Copyright Agreement

Last updated: February 5, 2026.

Purpose of This Agreement

RateMyTeachers.org relies on user submissions to provide public information about classroom experiences. Because users contribute written reviews, ratings, and directory data, we need a clear agreement about intellectual property rights. This Copyright Agreement is part of our Terms of Use and applies to all content you submit, post, or otherwise provide on the site.

By using RateMyTeachers.org, you agree to the terms below. If you do not agree, do not submit content.

Our Content and Ownership

RateMyTeachers.org owns the site design, layout, logos, software, and the overall compilation of information on the site (except for user-submitted content). This includes the visual design, branding, and underlying code. You may not copy, redistribute, or create derivative works from these materials without our written permission, except as allowed by law.

Your Content and Ownership

You retain ownership of the original content you submit, including your written reviews and any comments you provide. You are responsible for ensuring that your submissions are your own work or that you have permission to use any materials you include. Do not submit text that you copied from another person or website unless you have the legal right to do so.

The safest approach is to write in your own words based on your own experience.

License You Grant to RateMyTeachers.org

By submitting content, you grant RateMyTeachers.org a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable license to host, store, reproduce, display, distribute, and create derivative works of your content as necessary to operate and improve the site. This license includes the right to:

• Display your reviews publicly on teacher profiles.
• Use excerpts for moderation, dispute resolution, or quality review.
• Format or edit your content for readability or consistency, without changing its meaning.
• Generate and display aggregate statistics derived from ratings.
• Cache, backup, and archive submissions for operational purposes.

The license lasts while your content is hosted and for a reasonable backup period so we can maintain records and comply with legal obligations.

Representations and Warranties

When you submit content, you represent and warrant that:

• You own the content or have permission to submit it.
• Your submission does not infringe any third-party copyrights, trademarks, or other rights.
• Your content is based on your own experience and does not include plagiarized material.
• Your content does not violate any laws, regulations, or contractual obligations.

If you submit content that infringes someone else's rights, you may be liable for damages, and your content may be removed.

Respecting Copyrights of Others

We take copyright protection seriously. Do not post materials you do not have the right to share. This includes copied lesson plans, instructor handouts, full test questions, or private course documents. It also includes material copied from other websites, even if you provide attribution. Attribution alone does not grant permission to copy copyrighted material.

Short quotes for purposes of commentary or review may be permitted in some jurisdictions under fair use or similar doctrines. However, fair use is highly context-specific, and we cannot provide legal advice. As a rule, keep quotes brief and use them only when necessary to explain your own experience.

Infringement Claims and Takedown Requests

If you believe content on RateMyTeachers.org infringes your copyright, you can request its removal. We will review the request and may remove or disable access to the content while we investigate as soon as possible. To help us evaluate a claim, please provide:

• A description of the copyrighted work you believe has been infringed.
• The URL or location of the allegedly infringing content on our site.
• Your contact information and a statement that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on their behalf.
• A statement that your claim is made in good faith.

Submitting false or misleading claims may result in legal consequences. We may require additional information before acting on a request.

Counter-Notice Process

If content you submitted is removed due to a copyright claim and you believe the removal was incorrect, you may contact us with a counter-notice. Include enough detail to identify the removed content and explain why you believe you have the right to post it. We may restore the content if the dispute is resolved or if we determine that the claim was invalid.

Repeat Infringer Policy

We may restrict or terminate access for users who repeatedly submit infringing content. Because we do not require user accounts, we may rely on technical signals to enforce this policy. Our goal is to protect creators and maintain a respectful, lawful environment.

Edits, Formatting, and Attribution

We may make limited edits to submissions for clarity, formatting, or to remove prohibited content. We will not intentionally change the meaning of your review. We are not required to attribute submissions to individual users because we do not collect user identity information. If you include your name in a submission, it may become public, and we recommend against doing so.

Third-Party Intellectual Property

Teacher names, school names, and curriculum titles may be protected by trademark or other intellectual property laws. We use these identifiers to provide an informational directory. Their use on the site does not imply endorsement or affiliation, and all trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

Reservation of Rights

We reserve all rights not expressly granted to you. You may access and use the site for personal, non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Terms of Use. Any other use, including commercial reuse of content, requires written permission from RateMyTeachers.org or the applicable rights holder.

Termination and Survival

We may remove content or restrict access if you violate this agreement or the Terms of Use. If your content is removed, the license you granted to us may continue for a limited time to allow for backups, legal compliance, and operational continuity. Sections relating to ownership, warranties, and indemnification will survive termination.

Contact

If you have questions about this Copyright Agreement or want to submit a copyright complaint, contact us at contact@ratemyteachers.org. We aim to respond promptly and respectfully.