Terms and Conditions of Use

1. Introduction

Please read these Terms of Use ("Terms") carefully as they govern your use of (which includes access to) BrandStake's personalized services for streaming music and other content, including all of our websites and software applications that incorporate or link to these Terms (collectively, the "BrandStake Service") and any music, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, or other material that is made available through the BrandStake Service ("Content").

Use of the BrandStake Service is subject to the BrandStake Privacy Policy and additional terms and conditions presented by BrandStake, all of which are made part of these Terms by this reference.

By signing up for, or otherwise using, the BrandStake Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, then you must not use the BrandStake Service or access any Content.

THESE TERMS CONTAIN A MANDATORY ARBITRATION PROVISION THAT, AS FURTHER SET FORTH IN SECTION 6 BELOW, REQUIRES THE USE OF ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS TO RESOLVE DISPUTES, RATHER THAN JURY TRIALS OR ANY OTHER COURT PROCEEDINGS, OR CLASS ACTIONS OF ANY KIND. IN ARBITRATION THERE IS LESS DISCOVERY AND APPELLATE REVIEW THAN IN COURT.

Service provider

These Terms are between you and BrandStake Inc.

Age and eligibility requirements

BY USING THE BrandStake SERVICE, YOU AFFIRM THAT YOU ARE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ENTER INTO THESE TERMS, OR, IF YOU ARE NOT, THAT YOU ARE 13 YEARS OR OLDER AND HAVE OBTAINED PARENTAL OR GUARDIAN CONSENT TO ENTER INTO THESE TERMS. Additionally, in order to use the BrandStake Service and access any Content, you represent that: you reside in the United States, and any registration and account information that you submit to BrandStake is true, accurate, and complete, and you agree to keep it that way at all times.

2. The BrandStake Service

the ‘BrandStake Service’ includes:

the BrandStake.io website

any applications published by BrandStake Inc.

any services provide by BrandStake Inc.

BrandStake Service options

We provide numerous BrandStake Service options. Certain BrandStake Service options are provided free of charge, while other options require payment before they can be accessed ("Paid Subscriptions"). We may also offer special promotional plans, memberships, or services, including offerings of third-party products and services. We are not responsible for the products and services provided by such third parties.

Trials

From time to time, we or others on our behalf may offer trials of Paid Subscriptions for a specified period without payment or at a reduced rate ("Trial"). By using a BrandStake Service via a Trial, you agree to the BrandStake Paid Subscription Terms.

Third-party applications, devices and open source software

The BrandStake Service may be integrated with, or may otherwise interact with, third-party applications, websites, and services ("Third-Party Applications") and third-party personal computers, mobile handsets, tablets, wearable devices, speakers, and other devices ("Devices"). Your use of such Third-Party Applications and Devices may be subject to additional terms, conditions, and policies provided to you by the applicable third party. BrandStake does not guarantee that Third-Party Applications and Devices will be compatible with the BrandStake Service.

Service limitations and modifications

We use reasonable efforts to keep the BrandStake Service operational and to provide you with a personalized, immersive audio experience. However, BrandStake reserves the right to change our BrandStake Service offerings and their availability from time to time, without notice or liability to you. For example:

• The BrandStake Service may experience temporary interruptions due to technical difficulties, maintenance or testing, or updates, including those required to reflect changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements.
• We aim to evolve and improve the BrandStake Service constantly, and we may modify, suspend, or stop (permanently or temporarily) providing all or part of the BrandStake Service (including particular functions, features, subscription plans, and promotional offerings).
• BrandStake has no obligation to provide any specific content through the BrandStake Service, and BrandStake or the applicable owners may remove particular songs, videos, podcasts, and other Content without notice.

If you have prepaid fees directly to BrandStake for a Paid Subscription that BrandStake permanently discontinues prior to the end of your Prepaid Period (as that term is defined in the "Payments and cancellations" section below), BrandStake will refund you the prorated portion of the prepaid fees for the Pre-Paid Period after such discontinuation. Your account and billing information must be up to date in order for us to refund you.

BrandStake has no liability to you, nor any obligation to provide a refund to you, in connection with internet or other BrandStake Service outages or failures that are caused by the actions of government authorities, other third parties, or events beyond our control.

3. Your Use of the BrandStake Service

Creating a BrandStake account

You may need to create a BrandStake account to use all or part of the BrandStake Service. Your username and password are for your personal use only and should be kept confidential. You understand that you are responsible for all use (including any unauthorized use) of your username and password. Notify our Customer Service team immediately if your username or password is lost or stolen, or if you believe there has been unauthorized access to your account.

BrandStake may reclaim, or require you to change, your username for any reason.

