TERMS OF SERVICE

Welcome to the fun stuff.

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Welcome to Story Shapers. Our platform exists to connect people through meaningful storytelling, and these terms ensure a respectful and inspiring environment. This project is an invitation to a new way of seeing the world. It is non-denominational, standing for the unity of people beyond polarity. Story Shapers is a project for the people, by the people. Please read the following carefully to understand your rights and responsibilities.

Effective Date: 01 June 2025

Company: Story Shapers Ltd ("Story Shapers", "we", "us")

Platform: The Story Shapers media platform, community spaces, websites, social channels, and any services we operate (the “Platform”).

Basic Overview:

We exist to amplify conscious creators. You keep ownership. We get a limited license to share and repurpose your work to give it new life on our Platform and socials. We don’t sell your files. Viewers can watch, not rip. Be kind. Be legal. We’ll be transparent.

1. Who this applies to

Creators – anyone submitting or granting us access to media to publish on the Platform.

Viewers/Users – anyone accessing or using the Platform, including creating an account, commenting, or messaging.

2. Our shared mission

We commit to fostering a community that shares thought-provoking, human-centred stories. By using the Platform, Creators and Viewers agree to act in line with our values: curiosity, positive vibrations, reciprocity, and innovation.

Plain words: We’re here for conscious media that unites. Don’t be a fool. Don’t exploit others.

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3.. Quick Definitions

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Media – any creative work you submit: video, photo, design, audio, illustrations, writing/poetry, recordings, digital workflows, courses, and other formats.

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Repurpose – edit, clip, caption, reformat, resize, translate, add thumbnails/graphics, compile into reels/shorts, and create promotional cut-downs for Platform distribution and social channels (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, newsletters, podcasts).

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Official Channels – Story Shapers websites/apps, email, podcasts, and social accounts we operate.

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Non-commercial use (by us) – we can distribute and promote your Media to grow reach and the Platform. We don’t sell your files or license your individual Media to third parties without your separate written OK.

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4) For Creators (the contributor agreement)

4.1 Ownership stays with you

You (the Creator) keep 100% ownership of your Media and all related rights, unless we both sign a separate deal saying otherwise.

4.2 Your license to Story Shapers (what you allow us to do)

You grant Story Shapers a non-exclusive, worldwide, revocable, royalty-free license to:
• Host, display, stream, and share your Media on the Platform and our Official Channels.
• Repurpose Media for social: edit for length/format, caption, thumbnail, translate/subtitle, compile into highlight reels, organise alongside other media and similar changes needed for distribution and discovery.
• Promote your Media and the Platform (e.g., teasers, trailers, emails, in-app banners).
• Sublicense strictly for infrastructure (e.g., to our streaming/CDN and storage providers) so the Platform works.

We will not:
• Sell your original files or license your individual Media to third parties for their own products without your separate written consent.
• Use your Media to train AI models without your explicit opt-in.

Plain words: You stay the owner. You let us show and re-format your work to help it travel. We don’t sell your file. If a brand/collab/paywall opportunity comes up, we ask you first and get it in writing.

4.3 Attribution

We will credit you (name/handle/links you provide) wherever reasonably possible on the Platform and Official Channels.

4.4 Moral meaning + sensitive edits

We won’t make edits that deliberately distort the core meaning of your work. If we want a major editorial change, we’ll talk first.

4.5 Monetisation + sponsors (radical transparency)
• The Platform may earn revenue from our original media that we create, not by capitlising on yours. We may release media products that are relevant to the project, and our commitment is to make these in good faith with the Terms of this agreement. (e.g., subscriptions, sponsorships, ads around content, courses).
• Your individual Media will not be sold or put behind a paywall without your prior written consent.
• Any revenue share, brand integration in/with your specific Media, or paid course terms will be covered in a separate written agreement with you.

4.6 Removal / takedown by you

You can withdraw your license at any time by emailing legal@storyshapers.org with links/IDs of the Media. We’ll remove the Media from the Platform and our Official Channels within 30 days.
What may remain:
• Copies shared by others we don’t control.
• System backups and residual caches (not publicly accessible).
• Existing social posts may take time to disappear from third-party caches/embeds.

