Terms of Service
Includes Terms and Conditions, Membership Terms and Community Guidelines.
TERMS OF SERVICE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Important: These Terms & Conditions govern access to and use of COURTREADZ Book Club, including its website, membership services, community features, private communications, live streams, video calls, recordings, promotions and related services.
Please read these Terms before creating an account or purchasing a membership. If you do not agree, do not register or use the Platform. Nothing in these Terms removes rights or protections that cannot lawfully be excluded.
1. Acceptance of These Terms
1.1 These Terms & Conditions (βTermsβ) govern your access to and use of COURTREADZ Book Club (βCOURTREADZβ, βweβ, βusβ, βourβ or βthe Platformβ), operated by the business or operator identified above.
1.2 By registering an account, selecting an agreement checkbox, subscribing or otherwise accepting these Terms, you agree to be bound by them.
1.3 Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal information. Community Guidelines and additional conditions may apply to particular services, events or promotions where those documents are made available to you before participation.
1.4 Additional terms apply only to the relevant service, event or promotion. They do not override any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
1.5 If you use the Platform on behalf of an organisation or business, you confirm that you have authority to accept these Terms on its behalf.
2. Eligibility
2.1 You must be legally capable of entering into a binding agreement to use the Platform.
2.2 Strictly minimum age requirement is 18 years and older.
2.3 Parental or guardian consent does not override a legal minimum age or other legal restriction applying to a particular service.
2.4 We may restrict particular features, services, promotions or content according to age, location, membership status or other reasonably necessary eligibility requirements.
2.5 You must provide accurate information when creating or maintaining an account. You must not misrepresent your age, identity, location or eligibility.
3. Accounts and Account Security
3.1 Some Platform features require an account.
3.2 You must take reasonable steps to keep your login details secure. You must not share, sell, transfer or permit another person to use your account without our permission.
3.3 You are responsible for activity you authorise through your account. Responsibility for unauthorised activity will depend on the circumstances and applicable law.
3.4 Notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access, account misuse or a security breach.
3.5 We may temporarily restrict an account where reasonably necessary to investigate suspected misuse or protect users and systems. Suspension and termination are otherwise governed by section 20.
3.6 We will never ask you to disclose your account password through a private message.
4. Memberships and Subscriptions
4.1 COURTREADZ may offer free accounts and paid memberships, including Member and Author memberships.
4.2 Before you subscribe, we will disclose the applicable price, currency, billing frequency, automatic renewal arrangements and material membership conditions.
4.3 Membership access is personal to the account holder and must not be resold or shared without our permission.
4.4 Membership benefits may change where reasonably necessary for operation, security, legal compliance or service development.
4.5 Where a change materially reduces a paid service, we will provide reasonable notice where practicable and explain available cancellation options. Any refund or other remedy required by law remains available.
4.6 We may refuse or cancel a membership where there is reasonable evidence of fraud, payment abuse or a serious breach of these Terms, subject to applicable law.
5. Fees, Payments and Billing
5.1 You agree to pay the fees disclosed before you complete a purchase or subscription.
5.2 Payments may be processed by third-party providers, including Stripe. Their applicable payment terms and privacy policies may also apply.
5.3 You authorise charges for the purchase or subscription you select, including recurring charges where automatic renewal is clearly disclosed and accepted.
5.4 We will not treat acceptance of these Terms as permission to charge for an unrelated purchase or additional service that you have not authorised.
5.5 You must keep your payment information accurate and current.
5.6 We do not ordinarily provide change-of-mind refunds for completed purchases or membership periods already supplied. This does not affect refunds, compensation or other remedies required by law or expressly approved by us.
5.7 We will give reasonable advance notice of changes to recurring fees and explain how to cancel before the changed fee applies. Changes will not retrospectively increase amounts already paid for a completed billing period.
5.8 If you believe a charge is incorrect or unauthorised, contact us promptly so we can investigate. This does not limit your rights to contact your bank, payment provider or a relevant authority.
6. Automatic Renewals and Cancellation
6.1 If you select an automatically renewing membership, you authorise recurring charges at the disclosed billing interval until cancellation takes effect.
6.2 You may cancel using the membership controls or cancellation method made available by COURTREADZ. If that method is unavailable, contact us using the details above.
6.3 Unless otherwise disclosed or required by law, cancellation stops future renewals and your membership remains available until the end of the current paid period.
6.4 Cancelling does not ordinarily create a refund for services already supplied. Any refund or other remedy required by law remains available.
6.5 Deleting an application, signing out or stopping use of the Platform does not necessarily cancel a subscription. Use the cancellation method or contact us.
6.6 Declining updated Terms does not prevent you from requesting cancellation or exercising existing consumer rights.
6.7 We may suspend paid access where a payment is overdue, declined, reversed or otherwise invalid. We will take reasonable steps to explain the issue and available options.
7. Consumer Rights
7.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, statutory right, remedy or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified, including under the Australian Consumer Law.
7.2 If goods or services fail to meet an applicable consumer guarantee, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement, repair, compensation or another remedy, depending on the circumstances.
7.3 Any provision concerning refunds, disclaimers, liability, cancellation or indemnity is subject to this section.
7.4 Contact us using the details above to request assistance. You may also exercise any rights available through your payment provider, regulator, tribunal or court.
8. Platform Services
8.1 The Platform may provide reading resources, book discussions, Book Club Feed, private messaging, live streams, video calls, recordings, podcasts, events, recommendations, promotions and related features.
8.2 We may maintain, update or modify features where reasonably necessary to operate, secure or develop the Platform.
8.3 We do not promise uninterrupted availability or compatibility with every device, browser or internet connection.
8.4 Maintenance, technical failures, network conditions and third-party outages may temporarily affect access.
8.5 We will use reasonable care and skill in providing services where required by law. Technical limitations do not remove applicable consumer guarantees.
8.6 Material changes to paid services are subject to section 4 and applicable consumer rights.
9. User Content
9.1 βUser Contentβ includes messages, comments, reviews, images, videos, audio, books, documents, links and other material you submit or transmit through the Platform.
9.2 You retain ownership of your User Content, subject to third-party rights.
9.3 You grant COURTREADZ a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, copy, process, format, transmit and display your User Content as reasonably necessary to provide, maintain, secure and moderate the features you use.
9.4 We may allow service providers to process User Content on our behalf for those purposes, subject to applicable law and appropriate arrangements.
9.5 This licence does not give us unrestricted permission to sell your User Content or use identifiable private content in advertising. Separate permission will be sought where required.
9.6 The licence continues while the content is available through the Platform and for any further period reasonably necessary for backups, legal records, security or obligations that lawfully require retention.
9.7 You confirm that you have the rights, permissions and consents necessary to submit your User Content and permit its intended use.
9.8 You must not upload or share books, music, images, recordings or other material merely because you possess a copy. You must have permission or another lawful basis for the relevant use.
10. Content Standards
10.1 You must not submit, publish or distribute content that:
- Is unlawful, fraudulent, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, hateful or discriminatory.
- Is sexually exploitative or inappropriate for the relevant audience.
- Encourages violence, self-harm, criminal conduct or dangerous activity.
- Infringes copyright, trade marks, privacy, confidentiality or other rights.
- Contains malware, harmful code, spam or deceptive links.
- Impersonates another person or misrepresents an affiliation.
- Exposes another personβs personal information without lawful authority.
- Is intended to manipulate, deceive or disrupt the Platform or its users.
10.2 You must comply with Community Guidelines and any rules disclosed for a particular feature or event.
10.3 These restrictions do not prevent lawful criticism, genuine complaints or reports to relevant authorities.
11. Moderation and Removal
11.1 We may review, restrict or remove content where we reasonably believe it breaches these Terms, applicable law or the safety and integrity of the Platform.
11.2 We may act without prior notice where reasonably necessary to address an urgent safety issue, suspected unlawful conduct, a security incident or a legal obligation.
11.3 We do not promise that every item of User Content will be reviewed or that every harmful submission will be detected immediately.
11.4 You may report suspected abuse, infringement or other concerns using the reporting tools or contact details provided.
11.5 Where reasonably practicable, we will explain significant moderation decisions and provide a way to request review.
11.6 We may preserve or disclose relevant information where lawfully required or reasonably necessary to investigate a complaint, protect safety or comply with legal obligations.
12. Community Conduct
12.1 You must interact with other users respectfully and lawfully.
12.2 You must not harass, stalk, threaten, intimidate, exploit or repeatedly contact another person after being asked to stop.
12.3 You must not manipulate ratings, votes, reviews, competitions or other Platform systems.
12.4 You must not collect, scrape or use another personβs information without lawful authority.
12.5 You must not use the Platform for unauthorised commercial activity, scams or unsolicited marketing.
12.6 You must respect another personβs decision not to participate in messaging, video calls, recordings or events.
13. Private Messages and Communications
13.1 Private messaging and private video calls are intended for the relevant participants. The word βprivateβ does not constitute a promise that communications are inaccessible to authorised service providers or to COURTREADZ where lawful access is necessary.
13.2 You must not use private communications to send unlawful, abusive, threatening, fraudulent, exploitative or otherwise prohibited material.
13.3 We may access or review private communications only where reasonably necessary and lawful for safety, investigating a report, technical support, fraud prevention, security or legal compliance.
13.4 Access must be limited to authorised persons and the relevant purpose, subject to applicable privacy law and our Privacy Policy.
13.5 You must not publish, distribute or misuse another participantβs private messages or recordings without permission or another lawful basis.
13.6 Consider whether a feature is suitable before transmitting sensitive information. Do not share payment passwords, authentication codes or unnecessary identity documents through community messages.
14. Videos, Recordings and Events
14.1 The Platform may provide live streams, private video calls, interviews, events, podcasts and recorded audiovisual content.
14.2 Live streams and private video calls may be recorded, including automatically where recording is enabled. A recording may capture your name, image, voice, comments and other contributions.
14.3 Before recording or publishing identifiable participant content, we will provide appropriate notice and obtain any consent required by applicable law. Acceptance of these Terms does not replace a separate consent that the law requires.
14.4 Where participation involves recording, the intended recording and audience should be explained before you join or contribute.
14.5 Permission to record a private call does not automatically authorise publishing it publicly, using it in advertising or sharing it with a different audience. Additional permission will be obtained where required.
14.6 You are responsible for obtaining any necessary permission from other people appearing or being heard through your device.
14.7 You must not secretly record, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit another personβs participation or Platform content without permission or another lawful basis.
14.8 Video and audio services may use third-party technology, including Agora. Relevant information handling is described in our Privacy Policy and the providerβs applicable policies.
14.9 If you do not wish to be recorded, do not join or contribute to a feature after being notified that recording will occur. Contact us if you need clarification or wish to raise a concern about an existing recording.
15. Intellectual Property
15.1 Platform software, design, branding, graphics, logos, databases and original materials are owned by or licensed to COURTREADZ, except for User Content and other third-party material.
15.2 You receive a limited, personal, non-exclusive and non-transferable permission to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose while your access is authorised.
15.3 You must not copy, sell, distribute or commercially exploit Platform materials without permission, except where permitted by law.
15.4 You must not reverse engineer protected systems or circumvent access controls except where applicable law permits the relevant conduct.
15.5 Trade marks and third-party branding remain the property of their respective owners.
15.6 Copyright or other rights complaints should identify the relevant material, the rights claimed, the reason for the complaint and a method of contacting the complainant.
16. Third-Party Content and Services
16.1 The Platform may contain links, integrations, products, services or content provided by third parties.
16.2 Third-party services may have their own terms, privacy policies and technical requirements.
16.3 We do not control every aspect of third-party services or guarantee their continuous availability.
16.4 You should assess third-party terms and suitability before providing information or making a separate purchase.
16.5 This section does not exclude responsibility that COURTREADZ has under applicable law for services it supplies or for its own conduct.
17. Recommendations and Information
17.1 Book recommendations, reviews, discussions and other informational content may reflect personal opinions or User Content.
17.2 Such content is provided for general information and community discussion. It is not personalised legal, medical, financial or other professional advice.
17.3 You should assess information before relying on it and obtain qualified advice where appropriate.
17.4 We do not guarantee that every recommendation, review or user statement is complete, accurate or suitable for your circumstances.
18. Privacy
18.1 Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store and disclose personal information, including information associated with accounts, payments, messages, video services, recordings and promotions.
18.2 Personal information must be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
18.3 Our Privacy Policy should explain relevant service providers, overseas disclosures where applicable, retention practices, access and correction requests, and complaint procedures.
18.4 Accepting these Terms does not constitute unlimited consent to collect or use personal information for unrelated purposes.
18.5 Separate consent will be requested where required by law, including for relevant optional uses of sensitive or identifiable information.
18.6 You must not submit another personβs personal information without lawful authority and any required consent.
19. Security and Prohibited Technical Conduct
19.1 You must not:
- Access accounts, systems or data without authorisation.
- Circumvent authentication, payment or access controls.
- Introduce malware, viruses or harmful code.
- Deliberately interfere with Platform availability.
- Use unauthorised bots, crawlers or scraping tools.
- Test or exploit vulnerabilities without our written permission.
- Obtain or misuse another personβs login credentials.
- Reverse engineer or decompile protected systems except where permitted by law.
19.2 We may investigate suspected security incidents and take reasonable steps to protect the Platform and its users.
19.3 Report suspected vulnerabilities privately using the contact details above. Do not access, copy or disclose other usersβ information to demonstrate an issue.
19.4 No online service can guarantee absolute security. This does not remove our obligations to take appropriate safeguards or comply with applicable law.
20. Suspension and Termination
20.1 We may suspend, restrict or terminate access where there is a reasonable basis to believe that an account has seriously or repeatedly breached these Terms or applicable law.
20.2 We may also restrict access where reasonably necessary to address a security risk, protect users, investigate suspected misconduct or comply with a legal obligation.
20.3 Our response should be proportionate to the circumstances. Where reasonably practicable, we will provide notice, explain the reason and offer an opportunity to respond or request review.
20.4 Immediate action may be taken where delay would create a significant safety, security or legal risk.
20.5 You may stop using the Platform or request account closure at any time. Subscription cancellation is governed by section 6.
20.6 Termination does not automatically remove accrued consumer rights or entitle us to retain money where a refund is legally required.
20.7 Provisions concerning existing payment obligations, intellectual property, lawful retention, disputes and other matters intended to continue may survive termination.
21. Account Deletion and Data
21.1 You may request account deletion using the process made available by COURTREADZ or by contacting us.
21.2 We may reasonably verify your identity before acting on a deletion or access request.
21.3 Some information may need to be retained for legal compliance, accounting, dispute resolution, fraud prevention, security or other lawful purposes.
21.4 User Content may remain where it has been lawfully shared with others, forms part of a discussion or recording, or must be retained by law. We will consider applicable privacy rights and reasonable removal requests.
21.5 Backup copies may remain for a limited retention period and should not be used for unrelated purposes.
21.6 Account deletion must not be treated as permission to continue charging for a subscription that has been validly cancelled.
21.7 Further details are provided in our Privacy Policy.
22. Giveaways, Competitions and Trade Promotions
22.1 General
COURTREADZ may offer voluntary giveaways, competitions, promotional draws and trade promotions.
Each promotion is subject to applicable law, these general provisions and the specific rules published for that promotion.
These Terms do not authorise a promotion that requires an approval, permit or authority unless the required approval has been obtained.
22.2 Eligibility
Unless the individual promotion states otherwise, entry is restricted to eligible Australian residents aged 18 years or older.
Additional conditions may apply, including participating states or territories, membership status and entry limits.
Any exclusion of staff, contractors, immediate family members or other persons will be disclosed in the individual promotionβs rules.
You must meet the eligibility requirements before entering or claiming a prize.
22.3 Participation and Entry
Participation is optional and is not required to use the Platform.
Where a promotion is offered as a membership benefit, membership fees relate to the disclosed membership services. These Terms do not authorise charging an unlawful fee merely for a chance to win.
Entry methods, limits, opening and closing dates, relevant time zone and any purchase or membership requirements must be disclosed in the individual rules.
Submitting an entry does not guarantee acceptance or a prize.
22.4 Prizes and Prize Delivery
Prizes may include cash, gift cards, books, merchandise, products or experiences.
The individual rules will identify the prizes, their value, delivery arrangements and material restrictions.
Cash prizes may be paid by electronic funds transfer from the COURTREADZ business bank account to an eligible winnerβs nominated Australian bank account.
Amazon Australia gift cards are subject to the issuerβs applicable conditions, including any expiry or redemption restrictions.
A prize will not be substituted with a materially less valuable prize or withdrawn arbitrarily. Any permitted substitution must comply with applicable law and the published rules.