Your rights to use the BrandStake Service

Access to the BrandStake Service

Subject to your compliance with these Terms (including any other applicable terms and conditions), we grant to you limited, non-exclusive, revocable permission to make personal, non-commercial use of the BrandStake Service and the Content (collectively, "Access"). This Access shall remain in effect unless and until terminated by you or BrandStake. You agree that you will not redistribute or transfer the BrandStake Service or the Content.

The BrandStake software applications and the Content are licensed, not sold or transferred to you, and BrandStake and its licensors retain ownership of all copies of the BrandStake software applications and Content even after installation on your Devices.

BrandStake's proprietary rights

The BrandStake Service and the Content are the property of BrandStake or BrandStake's licensors. All BrandStake trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, domain names, and any other features of the BrandStake brand ("BrandStake Brand Features") are the sole property of BrandStake or its licensors. These Terms do not grant you any rights to use any BrandStake Brand Features whether for commercial or non-commercial use.

You agree to abide by the BrandStake User Guidelines and not to use the BrandStake Service, the Content, or any part thereof in any manner not expressly permitted by these Terms.

Payments and cancellation

Billing

You may purchase a Paid Subscription directly from BrandStake or through a third party either by:

• paying a subscription fee plus applicable taxes in advance on a monthly basis or some other recurring interval disclosed to you prior to your purchase; or
• prepayment giving you access to the BrandStake Service for a specific time period ("Prepaid Period").

Tax rates are calculated based on the information you provide and the applicable rate at the time of your monthly charge.

If you purchase access to a Paid Subscription through a third party, separate terms and conditions with such third party may apply to your use of the BrandStake Service in addition to these Terms. Please contact the third party regarding any refunds or to manage your subscription. If you purchase a Paid Subscription using a code, gift card, pre-paid offer, or other offer provided or sold by or on behalf of BrandStake for access to a Paid Subscription ("Codes"), you hereby agree to the BrandStake Card Terms.

Price and tax changes

BrandStake may from time to time make changes to Paid Subscriptions, including recurring subscription fees, the Prepaid Period (for periods not yet paid), or Codes, and will communicate any price changes to you in advance. Price changes will take effect at the start of the next subscription period following the date of the price change and, by continuing to use the BrandStake Service after the price change takes effect, you will have accepted the new price. If you do not agree to a price change, you can reject the change by unsubscribing from the applicable Paid Subscription prior to the price change going into effect.

Tax rates are based on the rates applicable at the time of your monthly charge. These amounts can change over time with local tax requirements in your country, state, territory, county, or city. Any change in tax rate will be automatically applied based on the account information you provide.

Renewal and cancellation

With the exception of Paid Subscriptions for a Prepaid Period, your payment to BrandStake or the third party through which you purchased the Paid Subscription will automatically renew at the end of the applicable subscription period, unless you cancel your Paid Subscription before the end of the then-current subscription period. Contact our Customer Support team at support@BrandStake.io for instructions on how to cancel. The cancellation will take effect the day after the last day of the current subscription period, and you will be downgraded to the free version of the BrandStake Service. We do not provide refunds or credits for any partial subscription periods, except as expressly stated in these Terms.

If you have purchased a Paid Subscription using a Code, your subscription will automatically terminate at the end of the period stated with your Code, or when there is an insufficient prepaid balance to pay for the BrandStake Service.

User guidelines

We've established guidelines for using the BrandStake Service, to make sure the BrandStake Service stays enjoyable for everyone ("BrandStake User Guidelines"). In using the BrandStake Service, you must comply with the BrandStake User Guidelines, as well as all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and respect the intellectual property, privacy, and other rights of third parties.

Brand accounts

If you establish a BrandStake account on behalf of a company, organization, entity, or brand ( "Brand," and such account a "Brand Account"), the terms "you" and "your," as used throughout these Terms (including other BrandStake terms and conditions incorporated by reference herein), apply to both you and the Brand.

If you create a Brand Account, you represent and warrant that you are authorized to grant all permissions and licenses provided in these Terms (including any other applicable BrandStake terms and conditions) and to bind the Brand to these Terms.

A Brand may follow users and create and share playlists, provided that the Brand does not take any action that implies an endorsement or commercial relationship between the Brand and the followed user, artist, songwriter, or any other person, unless the Brand has independently obtained the rights to imply such an endorsement. In addition, Brands must be transparent to our users about disclosing any endorsements or consideration provided to artists, songwriters, users, or any other party and must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and codes of practice when engaging in the foregoing practices.

