TERMS OF SERVICE

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to VidWire. By accessing or using our platform, including our website at vidwire.tv, Telegram bot, and associated services (collectively, the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access the Service.

These Terms apply to all users of the Service, including citizen journalists ("Journalists"), media organizations ("Buyers"), and content verifiers ("Verifiers").

2. Description of Service

VidWire is a two-sided marketplace that connects citizen journalists with media organizations for the licensing of video footage. The Service includes:

• A Telegram bot for footage submission
• A web platform for browsing, searching, and licensing content
• A verification system combining AI screening and human review
• Blockchain-based escrow and payment processing
• A bounty system for requested footage

3. Account Registration

3.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and capable of entering into a binding contract to use the Service. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

3.3 Accurate Information

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

4. Journalist Terms

4.1 Content Ownership and Rights

By submitting footage to VidWire, you represent and warrant that:

• You are the original creator and sole owner of the footage
• You have the right to license the footage to third parties
• The footage does not infringe on any third party's intellectual property rights
• You have obtained any necessary releases or permissions from identifiable individuals in the footage (where legally required)
• The footage has not been previously licensed exclusively to another party

4.2 Content Authenticity

You warrant that all submitted footage is authentic, unaltered, and accurately represents the events depicted. You agree not to submit:

• Deepfakes or AI-generated content presented as authentic
• Footage that has been materially manipulated or edited to misrepresent events
• Re-recorded or copied content from other sources
• Staged events presented as spontaneous

4.3 License Grant to VidWire

By submitting footage, you grant VidWire a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

• Host, store, and display the footage on the platform
• Create thumbnails, previews, and watermarked versions
• Process and verify the footage
• Promote the footage to potential buyers

This license continues until you remove the footage from the platform, except for footage that has been licensed to buyers (which must remain available per the license terms).

4.4 Commission and Payments

VidWire charges a commission of 15-20% on all transactions, varying by journalist trust tier. Payments are made in USDC on the Base network. You are responsible for providing a valid wallet address and for any applicable taxes on your earnings.

5. Buyer Terms

5.1 License Types

Buyers may purchase various license types for footage:

• Non-Exclusive: Grants usage rights while allowing the journalist to license the footage to others
• Exclusive (24h/48h/7d): Time-limited exclusive rights
• Exclusive Permanent: Permanent exclusive rights to the footage

5.2 Usage Rights

License purchases include specific usage rights:

• Web Only: Online publication only
• Broadcast: Television and streaming broadcast
• All Media: All platforms including print
• Documentary: Long-form documentary use

5.3 Attribution

Unless the journalist has enabled Anonymous Mode, buyers agree to provide appropriate attribution when using licensed footage, as specified in the license agreement.

5.4 Payment and Escrow

All payments are processed through smart contract escrow on the Base network using USDC. Funds are held in escrow until the buyer confirms delivery of the footage.

6. Prohibited Content and Conduct

You agree not to submit or distribute content that:

• Is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, or defamatory
• Contains child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
• Promotes terrorism or violent extremism
• Infringes on intellectual property rights
• Contains malware or other harmful code
• Violates any applicable law or regulation

VidWire reserves the right to remove any content and suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, without prior notice.

7. Content Verification

All submitted footage undergoes verification through:

• AI-powered authenticity screening
• Human verification by trained reviewers
• Metadata analysis and cross-referencing

While we strive to verify all content, VidWire does not guarantee the authenticity of any footage. Buyers are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence.

8. Disputes

8.1 Transaction Disputes

If a buyer disputes a transaction (e.g., footage not as described, authentication concerns), VidWire will review the dispute and may:

• Release funds to the journalist if the dispute is unfounded
• Refund the buyer if the dispute is valid
• Split funds in cases of partial validity

8.2 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall take place in Delaware, USA.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, VIDWIRE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR USE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE.

VIDWIRE'S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO VIDWIRE IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) $100 USD.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless VidWire, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Content you submit to the Service

11. Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content (excluding user-submitted content), features, and functionality are owned by VidWire and are protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach these Terms. Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service will immediately cease
• Any pending transactions will be processed or cancelled per our discretion
• Existing licenses remain valid
• You may request a copy of your data within 30 days

13. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of any material changes via email or platform notification at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

14. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

15. Contact Us

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