22.5 Winner Selection
Winners will be selected using the method disclosed before entry, such as a random draw or a judged competition.
The rules will identify relevant draw dates, judging criteria, the number of winners and any required supervision.
We will take reasonable steps to conduct selection fairly and maintain appropriate records.
22.6 Verification of Eligibility
We may request reasonable evidence of age, identity, residency, membership or other relevant eligibility conditions.
We will collect only information reasonably necessary for verification and handle it according to applicable privacy law.
A confirmation checkbox does not prevent further verification where reasonably necessary.
22.7 Invalid Entries and Disqualification
We may reject or disqualify entries where there is reasonable evidence of:
- False or misleading eligibility information.
- Duplicate entries that breach disclosed limits.
- Unauthorised entry methods.
- Fraud, collusion or manipulation.
- A material breach of the individual promotionβs rules.
- Failure to meet applicable eligibility requirements.
Disqualification must be reasonable, proportionate and consistent with applicable law and the published rules.
22.8 Winner Notification and Unclaimed Prizes
Notification methods and claim deadlines will be disclosed in the individual rules.
Winners may need to confirm eligibility and provide information necessary for delivery.
Any redraw or unclaimed-prize process must follow applicable law, required approvals and the published rules.
A winnerβs name or other identifying information will be published only where required by law or appropriately disclosed and permitted.
22.9 Prize Payments and Banking Information
Where an Australian bank transfer is offered, the winner must provide accurate banking details through the nominated secure method.
Banking information will be used only as reasonably necessary to verify and process payment and meet applicable legal obligations.
We will not require a winner to pay an additional fee to receive an advertised prize or disclose banking passwords, PINs or authentication codes.
22.10 Privacy and Personal Information
Promotion information may be used to administer entries, verify eligibility, contact winners, deliver prizes, maintain records and comply with legal obligations.
Information must be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law.
Entering a promotion does not automatically authorise unrelated marketing. Any consent required for optional marketing must be obtained separately.
22.11 Technical Issues and Promotion Changes
Where a technical failure, security incident or event outside reasonable control affects a promotion, we may take reasonable steps to investigate and address it.
Any suspension, amendment, postponement or cancellation must comply with applicable law, regulatory requirements and participant rights.
We will not arbitrarily withdraw an advertised prize or unfairly disadvantage eligible participants.
22.12 Acceptance of Giveaway Terms
Before submitting an entry, participants must have access to the applicable rules.
Where required, participants must actively confirm acceptance of those rules.
We may retain records identifying the rules and confirmation associated with an entry.
22.13 Legal Compliance
Promotions must comply with applicable Australian federal, state and territory requirements.
Any required permit, authority, approval, notification or mandatory disclosure must be addressed before the relevant promotion begins.
Nothing in these provisions removes statutory consumer rights or other protections that cannot lawfully be excluded.
22.14 Individual Giveaway Terms
Each promotionβs rules should specify the promoter, eligibility, participating jurisdictions, entry methods, entry limits, relevant dates, prizes, winner selection, notification, claim deadlines and delivery arrangements.
Where individual rules differ from these general provisions, the individual rules apply to that promotion only to the extent legally permitted.
The individual rules must not retrospectively remove accrued rights or override mandatory legal requirements.
23. Disclaimers
23.1 Subject to applicable law, we do not promise that the Platform will be continuously available, free from every technical error or compatible with every device.
23.2 We do not guarantee the accuracy or lawfulness of every item of User Content or third-party material.
23.3 You remain responsible for assessing content and taking reasonable precautions when communicating with others.
23.4 These statements do not exclude consumer guarantees, obligations to exercise reasonable care and skill, or other responsibilities that cannot lawfully be excluded.
24. Limitation of Liability
24.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful.
24.2 To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from your use of the Platform, including loss of profit, business opportunity or goodwill.
24.3 Where a financial limitation is lawful, our total liability arising from the relevant service is limited to the greater of:
- The amount you paid us for that service during the twelve months before the event giving rise to the claim; or
- AUD $100.
24.4 These limitations do not apply to:
- Liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
- Remedies available under non-excludable consumer guarantees.
- Fraud or wilful misconduct by COURTREADZ.
- Personal injury or property damage caused by our negligence where liability cannot lawfully be limited.
24.5 Any responsibility for loss will be assessed according to applicable law, including the extent to which each party caused or contributed to it.
25. Indemnity
25.1 To the extent permitted by law, you are responsible for reasonable losses, liabilities and costs directly caused by your unlawful conduct, deliberate misuse of the Platform or knowing infringement of another personβs rights.
25.2 This responsibility applies only to the extent you caused or contributed to the relevant loss.
25.3 You are not required to indemnify COURTREADZ for loss caused by its own negligence, unlawful conduct or breach of its obligations.
25.4 If a third-party claim arises, we will provide reasonable notice where practicable and allow an appropriate opportunity to respond.
25.5 We will take reasonable steps to minimise recoverable losses and will not seek duplicate recovery.
26. Changes to These Terms
26.1 We may update these Terms for changes to services, legal requirements, security or reasonable operational needs.
26.2 Updated Terms will be published with a revised effective date or version.
26.3 Where changes are material, we will provide reasonable advance notice where practicable and explain any effect on paid services.
26.4 We may request express acceptance of a new version. Continued use may constitute acceptance only where permitted by law and after appropriate notice.
26.5 Changes will not retrospectively remove accrued rights or affect completed transactions contrary to law.
26.6 If you do not accept a material change, you may stop using the affected service and cancel future subscription renewals. Any refund or other remedy required by law remains available.
27. Notices and Electronic Communications
27.1 We may communicate service notices, receipts, security alerts and account information by email, in-app notification or Platform publication.
27.2 You must keep your contact details accurate and take reasonable steps to receive important account communications.
27.3 Marketing communications will be handled according to applicable law, including consent and unsubscribe requirements.
27.4 We may retain appropriate electronic records of transactions, communications and express agreements.
27.5 Where applicable law requires a particular form of notice, that requirement takes priority.
28. General Provisions
28.1 Entire agreement: These Terms and any additional conditions properly disclosed and accepted for a particular service govern the relevant relationship between you and COURTREADZ.
28.2 Severability: If a provision is invalid or unenforceable, it will be severed or read down only to the extent legally permitted. The remaining provisions continue to apply.
28.3 No waiver: A delay or failure to exercise a right does not automatically waive that right.
28.4 Assignment: You must not transfer an account or contractual rights without our permission. We may transfer our business or contractual obligations as part of a lawful restructure or sale, provided this does not unlawfully reduce your rights.
28.5 Relationship: These Terms do not create a partnership, employment relationship, agency or joint venture.
28.6 Events outside reasonable control: Neither party is responsible for a failure caused by an event beyond reasonable control to the extent legally permitted. This does not remove payment obligations for services already supplied or consumer remedies that remain available by law.
28.7 Complaints: We encourage you to contact us so concerns can be investigated. You are not required to use our internal process before exercising rights available through a regulator, tribunal or court.
29. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
29.1 These Terms are governed by the laws of [Australian State or Territory where the operator is based] and applicable Commonwealth laws.
29.2 Subject to mandatory legal protections, the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that state or territory and courts competent to hear appeals from them.
29.3 Nothing in this section prevents you from bringing a claim or exercising rights in another jurisdiction where applicable law permits.
30. Contact Us
30.1 For questions, complaints, cancellation assistance, privacy requests, copyright concerns or reports of abuse.
30.2 Provide enough information for us to identify the relevant account or issue and respond appropriately. Do not send passwords, authentication codes or unnecessary sensitive documents.
30.3 We will take reasonable steps to acknowledge and investigate complaints and explain available next steps
End of terms and conditions.
MEMBERSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
COURTREADZ BOOK CLUB MEMBERSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Definitions and interpretation
1.1. In these Membership Terms and Conditions:
βCOURTREADZβ, βweβ, βusβ and βourβ refer to COURTREADZ Book Club, operated by Courtney Holloway, ABN 59 281 471 602.
βWebsiteβ or βPlatformβ means courtreadz.com and associated member-only pages, digital services, communications, content, livestreams, community functions and any official applications or replacement services operated by COURTREADZ.
βMemberβ or βyouβ means an individual aged 18 years or older who has registered for or purchased access to the Platform.
βMembershipβ means the paid subscription granting access to designated COURTREADZ features, subject to the applicable subscription plan and these Terms.
βMember Contentβ includes all material submitted, uploaded, posted, transmitted, shared or otherwise made available by a member, including text, photographs, videos, audio, comments, reviews, messages, profile information and book-related material.
βThird-Party Contentβ means material, information, services or products originating from individuals or organisations other than COURTREADZ.
βCommunity Featuresβ include home feeds, comments, book discussions, reviews, direct messages, profiles, polls, announcements, livestream chats and other interactive functions.
βSubscription Periodβ means the period for which membership access has been purchased.
βApplicable Lawβ means all relevant Australian laws and regulations, together with mandatory laws of other jurisdictions where applicable.
1.2. References to legislation include amendments, replacements and subordinate legislation.
1.3. Headings are included for convenience and do not restrict the interpretation of these Terms.
1.4. Where a provision is inconsistent with a right that cannot lawfully be excluded, that right prevails.
2. Acceptance of membership terms
2.1. By registering for a membership, completing payment, accessing member-only services or selecting the relevant acceptance checkbox, you acknowledge that you have been given access to these Membership Terms and Conditions.
2.2. You agree to comply with these Terms, the General Website Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Community Standards and Guidelines, and any additional terms specifically applicable to services you choose to use.
2.3. Where separate consent is legally required, including for certain recordings, marketing communications or personal information uses, acceptance of these Membership Terms does not replace that consent.
2.4. Membership constitutes a contractual relationship between the member and COURTREADZ, subject to applicable consumer protection legislation.
2.5. Members must review the terms presented during registration and must not proceed unless they agree.
2.6. If you do not agree, you must not purchase membership or access member-only functions.
2.7. We may retain records of membership acceptance, including the accepted version, acceptance date, relevant account identifier and technical records reasonably necessary to demonstrate acceptance.
3. Strict age eligibility β 18 years and older
3.1. COURTREADZ is exclusively intended for adults aged 18 years or older.
3.2. No person under 18 years of age is permitted to access, register for, purchase membership to, participate in or otherwise use the Platform.
3.3. This restriction applies to all website access and functionality, including membership accounts, community features, author services, livestreams, recordings, messaging, promotions and giveaways.
3.5. Parents, guardians or other adults must not register an account for a minor, permit a minor to use their account or knowingly provide a minor with access to the Platform.
3.6. We may request reasonable age-verification information where appropriate and legally permitted.
3.7. We may refuse registration, restrict access or suspend an account while eligibility is being verified.
3.8. Where we reasonably determine that a person is under 18, we may terminate their access, subject to applicable refund and consumer rights.
3.9. We may remove information submitted by an underage user, subject to legal retention requirements.
3.10. Members must not deliberately feature or expose identifiable minors through livestream participation, member profiles, private messaging or community content without appropriate authority and compliance with applicable law. COURTREADZ may prohibit such content altogether for safeguarding reasons.
3.11. Any misrepresentation of age may constitute a material breach of these Terms.
3.12. Nothing in this section excludes obligations imposed on COURTREADZ by child safety, privacy or online safety legislation.
4. Nature and purpose of membership
4.1. COURTREADZ is a paid online book club and social community intended to connect adult readers, authors, book enthusiasts and content creators.
4.2. Depending on availability, membership may provide access to:
Member-only community feeds, book reviews, profiles and discussions.
Weekly live book-club sessions and monthly extended sessions.
Author and influencer interviews, podcasts and recorded content.
Book polls, announcements and community activities.
Member-to-member messaging and communication with administrators.
Eligible competitions, promotions and giveaways.
Other reading-related digital experiences introduced by COURTREADZ.
4.3. Membership grants a limited, personal, revocable, non-exclusive and non-transferable contractual permission to access the services made available under the applicable subscription plan, subject to these Terms and applicable law.
4.4. Membership does not provide ownership of the Platform, its software, branding, intellectual property, recordings or commercially licensed material.
4.5. Membership does not create employment, partnership, agency, joint venture or ownership rights in COURTREADZ.
4.6. Unless expressly advertised, membership does not include physical books, digital book purchases, merchandise, individual author consultations, private events or additional paid services.
4.7. Features described as planned, upcoming, experimental or coming soon are not guaranteed to be available on a particular date unless an express commitment is made.
4.8. COURTREADZ does not guarantee a particular level of community engagement, membership growth, author participation, social interaction or personal benefit.
4.9. Members acknowledge that the Platform is a shared community and that the conduct, opinions and contributions of other users are not controlled in every instance by COURTREADZ.
4.10. Any express promises made about included services remain subject to Australian Consumer Law.
5. Membership registration and account accuracy
5.1. Members must provide accurate, current and complete information when registering.
5.2. Information supplied must not be fraudulent, intentionally misleading, unlawfully obtained or used to impersonate another individual.
5.3. Members must maintain a valid email address capable of receiving important account communications.
5.4. Members are responsible for updating relevant account information when it changes.
5.5. Members must not create accounts using another person's identity without lawful authority.
5.6. We may request reasonable information to verify identity, account ownership, payment disputes or suspected misconduct.
5.7. COURTREADZ may refuse an application where there is a legitimate reason, including suspected fraud, age ineligibility, sanctions restrictions, platform abuse or a prior serious breach of community rules, subject to applicable law.
5.8. We may restrict duplicate accounts created to circumvent suspensions, manipulate giveaways, harass members or obtain unauthorised benefits.
5.9. Members must not sell, rent, transfer or commercially distribute their accounts without written authorisation.
5.10. Members are responsible for ensuring their use of the Platform complies with laws applicable to them.
6. Membership pricing and subscription payments
6.1. The standard advertised membership price is AUD $19.99 per month, unless another price or promotional offer is clearly presented and accepted at checkout.
6.2. Prices are expressed in Australian dollars unless expressly stated otherwise.
6.3. Any applicable GST, mandatory fees or other compulsory charges must be disclosed in accordance with applicable law.
6.4. Membership is billed on a recurring monthly basis.
6.5. Before payment, members must be clearly informed of the subscription price, billing frequency, automatic renewal arrangement and cancellation method.
6.6. By completing checkout, the member authorises the nominated payment provider to process the initial payment and subsequent recurring payments until cancellation or other lawful termination.
6.7. Payments may be processed through Stripe or another authorised payment provider.
6.8. Payment card information may be collected and processed directly by the payment provider in accordance with its own terms and privacy practices.
6.9. COURTREADZ must not represent that payment details are stored exclusively by a payment provider unless that accurately reflects its technical arrangements.
6.10. Members must use a payment method they are legally authorised to use.
6.11. Members are responsible for charges imposed independently by their own financial institution, including applicable international transaction or currency conversion fees, where properly disclosed and permitted by law.
6.12. Any promotional discount, introductory rate or trial must clearly identify its conditions, expiry and subsequent recurring price.
6.13. Members will not be charged an undisclosed recurring fee.
6.14. COURTREADZ may maintain reasonable transaction and payment records for accounting, fraud prevention, dispute management and legal compliance.
7. Automatic membership renewal
7.1. Membership renews automatically each month unless cancelled before the next scheduled renewal payment.
7.2. The applicable renewal date must be made reasonably accessible through the member's account, billing portal or upon request.
7.3. The recurring charge will ordinarily correspond to the applicable monthly subscription price.
7.4. The member authorises recurring charges in accordance with the billing arrangement expressly accepted during registration.
7.5. Members may cancel future renewals in accordance with Section 8.
7.6. Automatic renewal does not prevent members from exercising their statutory rights.
7.7. COURTREADZ must not impose undisclosed minimum membership periods or misrepresent the consequences of cancellation.
7.8. Where required by law, appropriate renewal, price-change or subscription notices will be provided.
7.9. Any change to recurring billing arrangements must comply with applicable law, including requirements relating to notice and consent.
7.10. A failed renewal payment may result in a reasonable grace period or temporary access restriction, but any recovery or termination action must comply with applicable law.
8. Membership cancellation
8.1. Members may cancel their monthly subscription at any time.
8.2. Cancellation may be requested through the available subscription management facility or by emailing courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
8.3. COURTREADZ will not require a member to provide a reason for cancelling an ordinary monthly subscription.
8.4. A cancellation request received and processed before the next scheduled renewal prevents further subscription renewals, unless a separate lawful payment obligation already exists.
8.5. Members should cancel before their renewal date to avoid a new billing period. COURTREADZ must provide a reasonable and accessible cancellation process and must not deliberately delay processing to generate additional charges.
