
- The purpose of the use.
- The intended audience.
- Whether the use is commercial or non-commercial.
- The number of copies or expected reach.
- The platform, publication or event involved.
14 Requesting Permission
Written permission should be requested before using protected website materials outside the limited uses described in this policy.
A permission request should include:
- Your full name.
- Your organisation, where applicable.
- Your contact details.
- A link or description of the material.
- The way you intend to use it.
- The duration and location of the proposed use.
- Whether money, advertising or fundraising is involved.
Permission is not granted until written approval has been received.
15 Attribution
Where permission is granted, the Servite Mission Sisters may require an acknowledgement such as:
Additional credit may be required for a photographer, author, publisher, composer or other rights holder.
16 Content Submitted to Us
A person who submits photographs, text, videos, testimonials, designs or other material confirms that:
- They own the content or have permission to submit it.
- The submission does not violate another person’s rights.
- Suitable consent has been obtained where necessary.
- The material may be used for the agreed purpose.
The Servite Mission Sisters may decline to publish submitted content or remove it where concerns arise.
17 Reporting Copyright Concerns
If you believe that material on the website infringes your copyright or another intellectual-property right, please contact us.
Your notice should include:
- Your name and contact details.
- A description of the protected work you believe has been infringed.
- The exact location of the material on the website.
- Evidence that you own or represent the relevant rights.
- An explanation of why the use is not authorised.
We may temporarily remove or restrict access to material while a claim is reviewed.
18 Unauthorised Use
Where website content is used without permission, the Servite Mission Sisters may request that the material be removed, corrected or appropriately credited.
Further action may be considered where unauthorised use:
- Continues after notice has been given.
- Causes reputational or financial harm.
- Misleads the public.
- Involves fundraising or commercial activity.
- Violates privacy, safeguarding or intellectual-property rights.
19 No Transfer of Ownership
Accessing, viewing or downloading content from the website does not transfer copyright or ownership to the visitor.
All rights not expressly granted remain reserved.
20 Changes to This Policy
This Copyright Policy may be updated when website content, publishing practices or intellectual-property arrangements change.
The latest version will be published on this page with the date of the most recent update.
21 Contact Us
Permission requests, copyright concerns and questions about this policy may be directed to the Servite Mission Sisters.
10 Social Media Content
Content published on official Servite Mission Sisters social-media accounts may also be protected by copyright.
Visitors may share official posts using the platform’s built-in sharing tools.
Downloading, editing or reposting content as original work may require permission.