Terms and Conditions

1. About Us

RhetoricSound (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a platform operated from Scotland, United Kingdom, that connects radio stations, independent music artists, and advertisers. Our platform facilitates music submissions, listener analytics, and an advertising marketplace.

You can contact us at: support@rhetoricsound.com

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using the RhetoricSound website and platform (the “Platform”), you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”), together with our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and RhetoricSound. Where you use the Platform on behalf of a business or organisation, you confirm that you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account and use the Platform. If you are under 18, you may only use the Platform with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.

4. Account Registration and Security

To access certain features of the Platform, you must register for an account. When registering, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration.
• Maintain and promptly update your account information to keep it accurate and complete.
• Keep your login credentials confidential and not share them with any third party.
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account.
• Notify us immediately at support@rhetoricsound.com if you suspect any unauthorised access to your account.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account that we reasonably believe has been compromised or is being used in breach of these Terms.

5. Platform Services

RhetoricSound provides the following services:

5.1 Music Submission Management

Radio stations can receive and manage music submissions from independent artists through customisable upload portals. Artists submit music directly to stations via unique submission links.

5.2 Listener Analytics

Radio stations can embed a listener tracking widget on their websites to collect anonymised listener data, including session duration, geographic location (derived from IP addresses), and device information. This data is aggregated to provide analytics dashboards and verified listener counts.

5.3 Ad Marketplace

The Platform includes an advertising marketplace where advertisers can create and fund ad campaigns, and radio stations can claim and broadcast advertisements in exchange for credits. The Ad Marketplace is subject to additional terms set out in the Ad Marketplace Terms and Conditions.

5.4 Subscriptions

Certain features of the Platform are available on a subscription basis. Subscription plans, pricing, and features are detailed on our Pricing page. Subscriptions are processed through Stripe and are subject to the payment terms set out in Section 7 below.

6. Platform Role and Limitations

6.1 Intermediary Role

RhetoricSound acts solely as an intermediary platform facilitating interactions between radio stations, artists, and advertisers. We do not participate in, endorse, or assume responsibility for the agreements, transactions, or content exchanged between users.

6.2 Artist-Station Contracts

Radio stations may set their own terms and conditions for music submissions. RhetoricSound facilitates the presentation of these terms to artists and the collection of digital signatures (including timestamps and IP addresses) but does not review, endorse, or assume liability for the content or enforceability of station-specific contracts. Each station is solely responsible for the legality and fairness of its own terms.

6.3 Content Responsibility

Users are solely responsible for the content they upload, submit, or broadcast through the Platform, including music tracks, advertisements, and any other materials. RhetoricSound does not pre-screen user content and is not liable for any content submitted by users.

7. Payments, Subscriptions, and Credits

7.1 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe. By making a payment, you agree to Stripe's terms of service. We do not store your full payment card details on our servers. All prices are displayed inclusive of VAT where applicable.

7.2 Subscriptions

Subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each billing period unless cancelled before the renewal date. You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings or the Stripe customer portal. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period — you will retain access to subscription features until then.

7.3 Free Trials

Where a free trial is offered, you will not be charged during the trial period. If you do not cancel before the trial expires, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid subscription at the applicable rate.

7.4 Ad Marketplace Credits

Credits purchased for the Ad Marketplace are virtual currency with no cash value outside the Platform. Credits are non-transferable between users. Detailed credit terms are set out in the Ad Marketplace Terms and Conditions.

7.5 Refunds

Refund requests are handled in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. If you are a consumer, you have a statutory right to cancel a digital content subscription within 14 days of purchase, provided you have not begun to access or download the digital content. Once digital content has been accessed, you acknowledge that you lose your right of cancellation. For any refund queries, please contact support@rhetoricsound.com.

