Terms of Service

1. Overview

StoryStacked is an editorial marketplace that connects independent media (“Creators”) with brands (“Brands”) for sponsored editorial placements. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the StoryStacked platform at storystacked.com (the “Service”). By creating an account, you agree to these Terms.

2. Accounts and Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to use the Service.
• You must provide accurate information when creating your account and keep it up to date.
• Each account may only operate as either a Creator or a Brand, not both.
• All accounts are subject to manual approval. We reserve the right to reject or revoke access at our discretion.
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access.

3. Creator Terms

• Creators set their own rates and turnaround times for each content type they offer.
• Creators retain full editorial control over all content produced through the platform.
• All sponsored content must be clearly disclosed in accordance with FTC guidelines. Creators are responsible for proper disclosure.
• Creators must deliver work within the agreed turnaround period. Failure to deliver may result in cancellation and refund to the Brand.
• Creators must complete Stripe payout onboarding (identity verification and bank details) before receiving payments.
• Content submitted as proof of delivery must be genuine, live, and accessible at the provided URL.

4. Brand Terms

• Brands must provide a valid payment method before submitting briefs.
• When a brief is submitted, the full amount (creator rate + platform fee) is charged and held by StoryStacked until delivery is verified.
• Brands may provide talking points, product information, and items to avoid, but may not dictate or edit the creator’s final content.
• Brands may not request creators to make false claims, omit required disclosures, or produce misleading content.
• If a Creator accepts a brief, the Brand may not cancel unilaterally. Disputes are handled through the StoryStacked dispute process.

5. Payments and Fees

• StoryStacked charges a 20% platform fee on top of the creator’s listed price. This fee is paid by the Brand.
• When a Brand submits a brief, the total amount (creator rate + platform fee) is authorized on their card but not charged. The Brand’s card is only charged when the Creator accepts the brief.
• Creators have 48 hours to accept or decline a brief. If the Creator does not respond within 48 hours, the request expires and the authorization is released — the Brand is not charged.
• If a Creator declines a brief, the authorization is released and the Brand is not charged.
• Once a Creator accepts and payment is captured, the funds are held by StoryStacked until delivery is verified. Upon successful verification, 100% of the creator’s listed rate is transferred to the creator’s connected bank account via Stripe.
• If a Creator accepts but fails to deliver, the creator’s rate is refunded to the Brand. The 20% platform fee is non-refundable.
• If the Brand’s card cannot be charged when the Creator accepts (declined, insufficient funds, expired card), the placement is automatically cancelled and both parties are notified.
• Payouts are processed by Stripe and are subject to Stripe’s processing times and terms.
• All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

6. Content and Conduct

• You may not use the Service for any illegal purpose or to promote illegal products or services.
• You may not submit content that is defamatory, obscene, harassing, or that infringes on third-party intellectual property rights.
• You may not create fake accounts, impersonate others, or misrepresent your audience size, reach, or credentials.
• You may not use automated tools to scrape, harvest, or collect data from the platform without permission.
• We reserve the right to remove any content or suspend any account that violates these Terms.

7. Verification and Disputes

• StoryStacked verifies content delivery through a combination of automated checks and manual review.
• If verification fails, the Creator may resubmit proof of delivery.
• Either party may raise a dispute by contacting StoryStacked support. We will review disputes and make a determination at our discretion.
• StoryStacked’s determination on disputes is final, subject to applicable law.

8. Intellectual Property

• Creators retain full ownership of all content they produce.
• By using the Service, Creators grant StoryStacked a limited license to display their profile, content menu, and bio on the platform.
• Brands retain ownership of their brand assets, logos, and product information shared in briefs.
• The StoryStacked name, logo, and platform design are the property of StoryStacked.

9. Limitation of Liability

StoryStacked is a marketplace that facilitates connections between Creators and Brands. We are not a party to the editorial relationship between them. To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• StoryStacked is not liable for the quality, accuracy, or legality of content produced by Creators.
• StoryStacked is not liable for any damages arising from the relationship between Creators and Brands.
• Our total liability for any claim related to the Service is limited to the fees paid to StoryStacked in the 12 months preceding the claim.

10. Termination

You may close your account at any time by contacting support. We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms. Upon termination, any pending payments will be processed according to the payment terms above.

11. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes via email. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms will be resolved in the courts of Delaware.

13. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at [email protected].