Theo Reads General Website Terms of Use

Last Updated: 12/21/2024

This agreement was updated on the date listed above.

Welcome to Theo Reads—a space where readers discover captivating romance stories and authors are empowered with the tools they need to create their best work.

These terms of service (“Terms”), together with all documents referred to here and all other operating rules, policies and procedures that Theo Reads may publish from time to time, including the Privacy Policy and Content Guidelines, govern the Site’s relationship with users (“users”, “you”) of the Theo Reads Platform, including all sub-domains and associated websites (collectively, the “Site”), mobile application(s), including iPhone and Android mobile applications (“Apps”), any and all other platforms on which content is accessed, published, or distributed, and all associated services, features, or content made available through any of the foregoing (“Services”) .

By joining Theo Reads, you are agreeing to these terms, which help us ensure a safe and enjoyable space for everyone.

1. Your Agreement with Us

These Terms constitute a binding agreement between you and Theo Reads ("we," "us," or "our"). This agreement governs your use of the Site, regardless of whether you are a registered user, an author, a reader, or a visitor.

By using Theo Reads, you represent and warrant that:

You are at least 18 years old or meet the age of majority in your jurisdiction, or you have the consent of a parent or guardian to use the Site.
You have the legal authority to agree to these Terms.
You will comply with all applicable laws while using the Site.

If you violate these Terms, we may suspend or terminate your access to the Site at our sole discretion. Parents or guardians who allow minors to use the Site accept full responsibility for the minor's use and compliance with these Terms.

1.1. Changes to the Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or other considerations. Updates will be effective upon posting on the Site, and your continued use of the Site constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically. If you do not agree with the changes and do not wish to be bound by the new terms, you must close your account and/or discontinue using the Services.

1.2. About Theo Reads

Theo Reads is an online platform where authors can publish and sell their stories, and readers can discover, purchase, and enjoy stories of all lengths. We provide tools to enhance the user experience, such as personalized recommendations, commenting, and sharing features. However, we do not guarantee the availability, accuracy, or quality of content provided by users.

1.3. User Accounts

a. Registration

To access certain features, you may be required to create an account. When creating an account, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information; maintain the confidentiality of your login credentials; and ccept responsibility for all activities under your account.

b. Termination

Theo Reads reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the operation of the platform, specific features, or services, in whole or in part, at any time, with or without notice, at our sole discretion.

Account Termination: Your access to Theo Reads may be terminated if you violate these Terms of Use or engage in activities that harm the platform, its users, or its community.
Discontinuation of Features: We may discontinue specific features, functionalities, or services due to operational, legal, or strategic reasons. We will make reasonable efforts to notify users in advance if such changes significantly affect the use of the platform.

2. Prohibited Conduct

While using the Site, you agree not to:

Use the Site for any illegal or unauthorized purpose.
Submit or upload content that is defamatory, obscene, infringing, harmful, or otherwise inappropriate.
Harass, abuse, or harm other users.
Interfere with the operation of the Site, including hacking, overloading, or reverse-engineering.
Impersonate others or misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity.

Violations may result in removal of content, suspension of your account, or legal action.

At Theo Reads, our goal is to create a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive community for readers and writers who love romance and spicy stories. Millions of words, ideas, and imaginations will come alive here, and we expect everyone to contribute responsibly and respectfully to keep Theo Reads a safe and enjoyable space.

To uphold these values, please review the Theo Reads Code of Conduct, which is part of these Terms of Use. It outlines the principles we cherish as a community and the standards of behavior expected from all members. By adhering to these guidelines, you help us foster a respectful, creative, and supportive environment for story lovers.

Without limiting the scope of the Code of Conduct, here are some things you must not do on Theo Reads:

2.1. Don’t Break the Law

Don’t post or share anything that infringes on others’ rights, breaches any legal obligation, or violates the law. Don’t submit or distribute content that is defamatory, obscene, harassing, or otherwise unlawful.

2.2. Don’t Harm Anyone’s Computer or Devices

Don’t upload or share software viruses, malicious code, or anything designed to disrupt the proper functioning of the Site, its users’ devices, or the services of Theo Reads.

2.3. Don’t Disrupt Theo Reads

Don’t interfere with the functionality of the Site or its services. Don’t attempt to bypass security measures, hack accounts, or access unauthorized areas of the Site. Don’t impose an unreasonable load on our systems or disrupt the experience for others.

2.4. Don’t Scrape Theo Reads

Don’t use automated tools (like spiders, crawlers, or bots) to collect or extract content from Theo Reads. Don’t use the Site or its content in a way that competes with or undermines Theo Reads’ platform or community.

2.5. Don’t Steal Content

Don’t copy, distribute, or create derivative works from other users’ content without explicit permission from the creator. Respect the intellectual property rights of authors and Theo Reads.

2.6. Don’t Reverse Engineer Theo Reads

Don’t attempt to deconstruct or reverse-engineer our software, algorithms, or any part of the Site to access proprietary technology or ideas.

2.7. Don’t Use Theo Reads for Commercial Gain

Theo Reads is for personal enjoyment and creative expression. Don’t use the Site to advertise goods or services, solicit business, or promote third-party platforms. The only exception is that authors may use the Site to promote the sale of their own work published on Theo Reads.

3. User Content

Please read our Content Guidelines before posting anything on Theo Reads. Any content that violates these guidelines may be removed at any time.

3.1. Ownership

You retain ownership of the content you post on Theo Reads, including stories, comments, and reviews ("User Content"). If you don’t own the content, posting it on the site does not make it yours to own.

3.2. License to Us

When you post content to Theo Reads, we require legal permission under applicable copyright laws to make that content accessible to users of our services. By submitting User Content, you grant us a non-exclusive license to publish your content on Theo Reads, along with rights necessary to support its publication, such as storing, displaying, reformatting, and distributing it. We may use your content to promote Theo Reads, but we will never sell your content to third parties without your explicit permission.

3.3. Content Standards

All User Content must comply with our Content Guidelines and applicable laws. Theo Reads reserves the right to remove or modify content that violates these standards. Theo Reads reserves the right to remove or modify content at its sole discretion, even if it does not explicitly violate the guidelines, to protect the platform's reputation or user experience.

3.4. Third party services or links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites or services. Theo Reads does not endorse any third-party websites or services, and you access them at your own risk. Theo Reads is not responsible for any damages or issues arising from third-party links or content.

3.5. Moral Rights

By submitting content to Theo Reads, you acknowledge and agree to waive certain moral rights, including the right to be identified as the author and the right to object to modifications of your work, to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, Theo Reads is committed to respecting the integrity of your creative work.

Attribution: While we reserve the right to publish content without attribution in certain cases (e.g., for marketing or anonymized purposes), we will make reasonable efforts to credit you as the author where appropriate.
Modifications: Theo Reads may edit, adapt, or modify your content for formatting, readability, or other platform needs. We will ensure that any changes preserve the spirit and intent of the original work and do not misrepresent your creation.
Geographical Limitations: In jurisdictions where moral rights cannot be waived, Theo Reads will comply with applicable laws and respect your rights as required.

By providing this waiver, you grant Theo Reads the flexibility to promote and distribute your content effectively while ensuring it is treated with respect and care. If you have specific concerns about how your work may be used, please contact us directly before submission.

4. Payments and Transactions

When you purchase access to any Works or pay for Services on Theo Reads, you agree to pay the stated fees for those Works or Services. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to terminate your access to Works or Services if payments are not made.

For recurring Services, you consent to us or authorized third-party payment providers storing your payment method. This ensures uninterrupted access to Works or Services and simplifies future purchases.

4.1 Subscription Plans

Theo Reads offers flexible subscription plans to provide cost-effective access to our catalog of Works. Subscription plans may include monthly, or yearly auto-renewal options:

Monthly Plans: Your account is charged monthly. Pricing may vary based on your location.
Yearly Plans: Your account is charged annually. Pricing may vary based on your location.

You can manage your subscription or cancel auto-renewal through your Account Settings on the Site. Once a payment is processed, transactions are final and non-refundable unless otherwise required by applicable law or at our discretion in exceptional circumstances. It is your responsibility to cancel the subscription before the renewal date if you do not wish to continue.

4.2 Pricing and Taxes

All prices for Works and Services are determined by Theo Reads and may change over time. Purchases may be subject to applicable taxes, fees, and foreign exchange charges based on your location.

4.3 Free Trials

Theo Reads may offer one-time free trials for new subscribers. Terms of the free trial are subject to change, and billing will begin automatically after the trial ends unless canceled in advance.

By purchasing access to Works, subscribing to a plan, or using any of our Services, you agree to these Terms and the associated fees and conditions.

Authors are compensated according to the royalty terms outlined in the Author Terms of Use.

4.4 Refunds

Purchases made on Theo Reads, including subscriptions or story access fees, are non-refundable per our Refund Policy. Canceling a subscription mid-cycle does not result in an automatic refund for the remaining period, but you will retain access to your subscription benefits until the end of the billing cycle.

We may consider refunds in specific circumstances, such as technical issues that prevent access to the platform or purchased content. If you believe you are eligible for a refund, you must contact Theo Reads customer support directly at parneet@theoreads.com. Refund requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and granted at our discretion.

If you believe you are entitled to a refund and have not received a resolution through Theo Reads support, you may initiate a chargeback request through your payment provider (e.g., credit card issuer or payment platform). Please note that initiating a chargeback without prior contact with Theo Reads support may result in account restrictions.

For questions about billing or refunds, please contact us at parneet@theoreads.com.

5. Intellectual Property

All content created by or for Theo Reads, including logos, graphics, and software, is our property or licensed to us. You may not use, reproduce, or distribute this content without our prior written consent.

Theo Reads follows a policy regarding copyright infringement in accordance with the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). While our policy is based on U.S. law, we apply this policy globally to all jurisdictions where our Services are available. If you believe your copyrighted content has been infringed upon, please write to us at parneet@theoreads.com with detailed information.

Theo Reads reserves the right to remove any content alleged to infringe on copyright, without prior notice, at our sole discretion, and without liability to you or any other party. In appropriate cases, we may also suspend or terminate a user’s account if they are determined to be a repeat infringer. If you believe your content was removed in error or without proper justification, you may submit a counter-notice to Theo Reads via email at parneet@theoreads.com, including:

Your full name and contact information
Identification of the removed content and its location before removal
A statement under penalty of perjury that you believe the content was removed in error
Your consent to jurisdiction in the location of Theo Reads' operations (or as otherwise required by law)

In cases where we encounter websites that have illegally scraped content from Theo Reads, we will make efforts to have them shut down. To act on behalf of our users, we require your legal permission to do so. By using Theo Reads, you authorize us to act as your agent to submit takedown notices under the DMCA or any similar laws, requesting the removal of infringing content from service providers and other parties involved in the illegal distribution of such materials.

6. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of Theo Reads is subject to our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using the Site, you consent to these practices.

7. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

The Site is provided “as is,” “as available,” and “with all faults” for the purposes stated herein. Your use of the Site is entirely at your own risk, and you should exercise your best judgment and caution while using it.

All content, whether publicly posted or privately shared, is the sole responsibility of the individual who created or submitted it. While we strive to maintain a positive community, Theo Reads does not actively monitor or control all content shared via the platform and cannot take responsibility for it. We do not endorse, support, represent, or guarantee the completeness, accuracy, truthfulness, or reliability of any content or communications shared on the platform, nor do we endorse any opinions expressed. While we strive to provide accurate information about the materials on the Site, there may be inaccuracies, omissions, or delays. We do not warrant that descriptions are complete, error-free, or entirely accurate, although we make every effort to provide reliable information.

By using Theo Reads, you acknowledge that you may encounter content that is offensive, harmful, inaccurate, inappropriate, mislabeled, or otherwise misleading. We encourage users to exercise their judgment and report any content that violates our guidelines.

Theo Reads makes no guarantees regarding the availability, delivery, performance, or pricing of any Stories, Services, or other intellectual property on the Site. This includes, but is not limited to, assurances about future updates or chapters or stories being released by an author, the availability of specific Stories or Services, or the pricing of any offerings.

Theo Reads does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation of the Site, nor do we ensure it will be free of viruses, worms, or other security threats. Users are responsible for configuring their own technology to access the Site and should employ their own virus protection software.

We are not responsible for the deletion or failure to store any Comments, Stories, or other information submitted by you. It is your responsibility to maintain backup copies of any content you upload.

Theo Reads is not liable for performance issues caused by factors outside of its control, including acts of God, natural disasters, terrorism, labor disputes, governmental actions, or technical failures.

Theo Reads does not verify the identity of its users and does not guarantee that other users are who they claim to be. If you encounter another user who is deceptive or engaging in harmful behavior, you may notify us at parneet@theoreads.com with a detailed description and evidence of the issue, but Theo Reads does not assume liability for such interactions.

While we are committed to protecting your privacy and implementing appropriate security measures, no electronic transmission of information can be guaranteed 100% secure. You transmit information at your own risk. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.

If your intellectual property or other content is infringed upon by a third party, Theo Reads has no obligation to pursue legal claims on your behalf. However, we will remove infringing material from the Site in accordance with applicable laws and our Terms.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Theo Reads disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, or the guarantee of financial or other benefits from using the Site. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Theo Reads is not liable for losses or damages resulting from your use of the Site, user content or third-party interactions on the Site, or technical issues or data loss.

Your use of the Site signifies your agreement to these terms.

7.1 Force Majeure

Theo Reads shall not be held liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Acts of God (e.g., natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes)
Fire, explosions, or power outages
Acts of war, terrorism, or civil unrest
Government actions, regulations, or orders
Cyberattacks, data breaches, or other malicious third-party actions
Internet or telecommunication failures
Strikes, labor disputes, or shortages of materials or resources

In such events, Theo Reads will make reasonable efforts to resume affected services as promptly as possible, but no guarantees can be made regarding timelines or restoration of specific features.

This provision does not absolve users of their payment obligations or any other commitments under these Terms of Use.

7.2 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Theo Reads, its affiliates, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of the Site, breach of these Terms, or violation of applicable laws.

8. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles. tAny disputes arising from or relating to these Terms will be resolved through binding arbitration in Austin, Texas, unless otherwise required by applicable local laws. You agree to submit to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in Austin, Texas, for any disputes that cannot be resolved through arbitration.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about these Terms, please contact us at: parneet@theoreads.com.