AV/L MUSIC DISTRIBUTION

TERMS OF SERVICE

Last Updated: October 25, 2025
Effective Date: October 25, 2025

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By creating an account with AV/L Music Distribution ("AV/L," "we," "us," or "our"), you ("User," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"), our Anti-Fraud Policy, Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our services.

AV/L is a music distribution platform that delivers your content to Digital Service Providers ("DSPs") including but not limited to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, and other streaming and download services.

2. DEFINITIONS

"Account": Your registered user account on the AV/L platform.

"Content": Any audio recordings, metadata, artwork, lyrics, or other materials you upload or submit to AV/L for distribution.

"Copyright Infringement": The unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of material protected by copyright law.

"DSP" or "Digital Service Provider": Third-party platforms where your Content is distributed (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music).

"Fraud": Any activity including but not limited to: (a) unauthorized exploitation of copyrighted material; (b) artificial stream manipulation; (c) click fraud or bot-generated engagement; (d) music spam using misleading metadata; (e) impersonation of artists or labels; (f) false representation of ownership; (g) identity fraud or providing false information.

"KYC" or "Know Your Customer": Identity verification procedures required to confirm the identity and legitimacy of Users.

"Paid Plan User": Any User subscribed to a paid tier of AV/L services.

"Rights Holder": The legal owner of intellectual property rights in Content.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND ACCOUNT REGISTRATION

3.1 Age and Capacity

You must be at least 18 years of age to use AV/L services. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement.

3.2 Account Information

You agree to:

Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
Maintain and promptly update your account information
Keep your login credentials confidential
Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

3.3 Prohibited False Information

You may NOT:

Provide false, misleading, or fraudulent information
Impersonate any person or entity
Use another person's identity or credentials
Create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions or violations

Providing false information is grounds for immediate account termination and potential legal action.

4. COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Your Warranties

By uploading Content to AV/L, you represent and warrant that:

a) You are the sole owner of all rights in the Content, OR you have obtained all necessary licenses, permissions, and authorizations to distribute the Content

b) Your Content does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other intellectual property right of any third party

c) Your Content does not violate any law, statute, ordinance, or regulation

d) You have the authority to grant the rights described in these Terms

e) All metadata (artist names, track titles, album names, artwork) is accurate and not misleading

4.2 Zero Tolerance for Copyright Infringement

AV/L maintains a zero-tolerance policy for copyright infringement.

We will:

Immediately investigate all copyright infringement claims
Take down infringing Content promptly upon verification
Terminate accounts of repeat infringers
Cooperate fully with Rights Holders and legal authorities
Withhold royalties generated from infringing Content

4.3 Prohibited Content

You may NOT upload:

Content you do not own or have permission to distribute
Copyrighted material from other artists, labels, or Rights Holders without proper authorization
Covers, remixes, or samples without proper licensing
Public domain recordings falsely claimed as original works
"White noise," "empty songs," or similarly deceptive content designed solely to generate streams
Content with misleading metadata designed to impersonate other artists or attract unintended clicks

5. KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER (KYC) REQUIREMENTS

5.1 KYC for Paid Plan Users

All Paid Plan Users are subject to enhanced verification requirements to ensure platform integrity and prevent fraud.

5.2 Initial KYC Requirements

Upon subscribing to any Paid Plan, you must provide:

a) Identity Verification:

Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card)
Selfie or video verification for identity matching
Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or official document dated within 90 days)

b) Professional Verification:

Artist profiles on social media platforms (Spotify for Artists, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, YouTube)
Website or EPK (Electronic Press Kit) if available
Previous release history or portfolio
Label affiliation documentation (if applicable)

c) Rights Documentation:

Proof of ownership or licensing agreements for Content
Split sheets for collaborative works
Publisher information and PRO (Performance Rights Organization) affiliation

5.3 Enhanced KYC Triggers

Additional verification will be required if:

a) Copyright Concerns are Raised:

Any copyright infringement claim is filed against your Content
DSP flags your Content as potentially infringing
Multiple takedown requests are received
Similarity to existing copyrighted works is detected

b) Suspicious Activity is Detected:

Unusual streaming patterns inconsistent with your fanbase
Sudden, unexplained spikes in engagement
Inconsistent IP activity versus declared location
Multiple releases under different artist names from same account
Revenue generation without corresponding social media presence

c) High-Volume Distribution:

Exceeding 50 releases within a 12-month period
Distributing Content for multiple artists or labels
Managing releases across multiple genres or markets

5.4 Ongoing KYC Obligations

Paid Plan Users must:

Update information within 30 days of any material change
Respond to verification requests within 5 business days
Submit to periodic re-verification (annually or as requested)
Provide additional documentation when releasing new Content flagged by our systems