8. User Responsibilities and Acceptable Use

By using the Platform, you agree to the following:

• You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to UK data protection law, intellectual property law, and broadcasting regulations.
• You will not upload, post, or transmit any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise objectionable.
• You will not upload content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other proprietary rights of any party.
• You will not distribute software viruses, malware, or any code designed to interrupt, destroy, or limit the functionality of any software or hardware.
• You will not attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform, other user accounts, or our systems and networks.
• You will not use automated tools, bots, scrapers, or similar technology to access the Platform without our prior written consent.
• You will not create multiple accounts to circumvent Platform restrictions or abuse any feature.
• You will not interfere with or disrupt the Platform or the servers and networks connected to it.
• You will not use the Platform for any fraudulent or deceptive purpose.

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Platform Content

All content on the Platform, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, software, and the compilation thereof, is the property of RhetoricSound or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws of the United Kingdom and international treaties. Unauthorised reproduction, distribution, or use of this content is strictly prohibited.

9.2 User-Uploaded Content

You retain ownership of any content you upload to the Platform (including music tracks, audio advertisements, and other materials). By uploading content, you grant RhetoricSound a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to store, process, display, and transmit your content solely for the purpose of operating and providing the Platform services. This licence ends when you delete the content or your account, except where copies are reasonably retained for backup, legal compliance, or dispute resolution purposes.

9.3 Copyright Complaints

If you believe that any content on the Platform infringes your intellectual property rights, please contact us at support@rhetoricsound.com with details of the alleged infringement. We will investigate and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable law.

10. Data Protection and Privacy

We process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Full details of how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data are set out in our Privacy Policy.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and consent to the processing of your data as described therein.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, regarding the Platform, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content on the Platform.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any warranty implied by law that it would be unlawful to exclude or limit. Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

12. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms shall limit or exclude our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
• Any other liability that cannot be lawfully excluded or limited under Scots law or the laws of England and Wales.

Subject to the above, to the fullest extent permitted by law, RhetoricSound shall not be liable for any:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
• Loss of profits, revenue, business, anticipated savings, or goodwill.
• Loss of data or corruption of data.
• Damages arising from content uploaded or broadcast by users of the Platform.
• Damages arising from the agreements or disputes between radio stations and artists.
• Damages arising from the Ad Marketplace, including ad content, broadcast, or non-broadcast of advertisements.
• Technical failures, service interruptions, or system outages beyond our reasonable control.

Our total aggregate liability to you for any claims arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of the Platform shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the total amount paid by you to RhetoricSound in the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim; or (b) one hundred pounds sterling (£100).

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RhetoricSound and its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• Your use of the Platform.
• Your breach of these Terms.
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation.
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights.
• Any content you upload, submit, or distribute through the Platform.
• Any disputes between you and other users of the Platform.

14. Termination and Suspension

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time if we reasonably believe that you have breached these Terms, engaged in fraudulent or unlawful activity, or if required by law. Where reasonably practicable, we will give you advance notice and an opportunity to remedy the breach before termination.

You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings. Upon termination:

• Your right to access and use the Platform will cease immediately.
• Any active subscriptions will be cancelled at the end of the current billing period.
• We may retain your data for a reasonable period as required by law or for legitimate business purposes, as described in our Privacy Policy.
• Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (including, without limitation, intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, and governing law) shall survive.

15. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to you via email or a prominent notice on the Platform at least 30 days before they take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and may terminate your account.

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Scotland. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

If you are a consumer habitually resident in another part of the United Kingdom, you may also bring proceedings in the courts of that jurisdiction, and nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

17. Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute with us, we encourage you to first contact us at support@rhetoricsound.com so that we can attempt to resolve it informally.

If we are unable to resolve the dispute informally, you may refer the matter to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). For consumers in the UK, you may use an ADR provider approved by the UK Government. You may also use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform where applicable.

Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive or equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.

18. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of government, pandemics, power failures, internet or telecommunications failures, cyber-attacks, industrial disputes, or third-party service provider outages.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable whilst preserving its original intent.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and the Ad Marketplace Terms and Conditions (where applicable), constitute the entire agreement between you and RhetoricSound regarding your use of the Platform and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications, whether written or oral.

21. Third-Party Rights

These Terms are not intended to confer any rights on any third party under the Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Act 2017 or the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. No person other than a party to these Terms may enforce any of its provisions.

22. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about these Terms or the Platform, please contact us at: