Terms of Service

About BlackFrame

BlackFrame is an AI-powered editorial content distribution platform. We provide tools and services that allow photographers, videographers, and content agencies ("Contributors" and "Media Partners") to upload, license, and distribute their work to publishers and media organisations ("Publishers"). These Terms of Service govern your use of the BlackFrame platform and all associated services.

By registering, uploading content, or using any part of our platform, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use BlackFrame.

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and have the legal authority to enter into contracts to use BlackFrame. By using our platform, you represent that you meet these requirements and that all information you provide is accurate and complete.

Your Content and Ownership

You retain full ownership of all content you upload to BlackFrame. By uploading content, you grant BlackFrame a non-exclusive, worldwide licence to store, process, distribute, and sublicense your content to publishers and media organisations in accordance with the licensing terms you set.

You are solely responsible for ensuring:

• You hold the necessary rights to all content you upload, including model releases, property releases, and copyright ownership or assignment.
• Your content does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party.
• Your content complies with applicable laws in all territories where you authorise distribution.
• Any claims of ownership you make are truthful and accurate.

BlackFrame reserves the right to remove content that violates these terms or applicable law, without notice.

AI Processing

By uploading content to BlackFrame, you consent to our AI systems analysing your content for the purposes of image recognition, automated tagging, categorisation, and distribution optimisation. AI-generated metadata is used to facilitate licensing and distribution. You may edit or correct AI-generated tags at any time through your account dashboard.

Licensing and Distribution

BlackFrame manages licensing on your behalf in accordance with the terms you set. You control:

• Whether content is licensed exclusively or non-exclusively.
• Exclusivity windows and embargo periods.
• Territory restrictions (where applicable).
• Which content is available for distribution.

BlackFrame will use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce your licensing terms with publishers. However, we cannot guarantee that all downstream usage will comply perfectly with your terms, and our liability in the event of publisher non-compliance is limited to the fee received for that license.

Commission and Payments

Contributors receive 60% of all net license fees collected by BlackFrame for their content. Media Partners receive commission rates as agreed in their individual partnership agreements, typically 50–60% of net fees.

Payments are made on agreed schedules, typically net 30 days after BlackFrame collects from the licensee. BlackFrame reserves the right to withhold payment in cases of suspected fraud, rights disputes, or violation of these terms pending resolution.

You are responsible for all taxes applicable to your earnings from BlackFrame. BlackFrame will provide transaction records to support your tax reporting obligations but does not provide tax advice.

Prohibited Content

You may not upload content that:

• Is defamatory, obscene, or unlawful.
• Depicts minors in a sexualised manner.
• Infringes third-party copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights.
• Constitutes hate speech or incites violence.
• Has been manipulated or digitally altered in a way that materially misrepresents the depicted events, without clear disclosure.
• Was obtained by illegal means or without the required consents.

Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate account termination and, where applicable, referral to relevant authorities.

Platform Use

You agree not to use BlackFrame to:

• Attempt to circumvent security measures or access systems you are not authorised to use.
• Upload malware or malicious code.
• Scrape, copy, or reproduce platform content or data without authorisation.
• Interfere with the operation of the platform or other users' accounts.

Account Termination

Either party may terminate a BlackFrame account at any time. You may delete your account through your dashboard or by contacting us. BlackFrame may suspend or terminate your account for violation of these terms, fraudulent activity, or extended inactivity, with or without notice.

Upon termination, any outstanding licensing agreements already in place will remain valid until their natural expiry. You will be paid any commissions earned prior to termination on the standard schedule.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, BlackFrame's total liability to you for any claim arising from these terms or your use of the platform is limited to the total commissions paid to you in the three months preceding the claim. BlackFrame is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to registered users by email with reasonable notice. Continued use of the platform after updated terms take effect constitutes acceptance. If you do not accept revised terms, you may terminate your account prior to the effective date.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of BlackFrame will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless otherwise required by applicable consumer protection law in your jurisdiction.

Contact

For questions about these terms, contact us at hello@blackframe.online.