5.5 Failure to Complete KYC

If you fail to complete KYC verification:

Your account will be suspended until verification is complete
New releases will be blocked from distribution
Existing Content may be taken down from DSPs
Royalty payments will be withheld pending verification
Your account may be terminated after 30 days of non-compliance

6. ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

6.1 Our Commitment

AV/L is committed to maintaining a fraud-free platform. We employ:

a) Automated Monitoring:

AI-powered streaming pattern analysis
Revenue anomaly detection
Metadata verification systems
Audio fingerprinting technology

b) Database Matching:

Cross-referencing against copyright databases
Duplicate upload detection
Known fraudulent content identification
Artist identity verification

c) Quality Control:

Manual review of flagged Content
Metadata accuracy verification
Rights documentation validation
Artist profile authentication

6.2 Prohibited Fraudulent Activities

You may NOT engage in:

a) Stream Manipulation:

Using bots, click farms, or automated systems to generate fake streams
Purchasing streams, plays, or engagement from third-party services
Creating artificial playlists to inflate stream counts
Coordinating stream manipulation schemes

b) Click Fraud:

Generating fake clicks on payment-generating links
Using automated systems to simulate consumer behavior
Creating fraudulent download or streaming activity

c) Music Spam:

Using misleading artist names to impersonate established artists
Creating deceptive track titles to attract unintended listeners
Employing SEO manipulation techniques in metadata
Copying popular artist names or album artwork

d) Identity Fraud:

Impersonating other artists, labels, or Rights Holders
Using stolen or fabricated identity documents
Creating accounts under false pretenses
Operating multiple accounts to evade detection

e) Revenue Fraud:

Falsifying split agreements
Claiming ownership of Content you don't own
Manipulating royalty distribution
Laundering proceeds from fraudulent streaming

7. FRAUD DETECTION AND SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION

7.1 Severity Tiers

Violations are classified into three severity levels:

F0 - CRITICAL ACCOUNT VIOLATIONS:

Fake or stolen identity information
Impersonation of established artists or labels
Repeated fraudulent activity across multiple releases
Coordinated fraud schemes
Laundering of fraudulent revenue

F1 - STREAM MANIPULATION & CLICK FRAUD:

Bot-generated streams or plays
Purchased engagement from click farms
Artificial playlist manipulation
Inconsistent streaming patterns versus fanbase size
Unexplained revenue spikes without supporting metrics

F2 - COPYRIGHT & MUSIC SPAM:

Unauthorized use of copyrighted material
Misleading metadata or artist names
Impersonation attempts
Cover songs without proper licensing
Uncleared samples or interpolations

7.2 Immediate Actions for F0 Violations

F0 violations result in:

Immediate account suspension
All Content taken down from DSPs
Royalties frozen indefinitely
Mandatory enhanced KYC verification
Potential legal action and law enforcement notification

8. THREE-STRIKE POLICY

8.1 Strike System

For F1 and F2 violations, AV/L employs a three-strike progressive discipline system:

STRIKE ONE:

Formal written warning sent to your registered email
Violating Content immediately taken down
Detailed explanation of the violation
Requirement to provide corrective documentation within 5 business days
Warning that failure to correct will result in Strike Two
Account remains active for non-violating Content

STRIKE TWO:

Second formal warning with escalated urgency
All questioned Content taken down
Account placed under enhanced monitoring
Mandatory submission of Rights documentation for future releases
Warning that Strike Three results in permanent account termination
Temporary hold on new release submissions (14 days)
Royalty payments delayed pending resolution

STRIKE THREE:

Immediate and permanent account termination
All Content removed from all DSPs
All pending and future royalty payments placed in escrow for 5 years
Permanent ban from creating new AV/L accounts
Potential legal action for damages
Notification to other industry platforms and DSPs

8.2 Strike Resolution

You may resolve strikes by:

a) Providing Proof of Ownership:

Original session files or recording documentation
Written agreements with all collaborators
Licensing agreements for samples or covers
Copyright registration certificates
Publisher or PRO documentation

b) Correcting Metadata:

Updating misleading artist names or track titles
Removing unauthorized use of trademarks
Correcting false genre classifications
Accurately representing featured artists

c) Obtaining Proper Licenses:

Mechanical licenses for cover songs
Sample clearance agreements
Synchronization licenses (if applicable)
Master use licenses

d) Completing Enhanced KYC:

Submitting all requested identity documents
Providing proof of artist legitimacy
Demonstrating organic fanbase growth
Explaining anomalous streaming patterns

8.3 Strike Duration

Strikes remain on your account for 24 months
After 24 months of compliance, strikes may be removed
New violations reset the 24-month period
Multiple violations within 24 months accelerate to Strike Three

9. CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATIONS

9.1 Content Takedowns

We reserve the right to:

Remove Content immediately upon detection of violations
Prevent future uploads pending resolution
Notify DSPs of fraudulent or infringing Content
Permanently block Content that violates these Terms

9.2 Account Termination

Your account may be terminated for:

Three strikes under our progressive discipline system
Any F0 violation
Failure to complete required KYC verification
Providing false or fraudulent information
Repeated violations after warnings
Engaging in coordinated fraud schemes
Refusal to cooperate with investigations

9.3 Financial Consequences

Royalty Withholding:

Royalties from violating Content will be withheld
Fraudulently generated revenue will not be paid
Legitimate royalties may be delayed pending investigation

Escrow Period:

Withheld funds will be held in escrow for up to 5 years
This protects against DSP clawbacks and Rights Holder claims
Funds may be used to compensate legitimate Rights Holders
Legal fees and investigation costs may be deducted
Remaining funds (if any) released after 5-year period

Recoupment:

We may recoup previously paid royalties if fraud is discovered
DSP clawbacks will be deducted from future payments
You remain liable for fraudulent revenue even after account termination

Cost Recovery:

You are responsible for all costs we incur due to your violations, including:
- Legal fees and attorney costs
- DSP penalties and fines
- Rights Holder settlements
- Investigation and forensic analysis expenses
- Takedown processing costs

9.4 Legal Action

We reserve the right to:

Report fraud to law enforcement authorities
Pursue civil litigation for damages
Cooperate with criminal investigations
Share evidence with Rights Holders for their legal actions
Seek injunctive relief to prevent further violations

10. ACCOUNT BLOCKING AND UNBLOCKING

10.1 Reasons for Account Blocking

Your account may be blocked if:

Copyright infringement is detected or claimed
Fraudulent activity is suspected or confirmed
You fail to respond to verification requests within 5 business days
KYC documentation is incomplete or suspicious
Streaming patterns indicate manipulation
You refuse to provide requested documentation

10.2 Effects of Account Blocking

When your account is blocked:

You cannot access the AV/L platform
New releases cannot be uploaded
Existing Content may be taken down
Royalty payments are suspended
You cannot transfer Content to another distributor
All platform features are disabled

10.3 Unblocking Requirements

To unblock your account, you must:

a) Complete Full KYC Verification:

Government-issued photo ID
Proof of address
Video verification call (if requested)
Professional verification documents

b) Provide Rights Documentation:

Proof of ownership for all questioned Content
Licensing agreements
Split sheets and collaboration agreements
Copyright registration (if applicable)

c) Demonstrate Legitimacy:

Active social media profiles with history
Evidence of organic fanbase growth
Performance history or press coverage
Streaming data correlation with social metrics

d) Correct Violations:

Remove or correct infringing Content
Update misleading metadata
Obtain necessary licenses
Cease all fraudulent activities

e) Cooperate with Investigation:

Respond promptly to all inquiries
Provide complete and truthful information
Allow examination of relevant records
Sign any required legal declarations

10.4 Unblocking Timeline

Requests processed within 10 business days of receiving complete documentation
Complex cases may require up to 30 days for review
Accounts may remain blocked if documentation is insufficient
We reserve the right to deny unblocking requests at our sole discretion

11. REPORTING COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

11.1 DMCA Compliance

AV/L complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed, please submit a notice containing:

a) Your physical or electronic signature b) Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed c) Identification of the infringing material and its location d) Your contact information (address, phone, email) e) A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is unauthorized f) A statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner

Send DMCA notices to: copyright@avlmusic.com

11.2 Counter-Notification

If you believe Content was removed in error, you may submit a counter-notification containing:

a) Your physical or electronic signature b) Identification of the removed Content c) A statement under penalty of perjury that the removal was a mistake d) Your consent to federal court jurisdiction e) Your contact information

11.3 Response Times

Copyright claims investigated within 48 hours
Infringing Content removed within 24 hours of verification
Account holders notified immediately of takedowns
Rights documentation must be provided within 5 business days

12. ROYALTY PAYMENTS

12.1 Payment Terms

Royalties paid monthly, 60 days after the end of the reporting month
Minimum payout threshold: $10 USD
Payments via PayPal, bank transfer, or other approved methods
You are responsible for applicable taxes

12.2 Royalty Withholding

Royalties may be withheld if:

Copyright infringement is suspected or claimed
Fraudulent streaming activity is detected
KYC verification is incomplete or pending
Account is under investigation
DSP has flagged Content or withheld payments
Legal disputes are ongoing

12.3 Escrow and Clawback Protection

Royalties held in escrow for up to 5 years to cover DSP clawbacks
DSPs may reclaim fraudulent royalties for up to 5 years
We may deduct clawbacks from future payments
You remain liable for clawback amounts exceeding available funds