Export control and sanctions

Certain BrandStake products and services are subject to trade control laws, including the export control and economic sanctions laws of the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce, trade and economic sanctions maintained by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations maintained by the U.S. Department of State, Regulation 2021/821 as amended (EU Dual-Use Regulation), the UK Export Control Act 2002 and the UK Export Control Order 2008 (collectively, "Trade Control Laws"). You represent and warrant that you are (1) not located in, organized under the laws of, or ordinarily resident in any country or territory subject to territorial sanctions ("Sanctioned Country"), nor are you owned by or acting on behalf of a Government subject to asset-blocking sanctions or any person or entity organized, located or ordinarily resident in a Sanctioned Country; and (2) not a person identified on, or more than 50% owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or acting on behalf or at the direction of any entity identified on, U.S., E.U., U.K., or other applicable government restricted party lists, such as the Specially Designated Nationals List maintained by OFAC, the Consolidated list of persons, groups and entities subject to EU financial sanctions, or the UK Consolidated List.

You agree to comply with all applicable Trade Control Laws in your use of the BrandStake Service. Specifically, you agree not to, directly or indirectly, use, sell, supply, export, reexport, transfer, divert, release, or otherwise dispose of any products, software, or technology (including products derived from or based on such technology) received from BrandStake under these Terms to any destination, entity, or person or for any end use prohibited by applicable Trade Controls Laws. BrandStake shall not be required to act in any way that is prohibited under applicable Trade Control Laws, and it shall be in the sole discretion of BrandStake to refrain from being directly or indirectly involved in the provision of products or services that may be prohibited under applicable Trade Control Laws.

4. Content and Intellectual Property Rights

User Content

The content you post on the BrandStake Service

BrandStake users may post, upload, or otherwise contribute content to the BrandStake Service ("User Content"). For the avoidance of doubt, User Content includes all information, materials and other content that is added, created, uploaded, submitted, distributed, or posted to the BrandStake Service (including to the BrandStake Support Community) by users.

You are solely responsible for all User Content that you post.

You promise that, with respect to any User Content you post on BrandStake, (1) you own or have the right to post such User Content; and (2) such User Content, or its use by BrandStake pursuant to the license granted below, does not: (i) violate these Terms, including the BrandStake User Guidelines, applicable law, or the intellectual property or other rights of any third party; or (ii) imply any affiliation with or endorsement of you or your User Content by BrandStake or any artist, band, label, or other individual or entity without the prior express written consent from BrandStake or such individual or entity.

In posting or sharing User Content or other information on the BrandStake Service, please keep in mind that content and other information will be publicly accessible, and may be used and re-shared by others on the BrandStake Service and across the web, so please use caution in posting or sharing on the BrandStake Service, and be mindful of your account settings. BrandStake is not responsible for what you or others post or share on the BrandStake Service.

Monitoring user content

BrandStake may, but has no obligation to, monitor or review User Content. BrandStake reserves the right to remove or disable access to any User Content for any or no reason. BrandStake may take these actions without prior notification to you.

Licenses that you grant to us

User Content

You retain ownership of your User Content when you post it to the BrandStake Service. However, in order for us to make your User Content available on the BrandStake Service, we do need a limited license from you to that User Content. Accordingly, you hereby grant to BrandStake a non-exclusive, transferable, sublicensable, royalty-free, fully paid, irrevocable, worldwide license to reproduce, make available, perform and display, translate, modify, create derivative works from, distribute, and otherwise use any such User Content through any medium, whether alone or in combination with other Content or materials, in any manner and by any means, method or technology, whether now known or hereafter created, in connection with the BrandStake Service. Where applicable and to the extent permitted under applicable law, you also agree to waive, and not to enforce, any "moral rights" or equivalent rights, such as your right to be identified as the author of any User Content, including Feedback, and your right to object to derogatory treatment of such User Content.

Feedback

If you provide ideas, suggestions, or other feedback in connection with your use of the BrandStake Service or any Content ("Feedback"), such Feedback is not confidential and may be used by BrandStake without restriction and without payment to you. Feedback is considered a type of User Content under these Terms.

Your Device

You also grant to us the right (1) to allow the BrandStake Service to use the processor, bandwidth, and storage hardware on your Device in order to facilitate the operation of the BrandStake Service, (2) to provide advertising and other information to you, and (3) to allow our business partners to do the same.

Content experience

In any part of the BrandStake Service, the Content that you access, including its selection and placement, may be influenced by commercial considerations, including BrandStake's agreements with third parties.

Some Content licensed by, provided to, created by, or otherwise made available by BrandStake (e.g., podcasts or shows) may incorporate advertising or other promotional messages.

Infringement claims

BrandStake respects the rights of intellectual property owners. If you believe that any Content infringes your copyright rights, please see the BrandStake Copyright Policy.

5. Customer Support, Information, Questions, and Complaints

BrandStake support community

BrandStake Community is a place for discussions and exchange of information, tips, and other materials related to the BrandStake Service. By using BrandStake Community, you agree to the Community Terms.