8.6. Unless a refund is legally required or otherwise agreed, membership access ordinarily continues until the end of the already-paid subscription period.
8.7. Cancellation does not automatically delete the member's account, uploaded content or personal information.
8.8. Members may separately request account deletion or removal of eligible personal information.
8.9. Certain information may need to be retained for legal, financial, security or dispute-resolution purposes.
8.10. Cancellation does not extinguish rights or obligations that accrued before cancellation.
8.11. COURTREADZ must provide reasonable assistance where technical difficulties prevent a member from cancelling.
8.12. No punitive cancellation fee will apply to the standard month-to-month membership.
9. Refunds and Australian Consumer Law
9.1. Membership payments are generally not refundable merely because a member changes their mind, no longer wishes to participate or does not use available services during a paid period.
9.2. However, this general position is subject to the Australian Consumer Law and all other applicable statutory rights.
9.3. Members may be entitled to a refund, cancellation, compensation or another remedy where services fail to meet applicable consumer guarantees.
9.4. Examples may include significant failures to provide contracted services, materially misleading descriptions or failures that cannot be remedied within a reasonable time, depending on the circumstances.
9.5. COURTREADZ will assess refund requests fairly and in accordance with applicable law.
9.6. A membership suspension or termination does not automatically extinguish an entitlement to a refund or other statutory remedy.
9.7. COURTREADZ may consider voluntary goodwill refunds in circumstances not covered by mandatory legal entitlements.
9.8. Approved refunds will ordinarily be returned to the original payment method where practicable and lawful.
9.9. Members may submit refund requests to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
9.10. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified.
10. Changes to membership pricing
10.1. COURTREADZ may review subscription prices periodically.
10.2. A price increase will not be applied retrospectively to a completed billing period.
10.3. Members will receive reasonable advance notice of a proposed increase affecting future recurring charges.
10.4. The notice will identify the new price, its effective date and how to cancel before it applies.
10.5. Where affirmative consent is required by law, the increase will not take effect without that consent.
10.6. Members who do not wish to continue at the new price may cancel before the relevant renewal.
10.7. COURTREADZ will not use an unrestricted unilateral price-change clause to defeat members' statutory rights.
11. Availability of website services
11.1. COURTREADZ intends to provide a reasonably reliable online membership service.
11.2. Members acknowledge that internet-based services may occasionally be interrupted by maintenance, hosting failures, software faults, cyber incidents, third-party outages or circumstances beyond reasonable operational control.
11.3. COURTREADZ does not promise uninterrupted or error-free access at every moment.
11.4. Reasonable maintenance may be performed to protect security, improve performance or introduce features.
11.5. Where practicable, notice will be provided of significant planned disruptions.
11.6. COURTREADZ will take reasonable steps to investigate and resolve material service interruptions within its control.
11.7. Temporary interruptions do not automatically create an entitlement to compensation, but members retain all remedies available under applicable law.
11.8. If a substantial part of the paid service becomes unavailable for a significant period, COURTREADZ will consider appropriate remedies, including extensions, credits, refunds or cancellation rights where required.
11.9. COURTREADZ may discontinue or replace features for legitimate operational, technical, security or legal reasons.
11.10. Where a change materially reduces the service purchased, affected members will receive appropriate notice and any remedy required by law.
12. Weekly livestreams and monthly extended sessions
12.1. Membership may include scheduled weekly livestreams, ordinarily intended to run for approximately 60 minutes, and monthly extended sessions, ordinarily intended to run for approximately 90 minutes.
12.2. Published schedules will identify relevant dates and time zones.
12.3. Session dates, times, durations, formats and presenters may vary for legitimate reasons, including illness, technical issues, scheduling conflicts or circumstances outside reasonable control.
12.4. COURTREADZ will endeavour to communicate material schedule changes.
12.5. Members acknowledge that live discussions are interactive and may involve spontaneous statements, opinions and contributions from participants.
12.6. COURTREADZ does not endorse every statement made by a guest or participant.
12.7. Members must not engage in harassment, threats, abusive conduct, unlawful disclosure of personal information or intellectual property infringement during livestreams.
12.8. Administrators may mute, remove or restrict participants where reasonably necessary to protect other users, maintain order or comply with legal obligations.
12.9. Members must not record, redistribute, rebroadcast, commercially exploit or upload COURTREADZ livestreams without appropriate written permission, except where permitted by law.
12.10. A member's inability to attend a particular livestream does not itself establish a failure to provide membership services where the agreed service has otherwise been supplied.
12.11. If recorded replays are offered as an included membership benefit, COURTREADZ will make reasonable efforts to provide them as represented.
12.12. Separate recording and participation consent requirements apply where a member's voice, image or identifiable contribution will be captured.
13. Livestream recording, audio and video participation
13.1. COURTREADZ may record official livestreams, interviews, podcast sessions and other specified events.
13.2. Members will be informed through appropriate notices where an event is recorded.
13.3. Merely holding a paid membership does not constitute unlimited consent to the recording, commercial exploitation or promotional use of a member's image, voice or likeness.
13.4. Where a member chooses to appear on camera, speak on microphone or participate in a recorded interview, additional consent may be required.
13.5. Any such consent will identify the relevant recording, intended uses, distribution channels and applicable rights.
13.6. Written authorisation may be required before identifiable participation is used in advertising or external promotional material.
13.7. Members must not secretly record private conversations or events in circumstances where recording would be unlawful.
13.8. COURTREADZ may edit recordings for clarity, duration, accessibility, technical quality and lawful moderation purposes, subject to any applicable participant agreement.
13.9. Members must not falsely imply that COURTREADZ endorses their views or statements.
13.10. Requests relating to recordings may be directed to the contact email.
13.11. Recording, consent, retention, licensing and withdrawal arrangements are further governed by the separate Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement.
14. Member-generated content and responsibility
14.1. COURTREADZ operates interactive services that permit members to create and share their own content.
14.2. Members are responsible for the content they choose to submit and for ensuring that they have the legal right to submit it.
14.3. Members must not upload or distribute material that is unlawful, defamatory, threatening, harassing, fraudulent, discriminatory, invasive of privacy or otherwise prohibited by these Terms.
14.4. Members must not publish material that infringes copyright, trademarks, confidential information, privacy rights or other legally protected interests.
14.5. Members must not upload stolen photographs, unauthorised book files, pirated ebooks, copyrighted audiobook recordings or other protected material without appropriate permission or a lawful exception.
14.6. Members must not knowingly publish false factual allegations about identifiable people.
14.7. Members are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions from individuals featured in their content.
14.8. Members must not impersonate authors, publishers, influencers, administrators or other users.
14.9. Opinions expressed by members are their own and do not automatically represent the opinions of COURTREADZ.
14.10. COURTREADZ does not automatically adopt, approve or endorse content merely because it appears on the Platform.
14.11. Members acknowledge that other users may disagree with their book reviews, ratings and opinions.
14.12. Legitimate disagreement is permitted, but personal attacks, intimidation and targeted harassment are prohibited.
14.13. COURTREADZ may review, restrict or remove content where reasonably necessary to enforce its rules, protect users, investigate complaints or comply with legal obligations.
14.14. COURTREADZ is not required by this agreement to pre-approve every contribution before publication.
14.15. However, nothing in these Terms excludes any duty imposed on COURTREADZ to respond to unlawful content, valid legal notices, safety risks or other matters requiring action.
15. Copyright and intellectual property infringement
15.1. Members must respect the intellectual property rights of authors, publishers, photographers, artists, content creators and other rights holders.
15.2. Purchasing or owning a physical book does not automatically grant permission to reproduce its copyrighted contents.
15.3. Members must not upload complete books, substantial unauthorised extracts, pirated digital files, audiobook copies or other infringing material.
15.4. Members must not distribute content obtained from illegal downloading services or unauthorised file-sharing sources.
15.5. Members must not remove copyright notices, watermarks or rights-management information without lawful authority.
15.6. Where members share photographs of books, cover artwork, quotations or promotional images, they remain responsible for ensuring the use is lawful.
15.7. Attribution alone does not necessarily establish copyright permission.
15.8. Members must not assume that material publicly available online is free to reproduce.
15.9. Members who receive advance reader copies or confidential publishing material must comply with applicable confidentiality, distribution and review conditions.
15.10. Members must not use COURTREADZ to facilitate piracy or unauthorised redistribution.
15.11. Members warrant, to the extent permitted by law, that they own or possess the rights reasonably necessary to upload and share their content.
15.12. COURTREADZ may remove allegedly infringing material while investigating a credible complaint.
15.13. Rights holders may report infringement to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com, identifying the protected work, allegedly infringing material, relevant URL or account, and their authority to make the complaint.
15.14. COURTREADZ may request additional information before determining an appropriate response.
15.15. Repeated or serious infringement may result in suspension or termination.
15.16. COURTREADZ may preserve relevant records and cooperate with lawful investigations.
15.17. Members may be responsible for losses arising from their own unlawful infringement, subject to the limitations and indemnity provisions of this agreement.
15.18. COURTREADZ does not accept responsibility for a member's infringement merely because that member has uploaded material to the Platform. However, this clause does not exclude liability that Australian law may impose on COURTREADZ for its own acts, omissions, knowledge, authorisation or failure to comply with applicable obligations.
16. Licence to display member content
16.1. Members retain ownership of intellectual property rights they hold in their original content.
16.2. By uploading content, members grant COURTREADZ a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, technically process, display, transmit and distribute that content to the extent reasonably necessary to operate the Platform and provide the functions selected by the member.
16.3. This licence includes technical activities such as generating thumbnails, formatting images, transcoding videos, delivering content through hosting providers and maintaining operational backups.
16.4. The licence does not automatically authorise unrelated advertising campaigns, merchandise production, external commercial licensing or use of a member's identifiable likeness in promotional material.
16.5. Such additional uses require an appropriate separate legal basis or permission.
16.6. Members must ensure that granting this licence does not breach rights held by another person.
16.7. The licence ordinarily ends when the relevant content is deleted or the account is closed, except to the extent reasonably necessary for existing authorised uses, lawful retention, technical backups, dispute resolution or compliance with legal obligations.
16.8. Members acknowledge that copies already lawfully shared with other users may not always be technically recoverable.
16.9. COURTREADZ will not claim ownership of a member's original literary reviews, photographs or creative works merely because they are uploaded.
17. Community home feed
17.1. The home feed permits members to share reading-related posts, photographs, videos, reviews and discussions.
17.2. Members must ensure that material is suitable for an adult book community and complies with the Community Standards.
17.3. Content must not contain illegal threats, targeted abuse, doxxing, non-consensual intimate imagery or prohibited exploitation material.
17.4. Members must not use the home feed to distribute malware, phishing links or fraudulent offers.
17.5. Unauthorised mass advertising, repeated spam and deceptive commercial promotions are prohibited.
17.6. Members must not manipulate engagement through automated accounts or coordinated fraudulent activity.
17.7. COURTREADZ may introduce reasonable posting limits, file-size restrictions and technical moderation controls.
17.8. Content may be removed or visibility restricted where there is a legitimate safety, legal, operational or policy reason.
17.9. Members should not assume that material posted in the community is confidential.
17.10. Even within a paid community, other members may view, quote, screenshot or disclose material contrary to community rules.
17.11. COURTREADZ may prohibit such misuse and take appropriate action, but cannot guarantee that another person's unauthorised copying will never occur.
18. Member profiles and book reviews
18.1. Members may create profiles containing information such as a biography, profile photograph, current reading selections, favourite books, reviews and ratings.
18.2. Members are responsible for the information they voluntarily make visible to other users.
18.3. Members must not publish another person's private contact details, address, identification documents or sensitive information without lawful authority.
18.4. Reviews should reflect genuine opinions or experiences.
18.5. Members must not fabricate reviews as part of a deceptive commercial arrangement.
18.6. Sponsored reviews, gifted copies and material commercial relationships must be disclosed where legally required.
18.7. COURTREADZ does not guarantee that every member review is accurate, unbiased or suitable for every reader.
18.8. Authors and other members must not intimidate reviewers because of lawful negative reviews.
18.9. Members must not engage in coordinated review manipulation, fake ratings or fraudulent reputation attacks.
18.10. COURTREADZ may remove reviews that breach law or community rules, but will not promise to remove a review solely because an author dislikes an honestly expressed opinion.
18.11. Members must not reproduce protected book content beyond what is lawfully permitted.
19. Private messaging and member communications
19.1. COURTREADZ may provide direct messaging between members and communication channels with administrators.
19.2. Private messaging is intended for lawful and respectful community interaction.
19.3. Members must not send threats, harassment, unwanted sexual content, fraudulent payment requests, malicious links or repeated unsolicited advertising.
19.4. Members must not use messaging to solicit illegal activity or distribute pirated material.
19.5. Members must not pressure others to disclose personal information or financial details.
19.6. Members should exercise caution when communicating with individuals they have not met.
19.7. COURTREADZ does not verify every statement or representation made by members.
19.8. Members must not assume that private messages are end-to-end encrypted unless the Platform expressly provides that functionality.
19.9. COURTREADZ may access or review communications only where permitted by applicable law and its Privacy Policy, including for legitimate security, abuse investigation, complaint handling or legal compliance purposes.
19.10. Private communications will not be treated as publicly available merely because they are transmitted through COURTREADZ.
19.11. COURTREADZ may implement blocking, reporting and moderation facilities.
19.12. Members should report suspected scams, threats or serious misconduct promptly.
19.13. COURTREADZ may suspend messaging privileges where reasonably necessary.
19.14. Members must not use the Platform to stalk, extort, blackmail or unlawfully monitor another individual.
20. Member interactions and personal disputes
20.1. Members acknowledge that COURTREADZ facilitates interaction between independent individuals.
20.2. Members are responsible for their own statements, representations, promises and conduct.
20.3. COURTREADZ is not a party to private arrangements between members unless expressly agreed otherwise.
20.4. Members must exercise independent judgment before entering private transactions, sharing personal information or arranging in-person meetings.
20.5. COURTREADZ does not guarantee the identity, honesty, reliability or intentions of every member.
20.6. Members must not represent themselves as acting on behalf of COURTREADZ without written authority.
20.7. COURTREADZ may investigate reports of member misconduct affecting the Platform.
20.8. COURTREADZ is not obligated to mediate every personal disagreement.
20.9. However, serious safety reports, credible threats and unlawful conduct will be considered in accordance with applicable obligations.
20.10. COURTREADZ may refer matters to appropriate authorities where legally required or reasonably necessary.
20.11. Members remain responsible for their own unlawful conduct.
20.12. Nothing in these Terms prevents a person from pursuing legal rights against another member or COURTREADZ where a valid legal basis exists.
21. Author interviews, podcasts and guest appearances
21.1. COURTREADZ may publish interviews, discussions, podcasts and other material featuring authors, influencers and invited guests.
21.2. Opinions expressed by guests are their own unless expressly adopted by COURTREADZ.
21.3. Guest appearances do not automatically constitute endorsements of books, products, commercial services or personal views.
21.4. COURTREADZ does not guarantee that every invited author or influencer will participate.
21.5. Scheduled interviews may be postponed or cancelled for legitimate reasons.
21.6. Members must treat guests respectfully.
21.7. Members must not harass, threaten or unlawfully disclose personal information about guests.
21.8. Members must not commercially reproduce, redistribute or sell interview recordings without permission.
21.9. COURTREADZ may edit interviews in accordance with relevant guest agreements and applicable law.
21.10. Guest content remains subject to intellectual property, privacy, defamation and other applicable laws.
22. Giveaways, competitions and promotions
22.1. COURTREADZ may offer optional giveaways, competitions and promotional activities.
22.2. Each promotion may have separate official terms identifying eligibility, entry conditions, prize details, selection procedures and relevant dates.
22.3. Membership does not automatically guarantee entry into every promotion.
22.4. Membership does not guarantee a prize or winning outcome.
22.5. Certain promotions may be restricted by country, state, age or other lawful eligibility requirements.
22.6. Members must provide accurate information when entering.
22.7. Fraudulent entries, bots, impersonation or deliberate manipulation may result in disqualification in accordance with the promotion's rules.
22.8. Winners may be required to satisfy reasonable verification requirements.
22.9. COURTREADZ will not change the material conditions of a promotion in a manner inconsistent with applicable law.
22.10. Prize delivery, payment and collection arrangements will be specified in the relevant promotion terms.
22.11. Promotions will be conducted subject to applicable trade promotion, gambling, consumer and advertising laws.
22.12. Membership fees must not be represented as providing a guaranteed financial return.
22.13. COURTREADZ may cancel or modify a promotion where legally permitted and reasonably necessary, subject to any regulatory approvals or other requirements.
