Legal

Lightstock Terms & Conditions + Licensing Agreement

Last Updated: October 1, 2021

These terms and conditions (these "Terms" or this "Agreement") govern your access to and use of our website (the "Site") that link to or reference these Terms and will apply to your use of the Site from and after the date set forth above. By accessing or using the Site, whether or not you register as an Account Holder or Content Contributor, you are agreeing to these Terms and entering into a legally binding contract with Lightstock, LLC ("Lightstock"). Further, if you are electing to become a registered Account Holder of the Site (an "Account") in order to download and use photographs, other images, video clips, graphics, editable templates or any other content that is made available through the Site, then you must agree to the terms under the Section titled "Account Holder Terms" below. Do not access or use the Site if you are unwilling or unable to be bound by these Terms and the Privacy Policy.

1. Definitions

"Content" means Your Content, Contributor Content, Lightstock Content and any other content on or available through the Site.

"Content Contributor" means a party that has elected to supply one or more photographs, still images, video clips, graphics, design templates or other content under the terms of the Content Contributor License Agreement for license to Account Holders on and through the Site.

"Lightstock Content" means Content that we or our licensors create and make available in connection with the Site.

"Account Holder" means a registered user of the Site.

"You" and "your" refer to you, as a user of the Site. A "user" is someone who accesses, browses, crawls, scrapes or in any way uses the Site. "We", "us", and "our" refer to Lightstock.

"Your Content" means any and all forms of communication or content that you submit or transmit to, through or in connection with the Site (excluding Contributor Content that you submit as a Content Contributor under the Content Contributor License Agreement, such as messages and information that you publicly display or displayed in your account profile (for example, on any community message or comment board that we make available).

2. Changes to the Terms of Use

These Terms will apply with respect to your use of the Site from and after the date set forth above. If, however, you are a registered user (whether as a Content Contributor or Member), changes to these Terms will not apply to you if you reject the changed Terms the next time you login to your account. If you do not agree to these Terms, or if you are a Content Contributor or an Account Holder and you reject the changed Terms, you will be deemed to have terminated your account with us and must immediately discontinue your use of the Site. If you continue to use the Site, such use will signify your acceptance of these Terms.

3. Using the Site

A. Eligibility

To register as an Account Holder, become a Content Contributor or access or use the Site, you must be 18 years or older and have the requisite power and authority to enter into these Terms. You agree and represent and warrant that all information you provide to Lightstock during any registration processes (whether as an Account Holder, Content Contributor or otherwise) ("Sign-Up Data") will be true, accurate, complete and current, and that you will maintain and update the Sign-Up Data as needed throughout the term of your registration to keep it accurate and current. Your failure to provide accurate, complete and current Sign-Up Data may result in the suspension and/or termination of your account.

B. Permission

You may not register as an Account Holder or Content Contributor or otherwise access or use the Site if we have previously banned you from the Site or terminated your Account Holder or Content Contributor account.

Your right to access and use the Site is always subject to your compliance with these Terms and, to the extent applicable to you, the Content Contributor License Agreement as well as any other agreement or terms with us to which you are subject. Your use of the Site is at your own risk, including the risk that you might be exposed to Content that is inaccurate, inappropriate, indecent or otherwise objectionable or offensive.

C. Account Holder

You may use certain features of the Site without an Account and will have the ability to participate in some, but not all, of the features and services available within the Site. In order to access additional features and services, you must become a registered Account Holder and agree to be subject to the License Terms below. In order to provide photographs, still images, video clips, graphics, design templates or other content for license by Account Holders through the Site, you must become a Content Contributor and agree to be subject to the Content Contributor License Agreement.

Use of any personal information you provide to us during any registration process is governed by our Privacy Policy. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account password(s) and login credentials. You are also responsible for all activities that occur in connection with your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. We reserve the right to suspend access to or close your account at any time for any or no reason.

D. Lawful Use

You may not use the Site or any of the Content, products or services available through the Site for any unlawful purpose, and you will not encourage, assist or allow any third party to do so.

4. Content

A. Responsibility for Your content

You alone are responsible for Your Content. You assume all risks associated with Your Content, including anyone's reliance on its quality, accuracy or reliability, or any disclosure by you of information in Your Content that makes you personally identifiable. You represent that you own or have all required rights, licenses, permissions, waivers and releases required to create such Content and to grant the rights and licenses granted herein. You also represent that Your Content will not infringe, misappropriate or violate any law or any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, right of privacy, attribution or publicity, moral rights or any other intellectual property or other right of any third party.