Customer support, information, questions, and complaints

For customer support with account- and payment-related questions ("Customer Support Queries"), please use Customer Support resources listed on the Contact Us section of our website.

If you have any questions concerning the BrandStake Service or these Terms (including any additional BrandStake terms and conditions incorporated herein), please contact BrandStake Customer Service by visiting the About Us section of our website. You may also contact us at the mailing address set forth in the "Service Provider" section at the start of these Terms.

6. Problems and Disputes

Suspending and terminating the BrandStake Service

These Terms will continue to apply to you until terminated by either you or BrandStake. BrandStake may terminate these Terms (including any additional terms and conditions incorporated herein) or suspend your access to the BrandStake Service at any time if we believe you have breached any of these Terms, if we stop providing the BrandStake Service or any material component thereof, or as we believe necessary to comply with applicable law. If you or BrandStake terminate these Terms, or if BrandStake suspends your access to the BrandStake Service, you agree that BrandStake shall have no liability or responsibility to you, and (except as expressly provided in these Terms) BrandStake will not refund any amounts that you have already paid. You may terminate these Terms at any time, in which case you may not continue accessing or using the BrandStake Service. To learn how to terminate your BrandStake account, please use the Customer Support resources on our About Us page.

The following sections shall survive termination: Sections 2 (The BrandStake Service), 3 (Your Use of the BrandStake Service) (except as set forth therein), 4 (Content and Intellectual Property Rights), 6 (Problems and Disputes), 7 (About These Terms), as well as any other sections of these Terms that, either explicitly or by their nature, must remain in effect even after termination of these Terms.

Warranty disclaimers

THE BrandStake SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY. FURTHER, BrandStake AND ALL OWNERS OF THE CONTENT DISCLAIM ANY EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AND STATUTORY WARRANTIES REGARDING THE CONTENT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. NEITHER BrandStake NOR ANY OWNER OF CONTENT WARRANTS THAT THE BrandStake SERVICE OR CONTENT IS FREE OF MALWARE OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. IN ADDITION, BrandStake MAKES NO REPRESENTATION REGARDING, NOR DOES IT WARRANT OR ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR, ANY THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS (OR THE CONTENT THEREOF), USER CONTENT, DEVICES OR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ADVERTISED, PROMOTED OR OFFERED BY A THIRD PARTY ON OR THROUGH THE BrandStake SERVICE OR ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITE, AND BrandStake IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN YOU AND ANY THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF THE FOREGOING. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION WHETHER ORAL OR IN WRITING OBTAINED BY YOU FROM BrandStake SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY ON BEHALF OF BrandStake. WHILE USING THE BrandStake SERVICE, YOU MAY HAVE ACCESS TO EXPLICIT CONTENT FILTERING FEATURES, BUT USE OF THESE FEATURES MAY STILL RESULT IN SOME EXPLICIT CONTENT BEING SERVED AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON SUCH FEATURES TO FILTER ALL EXPLICIT CONTENT. THIS SECTION APPLIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties or limitations on applicable statutory rights of a consumer, so the exclusion and limitations in this section may not apply to you.

Limitation of liability and time for filing a claim

YOU AGREE THAT YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY PROBLEMS OR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE BrandStake SERVICE IS TO UNINSTALL ANY BrandStake SOFTWARE AND TO STOP USING THE BrandStake SERVICE. YOU AGREE THAT BrandStake HAS NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS OR THE CONTENT THEREOF MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE BrandStake SERVICE, AND WHILE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SUCH THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS MAY BE GOVERNED BY SEPARATE AGREEMENTS WITH SUCH THIRD PARTIES, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, AS WITH RESPECT TO BrandStake, FOR ANY PROBLEMS OR DISSATISFACTION WITH ANY THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS OR THE CONTENT THEREOF, IS TO UNINSTALL OR STOP USING SUCH THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL BrandStake, ITS OFFICERS, SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, DIRECTORS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, SUPPLIERS, OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR (1) ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES; (2) ANY LOSS OF USE, DATA, BUSINESS, OR PROFITS (WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT), IN ALL CASES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE BrandStake SERVICE, DEVICES, THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS, OR THIRD-PARTY APPLICATION CONTENT, REGARDLESS OF LEGAL THEORY, WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER BrandStake HAS BEEN WARNED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THOSE DAMAGES, AND EVEN IF A REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE; OR (3) AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE BrandStake SERVICE, THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS, OR THIRD-PARTY APPLICATION CONTENT MORE THAN THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNTS PAID BY YOU TO BrandStake DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRST CLAIM; OR (B) $30.00.