22.14. Members retain applicable rights relating to misleading representations, prize fulfilment and unlawful promotional conduct.
23. Book polls, voting and community activities
23.1. Members may participate in polls, votes and reading-related community decisions.
23.2. Polls may be used to identify community preferences, reading selections or potential future activities.
23.3. Unless expressly stated, polls are advisory and do not create binding commercial obligations.
23.4. Members must not manipulate results through fraudulent accounts, automated voting or unauthorised technical methods.
23.5. COURTREADZ may invalidate demonstrably fraudulent votes.
23.6. Poll outcomes may be affected by technical errors or subsequent moderation.
23.7. Where a vote is advertised as determining a particular outcome, COURTREADZ will administer it consistently with the published rules and applicable law.
24. Digital books, author storefronts and external purchases
24.1. COURTREADZ may provide access to author profiles, book listings and digital purchasing opportunities.
24.2. The availability of a book listing does not necessarily mean that the book is included in the standard membership fee.
24.3. Additional purchases must be clearly identified before checkout.
24.4. Where an author is the legal seller, the author may have separate contractual obligations to the purchaser.
24.5. Where COURTREADZ is the legal supplier or otherwise has statutory obligations, those obligations remain applicable.
24.6. Members must comply with applicable ebook licences and copyright restrictions.
24.7. Digital purchases must not be redistributed unlawfully.
24.8. COURTREADZ does not guarantee the accuracy of every independently supplied author biography or book description.
24.9. Credible reports of misleading listings, unlawful material or other misconduct may be investigated.
24.10. The identity of the seller, relevant refund arrangements and material purchase conditions must be disclosed in accordance with applicable law.
25. Account security and unauthorised access
25.1. Members must take reasonable steps to protect their login credentials.
25.2. Passwords must not knowingly be shared with unauthorised individuals.
25.3. Members should use unique passwords and available account-security features.
25.4. Members must notify COURTREADZ promptly if they suspect unauthorised account access.
25.5. Members must not attempt to access another person's account.
25.6. Members must not exploit software vulnerabilities, bypass security measures or interfere with the Platform's systems.
25.7. Members must not upload malicious software or conduct unauthorised security testing.
25.8. COURTREADZ may temporarily restrict accounts where credible security concerns exist.
25.9. COURTREADZ will take reasonable steps appropriate to its circumstances to protect its systems and member information.
25.10. Members are not automatically responsible for all unauthorised activity merely because it occurred through their account; responsibility depends on the circumstances and applicable law.
25.11. COURTREADZ is not relieved of responsibility for its own legally actionable security failures by this section.
26. Privacy and personal information
26.1. COURTREADZ may collect and process personal information necessary to provide memberships, process payments, maintain accounts, communicate with members and administer the Platform.
26.2. Information may include names, contact details, account information, subscription records, profile information, communications and technical usage data.
26.3. The collection, use, storage, disclosure and retention of personal information are addressed further in the Privacy Policy.
26.4. Personal information must be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
26.5. COURTREADZ may use third-party service providers for hosting, payment processing, communications, content storage and technical operations.
26.6. Relevant disclosures and international data-handling arrangements must be explained where required by law.
26.7. Members should avoid voluntarily publishing sensitive information in public or shared community areas.
26.8. COURTREADZ will take reasonable steps to protect personal information in accordance with its applicable obligations.
26.9. COURTREADZ will maintain procedures for responding to suspected privacy and security incidents.
26.10. Eligible data breaches will be assessed and notified where required by law.
26.11. Members may exercise applicable rights to request access, correction or deletion of personal information.
26.12. Deletion requests may be subject to legitimate legal retention obligations.
26.13. COURTREADZ will not claim that acceptance of these Terms amounts to an unlimited waiver of privacy rights.
27. Third-party providers and technical infrastructure
27.1. COURTREADZ may rely on third-party providers for payment processing, web hosting, cloud storage, content delivery, video streaming and other technical functions.
27.2. These providers may include Stripe, Cloudflare, Agora and hosting providers, where those services are actually deployed.
27.3. Third-party systems may experience interruptions, errors or security incidents.
27.4. COURTREADZ cannot guarantee that independent third-party systems will always operate without disruption.
27.5. However, COURTREADZ remains responsible for its own contractual and statutory obligations, including obligations that cannot lawfully be delegated or excluded.
27.6. Members must not deliberately interfere with third-party services used by the Platform.
27.7. External websites and services may be governed by their own terms.
27.8. COURTREADZ does not automatically endorse every external website linked by a member.
27.9. Members should exercise caution before opening unfamiliar external links.
28. Prohibited commercial and fraudulent activity
28.1. Members must not use COURTREADZ to conduct unlawful commercial activities.
28.2. Prohibited conduct includes phishing, financial scams, fraudulent sales, impersonation, unauthorised fundraising and deceptive advertising.
28.3. Members must not falsely claim sponsorship, endorsement or partnership with COURTREADZ.
28.4. Members must not harvest other members' contact details for unsolicited marketing.
28.5. Members must not use automated scraping tools to collect member information without lawful authorisation.
28.6. Members must not promote illegal products or services.
28.7. Members must not conduct unauthorised raffles, gambling activities or misleading prize promotions through the Platform.
28.8. Members must not manipulate payment systems, subscriptions, refunds or promotional entitlements.
28.9. Suspected fraudulent activity may be investigated and, where appropriate, reported to payment providers or authorities.
29. Moderation and enforcement
29.1. COURTREADZ may establish reasonable moderation procedures to maintain a safe, lawful and functional community.
29.2. Moderation actions may include warnings, content removal, feature restrictions, temporary suspensions or account termination.
29.3. The action selected will depend on factors including seriousness, repetition, urgency, evidence, potential harm and applicable law.
29.4. COURTREADZ may act immediately where there is a credible threat to safety, security or legal compliance.
29.5. Members may report suspected violations through available reporting functions or the contact email.
29.6. Reports should contain sufficient information to permit reasonable assessment.
29.7. COURTREADZ may request additional information from complainants or affected users.
29.8. A report does not guarantee that the requested moderation action will be taken.
29.9. COURTREADZ will endeavour to apply community rules fairly and consistently, while recognising that circumstances may differ.
29.10. Moderation decisions do not constitute legal determinations of guilt or liability.
29.11. Members may request review of significant account restrictions by contacting COURTREADZ.
29.12. Where appropriate, COURTREADZ may restore content or access following review.
29.13. Nothing in these Terms restricts legally protected complaints, reports to authorities or access to courts.
30. Suspension and termination by COURTREADZ
30.1. COURTREADZ may suspend or terminate membership for a legitimate reason, including a serious breach of these Terms, repeated misconduct, suspected fraud, unlawful activity or material security risks.
30.2. Where reasonable and appropriate, members may receive notice and an opportunity to address alleged breaches.
30.3. Immediate action may be taken where necessary to prevent serious harm, preserve evidence, protect systems or comply with law.
30.4. COURTREADZ will not rely on an unrestricted right to terminate paid memberships arbitrarily while retaining payment without regard to consumer rights.
30.5. Where COURTREADZ terminates membership without member fault, appropriate treatment of unused prepaid fees and statutory remedies will be considered.
30.6. Where termination follows a serious member breach, refund entitlement will be assessed under the agreement and applicable law.
30.7. Termination may result in loss of access to member-only content and services.
30.8. Account data will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy, retention obligations and applicable law.
30.9. Members must not create replacement accounts to evade a lawful suspension.
30.10. Provisions intended to survive termination, including intellectual property obligations, accrued payment obligations, dispute provisions and lawful liability allocations, may continue to apply.
31. Disclaimers concerning information and opinions
31.1. COURTREADZ primarily provides reading-related entertainment, discussion and community services.
31.2. Book reviews, interviews, member comments and discussions may contain subjective opinions.
31.3. COURTREADZ does not guarantee the accuracy of all information supplied by independent members or guests.
31.4. Content is not necessarily professional legal, financial, medical, psychological or other regulated advice.
31.5. Members should seek appropriately qualified professional advice before relying on information requiring professional expertise.
31.6. COURTREADZ does not guarantee that a particular book will meet a member's expectations.
31.7. Reading recommendations and ratings are subjective.
31.8. Members are responsible for their own lawful purchasing and reading decisions.
31.9. These disclaimers do not override express representations, consumer guarantees or other mandatory legal obligations.
32. Content warnings and adult discussions
32.1. COURTREADZ is an adult-only community and may feature discussion of mature literary themes.
32.2. Books discussed may include violence, abuse, trauma, sexuality, addiction, mental health, crime and other confronting subjects.
32.3. Members acknowledge that personal sensitivities and content preferences vary.
32.4. COURTREADZ may provide content warnings where appropriate but cannot guarantee that every potentially distressing subject will be identified in advance.
32.5. Members should exercise personal discretion when participating in discussions.
32.6. Adult eligibility does not permit unlawful, exploitative or otherwise prohibited content.
32.7. Content involving sexual exploitation of children, credible threats, non-consensual intimate imagery or other unlawful material is prohibited.
32.8. Members must not use mature literary discussions as a pretext for harassment or unlawful conduct.
33. Limitation of liability
33.1. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any right, guarantee, remedy or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified.
33.2. Subject to clause 33.1, COURTREADZ does not accept contractual responsibility for independent member statements, personal disagreements or third-party conduct merely because they occur through the Platform.
33.3. COURTREADZ is not a guarantor of the conduct, identity or reliability of independent members.
33.4. Subject to applicable law, COURTREADZ is not responsible for losses caused solely by a member's unlawful conduct where COURTREADZ has no independent legal responsibility for those losses.
33.5. COURTREADZ does not guarantee that the Platform will be free from every technical interruption, cyber threat or third-party service failure.
33.6. These Terms do not exclude liability arising from COURTREADZ's own negligence, misleading conduct, breach of consumer guarantees, unlawful privacy practices or other conduct to the extent such liability cannot legally be excluded.
33.7. Where the law permits limitation of a particular liability, any limitation will apply only to the extent reasonable, enforceable and consistent with the relevant statutory framework.
33.8. Nothing in these Terms prevents a member from claiming a legally available refund, compensation or other remedy.
33.9. No provision should be interpreted as requiring a consumer to waive statutory rights as a condition of membership.
34. Member indemnity
34.1. To the extent permitted by law, a member agrees to indemnify COURTREADZ against reasonable, properly substantiated third-party losses, liabilities, damages and costs arising directly from:
(a) The member's unlawful infringement of another person's intellectual property rights.
(b) The member's intentional publication of unlawful, defamatory or threatening material.
(c) Fraudulent conduct committed by the member.
(d) The member's deliberate misuse of another person's identity or confidential information.
(e) The member's intentional introduction of malicious software or unauthorised interference with Platform systems.
(f) Other serious unlawful conduct by the member that directly causes an identifiable third-party claim against COURTREADZ.
34.2. This indemnity applies only to the extent the relevant loss is reasonably attributable to the member's conduct.
34.3. The indemnity does not require a member to compensate COURTREADZ for losses caused by COURTREADZ's own negligence, unlawful conduct, breach of contract or failure to comply with mandatory legal obligations.
34.4. COURTREADZ must take reasonable steps to mitigate losses.
34.5. The indemnity does not automatically make a member liable for every allegation made against COURTREADZ.
34.6. COURTREADZ must provide reasonable details of a claim for which indemnification is sought.
34.7. Liability under this section remains subject to applicable consumer law and unfair contract terms legislation.
35. No partnership, employment or agency
35.1. Membership does not create an employment relationship between COURTREADZ and a member.
35.2. Membership does not establish a partnership, franchise, agency or joint venture.
35.3. Members are not authorised to enter contracts or incur obligations on behalf of COURTREADZ.
35.4. Members must not describe themselves as employees, representatives or official ambassadors unless separately authorised.
35.5. Participation in community events or promotional activities does not automatically establish entitlement to remuneration.
35.6. Any separate paid collaboration must be governed by its own applicable agreement.
36. Business continuity, transfer and closure
36.1. COURTREADZ may restructure its business, change technical providers or transfer operations where legally permitted.
36.2. Members will be informed of material changes affecting their contractual rights or personal information where required.
36.3. A transfer of business operations does not automatically remove existing consumer obligations.
36.4. If COURTREADZ permanently closes the paid membership service, affected members will receive appropriate information about the closure.
36.5. Unused prepaid membership amounts will be addressed in accordance with applicable law and the circumstances of closure.
36.6. Member information will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and record-retention requirements.
36.7. COURTREADZ will not use this section to impose a materially detrimental contract transfer without regard to applicable law.
37. Complaints and dispute resolution
37.1. Members may submit complaints concerning membership charges, service access, account restrictions, privacy, copyright or other Platform matters.
37.2. Complaints may be sent to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
37.3. Members should provide sufficient relevant information to assist investigation.
37.4. COURTREADZ will endeavour to acknowledge complaints within a reasonable period.
37.5. Complaints will be considered fairly, taking account of available evidence and applicable obligations.
37.6. COURTREADZ may request further information where reasonably necessary.
37.7. Members may request reconsideration where they believe a significant decision was based on an error.
37.8. Where appropriate, COURTREADZ may offer corrective action, account restoration, a refund or another lawful resolution.
37.9. Members are encouraged, but not legally required, to contact COURTREADZ before commencing external proceedings.
37.10. Nothing in these Terms prevents a member from contacting NSW Fair Trading, the ACCC, the OAIC, the eSafety Commissioner, law enforcement or another appropriate regulator.
37.11. Nothing restricts a member's right to commence proceedings in a court or tribunal with lawful jurisdiction.
38. Changes to membership terms
38.1. COURTREADZ may amend these Terms to reflect changes in law, technology, security requirements, business operations or membership services.
38.2. Updated Terms will identify an effective date.
38.3. Material changes affecting existing paid members will be communicated with reasonable notice.
38.4. COURTREADZ will not rely solely on a general right to amend these Terms to impose unfair or materially detrimental changes without appropriate notice, consent or remedies.
38.5. Where a change requires affirmative acceptance under applicable law, such acceptance will be obtained.
38.6. Members may cancel future renewals if they do not wish to accept a material change, subject to any additional rights available under law.
38.7. Changes do not retrospectively remove rights or remedies already accrued.
38.8. Previous versions may be retained for recordkeeping and dispute resolution.
39. Governing law and jurisdiction
39.1. These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, together with applicable Commonwealth legislation.
39.2. Subject to mandatory jurisdictional protections, disputes may be brought before courts or tribunals having lawful jurisdiction.
39.3. Nothing in this clause excludes consumer protections that apply under another jurisdiction's mandatory laws.
39.4. International members remain responsible for complying with laws applicable to their own use of the Platform.
39.5. COURTREADZ does not represent that all services, content or promotions are available or lawful in every jurisdiction.
40. Severability and interpretation
40.1. If a provision is held invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, it will be ineffective to the extent required by law.
40.2. Remaining provisions will continue where they can operate lawfully and independently.
40.3. An unenforceable provision will not be treated as granting broader rights than the law permits.
40.4. A failure by COURTREADZ to enforce a particular provision on one occasion does not necessarily prevent its lawful enforcement on another occasion.
40.5. These Terms must be read consistently with mandatory consumer protections and other applicable legislation.
41. Relationship with other COURTREADZ policies
41.1. These Membership Terms form part of the wider legal framework governing COURTREADZ.
41.2. The following documents may also apply:
(a) General Website Terms and Conditions.
(b) Privacy Policy.
(c) Author Agreement, where the member separately participates as an author.
(d) Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement, where applicable.
(e) Community Standards and Guidelines.
(f) Promotion-specific terms, where the member enters a competition or giveaway.
41.3. Separate agreements apply only where relevant to the member's activities and properly incorporated or accepted.
41.4. Where provisions conflict, mandatory law prevails.
41.5. A more specific agreement may govern the particular activity it expressly addresses, provided it is lawful and enforceable.
41.6. No document in the legal framework is intended to remove rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
42. Notices and electronic communications
42.1. COURTREADZ may communicate with members electronically concerning their accounts, billing, security, material service changes and legal matters.
42.2. Members must maintain accurate contact information.
42.3. Important contractual notices may be delivered to the registered email address or through another legally appropriate channel.
42.4. Members are responsible for reviewing communications reasonably made available to them.
42.5. COURTREADZ must not rely on electronic notice where another form of notice or consent is legally required.
42.6. Marketing communications are subject to applicable consent, identification and unsubscribe requirements.
42.7. Members may contact COURTREADZ using the published business contact details.
43. Account closure and deletion of content
43.1. Members may request account closure.
43.2. Account closure and subscription cancellation are distinct processes.
43.3. Members should cancel recurring billing before or as part of account closure.
43.4. COURTREADZ will provide reasonable assistance to ensure an account closure request does not result in unintended future subscription charges.