4.7 Our right to curate

We may add, feature, de-feature, or remove Media at any time (e.g., for quality, safety, legal, or editorial reasons). We’ll aim to notify you if we remove for reasons other than routine curation.

4.8 What you promise (Creator warranties)

You confirm that:
• You own the Media or have the rights to grant this license.
• Your Media doesn’t infringe someone else’s rights (copyright, trademarks, privacy, publicity).
• You have permission from people appearing in the Media (releases where needed).
• Your Media and metadata are legal and safe to publish.

You’ll cover us for losses caused by a knowing breach of the above (that’s standard indemnity limited to your breach only). Story Shapers holds no responsibility for the negligence of Creators to seek the right permissions, licenses, media releases, waivers, or any such similar matters as it regards to the Media they share on the Platform.

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5. Data sovereignty + security (how we store/stream)

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• Primary storage: local encrypted hard drives managed by Story Shapers.
• Streaming/CDN: we currently use Bunny.net to deliver/stream content.
• We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect files and accounts. No system is 100% secure; we’ll notify affected users of any material breach as required by law.
• If we change core providers or data locations, we’ll update this page and, where practical, email affected Creators.

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6. Acceptable use (applies to everyone)

Don’t upload, post, or do anything that:
• Breaks the law, promotes violence, hate, exploitation, or self-harm.
• Harasses, doxxes, or threatens people.
• Uploads others’ work without permission or misuses private info.
• Tries to hack, scrape, or overload the Platform.
• Rips, re-uploads, or trains AI on content without the owner’s permission.

We can suspend or terminate accounts that break these rules.

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7. For Viewers/Users (what you can and can’t do)

7.1 Your viewing license

We grant you a personal, non-transferable license to access and view content on the Platform for non-commercial use.

7.2 No copying or re-uploads

Unless the Creator or Story Shapers clearly says otherwise, you may not:
• Download, copy, or redistribute Media.
• Re-upload Media elsewhere.
• Use Media to create derivative works, train AI, or for commercial purposes.

7.3 Accounts, comments, community
• Keep your login safe; you’re responsible for activity on your account.
• Be constructive and respectful. We moderate to protect the community and may remove content/comments that breach these Terms.

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8. Reporting + takedowns

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• If you believe content infringes your rights, email [copyright@storyshapers…] with the link, proof of rights, and your contact details.
• We’ll review promptly and remove or restrict access where appropriate. We may notify the Creator and share your complaint so they can respond.

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9. Platform changes + availability

We’re always improving. Features may change, and the Platform may be unavailable at times (maintenance, outages). We’ll keep downtime minimal and communicate major changes.

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10. Privacy

We handle personal data as described in our Privacy Policy (link). We follow data-protection laws that apply to us. Key points:
• We collect only what we need to run the Platform and community.
• We don’t sell personal data.
• You can request access, correction, or deletion of your data.

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11. Kids

You must be 13+ (or the minimum age required in your country if higher) to use the Platform. If you’re under 18, you need parental/guardian consent to submit Media.

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12. Disclaimers + liability limits

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• Content on the Platform is provided “as is.” We don’t guarantee uninterrupted service or error-free content.
• To the extent allowed by law, we’re not liable for indirect or special damages.
• Our total liability for any claim relating to the Platform is limited to NZD $100 or the amount you paid us in the last 12 months, whichever is higher.
• Nothing here limits liability where the law says we can’t limit it.

Plain words: We’ll act responsibly, but we can’t insure the whole internet.

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13. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Disputes will be handled in New Zealand courts, unless a different forum is required by consumer law where you live.

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14). Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms. We’ll date changes at the top and, for material changes, email registered users/creators or show an in-app notice. If you keep using the Platform after changes take effect, that means you accept the new Terms.

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15. Contact

Questions, requests, or takedowns:
• Legal/General: contact@storyshapers.org
• Copyright: contact@storyshapers.org
• Press/Partners: contact@storyshapers.org