For clarification, these Terms do not limit BrandStake's liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, death or personal injury to the extent that applicable law would prohibit such a limitation.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY CLAIM ARISING UNDER THESE TERMS MUST BE COMMENCED (BY FILING A DEMAND OR FILING AN INDIVIDUAL ACTION AS SPECIFIED UNDER THE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT BELOW) WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE DATE THE PARTY ASSERTING THE CLAIM FIRST KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW OF THE ACT, OMISSION, OR DEFAULT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM; AND THERE SHALL BE NO RIGHT TO ANY REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM NOT ASSERTED WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD.

Third-party rights

You acknowledge and agree that the owners of the Content and certain distributors (such as app store providers) are intended beneficiaries of these Terms and have the right to enforce these Terms directly against you. Other than as set out in this section, (1) these Terms are not intended to grant rights to anyone except you and BrandStake; and (2) in no event shall these Terms create any third-party beneficiary rights.

If you have downloaded any of our mobile software applications (each, an "App") from the Apple Inc. ("Apple") App Store or if you are using the App on an iOS device, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the following notice regarding Apple. These Terms are between you and BrandStake only, not with Apple, and Apple is not responsible for the BrandStake Service and the content thereof. Apple has no obligation whatsoever to furnish any maintenance and support services with respect to the BrandStake Service. In the event of any failure of the BrandStake Service to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple and Apple will refund the applicable purchase price for the App to you; and, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Apple has no other warranty obligation whatsoever with respect to the BrandStake Service. Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims by you or any third party relating to the BrandStake Service or your possession or use of the BrandStake Service, including: (1) product liability claims; (2) any claim that the BrandStake Service fails to conform to any applicable legal or regulatory requirement; (3) claims arising under consumer protection or similar legislation; and (4) claims with respect to intellectual property infringement. Apple is not responsible for the investigation, defense, settlement, and discharge of any third-party claim that the BrandStake Service or your possession and use of the App infringe that third party's intellectual property rights. You agree to comply with any applicable third-party terms, when using the BrandStake Service. Apple, and Apple's subsidiaries, are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms, and upon your acceptance of these Terms, Apple will have the right (and will be deemed to have accepted the right) to enforce these Terms against you as a third-party beneficiary of these Terms.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold BrandStake harmless from and against all damages, losses, and expenses of any kind (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) arising out of or related to: (1) your breach of any of these Terms (including any additional BrandStake terms and conditions incorporated herein); (2) any User Content you post or otherwise contribute; (3) any activity in which you engage on or through the BrandStake Service; and (4) your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.

Governing law, jurisdiction, and jury trial waiver

These Terms and any dispute, claim, and/or controversy that in any way relates to or arises in connection with these Terms or your relationship with BrandStake as a user of the BrandStake Service ("Dispute") are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, except to the extent preempted by or inconsistent with federal law. Further, you and BrandStake agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal or state courts located in New York, New York, to resolve any Dispute that is not subject to mandatory arbitration under the Arbitration Agreement below, and waive any jurisdictional, venue, or inconvenient forum objections to such courts.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the parties agree to waive any right to a jury trial.

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT

This Arbitration Agreement section sets forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which Disputes between you and BrandStake will be resolved through individual arbitration ("Arbitration Agreement").

Dispute resolution and arbitration

Subject to the exceptions set forth in the "Exceptions to arbitration" section below, you and BrandStake agree that any Dispute between you and BrandStake (whether based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation, or any other legal theory, and whether the claims arise during or after the termination of these Terms) will be determined by binding individual (not class) arbitration. The arbitrator has the authority to rule on all issues except that a court has exclusive authority to: (1) decide arbitrability, as well as scope, validity, and enforceability of this Arbitration Agreement; (2) decide whether you and BrandStake have complied with the pre-arbitration filing requirements (including the requirements described in the "Pre-arbitration notice of dispute and informal resolution period" section below); (3) enforce the prohibition on class or representative actions; (4) enforce the provisions regarding mass arbitrations; and (5) enjoin an arbitration from proceeding if it does not comply with this Arbitration Agreement. THERE IS NO JUDGE OR JURY IN ARBITRATION, AND COURT REVIEW OF AN ARBITRATION AWARD IS LIMITED. The arbitrator can award the same damages and relief as a court (including attorneys' fees and costs where allowable under applicable law), except that the arbitrator may not award any relief, including declaratory or injunctive relief, benefiting anyone but the parties to the arbitration. This arbitration provision will survive termination of these Terms.