43.5. Eligible profile information and content may be deleted or de-identified following account closure.
43.6. Certain transaction, compliance, dispute, security and other records may be retained where lawful and reasonably necessary.
43.7. Backups may be subject to defined technical deletion cycles.
43.8. Members acknowledge that content independently copied or lawfully retained by other users may not always be recoverable.
43.9. COURTREADZ will not guarantee immediate erasure from every third-party system where this is technically impossible or legally prohibited.
43.10. Personal information requests will be handled consistently with applicable law and the Privacy Policy.
44. Entire membership agreement
44.1. These Membership Terms, together with properly incorporated policies and applicable separate agreements, form the contractual framework governing paid membership.
44.2. The agreement does not exclude representations or rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
44.3. Any individually negotiated written agreement may prevail to the extent expressly agreed and legally permitted.
44.4. No member acquires ownership rights in COURTREADZ merely by paying a subscription.
44.5. Any uncertainty in interpretation will be resolved in accordance with applicable contract and consumer law.
45. Membership acknowledgement and acceptance
By registering for paid membership, the member acknowledges that:
(a) They are at least 18 years old.
(b) They have been provided with access to the applicable membership agreement.
(c) They understand the recurring subscription price and billing arrangement presented at checkout.
(d) They understand how to cancel future subscription renewals.
(e) They agree to comply with the Platform's lawful community rules.
(f) They are responsible for ensuring that their own uploads and activities comply with applicable law.
(g) They understand that member-generated content and opinions do not necessarily represent COURTREADZ.
(h) They acknowledge that livestream and recording participation may require additional notices and consents.
(i) They understand that COURTREADZ may enforce reasonable moderation and account security measures.
(j) They retain all rights and remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded.
End of Membership Terms and Conditions.
COMMUNITY STANDARDS, SAFETY, CONDUCT AND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
COURTREADZ BOOK CLUB
COMMUNITY STANDARDS, SAFTEY, CONDUCT AND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE
This document establishes the mandatory Community Standards, Safety, Conduct and Community Guidelines governing the entire COURTREADZ Book Club website, its membership services, author and/or publisher services, communications, live streams, recordings, digital content, social networking features and all associated activities.
The purpose of this policy is to establish a safe, respectful, lawful, inclusive and professionally managed online community while protecting COURTREADZ, its owner, administrators, employees, contractors, moderators, developers, service providers and members from unlawful conduct, harassment, bullying, abuse, security threats, copyright infringement, misuse of technology and other foreseeable risks.
COURTREADZ operates a strict zero-tolerance policy toward serious bullying, harassment, threats, exploitation, unlawful activity and deliberate abuse of its services.
COURTREADZ reserves the right to immediately restrict, suspend or terminate access where reasonably necessary to protect users, the business, its systems or the wider community.
Following investigation, COURTREADZ may determine that a warning, conditional reinstatement, continued suspension or permanent exclusion is appropriate, having regard to the circumstances, severity of the conduct, available evidence and applicable law.
Important limitation: No community policy, waiver or disclaimer can guarantee that a business cannot be sued or completely eliminate its legal liability. Australian Consumer Law, privacy obligations, applicable online safety laws and other non-excludable legal duties continue to apply. This document is designed to reduce legal and operational risk through enforceable standards, proportionate procedures, reasonable safeguards and documented decision-making. It should be reviewed by an Australian solicitor before publication.
1 β PURPOSE, SCOPE AND APPLICATION
1.1 Purpose of the Community Standards
COURTREADZ is an online literary community designed to bring together adult readers, authors, publishers, book reviewers, content creators and literary enthusiasts through a shared interest in books, storytelling, publishing and meaningful discussion.
The platform may provide paid membership services, member profiles, home-feed posting, written book reviews, ratings, photographs, video uploads, live broadcasts, author interviews, podcasts, digital book listings, private communications, announcements, competitions, giveaways and other interactive services.
These Community Standards are intended to:
a. Protect members from bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, exploitation, threats and unlawful conduct.
b. Establish clear behavioural expectations for all persons accessing or using COURTREADZ.
c. Prevent the publication, distribution or promotion of illegal, harmful, exploitative, abusive or infringing material.
d. Protect the security, availability, integrity and lawful operation of the website.
e. Establish transparent moderation, reporting, investigation and enforcement procedures.
f. Protect confidential information, personal information, intellectual property and user privacy.
g. Support safe participation in live broadcasts, interviews, recorded communications and community discussions.
h. Establish procedures for serious incidents, cybersecurity concerns and threats to personal safety.
i. Enable COURTREADZ to take timely and proportionate action against breaches.
j. Support compliance with applicable Australian legislation, regulatory requirements and lawful directions.
1.2 Persons bound by this policy
This policy applies to every person who accesses, registers for, participates in or uses COURTREADZ, including:
Paying members and account holders.
Authors, publishers and their authorised representatives.
Podcast guests, interviewees and live-stream participants.
Community contributors, reviewers and content creators.
Website administrators, moderators and support personnel.
Contractors, developers and service providers when using platform systems.
Any other authorised adult user.
No person is exempt from these standards because of their popularity, professional standing, commercial relationship, membership history, follower count or association with COURTREADZ.
Administrators and personnel are also subject to applicable internal workplace, privacy, cybersecurity and professional conduct requirements.
1.3 Services and areas covered
These standards apply throughout the entire website, including current and future features such as:
a. Registration, account creation and login.
b. Membership subscriptions and account dashboards.
c. Member profiles, usernames, profile pictures and biographies.
d. Home feeds, community posts and status updates.
e. Photographs, videos, captions, comments, reactions and replies.
f. Book reviews, ratings and recommendations.
g. Book collections, libraries, reading lists and favourite-book displays.
h. Public and private messaging services.
i. Notifications, mentions and tagging functions.
j. Live streams, live chats, audience participation and guest appearances.
k. Audio and video interviews, podcasts and recorded discussions.
l. Author and publisher profiles and digital book storefronts.
m. Announcements, polls, surveys and community discussions.
n. Competitions, promotions and giveaways.
o. Support requests, complaints, appeals and administrator communications.
p. Uploaded files, attachments, links and downloadable material.
q. Any website functionality subsequently introduced by COURTREADZ.
Where conduct outside the website directly involves platform users and creates a credible safety, security or legal risk connected with COURTREADZ, the business may consider that conduct when making reasonable account-safety decisions.
1.4 Relationship with other legal agreements
These Community Standards form part of the contractual framework governing use of COURTREADZ and should be read together with the applicable:
General Website Terms and Conditions.
Privacy Policy.
Membership Terms and Conditions.
Author and Publisher Agreement.
Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement.
Competition and Giveaway Terms and Conditions.
Where specific additional terms apply to a particular service, those terms operate alongside these Community Standards.
Nothing in this policy excludes, restricts or modifies any right, guarantee, remedy or obligation that cannot lawfully be excluded.
2 β STRICT 18 YEARS AND OLDER REQUIREMENT
2.1 Mandatory minimum age
COURTREADZ is strictly an adults-only platform. Every user must be at least 18 years of age.
Persons under 18 years of age are not permitted to register for, access or use the website's services, whether paid or unpaid.
This restriction applies to all platform functions, including:
a. Creating or maintaining an account.
b. Purchasing or using a membership.
c. Viewing members-only content.
d. Posting, commenting or messaging.
e. Participating in live streams or interviews.
f. Uploading photographs, videos or recordings.
g. Applying for author or publisher services.
h. Entering competitions or giveaways.
i. Accessing digital book services.
j. Participating in any other interactive feature.
2.2 Age declarations
By registering, purchasing a membership, accepting platform terms or accessing an account, the user declares that:
a. They are at least 18 years old.
b. Their registration information is accurate and not deliberately misleading.
c. They are legally capable of entering into the relevant agreement.
d. They are not using the account on behalf of a minor.
e. They will not knowingly allow a person under 18 to use their account.
COURTREADZ may implement an age-confirmation checkbox and reasonable, proportionate age-assurance procedures.
A declaration alone may not be sufficient in every circumstance, particularly where applicable legislation requires stronger measures.
2.3 Suspected underage users
Where COURTREADZ reasonably suspects that an account is being operated by a person under 18, it may:
a. Temporarily restrict account access while investigating.
b. Request proportionate evidence of eligibility.
c. Prevent participation in interactive services.
d. Suspend or terminate the account where ineligibility is established.
e. Remove associated content where lawful and appropriate.
f. Handle any refund or subscription consequences in accordance with applicable law and the Membership Terms.
Age verification information must be collected, stored, accessed and deleted in accordance with applicable privacy obligations. COURTREADZ should avoid retaining identity documents where a less intrusive verification method is reasonably available.
2.4 Minors appearing in user content
Although COURTREADZ is an adults-only platform, members may discuss books involving children or share lawful family-related content where permitted.
However:
a. Members must not create accounts for minors.
b. Members must not invite minors to participate in live streams, interviews or private platform communications.
c. Members must not publish exploitative, sexualised or otherwise unlawful content involving minors.
d. Members must not reveal a child's sensitive personal information, precise location, school details or identifying information in circumstances creating a foreseeable safety risk.
e. Members must not upload photographs or recordings of minors without appropriate authority and consideration of privacy and safety risks.
f. COURTREADZ may remove content involving minors where reasonably necessary to protect safety, privacy or comply with the law.
Any suspected child sexual abuse material or exploitation will be treated as an extremely serious incident and escalated to appropriate authorities in accordance with applicable law.
3 β EXPECTED COMMUNITY BEHAVIOUR
3.1 General conduct
All users must communicate respectfully, act lawfully and exercise reasonable care when interacting with other members.
Members must:
a. Treat others with dignity and respect.
b. Respect differing literary tastes, opinions and experiences.
c. Engage in constructive discussions.
d. Respect personal boundaries.
e. Follow reasonable instructions issued by authorised moderators.
f. Respect other users' privacy and intellectual property.
g. Avoid deliberately misleading or harmful behaviour.
h. Report serious safety concerns through appropriate channels.
i. Use website features for their intended purposes.
j. Comply with all applicable laws and binding platform agreements.
3.2 Disagreements and criticism
COURTREADZ recognises that members may disagree about books, authors, reviews, genres, publishing practices and other subjects.
Respectful criticism, negative book reviews, differences of opinion and good-faith disagreement are permitted.
However, disagreements must not become personal attacks, intimidation, threats, targeted humiliation or sustained harassment.
Criticism of a book or public work does not automatically constitute harassment of its author. Equally, members must not use the existence of a disagreement as justification for personal abuse.
3.3 Responsibility for user conduct
Each user is responsible for their own conduct and the material they choose to submit, subject to applicable law.
Users must ensure that their posts, communications, recordings, uploads and other contributions comply with these standards.
The fact that another person initiated a disagreement does not automatically excuse retaliatory threats, harassment or unlawful conduct.
4 β ZERO-TOLERANCE BULLYING AND HARASSMENT POLICY
4.1 Absolute prohibition on bullying
Bullying, cyberbullying, targeted abuse and deliberate intimidation are prohibited throughout COURTREADZ.
Prohibited conduct includes, without limitation:
a. Repeatedly insulting, belittling or humiliating another person.
b. Targeting an individual with degrading or hostile comments.
c. Coordinating attacks against a member.
d. Encouraging others to harass or ridicule someone.
e. Deliberately spreading malicious rumours.
f. Sending repeated unwanted communications.
g. Using posts, comments, photographs or videos to embarrass or intimidate someone.
h. Threatening exclusion or retaliation to control another person's behaviour.
i. Creating accounts to continue harassment after being blocked.
j. Repeatedly tagging or mentioning someone to distress or intimidate them.
k. Publishing material intended to encourage hostility toward an identifiable person.
l. Using private information as a means of humiliation or coercion.
m. Threatening someone's reputation, livelihood or personal relationships.
n. Continuing unwanted contact after being clearly asked to stop.
4.2 Harassment of any form
Harassment is prohibited whether it occurs publicly, privately, verbally, in writing, through images, through recordings or through other digital communications.
A single sufficiently serious incident may justify immediate action. Repetition is not always necessary.
The policy applies regardless of whether the conduct occurs between:
Members.
Authors and readers.
Publishers and reviewers.
Members and moderators.
Members and administrators.
Guests and interview hosts.
Contractors and platform personnel.
4.3 Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited.
Examples include:
a. Unwanted sexual messages or advances.
b. Repeated sexual comments directed at another person.
c. Sending unsolicited explicit photographs or videos.
d. Pressuring someone to engage in sexual conversation.
e. Sexualised insults or humiliation.
f. Threatening to expose intimate information.
g. Demanding sexual content or favours.
h. Making unwanted sexual remarks during live streams.
i. Sharing intimate images without consent.
j. Using platform access, authority or membership status to pressure another person into sexual interaction.
Where conduct may constitute a criminal offence, COURTREADZ may preserve relevant evidence and refer the matter to appropriate authorities, subject to applicable law.
4.4 Threats and intimidation
Members must not threaten physical harm, sexual violence, property damage, stalking, retaliation or other unlawful action.
This includes direct threats, implied threats, threatening images, intimidation through third parties and credible attempts to locate or confront another user.
Credible threats of imminent harm may result in immediate suspension and escalation to police or emergency services.
4.5 Stalking and unwanted contact
The following are prohibited:
a. Repeatedly contacting someone after they have withdrawn consent.
b. Tracking or attempting to identify someone's location.
c. Monitoring another person's online activity for intimidation.
d. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent blocks.
e. Encouraging others to contact a person against their wishes.
f. Attempting to obtain private addresses, telephone numbers or workplace details for harassment.
g. Using information obtained through COURTREADZ to pursue someone outside the platform in a threatening or harassing manner.
4.6 Retaliation
Retaliation against anyone who makes a genuine complaint, assists an investigation, reports unlawful activity or raises a safety concern is prohibited.
A member must not threaten, intimidate, expose, punish or harass another person for reporting misconduct.
Knowingly false or malicious reports may also constitute misconduct. However, a complaint made honestly that cannot be substantiated will not, by itself, be treated as a false report.
5 β DISCRIMINATION, HATE SPEECH AND VILIFICATION
5.1 Prohibited discriminatory conduct
COURTREADZ prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, vilification and targeted abuse based on personal characteristics protected by applicable law.
This may include conduct directed at a person's:
a. Race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin.
b. Religion or religious beliefs.
c. Sex, gender identity or intersex status.
d. Sexual orientation.
e. Disability or medical condition.
f. Pregnancy or family responsibilities.
g. Age.
h. Marital or relationship status.
i. Other attributes protected by applicable federal, state or territory legislation.
5.2 Hate speech and incitement
Members must not publish material that unlawfully threatens, incites violence against, vilifies or promotes serious hostility toward individuals or groups.
COURTREADZ may also prohibit hateful or dehumanising content under its own community standards even where the material does not independently amount to a criminal offence.
5.3 Offensive and sensitive discussions
Members may discuss difficult literary themes, including violence, trauma, discrimination, abuse and other sensitive subjects, where the discussion is lawful, relevant and respectful.
A discussion of offensive conduct in a book is not automatically an endorsement of that conduct.
COURTREADZ may require content warnings, restrict visibility or remove material where necessary to manage foreseeable harm.
6 β ILLEGAL, EXPLICIT AND PROHIBITED CONTENT
6.1 General prohibition
Users must not upload, publish, transmit, distribute, promote, request or facilitate content that is unlawful or prohibited by these Community Standards.
The prohibition applies to written material, images, audio, videos, files, links, live broadcasts, private messages and any other content format.
6.2 Child sexual abuse and exploitation
The following are strictly prohibited:
a. Child sexual abuse material.
b. Sexual exploitation of minors.
c. Grooming or attempted grooming.
d. Solicitation of sexual material involving minors.
e. Sharing links to exploitation material.
f. Encouraging or facilitating offences against children.
g. Sexualised depictions of minors prohibited by law.
COURTREADZ may immediately disable relevant access, preserve necessary evidence and make legally required or appropriate reports to law enforcement or relevant regulatory authorities.
Staff must not unnecessarily download, copy, circulate or personally investigate suspected child sexual abuse material.
6.3 Pornography and sexually explicit content
COURTREADZ is a literary community, not a pornography or adult sexual-content distribution service.
