Terms of Service / Terms of Use
This document outlines the terms of service for handmadenews.org. By accessing this site, using any function or service of the site or logging in to an account you are agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined here, you (the user) accept that this is a legally binding document between yourself and handmadenews.org. handmadenews.org is a community news blog/ online newspaper. All users must agree to, and comply absolutely, with the terms and conditions set forth by this document. Use of the site constitutes agreement to comply with these terms of use and submission to regulations and limitations herein.
All users of handmadenews.org must agree to comply with all applicable laws (local, national and international,) and shall be held solely liable for infringement of these laws. HandmadeNews will cooperate fully with any request from an appropriate law enforcement agency for information regarding the violation of any law by a user. The user is responsible for any and all conduct and activity that pertains to posting onhandmadenews.org . This includes images, copy, text, data, graphics, usernames, email addresses, photographs, profiles, avatars, videos, items, products, audio and links that are posted to and displayed on handmadenews.org.
All domains, graphics, images, photography, copy, text, video and audio, including buttons, headers, links, footers and site themes created byhandmadenews.org, HandmadeNews staff, or contractors are considered the trade dress of handmadenews.org. Any and all data aforementioned is copyrighted and may not be used without the express written permission of handmadenews.org or its officers, manager’s agents and/or staff.
Publication Standards (writers)
In order to fully develop handmadenews.org into the vibrant , meaningful, content- rich community blog we know it can be, there are a few guidelines our editors, columnists and contributors must follow.
No plagiarism. Copying, scraping, lifting, stealing, borrowing or otherwise sourcing articles from another site is not allowed. All articles submitted for publication must be original. This prohibition also includes subcontracting writing or using article generators or article writing software.
Contributors, columnists and Editors understand that as Editor- in-Chief Handmadews.org and handmadenews.org reserve the right to edit, alter, reject, or return for changes any article or submission. All Authors and Editors agree to adhere to the following standards of publication.
Articles must meet minimum editorial standards
- 5 paragraphs minimum or minimum 250 words for standard articles with 1 story appropriate picture.
- 10+ paragraphs or 500 words minimum for feature articles including 2-4 appropriate and relevant pictures.
- Instructional pieces or recipes must include pictures for each step with a short description plus intro and conclusion narrative.
- All spelling and grammar must be correct. If a question of standard arises please use Associated Press standards.
- Articles must include an Author’s name – you can use a pen name.
- Libel, slander, personal attacks, incitement or other methods to harm competition, other entities, fellow sellers or other sites will not be published.
By publishing an article on handmadenews.org the author certifies that s/he has the copyright or right to publish that article and any photos uploaded/attached and that the author both has the right to and grants handmadenews.org and handmadenews.org the right to republish these articles worldwide.
All editors, authors, contributors and writers also agree to the following:
- Speech regulated by the standard TOS (mature illegal etc.) is also regulated for article/photo/content publication.
- Journalistic standards for editorial posts will be followed including identification of affiliations, relationships and clear identification of OP/ED pieces.
- Self-promotion, payola, paid promotion, barter or trade for coverage or other attempts monetize content or coverage outside of the proper advertising channels are strictly prohibited and will result in termination of account.
- Foul language, adult themes and content or photos that go beyond the film standard of PG or broadcast television standards are not allowed unless specifically approved by the Editor – in – chief.
- Calling out , baiting, conflict pursuit or personal vendettas in content are not allowed.
- Favoritism for features or promotion in content is prohibited.
- Proper legal disclaimers must be attached to any and all content covering legal issues or offering legal or business advice.
- No contract for employment nor other employment relationship is created by any interaction with contributors, authors, writers, columnists or editors.
- All contributors, authors, writers, and editors are expected to work diligently to keep content timely, interesting, fresh, and accurate.
- Clear, bright well cropped photos appropriate to the subject matter are the minimum acceptable quality of image for publication.
Intellectual Property Claims
handmadenews.org takes all claims of copyright/trademark infringement seriously. To ensure fair enforcement we require the following claims of infringement to be made by the actual legal holder of the copyright/trademark or be the duly appointed legal agent of said person, party, estate, entity or corporation and:
- Provide verifiable physical copies of legal documents establishing the copyright/trademark to our agent.
- Allow the party who the copyright claim is filed against reasonable time to respond with a dispute to the claim and documents to support that dispute.
Only the actual copyright/trademark owner or legally authorized agent may make a claim. Unaffiliated third party claims are not acceptable challenge to seller(s) items.