You agree that Your Content will not (i) be unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, indecent, profane, obscene, hateful or otherwise objectionable or offensive; or (ii) be or contain information that is inaccurate, misleading or false. Furthermore, Your Content must not be prohibited by the Section 7 below.

B. Our Right to Use Your Content

We may use Your Content in several different ways, including publicly displaying it, reformatting it, incorporating it into advertisements and other works, creating derivative works from it, promoting it, distributing it and allowing others to do the same in connection with their own websites, mobile applications and other media platforms ("Other Media"). As such, you hereby grant us and to our affiliates and successor organizations a non- exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, paid-up, right and license to copy, reproduce, prepare derivative works based upon, distribute, perform, display, transmit and modify Your Content in connection with the operation and promotion of the Site and the services and Content available through the Site. You also irrevocably grant the users of the Site and any Other Media the right to access Your Content in connection with their use of the Site and any Other Media. Finally, you irrevocably waive, and cause to be waived, against Lightstock and its users any claims and assertions of moral rights or attribution with respect to Your Content.

We reserve the right to delete, move, refuse to accept, or edit Your Content from time to time at our sole discretion.

The use of Contributor Content supplied by Content Contributors for license to paying Account Holders on and through the Site shall be governed by these Terms and the applicable Content Contributor License Agreement. Account Holder use of such Contributor Content shall be governed by Section 10 of these Terms.

C. Ownership

As between you and Lightstock, you own Your Content. Except for the foregoing, Lightstock, its affiliates and licensors, as applicable, own and retain all proprietary rights in the Site and the Content thereon. The Site contains the copyrighted material, trademarks, and other proprietary information of Lightstock, its affiliates and licensors. Except as expressly provided in Section 10 for Account Holders, you do not have any right to use any such Content without our prior written permission.

5. Restrictions

A. You agree not to, and will not assist, encourage, or enable others to, use the Site to:

1. Violate any Content guidelines we maintain and publicize on the Site;
2. Violate any third party’s rights, including but not limited to any breach of confidence, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, moral right, privacy right, right of attribution or publicity, or any other intellectual property, proprietary or other right;
3. Promote on or through the Site a business or other commercial venture or event, except as expressly permitted by Lightstock;
4. Distribute unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, surveys, contests, promotional material, or messages; or
5. Transmit any computer viruses or other items of a destructive nature.

B. You also agree not to, and will not assist, encourage, or enable others to:

1. Violate these Terms;
2. Modify, adapt, appropriate, reproduce, distribute, translate, create derivative works or adaptations of, publicly display, sell, trade, or in any way exploit the Site nor any Content, except as expressly permitted by Lightstock;
3. Remove or modify any copyright, trademark or other proprietary rights notice that appears on any portion of the Site or on any Content or other materials printed or copied from the Site;
4. Record, process, or mine information about other users or about the Site and Content; or
5. Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site, Content, user accounts, computer systems or networks connected to the Site through hacking, password mining or any other means.

You agree that Lightstock shall have the right to determine in our sole discretion whether and to what extent to proceed against another user for any actual or perceived violation of these Terms. While we encourage you to let us know if you believe another user has violated these Terms, we reserve the right to investigate and take appropriate action at our sole discretion. You hereby release Lightstock from any and all claims you might have, either directly or indirectly, arising out of or in connection with a determination by Lightstock to proceed or not to proceed against any such party in any particular instance.

6. Privacy and Communications

Use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy. When you become a registered user, you agree and consent to receive email messages from us. These emails may be transactional or communications relating to our Site, such as administrative notices and service announcements or changes, or emails containing commercial offers, promotions, or special offers from us. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information regarding these communications.

7. Digital Millennium Copyright Act

You may not post, distribute, or reproduce in any way any copyrighted material, trademarks, or other proprietary information without obtaining the prior written consent of the owner of such proprietary rights. Without limiting the foregoing, if you believe that your work has been copied and posted on the Site in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please submit a notification pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") by providing our Copyright Agent with the following information in writing:

1. An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest that is allegedly infringed;
2. A description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed;
3. A description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on the Site;
4. Your address, telephone number, and email address;
5. A written statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
6. A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf.

Lightstock’s Copyright Agent for notice of claims of copyright infringement can be reached by email at info@lightstock.com or by mail at Lightstock, LLC, 710 Presidential Drive Suite #100, Richardson, TX 75081.

8. Feedback and Suggestions

While we welcome your feedback, ideas and suggestions, it is important to be aware of the following. By sending us any feedback, ideas or suggestions ("Feedback"), you agree that (i) your Feedback does not contain the confidential or proprietary information of third parties, (ii) we are under no obligation of confidentiality, express or implied, with respect to the Feedback, (iii) we may have something similar to the Feedback already under consideration or in development, and (iv) you grant us an irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide, sublicensable, transferable license and right to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute and commercially exploit the Feedback.

9. Third Parties

The Site may include links to third party websites or resources. Lightstock has no control over such sites and resources, and you acknowledge and agree that Lightstock is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. You further acknowledge and agree that Lightstock shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of, or reliance upon, any such content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource.

10. Account Holder Terms

This Section 10 applies to you only if you elect to become a registered Account Holder of our Site.

A. Fees

We may from time to time offer various pricing models for access to and use of Contributor Content. Such models may include, but are not necessarily limited to: (i) yearly memberships, whereby you pay a recurring upfront or monthly installment ("Payment Frequency") fixed amount for access to membership standard licenses; or (ii) non-recurring one-time amounts on an "a la carte" basis, whereby you pay a one-time fee for a set number of content licenses.

Our pricing is set forth on our Plans & Pricing Page. If we change our pricing or other details regarding our licensing models, such changes will apply to your next membership renewal period or your next order, as applicable.

For Account Holders, all downloads provided within an active membership are accessible pursuant to the terms here within. All membership downloads come with a membership standard license which allows the Account Holder to create derivative products from the content only during the duration of an active membership. Once the Account Holder has cancelled or is no longer in an active membership for any reason, access to previous membership downloads will be revoked and the license to create derivative products from downloaded content will also be revoked.

For Account Holders, any existing credits will remain available & redeemable for use on the appropriately corresponding Licenses until 01/01/2023. All outstanding & unused credits will expire on 01/01/2023 and will not be entitled to a refund of unused credits.

You should carefully consider which licensing model is right for you, as all fees are non-refundable. You will not be entitled to a refund of unused credits if you terminate your Account or if we terminate your Account, irrespective of the reason.

The membership policies disclosed to you at the time you register your Account are incorporated herein by reference and form a part of our agreement with you.

B. License to Contributor Content

If you elect to download Contributor Content, then subject to the terms and conditions of these Terms and of the scope, you will be granted a non-exclusive license to copy, reproduce, prepare derivative works based upon, distribute, perform, display, transmit and modify such Contributor Content within the applicable scope of use. The extent of your use rights will depend on the license type you select, which currently include Membership Download, Subscription Download, Standard License, Extended License, and Multi-Seat License (details of which are described below).

All licenses, irrespective of type, will be for your personal use and may not be transferred or sublicensed to any other party (except pursuant to section 10.B (v.) [Rights]), though you will be allowed to use contractors and other vendors to produce the materials on or in which the Contributor Content you license will be displayed or otherwise contained. Each license to Contributor Content granted to you hereunder will survive until the earlier of the complete use of the Contributor Content permitted by the use rights you procure or the termination of your Account with Lightstock.

You will not receive any ownership of any Contributor Content, and except for the limited license granted hereunder, all right, title, and interest in and to the Contributor Content will remain with the applicable Content Contributor and Lightstock, as may be applicable.

