# Uploaded Content and Acceptable Use (Draft)

**Last updated:** September 7, 2026  
**Status:** Draft for counsel review — do not publish until [AV-T22](../mvp/TODO.md) sign-off.

> Adapted from the [Basecamp Use Restrictions](https://github.com/basecamp/policies/blob/master/abuse/index.md) and [Copyright policy](https://github.com/basecamp/policies/blob/master/copyright/index.md) / [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Modified for Audio Vault.

**Contact:** [abuse@audiovau.lt](mailto:abuse@audiovau.lt) ([D-101](../mvp/DECISIONS.md#legal-policies-and-accessibility))

## Purpose of Audio Vault

Audio Vault is a **private, owner-only music library and backup service** for paying subscribers. Each account holds **one person’s** personal collection. **Only the account holder** may stream or retrieve their music through the product.

Audio Vault is **not**:

- A file locker, warez site, or public CDN.
- A social or collaborative listening platform.
- A service for publishing, syndicating, or distributing music to an audience.
- A way to share libraries with friends, family, bandmates, or the public (even if they also use Audio Vault).

You may **not** use Audio Vault to:

- Make your uploads available to **anyone other than yourself** through the service (including via shared accounts, credential sharing, scraped links, or technical circumvention).
- Publish, link, embed, or distribute content to the public or to other Audio Vault users.
- Operate a “household,” “team,” or multi-listener library unless we explicitly offer that feature in writing (we do **not** in v1).
- Upload content you do not have the right to store for **personal** use.
- Share account credentials so others can listen from your storage quota or bypass access controls.
- Upload malware, exploit code, or non-music payloads (except allowed sidecars: `.cue`, `.log`, cover images per product rules).
- Circumvent security, rate limits, tenant isolation, or encryption.
- Harass, threaten, or impersonate others.
- Use the service in violation of applicable law.

Accounts violating this policy may be suspended or terminated. We may report illegal activity to authorities where appropriate.

## Owner-Only Playback

The product is designed so that **you** listen to **your** files. We do not provide features to:

- Generate public or unauthenticated URLs to your audio.
- Share playlists or albums with other accounts.
- List your music in a directory visible to other users.

If you need others to hear a recording, you must use a **different** service or medium outside Audio Vault.

## Music Files Only

Uploads must be **music-related files** in supported formats. Cover art may be stored for catalog display only. See upload validation rules ([D-57](../mvp/DECISIONS.md#uploads-files-and-integrity)–[D-58](../mvp/DECISIONS.md#uploads-files-and-integrity)).

## Copyright and Dmca (United States)

We respect intellectual property rights. If you believe content stored in Audio Vault infringes your copyright, send a **written DMCA notice** to **abuse@audiovau.lt** including:

1. Your physical or electronic signature.
2. Identification of the copyrighted work(s) claimed infringed.
3. Identification of the material and sufficient information to locate it (account email, file paths). **Note:** Audio Vault does not offer public URLs to stored music; include any evidence of unauthorized exposure (for example, compromised credentials) if applicable.
4. Your contact information.
5. A statement of good-faith belief that use is not authorized.
6. A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and you are authorized to act for the copyright owner.

We may remove or disable access to allegedly infringing material and notify the account holder. Repeat infringers may have accounts terminated.

### Counter-Notification

If you believe material was removed in error, you may submit a written counter-notification with the elements required under 17 U.S.C. § 512(g). **Counsel to finalize** jurisdiction and agent registration requirements before go-live.

### Dmca Agent Registration

To rely on U.S. safe harbor protections, we must designate an agent with the **U.S. Copyright Office**. **Action item:** register agent before public launch ([AV-T22](../mvp/TODO.md)).

## Reporting Other Abuse

Email **abuse@audiovau.lt** with:

- The account or content involved (paths, timestamps, screenshots).
- A clear description of the violation.
- Your contact information.

We treat reporter identity as confidential when possible. Because Audio Vault does not provide public sharing features, reports about unauthorized public distribution may indicate **Terms violations**, **account compromise**, or **misuse outside the product’s design**.

## Changes

We may update this policy. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance where permitted by law.