The following are prohibited:
a. Pornographic photographs or videos.
b. Explicit depictions of sexual activity uploaded for sexual gratification.
c. Unsolicited sexual imagery.
d. Non-consensual intimate imagery.
e. Sexual exploitation or coercion.
f. Commercial sexual solicitation.
g. Links directing users to unlawful or prohibited explicit material.
h. Sexual content involving minors in any unlawful form.
i. Sexually explicit live-stream performances.
j. Graphic sexual material unrelated to legitimate literary discussion.
6.4 Mature literary content
Because COURTREADZ is an adults-only book community, members may discuss romance, dark romance, crime, thrillers, horror and books containing mature themes.
Members may publish lawful, non-exploitative reviews and discussions of such books.
However, adult-only access does not authorise pornography, sexual harassment, illegal material or graphic content that breaches these standards.
COURTREADZ may require appropriate content warnings for discussions involving sexual violence, domestic abuse, self-harm, suicide, graphic violence or other potentially distressing subjects.
6.5 Graphic violence and cruelty
Members must not upload:
a. Material promoting real-world violence.
b. Credible threats of violence.
c. Graphic footage of real injuries or deaths intended to shock, terrorise or harass.
d. Material encouraging torture or cruelty.
e. Unlawful animal cruelty content.
f. Content celebrating or encouraging violent criminal conduct.
Legitimate discussion of fictional violence, crime fiction and horror literature remains permitted, subject to reasonable content restrictions.
6.6 Self-harm and suicide-related content
Members must not encourage, instruct, coerce or pressure others to engage in suicide, self-harm or dangerous conduct.
Good-faith discussion of mental health experiences, recovery, support resources and literary depictions of these subjects may be permitted.
COURTREADZ is not a crisis counselling service and does not guarantee real-time monitoring of posts or private messages.
Where an immediate threat to life is identified, COURTREADZ may take reasonable protective steps, including escalation to emergency services where appropriate and lawful.
6.7 Criminal activity
Users must not use COURTREADZ to facilitate, promote or coordinate unlawful activities, including:
a. Fraud and financial deception.
b. Identity theft.
c. Extortion or blackmail.
d. Money laundering.
e. Unlawful drug distribution.
f. Trafficking or exploitation.
g. Terrorist activity or unlawful violent extremism.
h. Unlawful weapons transactions.
i. Stalking or unlawful surveillance.
j. Cybercrime or unauthorised computer access.
k. Distribution of stolen information.
l. Any other criminal offence.
6.8 Prohibited links and external content
Members must not post links to malware, phishing websites, fraudulent services, illegal marketplaces, exploitative material or other prohibited destinations.
COURTREADZ may remove links or restrict external linking where reasonably necessary to protect users and website security.
7 β PRIVACY, PERSONAL INFORMATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1 Respect for personal information
All users must respect the privacy and confidentiality of other members, authors, guests, administrators and associated persons.
Users must not collect, access, disclose, distribute, sell or misuse another person's personal information without lawful authority.
Personal information may include:
a. Full names and contact details.
b. Residential and postal addresses.
c. Telephone numbers and email addresses.
d. Identification documents and account information.
e. Financial or banking information.
f. Medical information or other sensitive information.
g. Private photographs and recordings.
h. Login credentials.
i. Private messages and confidential correspondence.
j. Information capable of identifying or locating another individual.
7.2 Doxxing
Doxxing is strictly prohibited.
Users must not intentionally publish or distribute another person's private or identifying information for harassment, intimidation, retaliation, exploitation or another unlawful purpose.
COURTREADZ may immediately remove such information and restrict the responsible account.
7.3 Private messages and correspondence
Members must not misuse private messaging features to intimidate, exploit, deceive or unlawfully expose another person.
Private communications must not be accessed through unauthorised means.
Users must not publish confidential communications where doing so breaches the law, confidentiality obligations or another person's rights.
However, this clause does not prevent lawful reporting to police, regulators, courts, legal advisers or other appropriate authorities.
It also does not prevent a person from providing relevant communications to COURTREADZ when making a genuine safety complaint.
7.4 Privacy of account information
Members must not attempt to access another person's account, membership records, payment details, private messages or other restricted information.
Account access is personal and must not be shared with unauthorised persons.
7.5 COURTREADZ privacy responsibilities
COURTREADZ will handle personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable privacy legislation.
Where the Australian Privacy Principles apply, reasonable steps must be taken to protect personal information against misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Not all Australian small businesses are automatically subject to every obligation under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Applicability must be assessed against the business's actual activities and circumstances.
8 β COPYRIGHT, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BOOK-RELATED CONTENT
8.1 User responsibility for uploaded material
Each user must ensure that they have the necessary rights, licences, permissions or other lawful basis to upload, publish, distribute or otherwise use material on COURTREADZ.
This applies to:
a. Book covers and illustrations.
b. Photographs and artwork.
c. Written reviews and excerpts.
d. Videos and audio recordings.
e. Music and sound recordings.
f. Promotional graphics.
g. Ebooks, manuscripts and downloadable files.
h. Logos and trademarks.
i. Podcast material.
j. Third-party creative works.
8.2 Copyright infringement
Users must not knowingly upload or distribute material in a manner that infringes another person's copyright.
Examples include:
a. Uploading pirated ebooks.
b. Sharing unauthorised PDF copies of books.
c. Distributing entire copyrighted works without permission or another lawful basis.
d. Uploading copyrighted recordings without necessary rights.
e. Reproducing substantial protected material without authorisation or an applicable legal exception.
f. Selling digital books without appropriate publishing or distribution rights.
g. Using another person's artwork, photographs or promotional materials unlawfully.
8.3 Book reviews and quotations
Members may post original reviews, commentary and literary criticism.
Limited quotation or other use of copyrighted material may be lawful where an applicable copyright exception, permission or licence permits it.
Australian copyright exceptions, including fair dealing, are specific and conditional. A general statement that material is being used for review does not automatically make every reproduction lawful.
8.4 Author and publisher responsibilities
Authors and publishers offering material through COURTREADZ must possess the rights necessary to list, promote, sell or distribute that material.
They must not knowingly misrepresent ownership, authorship, publication rights or licensing arrangements.
Where third-party material is incorporated into a book or promotional asset, the author or publisher must ensure that the relevant use is lawful.
8.5 Copyright complaints
A copyright owner or authorised representative may submit a complaint to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
The complaint should identify:
a. The allegedly infringed work.
b. The allegedly infringing content and its location on COURTREADZ.
c. The complainant's authority to act.
d. Relevant evidence of ownership or rights.
e. Contact details for correspondence.
f. The action requested.
COURTREADZ may request further information, restrict access to disputed material, remove content, contact the uploading user or take other reasonable steps.
8.6 Repeat infringement
COURTREADZ may suspend or terminate accounts involved in repeated or serious infringement, subject to applicable law and a reasonable assessment of the circumstances.
8.7 Platform liability
Users are responsible for their own infringing conduct to the extent provided by law.
However, COURTREADZ cannot guarantee immunity from copyright claims merely because content was uploaded by a third party.
COURTREADZ may have its own legal obligations depending on its knowledge, conduct, technical role, contractual arrangements and the circumstances of an infringement.
The platform will take reasonable and lawful steps to address substantiated infringement complaints.
8.8 User indemnification
To the extent permitted by law and subject to the General Website Terms and Conditions, a user may be required to indemnify COURTREADZ against reasonably incurred losses, liabilities, damages and expenses arising directly from that user's unlawful infringement, intentional misconduct or material breach of applicable contractual obligations.
Any indemnity must be interpreted fairly and must not require a user to indemnify COURTREADZ for losses caused by COURTREADZ's own negligence, unlawful conduct or breach of non-excludable obligations.
9 β CYBERSECURITY AND ACCEPTABLE TECHNOLOGY USE
9.1 General cybersecurity obligations
All users must use COURTREADZ systems lawfully and must not compromise the security, integrity, availability or functionality of the website.
Unauthorised interference with the platform, its hosting infrastructure, databases, communications, software or connected services is prohibited.
9.2 Prohibited cybersecurity activities
Users must not:
a. Attempt unauthorised access to accounts or administrative systems.
b. Hack, exploit or unlawfully interfere with website functionality.
c. Introduce viruses, ransomware, spyware, malicious scripts or other harmful code.
d. Conduct denial-of-service or distributed denial-of-service attacks.
e. Attempt credential theft or password harvesting.
f. Use phishing or social engineering to obtain information.
g. Circumvent authentication or access controls.
h. Attempt unauthorised privilege escalation.
i. Scrape private user data without authorisation.
j. Exploit vulnerabilities to access confidential information.
k. Manipulate payment, subscription or account systems.
l. Interfere with live-stream infrastructure.
m. Attempt to access, copy or alter databases without authority.
n. Deploy automated accounts or bots in breach of platform rules.
o. Use the website to distribute malicious software.
p. Conceal malicious activity through false identities or technical manipulation.
q. Conduct unauthorised penetration testing or security scanning.
9.3 Automated systems and bots
COURTREADZ may restrict or prohibit automated systems that interfere with normal website operation.
Automated activity must not be used to:
a. Create fraudulent accounts.
b. Artificially manipulate engagement.
c. Generate mass spam.
d. Harvest member information.
e. Circumvent membership requirements.
f. Manipulate giveaways, votes or competitions.
g. Overload website resources.
h. Bypass technical restrictions.
Legitimate accessibility tools and ordinary browser functionality are not prohibited merely because they use automation.
9.4 Password and account security
Users are responsible for taking reasonable steps to secure their accounts.
Users should:
a. Create strong and unique passwords.
b. Avoid sharing passwords.
c. Enable multifactor authentication where available.
d. Keep devices and software updated.
e. Avoid suspicious links and attachments.
f. Notify COURTREADZ promptly of suspected account compromise.
g. Log out of shared devices.
h. Avoid disclosing security codes or recovery credentials.
9.5 Reporting security vulnerabilities
Security vulnerabilities should be reported privately to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
A report should provide enough information for the issue to be assessed without exposing other users' information or causing unnecessary harm.
Users must not exploit a vulnerability, access unrelated information, damage systems or publicly disclose sensitive technical details in a manner that creates an unreasonable security risk.
COURTREADZ may establish a separate responsible-disclosure procedure.
9.6 Cybersecurity incident response
Where a security incident is suspected, COURTREADZ may:
a. Temporarily disable affected services.
b. Restrict access to compromised accounts.
c. Reset credentials or invalidate active sessions.
d. Engage cybersecurity specialists.
e. Investigate relevant system records.
f. Preserve necessary evidence.
g. Restore affected services from verified backups.
h. Notify affected parties where required.
i. Report suspected criminal conduct to relevant authorities.
j. Review technical controls to reduce recurrence.
9.7 Data breach management
COURTREADZ should maintain a documented process for identifying, containing, assessing, remediating and reviewing personal information breaches.
Where the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme applies, an eligible data breach generally requires notification to affected individuals at risk of serious harm and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Where an applicable entity suspects an eligible breach, it must undertake a reasonable and expeditious assessment, taking all reasonable steps to complete that assessment within 30 calendar days.
10 β ONLINE SAFETY AND RESPONSIBLE PLATFORM OPERATIONS
10.1 Safety by design
COURTREADZ should incorporate reasonable online safety measures into the design and operation of its services.
Measures may include:
a. Account registration controls.
b. Age-assurance procedures.
c. Reporting mechanisms.
d. Blocking and muting functions.
e. Content moderation.
f. Access restrictions.
g. Privacy settings.
h. Security monitoring.
i. Incident escalation procedures.
j. Clear complaint-handling processes.
k. Appropriate administrator permissions.
l. Reasonable protection against spam and abuse.
10.2 Moderation of public content
COURTREADZ may review, restrict, hide or remove public content that breaches these standards.
Moderation may be conducted through human review, automated detection tools or a combination of methods.
Automated systems may make mistakes. Where appropriate, users may request review of significant moderation decisions.
10.3 Private communications
Private messaging does not exempt a user from these Community Standards.
COURTREADZ may investigate private-message misconduct where it receives a report or where lawful, proportionate safety or security measures identify a relevant concern.
COURTREADZ does not promise that every private message is actively monitored or reviewed.
Any access to private communications must be consistent with applicable law, the Privacy Policy and legitimate operational or safety purposes.
10.4 Online safety complaints
Members may report serious online abuse, threats, intimate-image abuse, unlawful content and other safety concerns to COURTREADZ.
Members may also have rights to report certain material to Australia's eSafety Commissioner or other competent authorities.
COURTREADZ must comply with any legal obligations applicable to its services, including valid notices or directions from regulators.
10.5 No guarantee of uninterrupted safety
COURTREADZ will endeavour to maintain reasonable safety controls but cannot guarantee that every harmful communication will be prevented, detected or removed immediately.
This limitation does not relieve COURTREADZ of obligations imposed by applicable law.
11 β LIVE STREAMS, PODCASTS, VIDEO CALLS AND AUDIO COMMUNICATIONS
11.1 Application
This section applies to all COURTREADZ live and recorded communications, including:
a. Weekly member live streams.
b. Monthly extended live streams.
c. Author interviews.
d. Publisher interviews.
e. Influencer interviews.
f. Podcast recordings.
g. Member participation in broadcasts.
h. Guest appearances.
i. Live text chats.
j. Audio-only discussions.
k. Video calls.
l. Recorded sessions and replays.
11.2 Conduct during live streams
Participants must:
a. Communicate respectfully.
b. Follow reasonable host instructions.
c. Avoid bullying and harassment.
d. Avoid threatening or discriminatory statements.
e. Refrain from unlawful or prohibited content.
f. Respect other participants' privacy.
g. Avoid intentionally disrupting the broadcast.
h. Not impersonate another person.
i. Not expose private information.
j. Comply with recording notices and applicable consent requirements.
11.3 Immediate removal from live sessions
COURTREADZ may immediately mute, disconnect or remove a participant where reasonably necessary to address:
a. Harassment or bullying.
b. Threats or intimidation.
c. Sexual misconduct.
d. Explicit prohibited material.
e. Hate speech.
f. Unlawful conduct.
g. Repeated disruptive behaviour.
h. Serious privacy violations.
i. Security concerns.
j. Refusal to follow reasonable safety instructions.
Removal from a live stream may occur before a full investigation where immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect participants.
11.4 Recording consent
Where a user is invited to participate in a recorded live stream, interview or video call, COURTREADZ must obtain any consent required by applicable law and the Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement.
The platform may use an electronic consent process, including a clear pop-up notice and affirmative checkbox, before participation.
Consent must be appropriately informed, recorded and capable of being demonstrated where required.
The notice should explain the recording, its intended uses, relevant publication rights and access to the full agreement.
Where recording consent is required and has not been obtained, the person must not be admitted into a recorded speaking or video role.
11.5 First-time recording acknowledgement
COURTREADZ may require a user to accept the Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement before their first recorded participation.
A record should be maintained of:
a. The user's account identifier.
b. The agreement version.
c. The date and time of acceptance.
d. The affirmative consent action.
e. The scope of the consent provided.
f. Any subsequent withdrawal or variation where applicable.
Where the scope of recording or use materially changes, renewed consent may be necessary.
The platform must also provide legally required recording notices or obtain additional consent where relevant circumstances require it.
11.6 Unauthorised recording
Users must not unlawfully record, intercept, distribute or publish private conversations or communications.
Users must not secretly record other members in circumstances prohibited by applicable surveillance or privacy laws.
11.7 Broadcast replays
COURTREADZ may retain, edit and publish recordings where authorised by the relevant agreement, consent and applicable law.
Users must not unlawfully copy, redistribute, monetise or commercially exploit COURTREADZ recordings.
11.8 Recording and privacy complaints
A participant who believes their recording rights, privacy or consent conditions have been breached may contact COURTREADZ.
Complaints will be assessed in accordance with the Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement, the Privacy Policy and applicable law.
12 β PRIVATE MESSAGING, TAGGING, COMMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS
12.1 Private messaging
Private messaging is intended for lawful, respectful communication between adult members.
Users must not use messaging services to:
a. Harass or intimidate.
b. Send unsolicited explicit content.
c. Demand private information.
d. Conduct scams.
e. Impersonate others.
f. Send malicious links.
g. Threaten or blackmail.
h. Repeatedly contact unwilling recipients.
i. Solicit unlawful transactions.
j. Distribute pirated content.
12.2 Tagging and mentions
Members may tag other users in relevant posts, comments and discussions where the feature permits.
Tagging must not be used for targeted harassment, spam, intimidation, humiliation or repeated unwanted contact.
COURTREADZ may restrict tagging privileges where abused.