1. Membership Download License. The license described in this section is referred to as "Membership Download"
   1. Membership Download for Contributor Content. Under a Membership Download License, we grant you a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, non-transferrable (except pursuant to section C [Employee or Client Use]), non-sublicensable license to use, reproduce, archive, modify, and display the Contributor Content, in all media, for (1) advertising, marketing, promotional and decoration purposes; (2) personal and non-commercial uses, up to 500,000 times as further described in section 10.B(ii); and (3) the license begins when you download the Contributor Content and is only valid if you complete a Derivative Work while your membership is active. The Membership Download License continues for the life of the Derivative Work, even if your membership ends.
   2. Membership Download Specific Restrictions for Contributor Content. In addition to the restrictions in section D (Restrictions on Use), the following restrictions apply to any Content under a Membership Download.
      1. you may not, in aggregate, (a) cause or allow a work to appear in more than 500,000 printed materials (including copies of such materials); or (b) incorporate Contributor Content into a live, recorded, or digital production if the audience is expected to exceed 500,000 viewers, except the restriction on audience size does not apply to Contributor Content displayed only on websites, social media sites, or mobile applications;
      2. you may not incorporate Contributor Content into merchandise intended for sale or distribution, including on-demand products.
      3. you may not use, include, or incorporate Contributor Content in any electronic template or design template application (e.g., a web design or presentation template, or templates for electronic greeting cards or business cards); and
      4. you may not use, reproduce, distribute, or display Contributor Content with a press release that includes the distribution of the stand-alone image file.
      5. you may not create any new works with Content in the absence of an active, paid-up Lightstock membership. All derivative works created during the duration of an active membership survive in perpetuity.
2. Subscription Download License. The license described in this section is referred to as "Subscription Download," also known previously as a Subscription Credit download.
   1. Subscription Download for Contributor Content. Under a Subscription Download, we grant you the same rights as under a Membership Download.
   2. Subscription Download Specific Restrictions for Contributor Content. The restrictions in sections 10.B.(b)(i), 10.B.(b)(ii), 10.B.(b)(iii), and 10.B.(b)(iv), and in section D (Restrictions on Use), except that an Account Holder may create new works with Contributor Content without an active membership until 01/01/2023 set forth in section (v) of 10.B(b) (Membership Download Specific Restrictions for Contributor Content) apply to any Content under a Subscription Download.
3. Standard License. The license described in this section is referred to as "Standard License." Also known previously as a "Pay-As-You-Go Standard Credit Download".
   1. Standard License for Contributor Content. Under a Subscription Download, we grant you the same rights as a Membership Download.
   2. Standard License Specific Restrictions for Contributor Content. The restrictions in sections 10.B.(b)(i), 10.B.(b)(ii), 10.B.(b)(iii), and 10.B.(b)(iv), and in section D (Restrictions on Use) apply to any Content under a Standard License, except that an Account Holder may create new works with Contributor Content in perpetuity.
4. Extended License. The license described in this section is referred to as "Extended License", also known previously as an "Extended License" or a "Multi-Seat License".
   1. Extended License for Contributor Content. Under an Extended License, we grant you the rights to use, reproduce, distribute, and display the Contributor Content:
      1. unlimited number of reproductions or viewers
      2. or incorporation into merchandise and template files intended for sale or distribution, without limitation on the number of reproductions or viewers, provided the recipient is only permitted to use or access the Content as incorporated into the merchandise or template; and
      3. in a press release that includes distribution of stand-alone image file to the media, provided the Contributor Content is only published in connection with the press release, and not used or disseminated in any other manner.

      For clarity, and without limitation, you may use the Contributor Content in connection with (a) electronic templates and design template applications; (b) merchandise such as mugs, t-shirts, posters, and greeting cards; and (c) "print on demand" services.

   2. Extended License Specific Restrictions for Contributor Content. The restrictions in section D (Restrictions on Use) apply to any Contributor Content under an Extended License.
5. Additional Rights. Subject to the Terms and any applicable restrictions, you may have the following additional rights:
   1. Employer or Client Use. You may license Contributor Content for the benefit of your employer, or one of your clients one (1) time under a Membership Download, Subscription Download, or Standard License provided that you:
      1. represent and warrant that you have full legal authority to bind your employer or client to these Terms;
      2. are solely responsible and liable for use of the Contributor Content by your employer or client (as applicable);
      3. transfer your license to your client or employer via an enforceable written agreement that includes applicable terms no less restrictive than these Terms; and
      4. obtain an Extended License for the same Contributor Content if you or your employer intend to use the same Contributor Content for yourself, your employer, or for the benefit of other clients (as applicable).
   2. Employee and Contractor Use. You may transfer files containing the Contributor Content, including productions, Projects, or other permitted derivative materials, up to five (5) employees or subcontractors, provided that:
      1. such employees and subcontractors agree in an enforceable written agreement to abide by the restrictions in the Terms;
      2. such employees and subcontractors only use the Contributor Content on your behalf; and
      3. you are solely responsible and liable for use of the Contributor Content by your employee or contractor.
      4. you obtain an Extended License for the same Contributor Content if you or your plan on transferring the files containing the Contributor Content to more than five (5) employees or subcontractors.

C. Permitted Uses and Prohibited Uses

You may generally use Contributor Content that you license for your personal or business purposes, though there are certain uses that are specifically prohibited as outlined in section B (License to Contributor Content). If you have any doubts whether a particular use is permitted or prohibited by your license, please email us at info@lightstock.com and include a detailed description of your planned use.

You may not, under any license type, sell copies of the Contributor Content or templates or works that would allow the extraction of the Contributor Content.