13. CONTENT DELIVERY AND DSP RELATIONSHIPS

13.1 Distribution

We distribute your Content to DSPs according to your selected plan
Delivery timelines typically 1-7 business days but not guaranteed
DSPs have sole discretion over Content acceptance
We are not responsible for DSP rejections or takedowns

13.2 DSP Compliance

You acknowledge that:

DSPs have their own terms of service and content policies
DSPs may reject, remove, or flag your Content
DSPs may withhold royalties for fraudulent activity
DSPs may terminate our distribution agreement due to violations
We must comply with all DSP requirements and policies

13.3 Metadata Accuracy

You are solely responsible for:

Accurate artist, track, and album names
Correct genre and language classifications
Properly formatted credits and contributors
Artwork meeting all technical specifications
ISRC and UPC codes (if provided)
Release date accuracy

14. GRANTS OF RIGHTS

14.1 License to AV/L

You grant AV/L a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

Store, encode, and process your Content
Distribute Content to DSPs and other platforms
Create promotional materials using your Content
Display Content on our website and marketing materials
Use your artist name and likeness in connection with distribution

14.2 Scope of License

This license:

Exists only for the purpose of providing our services
Terminates when you remove Content from our platform
Does not grant us ownership of your Content
Does not permit us to sell or license your Content independently

15. PROHIBITED USES

You may NOT use AV/L to:

Distribute Content you don't own or have permission to distribute
Engage in any form of fraud or deceptive practice
Manipulate streaming numbers or engagement metrics
Impersonate other artists, labels, or Rights Holders
Upload Content that violates any law or regulation
Interfere with or disrupt our services
Access other users' accounts or information
Reverse engineer or compromise our platform security
Resell or redistribute our services
Use our services for any illegal purpose

16. TERMINATION

16.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

Contacting support@avlmusic.com
Removing all Content from distribution
Settling any outstanding balance

Effects of termination:

Content removed from DSPs within 30 days
Access to platform immediately revoked
Final royalty payment issued within 90 days (minus any withholdings)

16.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate your account immediately for:

Violation of these Terms
Three strikes under our policy
Fraudulent or illegal activity
Failure to complete KYC verification
Providing false information
Non-payment of fees (for Paid Plans)

16.3 Effects of Termination

Upon termination:

All Content removed from DSPs
Access to platform revoked
Royalties subject to escrow period
License to distribute your Content terminates
You remain liable for violations committed during the term

17. DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

17.1 Service Provided "As Is"

AV/L services are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

17.2 No Guarantee of Results

We do NOT guarantee:

Acceptance of your Content by DSPs
Any specific level of streams, downloads, or revenue
Placement on playlists or editorial features
Specific delivery timelines
Continuous, uninterrupted service

17.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

Our total liability shall not exceed the fees you paid in the 12 months prior to the claim
We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
We are not liable for lost profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
We are not liable for DSP actions or decisions
We are not liable for copyright claims against your Content

17.4 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless AV/L, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

Your violation of these Terms
Your Content infringing third-party rights
Your fraudulent or illegal activities
Your failure to comply with applicable laws
DSP claims related to your Content

18. MODIFICATIONS TO TERMS

18.1 Right to Modify

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be:

Posted on our website
Sent to your registered email address
Effective 30 days after notification (unless immediate change required by law)

18.2 Continued Use

Your continued use of AV/L services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you don't agree with changes, you must terminate your account.

19. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

19.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Your Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict of law principles.

19.2 Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of [Arbitration Organization]. You waive your right to participate in class actions.

19.3 Exceptions

Either party may seek injunctive relief in court to:

Protect intellectual property rights
Prevent ongoing fraud or violations
Enforce confidentiality obligations

20. GENERAL PROVISIONS

20.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Anti-Fraud Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and AV/L.

20.2 Severability

If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.

20.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision does not waive our right to enforce it later.

20.4 Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our consent. We may assign our rights to any successor or affiliate.

20.5 Contact Information

For questions about these Terms:

Email: legal@avlmusic.com
Support: support@avlmusic.com
Copyright Claims: copyright@avlmusic.com

21. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By clicking "I Agree" or by using AV/L services, you acknowledge that:

✓ You have read and understood these Terms of Service
✓ You agree to be bound by these Terms
✓ You understand the anti-fraud measures and copyright policies
✓ You agree to complete KYC verification as required
✓ You represent that you own or have permission to distribute all Content you upload
✓ You understand the consequences of violations
✓ You agree that copyrighted content is NOT tolerated
✓ You understand that providing false information will result in immediate termination

AV/L MUSIC DISTRIBUTION
Building a Fair and Fraud-Free Music Industry