12.3 Comments and replies
Members must not use comment sections to:
a. Coordinate harassment.
b. Spread unlawful threats.
c. Publish private information.
d. Engage in discriminatory abuse.
e. Promote scams.
f. Post prohibited explicit material.
g. Intentionally derail discussions through repeated disruptive behaviour.
h. Impersonate other users.
12.4 Notifications
Notification features must not be manipulated to flood, harass or intimidate another member.
Members must not deliberately generate excessive notifications as a form of abuse.
12.5 Blocking and communication boundaries
Where blocking or muting functions are available, members must respect those boundaries.
Attempting to bypass a block through another account or another person may constitute harassment.
13 β MEMBER PROFILES, BOOK REVIEWS AND COMMUNITY CONTENT
13.1 Profile authenticity
Members must not create accounts that impersonate another person, author, publisher, business or organisation.
Parody or fan accounts must not misleadingly present themselves as officially associated with another person or entity.
13.2 Profile photographs and biographies
Profile content must comply with all applicable standards.
Members must not use:
a. Unlawfully obtained images.
b. Explicit prohibited imagery.
c. Threatening material.
d. Hate symbols used to promote prohibited abuse.
e. Images impersonating others.
f. Private information published without lawful authority.
13.3 Book reviews
Members are encouraged to publish genuine, independent and respectful book reviews.
Reviews may be positive, neutral or negative.
Members must not:
a. Fabricate reviews for deceptive commercial purposes.
b. Threaten authors over book ratings.
c. Coordinate harassment campaigns.
d. Impersonate another reviewer.
e. Publish unlawful defamatory statements.
f. Exchange undisclosed incentives where disclosure is legally required.
g. Use reviews to publish private information.
h. Engage in unlawful misleading or deceptive conduct.
13.4 Authors responding to reviews
Authors and publishers must respect members' rights to express genuine literary opinions.
An author must not threaten, intimidate or harass a reviewer because of an unfavourable rating.
Disagreements should be handled professionally.
13.5 Commercial relationships and disclosures
Members, authors and influencers must make disclosures required by applicable advertising and consumer laws.
Paid promotions, sponsored recommendations, gifted products and other material commercial relationships must not be concealed where doing so would be misleading.
13.6 Artificial intelligence content
AI-assisted content must not be used to deceive, impersonate, defraud, harass or infringe another person's rights.
Users must not create or share non-consensual intimate deepfakes, fraudulent endorsements or deceptive impersonations.
Where AI-generated material could materially mislead other users, appropriate disclosure may be required.
14 β AUTHOR, PUBLISHER AND COMMERCIAL CONDUCT
14.1 Professional standards
Authors, publishers, literary representatives, advertisers and other commercial participants must conduct themselves professionally and lawfully.
They must comply with these Community Standards in addition to any applicable Author and Publisher Agreement.
14.2 Prohibited commercial behaviour
The following conduct is prohibited:
a. Misleading representations about books, authorship, publishing rights or products.
b. Fraudulent sales or payment arrangements.
c. Intimidation of readers or reviewers.
d. Undisclosed commercial relationships where disclosure is required.
e. False advertising or deceptive promotions.
f. Unauthorised use of trademarks or intellectual property.
g. Selling material without necessary rights.
h. Manipulating reviews through threats, coercion or deception.
i. Unauthorised harvesting of member contact information.
j. Sending unsolicited bulk commercial messages in breach of applicable law.
k. Misusing confidential information obtained through the platform.
14.3 Author and publisher disputes
Disputes concerning publishing contracts, royalties, copyright ownership, licensing or commercial arrangements are primarily the responsibility of the parties involved.
COURTREADZ is not automatically a party to those arrangements merely because a book, author or publisher appears on the website.
However, COURTREADZ may investigate alleged misuse of its services, remove disputed listings or restrict accounts where reasonably necessary.
14.4 No endorsement of third-party claims
The appearance of an author, publisher, book, product or service on COURTREADZ does not automatically constitute an endorsement or guarantee by COURTREADZ.
Users must undertake their own reasonable assessment of third-party offers and representations.
This provision does not exclude responsibility for representations made by COURTREADZ itself or any other non-excludable legal obligation.
15 β SPAM, ADVERTISING, SCAMS AND FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT
15.1 Spam and unsolicited promotions
Members must not use COURTREADZ to distribute excessive, irrelevant, deceptive or unauthorised promotional communications.
Prohibited activities include:
a. Repeated unsolicited advertising.
b. Mass private messaging.
c. Posting repetitive promotional links.
d. Artificial engagement manipulation.
e. Creating accounts primarily to distribute spam.
f. Using automated systems to flood discussions.
g. Sending commercial electronic messages contrary to applicable Australian spam legislation.
15.2 Scams and financial exploitation
Users must not use the platform to deceive other members into transferring money, disclosing financial details or participating in fraudulent transactions.
Prohibited conduct includes:
a. Fake giveaways.
b. Fraudulent payment requests.
c. Impersonation of COURTREADZ personnel.
d. False prize notifications.
e. Cryptocurrency or investment scams.
f. Identity theft.
g. Fraudulent fundraising.
h. Misleading subscription offers.
i. Requests for banking passwords or security codes.
j. Other deceptive financial schemes.
15.3 Payment security
Members should only make payments through payment methods expressly authorised by COURTREADZ for the relevant service.
Users must not impersonate COURTREADZ or its payment providers.
COURTREADZ should never request a member's banking password, complete payment-card security credentials or one-time authentication codes through ordinary community messaging.
15.4 Suspected fraudulent activity
COURTREADZ may temporarily restrict accounts, suspend transactions where technically and legally possible, preserve relevant records and refer suspected fraud to payment providers or authorities.
Any action affecting payments, refunds or access must comply with applicable contractual and consumer rights.
16 β GIVEAWAYS, COMPETITIONS AND PROMOTIONS
16.1 Application
All COURTREADZ competitions, giveaways, promotional draws and similar activities are governed by their specific promotional terms and these Community Standards.
16.2 Eligibility
All participants accessing COURTREADZ must be at least 18 years old.
Additional eligibility requirements, including residency, geographical restrictions and entry conditions, may apply to individual promotions.
16.3 Fair participation
Users must not:
a. Create fraudulent accounts to increase entries.
b. Manipulate voting or entry systems.
c. Impersonate another participant.
d. Submit fraudulent information.
e. Use bots to circumvent entry limits.
f. Harass participants or winners.
g. Threaten administrators over competition outcomes.
h. Misrepresent eligibility.
16.4 Disqualification
COURTREADZ may disqualify entries or participants where reasonably justified by a breach of published competition terms, fraud, manipulation or unlawful conduct.
Decisions must be made consistently with the promotion's terms and applicable trade promotion, gambling, consumer and other laws.
16.5 Prize disputes
Complaints about eligibility, prizes or outcomes must be assessed fairly.
Nothing in these Community Standards permits COURTREADZ to arbitrarily withhold a lawfully awarded prize or disregard applicable promotional obligations.
17 β WORK HEALTH, SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
17.1 Purpose
COURTREADZ recognises that online platforms can expose owners, employees, contractors, moderators, administrators and other workers to physical and psychological health and safety risks.
Where applicable, COURTREADZ will take reasonably practicable steps to meet its work health and safety obligations.
Australian work health and safety guidance identifies bullying, harassment, violence, aggression, traumatic material and poor workplace relationships as potential psychosocial hazards.
17.2 Application to workers
This section applies to COURTREADZ personnel, including employees, contractors and other workers, to the extent required by applicable workplace laws.
Membership of COURTREADZ alone does not create an employment relationship or automatically make a member subject to workplace legislation as a worker.
17.3 Workplace bullying and harassment
COURTREADZ prohibits workplace bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats and retaliation.
Workers must treat colleagues, contractors, guests and community members respectfully.
17.4 Psychosocial risk management
COURTREADZ should identify, assess and control reasonably foreseeable psychosocial hazards associated with operating the website.
These may include:
a. Exposure to abusive communications.
b. Repeated harassment of moderators.
c. Threatening or disturbing content.
d. Excessive moderation workloads.
e. Fatigue from prolonged live-stream supervision.
f. Cybersecurity incidents.
g. Online stalking or threats.
h. Exposure to traumatic material.
i. Inadequate escalation support.
j. Unclear responsibilities during emergencies.
17.5 Safe moderation procedures
Where reasonably practicable, COURTREADZ should:
a. Establish clear moderator responsibilities.
b. Provide guidance for handling abusive content.
c. Limit unnecessary exposure to graphic or traumatic material.
d. Restrict access to sensitive reports.
e. Provide appropriate breaks during prolonged moderation.
f. Establish escalation procedures for threats.
g. Avoid requiring workers to personally confront dangerous individuals.
h. Provide appropriate support after serious incidents.
i. Maintain reasonable incident records.
j. Review moderation risks periodically.
17.6 Remote and digital work practices
Personnel working remotely should follow reasonable security and safety procedures, including secure device use, appropriate workstation arrangements, safe working hours and protection of confidential information.
17.7 Threats against personnel
Threatening, stalking, harassing or intimidating COURTREADZ personnel is prohibited.
COURTREADZ may immediately restrict the responsible account, preserve relevant evidence and refer credible threats to authorities.
17.8 Workplace investigations
Complaints involving workers must be handled consistently with applicable employment, anti-discrimination, work health and safety and procedural fairness obligations.
A community moderation process does not replace a legally required workplace investigation.
18 β REPORTING BULLYING, HARASSMENT AND MISCONDUCT
18.1 Right to report
Any member who experiences or witnesses suspected misconduct may report the matter to COURTREADZ.
Reports may concern public posts, private messages, comments, live streams, recordings, accounts or other website activity.
18.2 Reporting methods
Reports may be submitted through an available website reporting function or by email to:
courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com
COURTREADZ may introduce dedicated safety-reporting features or additional contact methods.
18.3 Information to include
Where reasonably available, a report should include:
a. The username or account involved.
b. A description of the incident.
c. The date and approximate time.
d. The relevant post, message or content location.
e. Screenshots or other lawfully obtained evidence.
f. Details of any immediate safety concerns.
g. Whether the conduct is ongoing.
h. Any other information reasonably relevant to the complaint.
Members should not obtain evidence through unlawful access, interception or surveillance.
18.4 Good-faith complaints
COURTREADZ encourages genuine reporting of suspected misconduct.
A person will not be penalised merely because a good-faith complaint cannot ultimately be substantiated.
18.5 Malicious reporting
Knowingly fabricated complaints, deliberately falsified evidence and coordinated false reporting campaigns are prohibited.
18.6 Confidentiality
COURTREADZ will endeavour to handle complaints discreetly and disclose information only where reasonably necessary for investigation, safety, legal compliance or another lawful purpose.
Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, particularly where procedural fairness, legal proceedings or mandatory disclosures apply.
18.7 Emergency situations
COURTREADZ is not an emergency response service.
Where a person faces immediate danger in Australia, they should contact emergency services on 000.
Members may also contact police, eSafety or another relevant authority where appropriate.
Reporting to COURTREADZ does not prevent a member from seeking external legal or regulatory assistance.
19 β IMMEDIATE ACCOUNT SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL
19.1 Right to take immediate protective action
COURTREADZ reserves the right to immediately suspend, restrict or remove a member where reasonably necessary to protect the community, prevent harm, address serious misconduct or comply with legal obligations.
A prior warning is not required in every circumstance.
19.2 Serious misconduct
Conduct that may justify immediate protective suspension or termination includes:
a. Serious bullying or harassment.
b. Credible threats of violence.
c. Sexual harassment or exploitation.
d. Stalking or intimidation.
e. Child exploitation.
f. Distribution of unlawful explicit material.
g. Serious discriminatory abuse.
h. Doxxing or deliberate privacy violations.
i. Fraud or financial exploitation.
j. Cyberattacks or attempted unauthorised access.
k. Serious copyright infringement.
l. Repeated breaches after warnings.
m. Retaliation against complainants.
n. Conduct creating an immediate and significant safety risk.
19.3 Temporary protective suspension
Where allegations require further investigation, COURTREADZ may temporarily suspend or restrict an account.
A temporary suspension is a protective measure and does not necessarily constitute a final finding of misconduct.
19.4 Available restrictions
Depending on the circumstances, COURTREADZ may:
a. Remove particular content.
b. Disable commenting privileges.
c. Restrict private messaging.
d. Disable posting or uploading.
e. Restrict tagging.
f. Remove a participant from a live stream.
g. Suspend author or publisher functionality.
h. Temporarily suspend an account.
i. Permanently terminate an account.
j. Restrict attempts to circumvent an existing suspension.
19.5 Proportionate decision-making
In deciding which action is appropriate, COURTREADZ should consider:
a. The seriousness of the alleged conduct.
b. The reliability of available evidence.
c. Whether the conduct was intentional.
d. Whether harm has occurred or is reasonably foreseeable.
e. Whether the conduct was repeated.
f. Whether the user has previous substantiated breaches.
g. Whether an immediate risk remains.
h. The impact on other users.
i. Whether a warning or restriction would adequately address the risk.
j. Applicable consumer, privacy, anti-discrimination and other laws.
19.6 No automatic entitlement to a warning
A member is not entitled to receive a warning before action is taken for serious misconduct.
However, COURTREADZ may issue a warning where the circumstances justify a less severe response.
19.7 Paid membership consequences
Where a paying member is suspended or terminated, COURTREADZ will assess subscription cancellation, future billing and any refund entitlement in accordance with the Membership Terms and applicable Australian Consumer Law.
A breach of Community Standards does not automatically eliminate every statutory consumer right.
20 β INVESTIGATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
20.1 Commencement of investigation
COURTREADZ may commence an investigation following:
a. A member complaint.
b. A moderator report.
c. Detection of suspicious activity.
d. A security alert.
e. A lawful complaint from a third party.
f. A regulatory or law enforcement notice.
g. Other credible information suggesting a breach.
20.2 Initial risk assessment
The first stage should determine whether immediate action is necessary to prevent ongoing harm.
Where a credible urgent risk exists, protective restrictions may be imposed before the investigation is completed.
20.3 Evidence gathering
COURTREADZ may review lawfully available and relevant evidence, including:
a. Reported posts and comments.
b. Relevant account records.
c. Screenshots and submitted evidence.
d. Relevant live-stream recordings.
e. Relevant security logs.
f. Statements from affected parties.
g. Previous substantiated incidents.
h. Other information lawfully obtained.
Evidence collection must remain proportionate and consistent with applicable privacy and surveillance laws.
20.4 Opportunity to respond
Where appropriate, the affected user may be informed of the substance of the allegations and given a reasonable opportunity to respond before a final disciplinary decision.
This opportunity may be limited where disclosure would create a safety risk, compromise a lawful investigation, expose confidential information or conflict with legal obligations.
20.5 Investigation outcomes
Following investigation, COURTREADZ may determine that:
a. No breach occurred.
b. There is insufficient evidence to establish a breach.
c. An informal reminder is appropriate.
d. A formal warning is appropriate.
e. A temporary restriction should continue.
f. Conditions should be imposed on further participation.
g. Membership may be reinstated.
h. Membership should be permanently terminated.
i. Further investigation or external referral is required.
20.6 Written records
COURTREADZ should maintain proportionate records of significant moderation decisions, including:
a. The incident reference.
b. Relevant dates.
c. The conduct reported.
d. Evidence considered.
e. Immediate safety measures.
f. The decision and reasons.
g. Any warning or restriction.
h. Appeal or reconsideration outcomes.
Records must be protected and retained only as long as reasonably necessary or legally required.
21 β WARNINGS, RECONSIDERATION AND MEMBERSHIP REINSTATEMENT
21.1 Discretion to reconsider membership
COURTREADZ recognises that not every alleged or established breach requires permanent exclusion.
Where appropriate, COURTREADZ may reconsider a suspended or terminated membership following further investigation and assessment.
Reinstatement is not automatic.
21.2 Circumstances supporting reconsideration
COURTREADZ may consider:
a. Whether the original allegation was substantiated.
b. Whether relevant evidence was overlooked.
c. Whether the conduct was an isolated incident.
d. The seriousness of the breach.
e. Whether the user acknowledges the conduct.
f. Whether the user has taken reasonable corrective steps.
g. Whether there is a credible risk of recurrence.
h. Whether other users' safety can be protected.
i. Whether a warning would be sufficient.
j. Whether reinstatement would be lawful and appropriate.
21.3 Formal warning instead of permanent removal
Where the circumstances justify it, COURTREADZ may replace a suspension or termination decision with a formal warning.
The warning may explain:
a. The conduct found to breach the policy.
b. The relevant Community Standards.
c. The behaviour expected in future.
d. Any temporary restrictions.
e. Consequences of further breaches.
f. Any review arrangements.