It is a breach of this policy to download Contributor Content that you do not intend to appropriately use, to use scripts or bots to mass download items, or to download Items in advance in order to use them after a membership or subscription is no longer active. Even worse, this behavior also prevents Contributors from being paid fairly for their work.

Remember, a Membership or Subscription Download License for Contributor Content to create new Derivative Works is valid only while you have an active, good-standing, paid-up Lightstock Membership. If you want to use Content for multiple Derivative Works or need the ability to have the License to survive the membership duration, you need to purchase an Extended License for that Contributor Content.

Much of the Contributor Content available on the Site is provided by third parties, and you acknowledge that, while we require all of our Content Contributors to represent and warrant that they have the necessary rights to allow our Account Holders to use their Contributor Content in the manner contemplated by these Terms, we do not independently verify that they have secured such rights. By way of example and not limitation, there may be circumstances where particular content contains an iconic image, a public personality or a third-party logo or trademark; in some cases, use of that content might require a third-party consent. Whether a third-party consent is required may depend on the manner in which you plan to use the particular image or video and, accordingly, is something that you will need to determine for yourself. If you are unsure of whether your particular use implicates the need for a third-party consent, then you should consult an attorney or consider carefully whether you are comfortable using that particular image or video. If we receive any complaints from a third-party asserting that his, her or its rights have been violated, we will promptly notify you, and you agree to immediately cease further use of the applicable image or video clip until it has been determined whether the proper consents have been granted. We will not be responsible to you for any damages, losses, costs, expenses or other amounts under any such circumstances.

Additionally, to the extent there is a copyright, trademark or other proprietary rights notice on or in the Contributor Content, you may not remove it or obscure it.

D. Restrictions on Use

Only you are permitted to use Contributor Content that you license. We consider "you" to be the person or entity for which a unique federal taxpayer identification number has been assigned. If "you" are an individual, this would be your social security number; if "you" are an organization organized as a formal legal entity (for example, a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), this would be the taxpayer ID number assigned to you by the IRS. By way of contrast, if you are a group of individuals engaged in some shared undertaking but have not formally organized as a legal entity, then "you" means only the individual person who downloads the image or video clip from our site, which, as a consequence, means that "you" cannot use the Contributor Content for the shared purpose of your group; rather, each individual in your group will be required to purchase a license. We count "you" (and users) this way so that we can keep track of who the ultimate licensee is and make sure that your use rights apply properly. This should be straightforward in most cases, but where you are a part of an affiliation of people rather than a part of a formally organized legal entity, the only way to comply with our license terms is to make sure that all Account Holders of your group separately purchase licenses. If you have any questions about how "you" fit into the above licensing models, please contact us.

If you select a Membership Download, Subscription Download, or Standard License, you are permitted to install and use the Contributor Content in only one location (which must be owned and controlled by you) at a time for use by the number of individual employees and full-time contractors for whom you procure a license. For purposes of clarity, if you store the Contributor Content on a server or in any "cloud" technology, you may only allow the maximum number of individuals for whom you have procured a license access and use the Contributor Content. By way of example, if you purchase a Membership Download, Subscription Download, or Standard License, you may allow up to five (5) individuals to access and use the particular Contributor Content, then only those five (5) individuals (or any replacement of any such individual upon a change of employment) may access and use that Contributor Content (provided that use must be for your benefit only and must otherwise comply with these Terms).

If you select an Extended License, you are permitted to install and use the Contributor Content in an unlimited number of your locations (provided that such locations are owned and controlled by you) for use by an unlimited number of your employees and full-time contractors (provided that use must be for your benefit only and must otherwise comply with these Terms).

If you select an Extended License, you may produce an unlimited number of copies of Contributor Content on items the value of which is not derived in any meaningful way from the image or video clip. By way of example, use of Contributor Content on a book jacket is permitted under an extended license, irrespective of the number copies ultimately made. As a general rule, an extended license is required if you want the flexibility to exceed the maximum number of copies under the regular license and the item on which you plan to use the Contributor Content would appeal to the same group of users and consumers even without that Contributor Content.

You may make a single copy of the Contributor Content for back-up purposes. You must reproduce all proprietary notices and markings on the back-up copy as well as any other permitted copies of all Contributor Content.

