Terms of Service
Dated: April 14, 2020
Welcome to Creative Novels!
Introduction
Thank you for using the Creative Novels platform and the products, services and features we make available to you as part of the platform (collectively, the “Service”).
Our Service
The Service allows you to discover and read stories and other content, provides a forum and subreddit for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe, and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. We provide lots of information about our products and how to use them in our User Docs. Among other things, you can find out about the Creative Novels Partner Program and Creative Novels Paid Memberships and Purchases (where available).
Your Service Provider
The entity providing the Service is Creative Novels LLC, a company operating under the laws of New York, located at 99 Wall Street #1383, New York NY 10005 (referred to as “Creative Novels”, “CrN”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). References to Creative Novels “Affiliates” in these terms means the other companies owned by the Creave Novels LLC (now or in the future).
Applicable Terms
Your use of the Service is subject to these terms, the Creative Novels Community Guidelines and the Policy, Safety and Copyright Policies which may be updated from time to time (together, this "Agreement"). Your Agreement with us will also include the Advertising on Creative Novels Policies if you provide advertising or sponsorships to the Service or incorporate paid promotions in your content. Any other links or references provided in these terms are for informational use only and are not part of the Agreement.
Please read this Agreement carefully and make sure you understand it. If you do not understand the Agreement, or do not accept any part of it, then you may not use the Service.
Who may use the Service?
Age Requirements
You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service.
Permission by Parent or Guardian
If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian’s permission to use the Service. Please have them read this Agreement with you.
If you are a parent or legal guardian of a user under the age of 18, by allowing your child to use the Service, you are subject to the terms of this Agreement and responsible for your child’s activity on the Service.
Businesses
If you are using the Service on behalf of a company or organisation, you represent that you have authority to act on behalf of that entity, and that such entity accepts this Agreement.
Your use the Service
Content on the Service
The content on the Service includes videos, audio (for example music and other sounds), graphics, photos, text (such as comments and scripts), branding (including trade names, trademarks, service marks, or logos), interactive features, software, metrics, and other materials whether provided by you, Creative Novels or a third-party (collectively, "Content”).
Content is the responsibility of the person or entity that provides it to the Service. Creative Novels is under no obligation to host or serve Content. If you see any Content you believe does not comply with this Agreement, including by violating the Community Guidelines or the law, you can report it to us.
Creative Novels Accounts and Channels
You can use parts of the Service, such as browsing and searching for Content, without having a Creative Novels Account. However, you do need a Creative Novels account to use some features. With a Creative Novels account, you may be able to like novels and comments, subscribe to channels, create your own CrN channel, review content, and more. You can follow these instructions to create a Creative Novels account.
Creating a Creative Novels account automatically creates a channel, which will give you access to additional features and functions, such as submitting your own novels, subscribing to authors, and bookmarking and reviewing content (where available).
To protect your Creative Novels account, keep your password confidential. You should not reuse your Creative Novels account password on third-party applications. If you learn of any unauthorised use of your password or Creative Novels account, contact us or renew your password.
Your Information
Our Privacy Policy explains how we treat your personal data and protect your privacy when you use the Service.
Permissions and Restrictions
You may access and use the Service as made available to you, as long as you comply with this Agreement and applicable law. You may view or listen to Content for your personal, non-commercial use.
The following restrictions apply to your use of the Service. You are not allowed to:
- access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use any part of the Service or any Content except: (a) as expressly authorized by the Service; or (b) with prior written permission from Creative Novels and, if applicable, the respective rights holders;
- circumvent, disable, fraudulently engage with, or otherwise interfere with any part of the Service (or attempt to do any of these things), including security-related features or features that (a) prevent or restrict the copying or other use of Content or (b) limit the use of the Service or Content;
- access the Service using any automated means (such as robots, botnets or scrapers) except (a) in the case of public search engines, in accordance with Creative Novels' robots.txt file; or (b) with Creative Novels’ prior written permission;
- collect or harvest any information that might identify a person (for example, usernames), unless permitted by that person or allowed under section (3) above;
- use the Service to distribute unsolicited promotional or commercial content or other unwanted or mass solicitations;
- cause or encourage any inaccurate measurements of genuine user engagement with the Service, including by paying people or providing them with incentives to increase a novel’s views, likes, or dislikes, or to increase a channel’s subscribers, or otherwise manipulate metrics in any manner;
- misuse any reporting, flagging, complaint, dispute, or appeals process, including by making groundless, vexatious, or frivolous submissions;
- use the Service to view or listen to Content other than for personal, non-commercial use (for example, you may not publicly screen or stream Content from the Service); or
- use the Service to (a) sell any advertising, sponsorships, or promotions placed on, around, or within the Service or Content, other than those allowed in the Advertising on Creative Novels policies (such as compliant product placements); or (b) sell advertising, sponsorships, or promotions on any page of any website or application that only contains Content from the Service or where Content from the Service is the primary basis for such sales (for example, selling ads on a webpage where Creative Novels' cotnent are the main draw for users visiting the webpage).