Exceptions to arbitration

You and BrandStake both agree that any Dispute relating to any actual or alleged infringement of your or BrandStake's intellectual property rights shall be brought in the federal courts of New York, New York, and that nothing in this Arbitration Agreement will be deemed to waive, preclude, or otherwise limit either of your or BrandStake's rights, at any time, to elect to have an individual action heard in: (1) a U.S. small claims court (so long as the action is litigated exclusively in small claims court and is not removed or appealed to a court of general jurisdiction); or (2) a court of law, in accordance with the jurisdiction and venue described in the "Governing law, jurisdiction, and jury trial waiver" section above, seeking only temporary or preliminary individualized injunctive relief, pending a final ruling from the arbitrator. In addition, this Arbitration Agreement does not stop you or us from bringing issues to the attention of federal, state, or local agencies. Such agencies can, if the law allows, seek relief against us on your behalf (or vice versa).

No class or representative proceedings and class action waiver

YOU AND BrandStake AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER IN ARBITRATION OR LITIGATION ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. Unless both you and BrandStake agree, no arbitrator or judge may consolidate more than one person's claims or otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. The arbitrator may award injunctive relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party's individual claim. If a court decides that applicable law precludes enforcement of any of this paragraph's limitations as to a particular claim for relief or request for relief (such as a request for public injunctive relief) and all appeals have been exhausted or the decision is otherwise final, then the parties agree that such a claim or request for relief shall be decided by a court only after all other claims and requests for relief are arbitrated.

Pre-arbitration notice of dispute and informal resolution period

A party who intends to seek arbitration must first send a written notice of the Dispute ("Notice") to the other. Notices to BrandStake must be sent by email to legal@BrandStake.io, and Notices to you must be sent to the email address associated with your BrandStake account. All Notices must: (1) be personally signed by the party sending the Notice; (2) provide the relevant user's name, email address associated with the user's BrandStake account, and BrandStake username; (3) describe with specificity the nature and basis of the Dispute; and (4) set forth the alleged damage and harm suffered and the specific relief sought with a calculation for it.

After a Notice containing all of the information required above is received, the parties agree to engage in good faith for a period of sixty (60) days in an effort to resolve the Dispute (this time period may be extended by agreement of the parties) ("Informal Resolution Period"). The party receiving the Notice may request a telephone or video settlement conference during the Informal Resolution Period in an effort to facilitate resolution of the Dispute ("Informal Settlement Conference"). The Informal Settlement Conference, if any, will take place at a mutually agreeable time, which can be after the sixty (60) day Informal Resolution Period if needed to accommodate the parties' schedules. During the Informal Settlement Conference, you and a BrandStake representative must both personally participate in a good-faith effort to resolve the Dispute without the need to proceed with arbitration. Any counsel representing the parties also may participate. Personal participation in an Informal Settlement Conference will not be required if both you and BrandStake agree in writing.

The Notice, Informal Resolution Period, and Informal Settlement Conference are intended to give the parties a meaningful opportunity to resolve Disputes informally. If any aspect of this "Pre-arbitration notice of dispute and informal resolution period" section has not been met, the parties agree that a court can enjoin the filing or prosecution of an arbitration and, unless prohibited by law, the arbitration administrator shall not accept or administer an arbitration nor demand fees in connection with such an arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party retains the right to raise non-compliance with the requirements of this section and seek appropriate relief in arbitration.

Any applicable statute of limitations or contractual limitations period will be tolled for any claims and requests for relief set forth in a Notice from the date that either you or BrandStake sends the other a fully complete Notice until: (1) thirty (30) days after completion of the Informal Resolution Period, if no Informal Settlement Conference is held; or (2) thirty (30) days after completion of the Informal Settlement Conference if an Informal Settlement Conference is held ("Tolling Period").

Neither you nor BrandStake may commence an arbitration proceeding until after the Tolling Period has ended.

Arbitration rules and fees

Either you or BrandStake may start arbitration proceedings. Any arbitration between you and BrandStake will be administered by National Arbitration and Mediation ("NAM") in accordance with their rules applicable to the nature of the Dispute, including the Comprehensive Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures and/or the Supplemental Rules for Mass Arbitration Filings ("NAM Rules"), as modified by this Arbitration Agreement. You and BrandStake agree that the Federal Arbitration Act applies and governs the interpretation and enforcement of this Arbitration Agreement (despite the choice of law provision above). The NAM Rules, as well as instructions on how to file a demand for arbitration ("Demand") with NAM, appear at www.namadr.com/resources/rules-fees-forms/. The Demand must attach the relevant Notice and be personally signed by the party initiating the arbitration (and their counsel, if represented).