Other than the limited uses permitted under extended license terms, you may not use Contributor Content in digital products for resale, license or other distribution, unless the original Contributor Content has been modified in such a manner that the primary value of such modified or derivative work is not recognizable as the Contributor Content nor is the Contributor Content capable of being downloaded, extracted or accessed therefrom on a stand-alone file. If a modified work satisfies the foregoing, it will constitute a "Permitted Derivative Work" for purposes of these Terms. If you have any doubt about a particular modification, please contact Lightstock for guidance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may not use Contributor Content, even in such a form that it constitutes a Permitted Derivative Work, in any "on demand" manner nor to produce more than 500,000 copies. If you are interested in using Contributor Content for any such purposes, please contact us for pricing and terms.

You are also prohibited from using Contributor Content in any of the following ways: (i) as part of a trademark, servicemark, logo or any similar purpose; (ii) in a fashion that could be or is considered by any person or entity as, or under applicable law is considered to be, pornographic, obscene, immoral, defamatory, libelous, infringing or otherwise in violation of the rights of any person or entity; and (iii) in a fashion that would be reasonably likely to bring any person, entity, place or thing into disrepute. Additionally, if Contributor Content features or includes a model or other person, you are prohibited from using that Contributor Content in any manner that (iv) could reasonably lead a person to think that such individual uses or personally endorses any business, product, service, cause, association or other matter; or (v) depicts such person in a potentially sensitive situation or subject matter (for example, mental and physical health issues, social issues, sexual connotations or implied sexual activity or preferences, substance abuse, crime or other illegal activity, mental or physical abuse, or any other subject matter that could be offensive or unflattering to any person reflected in such Contributor Content). You further acknowledge and agree to stop using Contributor Content upon Lightstock's request for any reason as Lightstock may determine at its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, any of the above reasons, and that Lightstock will be the exclusive and final arbiter of such determination, and you hereby waive any and all claims against Lightstock in connection with all such determinations.

Certain Contributor Content may come with additional restrictions on use that that will be specified with the particular image or video clip when you select that image or video clip from our galleries for pricing and additional information.

E. Subscriptions & Charges to Your Account

You agree to pay Lightstock all amounts associated with your Account, including membership fees, a la carte fees and other amounts as may be applicable, and you authorize Lightstock to charge the credit card or other payment provider you specify through your Account (your "Authorized Payment Method"). You agree to make payment using the Authorized Payment Method. Lightstock reserves the right to, and may, correct any billing errors or mistakes that it makes even if it has already requested or received payment. Additional terms may apply to your payment based on your Authorized Payment Method and agreements between you and the financial institution, credit card issuer or other provider of your Authorized Payment Method. If you initiate a chargeback or otherwise reverse a payment made with your Authorized Payment Method, Lightstock may in its discretion suspend access to your Account and ability to download Contributor Content in order to be certain that you do not have access to downloads that you have not paid for pending determination of whether the chargeback or reversal is proper. Upon resolution of the matter and, if it is determined that you owe the amounts that were charged back or reversed, receipt of your payment, access to your Account will be restored. If Lightstock successfully disputes the reversal, and the reversed funds are returned, you will not be entitled to a refund or to have your Account or subscription reinstated with any credit for the period during the period of the dispute.

Your account will be subject to an automatic renewing feature ("Auto-Renewal"), such that your membership will continue indefinitely until cancelled by you. After your initial annual membership period, and again after any subsequent membership period, your membership will automatically continue for an additional year, until cancelled by you or until your Account is terminated by either you or Lightstock. If you do not wish your account to renew automatically, or if you want to change your payment frequency or membership type, please log in and go to "Account Settings" on the Site or your Account page on the Site and follow the directions. If you turn off Auto-Renewal of your membership, your membership will not be renewed after your then-current membership term expires. You will not, however, be eligible for a refund of any portion of the membership fee paid for the then-current membership period.

By becoming a member, authorizing an a la carte transaction, or electing any other option for which we charge a fee, you authorize the Company to charge your Authorized Payment Method, which, in the case of membership plans, will be charged now and again at the beginning of any subsequent membership period, and for other payment plans and orders, will be charged immediately upon placing the order. You also authorize the Company to charge you for any sales or similar taxes that may be imposed on your membership and other payments. Upon the placing of your order or the renewal of your membership, if the Company does not receive payment from your Authorized Payment Method provider, you agree to pay all amounts due on your billing account upon demand and you agree that the Company may either terminate or suspend your Account and your membership and continue to attempt to charge your Authorized Payment Method provider until payment is received. Upon receipt of payment, your Account will be activated and for purposes of automatic renewal, your membership period will begin as of the day payment was received if the failed payment occurs during the renewal of a membership period or the membership will be reinstated as active if failed payment occurs during a monthly installment attempt and is recovered during the membership period. No refunds, discounts, or additional membership period time will be granted for lost access due to failed payments.