Reservation
Using the Service does not give you ownership of or rights to any aspect of the Service, including user names or any other Content posted by others or Creative Novels.
Changes to the Service
Creative Novels is constantly changing and improving the Service. We may also need to alter or discontinue the Service, or any part of it, in order to make performance or security improvements, change functionality and features, make changes to comply with law, or prevent illegal activities on or abuse of our systems. These changes may affect all users, some users or even an individual user. Whenever reasonably possible, we will provide notice when we discontinue or make material changes to our Service that will have an adverse impact on the use of our Service. However, you understand and agree that there will be times when we make such changes without notice, such as where we feel we need to take action to improve the security and operability of our Service, prevent abuse, or comply with legal requirements.
Your Content and Conduct
Uploading Content
If you have a Creative Novels channel, you may be able to upload Content to the Service. You may use your Content to promote your business or artistic enterprise. If you choose to upload Content, you must not submit to the Service any Content that does not comply with this Agreement (including the Creative Novels Community Guidelines) or the law. For example, the Content you submit must not include third-party intellectual property (such as copyrighted material) unless you have permission from that party or are otherwise legally entitled to do so. You are legally responsible for the Content you submit to the Service. We may use automated systems that analyze your Content to help detect infringement and abuse, such as spam, malware, and illegal content.
Rights you Grant
You retain ownership rights in your Content. However, we do require you to grant certain rights to Creative Novels and other users of the Service, as described below.
License to Creative Novels
By providing Content to the Service, you grant to Creative Novels a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable and transferable license to use that Content (including to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display and perform it) in connection with the Service and Creative Novels' (and its successors' and Affiliates') business, including for the purpose of promoting and redistributing part or all of the Service.
License to Other Users
You also grant each other user of the Service a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to access your Content through the Service. For clarity, this license does not grant any rights or permissions for a user to make use of your Content independent of the Service.
Duration of License
The licenses granted by you continue for a commercially reasonable period of time after you remove or delete your Content from the Service. You understand and agree, however, that Creative Novels may retain, but not display, distribute, or perform, server copies of your content that has been removed or deleted.
Removing Your Content
You may remove your Content from the Service at any time. You also have the option to make a copy of your Content, manually, before removing it. You must remove your Content if you no longer have the rights required by these terms.
Removal of Content By Creative Novels
If we reasonably believe that any Content is in breach of this Agreement or may cause harm to Creative Novels, our users, or third parties, we may remove or take down that Content in our discretion. We will notify you with the reason for our action unless we reasonably believe that to do so: (a) would breach the law or the direction of a legal enforcement authority or would otherwise risk legal liability for Creative Novels or our Affiliates; (b) would compromise an investigation or the integrity or operation of the Service; or (c) would cause harm to any user, other third party, Creative Novels or our Affiliates. You can make an appeal by contacting us.
Copyright Protection
If you believe your copyright has been infringed on the Service, please email us.
Account Suspension & Termination
Terminations by You
You may stop using the Service at any time. Follow these instructions to delete the Service from your Creative Novels Account, which involves closing your Creative Novels channel and account and removing your data.
Terminations and Suspensions by Creative Novels for Cause
Creative Novels may suspend or terminate your access, your Creative Novels account, or your Creative Novels account’s access to all or part of the Service if (a) you materially or repeatedly breach this Agreement; (b) we are required to do so to comply with a legal requirement or a court order; or (c) we believe there has been conduct that creates (or could create) liability or harm to any user, other third party, Creative Novels or our Affiliates.
Terminations by Creative Novels for Service Changes
Creative Novels may terminate your access, or your Creative Novels account’s access to all or part of the Service if Creative Novels believes, in its sole discretion, that provision of the Service to you is no longer commercially viable.
