Terms of Service

By accessing or using CastTales ("the Platform," "our Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and CastTales. Your use of the Platform indicates your acceptance of these Terms and any updates or modifications.

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Terms.

CastTales is an audiobook platform that provides:

• AI-Generated Audiobooks: High-quality narration of web novels and indie publications
• Credit System: Flexible payment system for accessing content
• Community Features: Integration with Discord and community discussions
• Library Management: Integration with AudiobookShelf for personal libraries
• Funding Platform: Community-driven funding for new audiobook production

Our Service is provided "as is" and we reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue features at any time with reasonable notice.

Account Creation

To use certain features, you must create an account and provide:

• Valid email address
• Secure password
• Accurate profile information

Account Responsibility

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of unauthorized account use
• Keeping your account information current and accurate

Age Requirements

You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. Users under 18 should have parental consent to use our Service.

Credit System

CastTales uses a credit-based system for accessing audiobooks:

• Credits can be purchased using various payment methods
• Credits can be transferred between users (subject to limits)
• Credit values and pricing may change with notice
• Credits do not expire but may be subject to inactivity policies

Payments and Billing

• All payments are processed through secure third-party providers
• Prices are displayed in your local currency when possible
• You authorize recurring charges for subscription services
• We reserve the right to change pricing with reasonable notice

Refund Policy

Refunds may be granted at our discretion in cases of:

• Technical issues preventing access to purchased content
• Duplicate purchases made in error
• Service outages affecting your ability to use purchased credits

Credits used for audiobooks you have started listening to are generally non-refundable.

Permitted Uses

You may use CastTales to:

• Access and listen to audiobooks you have purchased or subscribed to
• Participate in community discussions and forums
• Provide feedback and suggestions for platform improvement
• Use features as intended and documented

Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Copyright Infringement: Share, distribute, or pirate audiobook content
• Account Abuse: Create multiple accounts, share accounts, or impersonate others
• Technical Abuse: Attempt to hack, reverse-engineer, or bypass security measures
• Content Abuse: Upload malicious content or attempt to corrupt our systems
• Spam and Harassment: Send unsolicited messages or harass other users
• Commercial Misuse: Resell access or use the platform for unauthorized commercial purposes

Community Guidelines

In community spaces (Discord, forums), you must:

• Treat other users with respect and courtesy
• Keep discussions relevant and constructive
• Avoid sharing personal information publicly
• Report inappropriate behavior to moderators
• Follow additional platform-specific rules (Discord Terms, etc.)

Our Content

CastTales owns or licenses all content on the Platform, including:

• AI-generated narrations and audio productions
• Platform software, design, and user interface
• Trademarks, logos, and brand elements
• Proprietary algorithms and technology

Licensed Content

Audiobooks are provided under license from authors and publishers. You receive a personal, non-transferable license to:

• Stream and download audiobooks for personal use
• Use AudiobookShelf integration for personal library management
• Access content on devices you own or control

Usage Restrictions

You may not:

• Redistribute, share, or publicly perform audiobook content
• Create derivative works or modifications
• Use content for commercial purposes without authorization
• Attempt to extract or reverse-engineer audio content

User Content

By submitting content (reviews, feedback, suggestions), you grant CastTales a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, and display such content in connection with the Service.

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by ourPrivacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

By using CastTales, you consent to the collection, use, and processing of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information, but no system is 100% secure. You acknowledge the inherent risks of transmitting information over the internet.

Service Uptime

We strive to maintain high availability but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service. We may experience downtime for:

• Scheduled maintenance and updates
• Emergency repairs and security patches
• Technical difficulties or infrastructure issues
• Third-party service dependencies

Content Availability

Audiobook availability may change due to:

• Licensing agreements and renewals
• Author or publisher requests
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Technical or quality issues

We will provide reasonable notice when removing content from the platform, when possible.

Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Requesting deletion through your account settings
• Contacting our support team
• Following the account closure process

Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms of Service
• Engage in prohibited activities
• Fail to pay required fees
• Pose a security risk to the platform

Effects of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the platform will be revoked
• Your content licenses will expire
• Unused credits may be forfeited (subject to applicable law)
• Your personal data will be handled according to our Privacy Policy

Provisions regarding intellectual property, disclaimers, and limitations of liability survive termination.

Service Disclaimers

CastTales is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including:

• Implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Guarantees of uninterrupted or error-free service
• Warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability of content
• Warranties that the service will meet your specific requirements

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, CastTales shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Lost profits, data, or business opportunities
• Service interruptions or technical difficulties
• Third-party actions or content

Our total liability to you for any claims related to the service shall not exceed the amount you paid to CastTales in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold CastTales harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the service or violation of these Terms.

Informal Resolution

Before filing any formal complaint, please contact us at [email protected] to resolve the issue informally.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of [Jurisdiction].

Arbitration

For disputes involving amounts under $10,000, you may choose binding arbitration as an alternative to court proceedings. Arbitration will be conducted under the rules of [Arbitration Service].

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our written consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and CastTales regarding the use of our Service.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of our right to enforce such provision in the future.

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

We will respond to legal inquiries within a reasonable time frame.