If NAM is unavailable, unwilling, or otherwise unable to administer an arbitration in accordance with this Arbitration Agreement, then another administrator that will do so will be selected by agreement of the parties. If the parties cannot agree, then they will jointly petition a court to appoint an administrator that will do so. To start an arbitration, the claimant shall send a copy of the Demand to NAM and the other party. If you initiate arbitration, you shall serve the Demand on BrandStake via email at legal@BrandStake.io. If BrandStake initiates arbitration, BrandStake shall serve the Demand on you at the email address associated with your BrandStake account. The claimant must certify in the Demand that the requirements set forth in the "Pre-arbitration notice of dispute and informal resolution period" section above have been met, and must attach a copy of the Notice to the Demand.

Each party retains the right to request a hearing in arbitration from the arbitrator. Any arbitration hearings will be conducted by phone or videoconference to the extent possible, but if the arbitrator determines that a hearing should be conducted in person, the locale for such hearing shall be in the county or parish where you reside or at another agreed upon locale.

As in court, any counsel participating in an arbitration certifies that they are complying with the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b), including a certification that the claim or the relief sought is neither frivolous nor brought for an improper purpose. The arbitrator is authorized to impose any sanctions available under the NAM Rules, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, or applicable federal or state law against all appropriate represented parties and counsel.

BrandStake will pay all filing, administration, case-management, hearing, and arbitrator fees ("Arbitration Fees") if it initiates an arbitration. If you choose to file an arbitration proceeding, the allocation and payment of Arbitration Fees will be governed by the NAM Rules, unless a different allocation is required by court order or for this Arbitration Agreement to be enforced. You and BrandStake agree that arbitration should be cost effective for all parties. Either party may engage with the arbitration administrator around fee reductions and deferred payments.

Regardless of the manner in which the arbitration is conducted, the arbitrator shall issue a reasoned written decision sufficient to explain the essential findings and conclusions on which the decision and award, if any, are based. The arbitrator may consider rulings in other arbitrations involving different users, but an arbitrator's ruling will not be binding in any proceeding involving different users. The arbitrator may make rulings and resolve any disagreements as to the payment and reimbursement of fees or expenses at any time during the proceeding and upon request from either party made within fourteen (14) days of the arbitrator's ruling on the merits. An arbitration award that has been satisfied may not be filed or entered in court.

Mass arbitration

If you elect to have your claim addressed as part of a mass arbitration (defined below), you agree to the additional procedures set forth below.

If twenty-five (25) or more claimants submit Notices or attempt to file Demands raising similar claims, are represented by the same or coordinated counsel (regardless of whether the Notices or Demands are submitted simultaneously), and the parties cannot resolve the cases during the Informal Resolution Period, all of the cases must be resolved in arbitration through staged sets of proceedings. You agree to this process even though it may delay the arbitration of your case.

If these mass filing procedures apply to your case, the Tolling Period for your claims will be extended until your case is selected to proceed as part of a staged proceeding, withdrawn, opted out of arbitration (as set forth below), or otherwise resolved.

First Stage: In the first stage, counsel for the parties shall each select twenty-five (25) cases per side (50 cases total) to be filed in arbitration and to proceed individually in accordance with this Arbitration Agreement, with each case assigned to a separate and different arbitrator (unless the parties agree otherwise). In the meantime, any remaining cases shall not be filed or deemed filed in arbitration, nor shall any Arbitration Fees be assessed in connection with those cases unless and until they are selected to be filed in individual arbitration proceedings as part of a staged process. After the first stage is completed, the parties shall engage in a global, non-binding, and confidential mediation of all remaining cases with a retired federal or state court judge, and BrandStake shall pay the mediator's fee.

Second Stage: If the parties are unable to resolve the remaining cases after the mediation, the parties shall repeat the same process except that fifty (50) cases shall be selected per side (100 cases total) to proceed individually in accordance with this Arbitration Agreement, with each case assigned to a separate and different arbitrator (unless the parties agree otherwise). After the second stage is completed, the parties will again engage in a global, non-binding, and confidential mediation of all remaining cases with a retired federal or state court judge, with the mediator's fee paid for by BrandStake.

If the parties are unable to resolve any remaining cases after a second global mediation session:

Option One: You and BrandStake may, separately or by agreement, opt out of arbitration and elect to have your case heard in a court of competent jurisdiction consistent with these Terms. You may opt out of arbitration by providing an individual, personally signed notice of your intention to opt out of arbitration to BrandStake via email at legal@BrandStake.io within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the second global mediation session. BrandStake may opt your case out of arbitration by sending an individual, signed notice of its intention to opt out of arbitration to your counsel via email no more than thirty (30) days following the expiration of your thirty (30) day opt-out period. Counsel for the parties may agree to adjust these deadlines.