Notice for Termination or Suspension
We will notify you with the reason for termination or suspension by Creative Novels unless we reasonably believe that to do so: (a) would violate the law or the direction of a legal enforcement authority, or would otherwise risk legal liability for Creative Novels or our Affiliates; (b) would compromise an investigation or the integrity or operation of the Service; or (c) would cause harm to any user, other third party, Creative Novels or our Affiliates. Where Creative Novels is terminating your access for Service changes, where reasonably possible, you will be provided with sufficient time to copy your Content from the Service.
Effect of Account Suspension or Termination
If your Creative Novels account is terminated or your Creative Novels account’s access to the Service is restricted, you may continue using certain aspects of the Service (such as viewing only) without an account, and this Agreement will continue to apply to such use. If you believe your Creative Novels account has been terminated in error, you can appeal via e-mail listed on our Contact Us page.
Other Legal Terms
Warranty Disclaimer
OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR AS REQUIRED BY LAW, THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND CREATIVE NOVELS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE SERVICE. FOR EXAMPLE, WE DON’T MAKE ANY WARRANTIES ABOUT: (A) THE CONTENT PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE; (B) THE SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE SERVICE, OR ITS ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY, OR ABILITY TO MEET YOUR NEEDS; OR (C) THAT ANY CONTENT YOU SUBMIT WILL BE ACCESSIBLE ON THE SERVICE.
Limitation of Liability
EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, CREATIVE NOVELS, ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUES, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, GOODWILL, OR ANTICIPATED SAVINGS; LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DATA; INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS; PUNITIVE DAMAGES CAUSED BY:
- ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES ON THE SERVICE;
- PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE;
- ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE SERVICE;
- ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF THE SERVICE;
- ANY VIRUSES OR MALICIOUS CODE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE SERVICE BY ANY THIRD PARTY;
- ANY CONTENT WHETHER SUBMITTED BY A USER OR CREATIVE NOVELS, INCLUDING YOUR USE OF CONTENT; AND/OR
- THE REMOVAL OR UNAVAILABILITY OF ANY CONTENT.
THIS PROVISION APPLIES TO ANY CLAIM, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CLAIM ASSERTED IS BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
CREATIVE NOVELS AND ITS AFFILIATES’ TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE IS LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT CREATIVE NOVELS HAS PAID TO YOU FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF YOUR NOTICE, IN WRITING TO CREATIVE NOVELS, OF THE CLAIM.
Indemnity
To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Creative Novels, its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees) arising from: (i) your use of and access to the Service; (ii) your violation of any term of this Agreement; (iii) your violation of any third party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right; or (iv) any claim that your Content caused damage to a third party. This defense and indemnification obligation will survive this Agreement and your use of the Service.
Third-Party Links
The Service may contain links to third-party websites and online services that are not owned or controlled by Creative Novels. Creative Novels has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, such websites and online services. Be aware when you leave the Service; we suggest you read the terms and privacy policy of each third-party website and online service that you visit.
About this Agreement
Modifying this Agreement
We may modify this Agreement, for example, to reflect changes to our Service or for legal, regulatory, or security reasons. Creative Novels will provide reasonable advance notice of any material modifications to this Agreement and the opportunity to review them, except that modifications addressing newly available features of the Service or modifications made for legal reasons may be effective immediately without notice. Modifications to this Agreement will only apply going forward. If you do not agree to the modified terms, you should remove any Content you have uploaded and discontinue your use of the Service.
Continuation of this Agreement
If your use of the Service ends, the following terms of this Agreement will continue to apply to you: “Other Legal Terms”, “About This Agreement”, and the licenses granted by you will continue as described under “Duration of License”.
Severance
If it turns out that a particular term of this Agreement is not enforceable for any reason, this will not affect any other terms.
No Waiver
If you fail to comply with this Agreement and we do not take immediate action, this does not mean that we are giving up any rights that we may have (such as the right to take action in the future).
Interpretation
In these terms, “include” or “including” means “including but not limited to,” and any examples we give are for illustrative purposes.
Governing Law
All claims arising out of or relating to these terms or the Service will be governed by New York law, except New York’s conflict of laws rules, and will be litigated exclusively in the federal or state courts of New York County, New York, USA. You and Creative Novels consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.
Limitation on Legal Action
YOU AND CREATIVE NOVELS AGREE THAT ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE SERVICES MUST COMMENCE WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES. OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION IS PERMANENTLY BARRED.