In order to fulfill our requirements for notification of infringement of copyright by a seller the copyright owner or agent must submit:
- A document specifying the specific listings (listing item numbers) and seller(s) (seller ID number) who are claimed to be infringing on the copyright/trademark.
- A copy of verifiable legal documents that outline the fact that the copyright claimant holds the rights to the intellectual property in question.
- A document stating that the claimant is pursuing this claim in good faith and believes this to be an actual infringement having performed due diligence to determine if rights have been assigned or purchased BEFORE making the claim and accepting liability of failing to do so. This document must include a statement by the agent/copyright holder that the information is accurate and correct under penalty of perjury. The document must contain a physical signature of the agent/copyright holder.
- A mailing address for correspondence regarding the issue and phone number/email address for follow up requests for further information.
If all documents are received in proper order the Authors named in the claim of infringement will be provided a minimum of 14 working days to answer the claim and provide documentation supporting a dispute.
That documentation must include:
- A copy of verifiable documents which transfer or license copyright/trademark for use OR
- A statement that the seller believes the identification of intellectual property in question is in error with documented evidence to support such a claim signed under penalty of perjury. AND
- The Author’s names, address, phone number and a statement stating that the seller consents to the jurisdiction of appropriate US Federal Courts and will accept service of process from the party claiming the violation. OR
- The above statement signed by and including the contact information for the seller (s) legally designated agent.
Claims of fair use, homage, artistic use, or other defenses of copyright infringement are the purview of the courts and not sufficient to counter a bona-fide claim of infringement for the application of handmadenews.org policy. Failure to provide a response within 14 business days will be assumed to be an agreement to remove the content in question and desist from re-submitting items containing the specific intellectual property contained in the bona fide complaint.
handmadenews.org may at its discretion forward the counter-claim and materials to the party making the claim of infringement. Content may or may not be inactivated pending legal resolution solely at the discretion of handmadenews.org.
If no counter claim is made handmadenews.org will require and enforce the removal of the content in question. Re-submitting content containing the intellectual property in violation of court order or successful claim of infringement constitutes a violation of the handmadenews.org TOS and may result in cancellation of the account.
Please send all correspondence regarding claims of infringement or counterclaim to:
handmadenews.org
Attn: Journalistic Standards Division
7739 E. Broadway #167
Tucson, AZ 85710
Liability
By registering as an handmadenews.org user or accessing the site you herby agree that:
You use the handmadenews.org site and service with the knowledge that it is at your own risk. The website and service are provided "as is" and there is no warranty or guarantee is implied as pertains to availability, access, or transaction.
Handmadenews and its officers, managers, agents, staff, suppliers, subsidiaries, and affiliates are in no way liable for the availability, accessibility, merchantability, marketability, performance, fitness or reliability of the Handmadenews site and services. No advice, communication or other information provided by Handmadenews and its officers, managers, staff, suppliers, subsidiaries and affiliates shall create any warranty our guarantees.
By accessing this site the end user agrees that the maximum compensation for any dispute or claim shall be limited to the total dollar amount paid by the end user to handmadenews.org for services.
By executing any transaction or viewing or using any portion of this site you agree to hold harmless handmadenews.org its parent companies, subsidiaries, employees, agents and assigns Including all officers, directors or partners from any claim resulting from violation of this agreement, accessing this site or engaging in any transaction or interaction stemming from the access of this site.
Severablity
If any portion of this agreement shall be held invalid by court of competent jurisdiction the remaining portions of the agreement shall remain in effect. Where modification to reflect intent or provide clarification to the service terms is allowed for any invalidated portion, such remedy shall be made first before any clause is held null and void.
Consent to Jurisdiction and Forum Selection.
The parties hereto agree that all actions or proceedings arising in connection with this Agreement shall be tried and litigated exclusively in the State and Federal courts located in the County of Pima, State of Arizona. The aforementioned choice of venue is intended by the parties to be mandatory and not permissive in nature, thereby precluding the possibility of litigation between the parties with respect to or arising out of this Agreement in any jurisdiction other than that specified in this paragraph. Each party hereby waives any right it may have to assert the doctrine of forum non conveniens or similar doctrine or to object to venue with respect to any proceeding brought in accordance with this paragraph, and stipulates that the State and Federal courts located in the County of Pima, State of Arizona shall have in personam jurisdiction and venue over each of them for the purpose of litigating any dispute, controversy, or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement. Each party hereby authorizes and accepts service of process sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against it as contemplated by this paragraph by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to its address for the giving of notices as set forth in this Agreement. Any final judgment rendered against a party in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive as to the subject of such final judgment and may be enforced in other jurisdictions in any manner provided by law.