You must provide current, complete and accurate information for your Authorized Payment Method. You must promptly update all information for Authorized Payment Method to keep it current, complete and accurate (such as a change in billing address, card number or expiration date), and you must promptly notify the Company if your Authorized Payment Method is canceled (including if you lose your card or it is stolen), or if you become aware of a potential breach of security (such as an unauthorized disclosure or use of your Account user name or password). Changes to such information can be made at "Account Settings" on the Site or your Account page on the Site. You agree that you are responsible for all fees accrued under your Account. In addition, you authorize us to obtain updated or replacement expiration dates and card numbers for you credit or debit card as provided by your credit or debit card issuer.

1. Cancellation. Because of the nature of our Membership, you may cancel your automatic annual renewal at any time, but cancellation will not result in a refund. If paying in monthly installments, your commitment will end at the end of your one (1) year commitment. You will continue to have access to your Membership until your Membership end date, at which time your access will cease. A Lightstock Membership is a one (1) year commitment. This policy exists because we give you instant access to all the Contributor Content associated with your Membership plan. After your one (1) year Membership concludes, you may also choose to cancel your Membership. At any time, and for any reason, we may provide a refund, or other consideration to our members. The amount and form of considerations, and the decision to provide them, are at our sole and absolute discretion. If there are zero (0) downloads, the remaining monthly installments on a membership can be canceled.
2. Refunds. Lightstock offers a thirty (30) day discretionary refund policy for all Memberships, given that the account has not been used to download any Content from Lightstock.com since the charge took place. If an account has been used to download Content from Lightstock.com or it has been more than thirty (30) days since the date of the charge, then the charge is not eligible for a refund, but members can still request to have automatic annual commitment disabled in their account so that there are no future charges made, or to have their remaining monthly installments canceled if there are zero (0) downloads once the membership has been activated. Lightstock aims to help you and if you feel that Lightstock is not helpful, please contact us and we will do our best to make you satisfied.

11. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold Lightstock, its affiliates and their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings, liabilities, losses, damages, liabilities, fines and penalties together with all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by such persons and entities as a result of, or arising out of or in connection with: (i) your use of the Site (including, but not limited to, use under your Account Holder name by any person, whether or not authorized by you), (ii) any breach by you of these Terms, (iii) any of Your Content; or (iv) any claim that your use of Contributor Content infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any law or any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, right of privacy, attribution of publicity, moral rights or any other intellectual property or other right of any third party or any other claim arising from your use of Contributor Content. Lightstock reserves the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us and you agree to cooperate with our defense of these claims. You agree not to settle any matter without the prior written consent of Lightstock.

12. Disclaimers and Limitations on Liability

EACH OF THE PARAGRAPHS IN THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY UP TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. NOTHING HEREIN IS INTENDED TO LIMIT ANY RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE WHICH MAY NOT BE LAWFULLY LIMITED.

THE SITE, INCLUDING ANY CONTENT CONTAINED THEREON, IS PROVIDED BY LIGHTSTOCK ON AN "AS IS" BASIS WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND CONENT IS AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK. LIGHTSTOCK DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES OR THAT USE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE.

LIGHTSTOCK MAKES NO CLAIMS OR PROMISES WITH RESPECT TO ANY THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONTENT PROVIDERS AND OTHER USERS OF THE SITE. ACCORDINGLY, LIGHTSTOCK IS NOT LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE THAT MIGHT ARISE FROM THEIR ACTIONS OR INACTIONS.

IN NO EVENT SHALL LIGHTSTOCK BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR ROYALTIES) UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SITE, THESE TERMS OR THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREOF OR HEREOF, EVEN IF LIGHTSTOCK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER THE ACTION IS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE.

LIGHTSTOCK'S TOTAL MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF SHALL BE LIMITED TO AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO $10.00 OR, IF YOU ARE AN ACCOUNT HOLDER AND SUCH AMOUNT IS GREATER, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE EMPLOYER.

TOTAL FEES PAID BY YOU TO US DURING THE THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE ON WHICH YOUR CLAIM AROSE (SUCH AMOUNT BEING INTENDED AS A CUMULATIVE CAP, AND NOT PER INCIDENT).

FOR PURPOSES OF CLARITY, IF YOU ARE A CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY SHALL BE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, LIGHTSTOCK WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY LOST, DAMAGED OR INCORRECT CONTENT PRESENTED ON OR STORED BY YOU THROUGH THE SITE.

13. Choice of Law and Venue

Texas law will govern this Agreement, as well as any claim, cause of action or dispute that might arise between you and Lightstock, without regard to conflict of law provisions. You agree that in the event of any dispute related to these Terms, the Site, Content, Lightstock or otherwise in connection with the subject matter of the relationship established by these Terms or your participation as an Account Holder, the state and federal courts located in Dallas, Texas will have exclusive jurisdiction, and you hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. These Terms will not be governed by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, the application of which is expressly disclaimed.

You consent to service of any required notice or process upon you by email, registered mail or overnight courier with proof of delivery notice, addressed to the address or contact information provided by you when you register as a Member.

If Lightstock goes to court to enforce any of its rights and is successful in such action, you agree to reimburse Lightstock for its attorneys’ and legal fees and other reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with such action.

14. Term and Termination

Account Holders may terminate their Account at any time by closing the applicable Account. You may also cease being a user by discontinuing use of the Site at any time. If you are a member and choose to turn off automatic annual commitment (auto-renewal) for your membership, you will continue to be able to access and use your account for the remaining portion of your paid-for membership term.

All accounts will remain active as long as there is log-in activity within an 18-month period. Be advised, accounts with unused credits will be deactivated if no activity has occurred on the account for a period of 18 consecutive months. Any unused credits will expire and be terminated upon deactivation. However, you may request the reinstatement of any unused credits prior to 01/01/2023 by emailing reinstate@lightstock.com Reinstatement of unused credits will be granted at Lightstock’s discretion. You acknowledge and agree that we may close your Account at any time thereafter with or without notice to you.

We may close your Account, suspend your ability to use certain portions of our Site, and/or ban you altogether from our Site for any or no reason, and without notice or liability of any kind.

All fees are nonrefundable. In no event, and irrespective of the reason for termination by either you or us of your membership or Account, will you be entitled to a refund of any portion of your membership and other fees or for unused credits.

In the event of any termination, whether by you or us, Section 4 – 8 and 11 – 15, as well as all other terms that by their nature would survive termination of this Agreement, shall be deemed to survive such termination.

15. General Terms

Nothing in these Terms will be construed to constitute either party as the agent, employee or representative of the other party, and no joint venture or partnership will be created hereby. Neither party will make or have the power or authority to act for, bind or otherwise create or assume any obligation on behalf of the other party for any purpose whatsoever.

Lightstock’s failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of these Terms shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right.

We reserve the right to modify, update, interrupt, suspend or discontinue any or all of the Site (or any part thereof) at our sole discretion, at any time, for any or no reason, and without notice or liability. You agree that Lightstock shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the Site.

We may provide you with notices, including those regarding changes to these Terms by email, regular mail or communications through the Site. It is your responsibility to keep your email address current and to set your spam filters to accept emails from us. Any notice that we send to the email address on file in your Account will be deemed to have been effectively provided even if the email address on file with your account is out-of-date, invalid or you otherwise do not receive or see our email to you.

Nothing herein is intended, nor will be deemed, to confer rights or remedies upon any third party.

Lightstock's failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right.

These Terms are personal to you and is binding upon your heirs, executors and legal representatives, as the case may be, and is not assignable by you without Lightstock's prior written consent. Lightstock may assign these Terms to any other party without your consent.

If all or part of any provision of these Terms is wholly or partially unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected, and these Terms shall continue in full force and effect as if such unenforceable provision had never constituted a part hereof, and the parties or, in the event the parties are unable to agree, a court of competent jurisdiction, shall put in place of such whole or part provision an enforceable provision or provisions, that as nearly as possible reflects the terms of the unenforceable whole or part provision.

These Terms are in the English language only, and the English language version shall control in all respects. In the event that these Terms are translated into another language, such translation shall not be binding upon the parties. All references to money, royalties, fees or currency shall be deemed to be United States Dollars.

These Terms constitutes the entire agreement between the you and Lightstock with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous proposals, conversations, discussions and agreements between or among the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and all past dealing or industry custom.

If you have any question about these Terms of Use, please contact us by email at info@lightstock.com or by mail at Lightstock LLC, 710 Presidential Dr., Richardson, TX 75081.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS, UNDERSTAND THEM, AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE PRIOR TO AGREEING TO THEM.