OR

Option Two: If neither you nor BrandStake elects to have your case heard in court consistent with Option One, then you agree that your case will be resolved through continuing staged proceedings as set forth below. Assuming the number of remaining cases exceeds two hundred (200), then two hundred (200) cases shall be randomly selected (or selected through a process agreed to by counsel for the parties) to be filed and to proceed in individual arbitrations as part of a staged process. If the number of remaining cases is fewer than two hundred (200), then all of those cases shall be filed and proceed in individual arbitrations. No more than five (5) cases within any set of two hundred (200) cases may be assigned to the same arbitrator to proceed individually, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. Any remaining cases shall not be filed or deemed filed in arbitration, nor shall any arbitration fees be assessed in connection with those cases unless and until they are selected to be filed in individual arbitration proceedings as part of a staged process.

Throughout the staged process above, the arbitrators for the cases are encouraged to resolve the cases within one hundred twenty (120) days of appointment or as swiftly as possible thereafter, consistent with fairness to the parties. If any case selected for a staged set of proceedings is withdrawn prior to the arbitrator's award (and without the consent of the other party), another case shall be selected to proceed individually in arbitration consistent with the process set forth above.

A court of competent jurisdiction will have the authority to enforce this "Mass arbitration" section and, if necessary, to enjoin the filing or prosecution of arbitrations or the assessment or collection of Arbitration Fees. This "Mass arbitration" section is intended to be severable from the rest of this Arbitration Agreement. If a court decides that the staging process set forth in this "Mass arbitration" section is not enforceable (and after exhaustion of all appeals), then all cases may be filed in arbitration, but the payment of Arbitration Fees will be assessed as the arbitrations advance and arbitrators are appointed, rather than when the arbitrations are initiated.

Enforceability

If in the process of arbitrating or litigating a Dispute this Arbitration Agreement is invalidated in whole, the parties agree that they may seek to resolve the Dispute in a U.S. small claims court or in the federal or state courts of New York, New York, consistent with the "Governing law, jurisdiction, and jury trial waiver" section above. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each party may bring a Dispute against the other party only in an individual capacity and not participate as a plaintiff, claimant, or class member in any class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general, or representative proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may participate in a class-wide settlement.

7. About These Terms

Under applicable law, you may have certain rights that can't be limited by a contract. These Terms are in no way intended to restrict those rights.

Changes

We may make changes to these Terms (including any additional BrandStake terms and conditions incorporated by reference herein) from time to time by notifying you of such changes by any reasonable means, including by posting the revised Terms on the applicable BrandStake Service (provided that, for material changes, we will seek to supplement such notice by email, an in-service pop-up message, or other prominent notice within the BrandStake Service, or other means). Your use of the BrandStake Service following any changes to these Terms will constitute your acceptance of such changes. Premium Subscribers who do not wish to continue using the BrandStake Service under the updated Terms must close their BrandStake account prior to their renewal date or thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, whichever occurs first. If BrandStake makes any material change to the Arbitration Agreement (other than a change to the notice address), you may reject any such change by sending us a personally signed, written notice of your decision to opt out of those changes via email to tounotice@BrandStake.io. This opt-out notice must be sent within thirty (30) days of when we notify users of the change and include: (1) your name, address, email address associated with your BrandStake account, phone number, and BrandStake username. Such an opt-out must be sent by you personally from your personal email address, and not by your agent, attorney, or anyone else purporting to act on your behalf. The opt-out notice also must include a statement that you wish to reject the change to the Arbitration Agreement. Opting out of a material change to the Arbitration Agreement is not an opt-out of arbitration altogether. Even if you opt out of a material change to the Arbitration Agreement, you and BrandStake agree that any Dispute will be determined by binding individual (not class) arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Agreement in effect immediately before any such opt-out.

Entire agreement

Other than as stated in this section or as explicitly agreed upon in writing between you and BrandStake, these Terms constitute all the terms and conditions agreed upon between you and BrandStake and supersede any prior agreements in relation to the subject matter of these Terms, whether written or oral. As noted above, other terms and conditions governing use of the BrandStake Service are incorporated herein by reference, including the following terms and conditions: BrandStake Paid Subscription Terms; BrandStake's Card Terms; BrandStake User Guidelines; BrandStake Copyright Policy; and BrandStake Support Community Terms.

Severability and waiver

Unless as otherwise stated in these Terms, should any provision of these Terms be held invalid or unenforceable for any reason or to any extent, the remaining provisions of these Terms will not be affected, and the application of that provision shall be enforced to the extent permitted by law.

Any failure by BrandStake or any third-party beneficiary to enforce these Terms or any provision thereof shall not waive BrandStake's or the applicable third-party beneficiary's right to do so.

Assignment

BrandStake may assign any or all of these Terms, and may assign or delegate, in whole or in part, any of its rights or obligations under these Terms. You may not assign these Terms, in whole or in part, nor transfer or sublicense your rights under these Terms to any third party.