1. Introduction
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the use of the Stories Hut mobile application and website ("Platform"), owned and operated by Stories Hut Private Limited, a company registered in India and headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka ("Company", "we", "our", "us").
By accessing or using the Platform, users ("you", "reader", "writer", or "user") agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you may not use the Platform.
2. Eligibility
Use of this Platform is restricted to individuals aged 18 years or older. By registering, you confirm that you meet this requirement and that the information provided is accurate.
3. User Accounts
- 3.1. Users must register using a valid mobile number and/or email address.
- 3.2. Each account may be used on a maximum of two devices.
- 3.3. Users are responsible for maintaining account confidentiality and all activities under their login.
- 3.4. The Company reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts found in violation of these Terms.
4. Subscription and Payments
- 4.1. Readers subscribe to access books and other written content on the Platform.
- 4.2. Payments are processed securely via Razorpay and direct bank transfers.
- 4.3. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled before the next billing cycle.
- 4.4. Refunds are available only within one hour of payment.
- 4.5. Users may cancel anytime; subsequent billing will stop after the current subscription period.
- 4.6. Writers are compensated based on page reads tracked within the Platform.
5. Content Submission and Publishing
- 5.1. Writers may upload original novels and written works ("Content") for publication.
- 5.2. Each novel shall undergo moderation and will go live 48 hours after submission, subject to approval.
- 5.3. Table of contents is mandatory for all submitted novels.
- 5.4. Writers must select the appropriate category for each work.
- 5.5. Cover images and other copyrighted materials owned by others may not be used.
- 5.6. The Company reserves the right to edit, reject, or remove any content deemed inappropriate or violating these Terms.
6. Intellectual Property Rights
- 6.1. By uploading content, writers retain copyright ownership but grant Stories Hut Private Limited an exclusive publishing license to distribute the work digitally on the Platform.
- 6.2. Exclusive Publishing Rule: Novels published on the Platform may not be published elsewhere, whether online or on other digital reading platforms.
- 6.3. If a novel published on the Platform is found elsewhere online, the book will be deleted immediately, and all associated page reads and views will be voided.
- 6.4. Stories Hut retains rights to display, promote, and monetize approved content for the duration of the publishing agreement.
- 6.5. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification of Platform content is strictly prohibited.
7. Content Moderation and Reporting
- 7.1. All submissions undergo human and automated moderation.
- 7.2. If the Company receives a valid complaint about any novel, it will be investigated. If found genuine, the book will be permanently deleted.
- 7.3. Decisions on content removal are final and not subject to appeal.
8. Reader Usage Rules
- 8.1. Readers with an active subscription may download up to ten books for offline reading.
- 8.2. To download more, previously downloaded books must be deleted.
- 8.3. Downloaded books are stored within the app, not on the device's file system.
- 8.4. Downloaded content may not be copied, shared, or extracted.
9. Data and Privacy
Use of the Platform is subject to our Privacy Policy, which governs data collection, usage, and protection.
10. Prohibited Activities
Users must not:
- a) Share or sell access credentials.
- b) Upload plagiarized, offensive, or infringing material.
- c) Attempt to reverse-engineer or misuse the Platform.
- d) Use bots, scrapers, or unauthorized tools to access data.
11. Limitation of Liability
The Platform is provided "as is." The Company is not liable for any loss, data breach, or indirect damages arising from use or inability to use the service.
12. Termination
The Company may suspend or terminate accounts for violations, fraud, or illegal activity. Termination includes revocation of access and deletion of content or subscriptions.
13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms shall be governed by the laws of India. Any disputes shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Bangalore, Karnataka.
Dispute resolution shall first be attempted through internal mediation at the Company's discretion.
14. Contact
For any queries, contact: