Copyright & Content Policy

1. User Content Ownership & Privacy Guarantee

You retain full copyright to all audiobooks you create using AudiBound.

• AudiBound claims no ownership rights to your output files
• All intellectual property in your audiobooks remains yours
• You may use, distribute, or sell your audiobooks without restriction
• You may remove AudiBound metadata branding at any time (optional setting)

1.1 AI Processing & Model Training Policy

Audibound does not train proprietary artificial intelligence, machine learning, or voice synthesis models on your uploaded manuscripts, text files, voice files, or completed audiobooks. When using our Cloud or Studio web services, your files are processed securely through third-party service providers and sub-processors to perform automated conversion validation, formatting, voice synthesis, and audio generation. This processing is subject to those providers' respective terms, and we do not claim any ownership rights to your inputs or outputs.

1.2 Local Desktop Processing Guarantee

Our desktop application runs completely locally. All audiobook conversion, binding, and file processing are done directly on your computer using your local hardware. Your content files (including manuscripts, raw audio, and final builds) are never sent to or stored on our servers. The software makes a single network call solely to verify license status and check for updates.

2. Input Content Requirements

You must own or have legal rights to ALL content you upload, including:

2.1 Text and Scripts

• You own the copyright (original work you wrote)
• You have permission from the copyright holder
• The work is in the public domain (copyright expired)
• You have a valid commercial license

2.2 Cover Art and Images

• Original artwork you created
• Licensed from stock photo sites (Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, etc.)
• Public domain images
• Permission obtained from the photographer/artist

2.3 Background Music and Audio

• Royalty-free music from licensed sources (Epidemic Sound, Artlist, etc.)
• Original compositions you created
• Licensed from music libraries with commercial use rights
• Permission from the copyright holder

3. Prohibited Content

The following is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN:

• Pirating commercial audiobooks from Audible, Libro.fm, etc.
• Converting copyrighted books without permission (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, etc.)
• Uploading copyrighted music without a license
• Using copyrighted cover art without permission
• Distributing content that infringes on others' intellectual property rights
• Creating audiobooks with illegal, harmful, or obscene content

4. Voice Usage (Future AI Features)

When AI voice synthesis features are released:

4.1 Platform Voices

• Licensed for commercial use in your audiobooks
• You may sell audiobooks narrated with platform voices
• Voices are provided by third-party AI services (ElevenLabs, etc.)

4.2 Voice Cloning Restrictions

• NO custom celebrity voice cloning (Morgan Freeman, Samuel L. Jackson, etc.)
• NO impersonating public figures without explicit permission
• Expression cloning MAY be permitted (transferring emotion, not identity)
• Platform-provided voices only

5. DMCA Compliance

AudiBound respects the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and responds to valid takedown notices.

5.1 Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed, send a notice to our DMCA agent with:

• Your contact information (name, address, phone, email)
• Description of the copyrighted work being infringed
• Location of the infringing material on our platform (URL, username, etc.)
• Statement of good faith belief that use is not authorized
• Statement that information is accurate and you're authorized to act
• Your physical or electronic signature

Send DMCA notices to: [email protected]

5.2 Counter-Notice Process

If your content was removed due to a DMCA notice and you believe it was removed in error, you may file a counter-notice containing:

• Your contact information
• Description of the removed content and its former location
• Statement under penalty of perjury that removal was a mistake or misidentification
• Consent to jurisdiction in your local federal court
• Your physical or electronic signature

5.3 Repeat Infringer Policy

Users with multiple copyright violations will have their accounts permanently terminated.

6. Public Domain and Fair Use

6.1 Public Domain Works

You may freely use works in the public domain:

• Works published before 1928 (generally public domain in the US)
• Works with expired copyrights
• Works explicitly released into public domain by the author

Resources: Project Gutenberg, LibriVox, Internet Archive

6.2 Fair Use

"Fair use" is a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like criticism, commentary, education, or parody.

However, creating full audiobooks is generally NOT fair use. Fair use typically requires transformation and limited copying. Consult a lawyer if uncertain.

7. Metadata Branding

By default, audiobooks created with AudiBound may include metadata indicating:

"Converted by AudiBound" or "Created with AudiBound"

This branding is OPTIONAL. You may disable it in your account settings at any time.

8. Acceptable Use Examples

Allowed Uses

• Converting your own novels into audiobooks
• Creating audiobooks from public domain works (Shakespeare, Jane Austen, etc.)
• Converting licensed content with permission from the rights holder
• Using platform voices for narration
• Using royalty-free music in your audiobooks

Prohibited Uses

• Converting Harry Potter books without J.K. Rowling's permission
• Ripping Audible audiobooks and re-uploading them
• Using copyrighted songs without a license (Taylor Swift, Drake, etc.)
• Cloning Morgan Freeman's voice for narration
• Using stock photos without a proper license

9. Reporting Copyright Infringement

If you encounter copyrighted content on AudiBound that you believe is unauthorized:

1. Email [email protected] with details
2. Provide evidence of copyright ownership
3. Identify the infringing content (username, file name, etc.)
4. We will investigate and take appropriate action within 48 hours

10. Contact Information

For copyright-related questions or DMCA notices:

Email: [email protected]

DMCA Agent: [email protected]