21.4 Conditional reinstatement
COURTREADZ may impose reasonable conditions when reinstating an account, including:
a. A written acknowledgement of the applicable standards.
b. A requirement to cease specified misconduct.
c. Temporary limits on posting or messaging.
d. Restrictions on contacting particular members.
e. Additional account security measures.
f. Compliance with reasonable moderation directions.
g. A defined review period.
Conditions must be lawful, proportionate and reasonably related to the identified risk.
21.5 Permanent exclusion
Permanent exclusion may remain appropriate where:
a. Serious unlawful conduct has occurred.
b. There is a continuing credible safety risk.
c. Serious harassment or threats are substantiated.
d. Previous warnings have been disregarded.
e. The member has deliberately circumvented restrictions.
f. Reinstatement would create an unacceptable risk that cannot reasonably be controlled.
21.6 Appeal and reconsideration requests
A user may request reconsideration by emailing courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
The request should identify the account, decision being challenged and reasons reconsideration is sought.
COURTREADZ may request further information and should review significant decisions fairly and within a reasonable period.
Where practicable, a person who was not the original decision-maker should review contested decisions.
21.7 No guaranteed reinstatement
Submission of an appeal does not guarantee restoration of membership.
COURTREADZ may maintain reasonable protective restrictions while reconsideration is underway.
Nothing in this section prevents a user from exercising rights under applicable law or seeking external dispute resolution.
22 β RESPONSIBILITY FOR USER-GENERATED CONTENT
22.1 Independent user contributions
COURTREADZ provides facilities through which users may publish and communicate their own content.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, user-generated material represents the views and contributions of the person submitting it.
It does not necessarily represent the views of COURTREADZ.
22.2 User responsibility
Each user is responsible, to the extent provided by law, for the legality, accuracy and appropriateness of their own contributions.
Users must not assume that publication on COURTREADZ means material has been verified, endorsed or approved.
22.3 No automatic endorsement
COURTREADZ does not automatically endorse statements, reviews, recommendations, opinions, products or third-party material appearing on the platform.
22.4 Content accuracy
COURTREADZ does not guarantee that every statement made by a member is accurate, complete or reliable.
Members should exercise reasonable judgment when relying on third-party information.
22.5 Moderation and platform responsibility
COURTREADZ may remove or restrict material that breaches its standards.
However, the existence of moderation powers does not automatically mean COURTREADZ has reviewed or approved every contribution.
Equally, these provisions do not eliminate any legal responsibility COURTREADZ may have for its own actions, omissions, representations or handling of unlawful content.
22.6 Third-party disputes
Where a dispute arises solely between users, those users remain responsible for their own conduct and legal obligations.
COURTREADZ may assist with moderation or investigation where appropriate but is not required to act as a private court or determine every legal dispute between members.
COURTREADZ may comply with valid legal notices, court orders and regulatory directions.
23 β LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND LEGAL PROTECTIONS
23.1 Purpose
This section allocates responsibility between COURTREADZ and its users to the extent permitted by applicable law.
It must be read together with the General Website Terms and Conditions and applicable consumer protections.
23.2 No guarantee of member conduct
COURTREADZ cannot guarantee that every member will comply with these Community Standards.
Members may encounter inaccurate information, disagreement, offensive statements or misconduct despite reasonable moderation and safety measures.
23.3 Third-party conduct
To the maximum extent permitted by law, COURTREADZ is not responsible for independent unlawful acts of third parties merely because those persons use the platform.
This clause does not exclude responsibility arising from COURTREADZ's own unlawful conduct, negligence where liability cannot lawfully be excluded, or breach of applicable duties.
23.4 Service availability
COURTREADZ may experience interruptions, maintenance periods, technical faults, cyber incidents or disruptions involving third-party service providers.
The business will take reasonable steps consistent with its legal and contractual obligations to maintain and restore services.
23.5 Non-excludable consumer guarantees
Nothing in these Community Standards excludes, restricts or modifies rights under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Australian consumer law also prohibits unfair terms in applicable standard-form contracts. Clauses allowing arbitrary termination, excessive penalties or one-sided avoidance of responsibility may be unenforceable or unlawful.
23.6 No complete immunity
No provision in these Community Standards guarantees that COURTREADZ, its owner, workers, contractors or service providers cannot be subject to legal proceedings.
Any limitation of liability applies only to the extent permitted by law.
23.7 Liability for misconduct
Where a user breaches these standards and causes loss, the legal consequences will depend on the nature of the conduct, applicable law, causation, available remedies and any enforceable contractual provisions.
COURTREADZ may pursue lawful remedies where appropriate.
23.8 Preservation of legal rights
Nothing in this policy prevents a person from:
a. Reporting criminal conduct.
b. Contacting a regulator.
c. Seeking legal advice.
d. Exercising statutory consumer rights.
e. Making a protected disclosure.
f. Pursuing a lawful complaint or claim.
g. Complying with a court order.
h. Exercising another right protected by law.
24 β COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REGULATORS
24.1 Lawful cooperation
COURTREADZ may cooperate with Australian or overseas law enforcement agencies, courts and regulators where required or permitted by applicable law.
24.2 Disclosure of information
Information may be disclosed where there is an appropriate lawful basis, including:
a. Compliance with a valid court order.
b. Compliance with a legally binding notice.
c. Reporting serious criminal conduct.
d. Responding to a lawful regulatory requirement.
e. Protecting against a serious threat where disclosure is legally authorised.
f. Other circumstances permitted or required by applicable law.
24.3 Preservation of evidence
COURTREADZ may preserve relevant records where reasonably necessary for legal compliance, safety investigations or anticipated legal proceedings.
Preservation must be proportionate and consistent with applicable privacy and data-handling obligations.
24.4 International users
COURTREADZ may be accessible internationally, but its operation from Australia does not necessarily prevent foreign laws from applying.
Users must comply with laws applicable to their own conduct.
COURTREADZ may restrict access from particular jurisdictions where reasonably necessary for legal or operational compliance.
25 β ACCOUNT ACCESS, TERMINATION AND CIRCUMVENTION
25.1 Personal account use
Accounts are intended for the registered, eligible user.
Members must not transfer, sell, lend or otherwise provide unauthorised access to their accounts.
25.2 Account misuse
COURTREADZ may restrict accounts involved in:
a. Fraudulent registration.
b. Identity misrepresentation.
c. Account sharing that breaches membership terms.
d. Unauthorised access.
e. Security abuse.
f. Serious Community Standards breaches.
25.3 Circumventing a suspension
A person whose account has been suspended or terminated must not create replacement accounts to evade the restriction without permission.
25.4 Termination and content
Following lawful account termination, COURTREADZ may remove, restrict, retain or delete associated information in accordance with its Privacy Policy, contractual obligations, applicable law and legitimate recordkeeping requirements.
25.5 Subscription billing
Termination of community access and cancellation of recurring billing must be administered consistently with the Membership Terms, payment arrangements and applicable consumer law.
COURTREADZ should not continue charging a member for a cancelled service without a lawful contractual basis.
26 β COMMUNITY MODERATION AUTHORITY
26.1 Administrative authority
COURTREADZ administrators and authorised moderators may enforce these Community Standards.
Their authority is limited by applicable law, contractual obligations and the platform's internal governance arrangements.
26.2 Moderator powers
Authorised personnel may:
a. Review reported material.
b. Remove prohibited content.
c. Restrict abusive interactions.
d. Mute live-stream participants.
e. Temporarily suspend accounts.
f. Escalate serious incidents.
g. Issue warnings where authorised.
h. Recommend permanent termination.
i. Refer suspected criminal activity to appropriate authorities.
26.3 Abuse of moderation authority
Moderators must not misuse their authority to:
a. Retaliate against members.
b. Discriminate unlawfully.
c. Access private information without authorisation.
d. Favour individuals for improper reasons.
e. Conceal serious misconduct.
f. Disclose confidential reports unlawfully.
g. Manipulate evidence.
26.4 Conflicts of interest
Where practicable, a moderator should not make the final decision in a serious complaint involving their own conduct or a material personal conflict.
26.5 Consistent enforcement
COURTREADZ should aim to apply its standards consistently while retaining the flexibility to respond to different levels of risk and seriousness.
27 β OPERATIONAL SAFETY AND CYBERSECURITY PROCEDURES
This part establishes internal procedures that COURTREADZ should implement alongside its public-facing Community Standards.
27.1 Access control
Administrative access should be limited to authorised personnel.
COURTREADZ should use role-based permissions so that users and workers can access only the systems and information reasonably required for their responsibilities.
27.2 Authentication
Administrative accounts should use strong authentication measures, including multifactor authentication where supported.
Shared administrator credentials should be avoided.
27.3 Software maintenance
COURTREADZ should maintain reasonable procedures for:
a. Applying security updates.
b. Reviewing installed plugins and integrations.
c. Removing unsupported software.
d. Managing website dependencies.
e. Reviewing privileged access.
f. Monitoring relevant security alerts.
g. Addressing known vulnerabilities.
27.4 Hosting and infrastructure
Where COURTREADZ uses external hosting, storage, payment, video or content delivery providers, the business should review relevant security responsibilities and contractual arrangements.
Outsourcing technical functions does not automatically transfer every legal responsibility to the provider.
27.5 Data backups
COURTREADZ should maintain appropriate backup and recovery arrangements proportionate to its operations.
Backup procedures should consider:
a. Backup frequency.
b. Encryption.
c. Access restrictions.
d. Retention periods.
e. Recovery testing.
f. Protection against ransomware.
g. Secure deletion.
27.6 Security logging
Reasonable technical logs may be maintained to detect unauthorised access, investigate incidents and protect systems.
Logging must be consistent with the Privacy Policy and applicable law.
27.7 Third-party service providers
COURTREADZ should undertake reasonable due diligence when selecting providers that handle member data or critical platform functions.
Relevant matters include security practices, service availability, data handling, incident notification and contractual protections.
27.8 Staff training
Personnel with moderation, administrative or technical responsibilities should receive appropriate guidance on:
a. Cybersecurity.
b. Privacy.
c. Handling complaints.
d. Harassment prevention.
e. Evidence preservation.
f. Responding to threats.
g. Escalating serious incidents.
h. Managing sensitive information.
27.9 Incident review
After a significant safety or cybersecurity incident, COURTREADZ should review:
a. What occurred.
b. The impact.
c. How the incident was identified.
d. Whether controls operated effectively.
e. Whether legal notifications were required.
f. What corrective actions are appropriate.
g. Whether policies or technical systems require changes.
28 β DATA RETENTION, EVIDENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
28.1 Retention of moderation records
COURTREADZ may retain records of complaints, investigations, warnings, suspensions and appeals where reasonably necessary for legitimate operational or legal purposes.
28.2 Retention limitations
Records should not be retained indefinitely without an appropriate basis.
Retention periods should reflect the nature of the information, foreseeable risks, applicable legal obligations and legitimate business needs.
28.3 Security of records
Sensitive reports and investigation materials must be protected against unauthorised access, misuse and disclosure.
28.4 Access to records
Access should be limited to personnel who reasonably require the information for authorised purposes.
28.5 Deletion requests
Requests for deletion of personal information will be considered in accordance with the Privacy Policy and applicable law.
Certain information may need to be retained where legally required or reasonably necessary for legitimate purposes.
28.6 Audit trail
COURTREADZ should maintain a reliable record of significant moderation and security decisions to support accountability, dispute resolution and compliance.
29 β CHANGES TO COMMUNITY STANDARDS
29.1 Policy updates
COURTREADZ may update these Community Standards to reflect:
a. Legislative changes.
b. Regulatory guidance.
c. New website functionality.
d. Changes to platform services.
e. Emerging cybersecurity risks.
f. Community safety concerns.
g. Operational improvements.
h. Changes to moderation procedures.
29.2 Notification of material changes
Where changes materially affect users' contractual rights or obligations, COURTREADZ will provide appropriate notice and obtain renewed agreement where required by law.
29.3 Effective date
Updated standards will identify their effective date.
Changes will not retrospectively remove accrued legal rights or impose unlawful obligations.
29.4 Previous versions
COURTREADZ should retain copies of previous policy versions and records of relevant user acceptance.
30 β GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
30.1 Governing law
These Community Standards are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, and applicable Commonwealth legislation, subject to any mandatory laws that apply to particular users or disputes.
30.2 Initial complaints
Users are encouraged to contact COURTREADZ regarding concerns about moderation decisions, account restrictions or interpretation of these standards.
30.3 Good-faith resolution
COURTREADZ may seek to resolve disputes through reasonable communication, review or other appropriate processes.
30.4 External legal rights
Nothing in these Community Standards prevents a party from seeking assistance from a court, regulator, law enforcement agency or other legally authorised body.
30.5 Severability
If a provision is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, it will be ineffective to the extent of that invalidity or unenforceability.
The remaining provisions will continue to operate where legally possible.
30.6 No waiver
A failure or delay by COURTREADZ to enforce a particular provision does not necessarily waive its right to enforce that provision in future.
This clause does not override applicable legal principles or statutory rights.
31 β USER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
31.1 Agreement to comply
By registering for an account and affirmatively accepting these Community Standards, the user agrees to comply with the applicable requirements.
31.2 Required declarations
The registration process should require users to confirm that:
a. They are at least 18 years old.
b. They have had a reasonable opportunity to review the applicable terms.
c. They agree to comply with the Community Standards.
d. They understand that serious misconduct may result in immediate protective restrictions.
e. They understand that membership may be suspended or terminated for substantiated serious breaches.
f. They understand that COURTREADZ may investigate reports and reconsider disciplinary decisions.
g. They understand that the Privacy Policy governs the handling of personal information.
31.3 Electronic acceptance
COURTREADZ may use an electronic checkbox or equivalent affirmative action to record acceptance.
The platform should retain the applicable policy version, acceptance timestamp and relevant account identifier.
31.4 Recommended registration checkbox
This is an example of the acknowledgement to implement on the website. It does not create an account or record legal consent here.
Acceptance of the Community Standards should be separate from any consent that must be freely and specifically given, such as certain recording or marketing consents.
32 β FINAL COMMUNITY SAFETY DECLARATION
COURTREADZ is committed to maintaining an adult-only literary community in which members can enjoy books, reviews, author interviews, live streams, podcasts and meaningful interactions without being subjected to unlawful conduct or serious abuse.
Bullying, harassment, intimidation, sexual exploitation, unlawful discrimination, threats, stalking, fraud, cybercrime, serious privacy violations and other prohibited conduct will not be tolerated.
COURTREADZ may take immediate protective action, including suspension or termination of membership, where reasonably necessary.
Following investigation, COURTREADZ may reconsider the outcome and, where appropriate, issue a warning, impose reasonable conditions or reinstate membership.
All enforcement decisions will be made subject to applicable law, including non-excludable consumer rights.
Every user is expected to contribute to a safe, lawful and respectful community.
End of Community standards and guidelines policy.
Website: https://courtreadz.com
Trading as: COURTREADZ Book Club
ABN: 75 703 781 131
Email: courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com
Minimum age: Strictly 18 years & older
PRIVACY POLICY
COURTREADZ BOOK CLUB PRIVACY POLICY
PART A β FOUNDATION, APPLICATION AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK
1. Purpose and scope of this Privacy Policy
1.1 Purpose
COURTREADZ Book Club (βCOURTREADZβ, βCourt Readsβ, βweβ, βusβ or βourβ) is an Australian-operated digital book community offering subscription-based membership, literary discussions, interactive social networking, author engagement, publishing-related services, video and audio content, digital products and other related activities.
This Privacy Policy establishes the principles governing personal information handled through the COURTREADZ website, associated services, applications, databases, communications and authorised third-party integrations.
The Policy applies to personal information processed in connection with:
Website visits, navigation and account registration.
Paid and complimentary memberships.
Member profiles, photographs, biographies and reading interests.
Bookshelves, personal libraries, reviews, ratings and recommendations.
Home-feed publications, comments, reactions and tagged content.
Member-to-member messaging and communications with administrators.
Author and publisher accounts, storefronts and commercial arrangements.
Digital book purchases, payment processing and downloads.
Weekly livestreams, interactive discussions and audience participation.
Recorded interviews, podcasts, video calls and audio communications.
Contests, promotions, giveaways, surveys and voting activities.
Technical support, complaints, moderation and account investigations.
Website security, fraud prevention and abuse detection.
Marketing, promotional communications and authorised analytics.
Third-party integrations, hosting, storage, content delivery and streaming.
Legal compliance, dispute resolution and regulatory investigations.
This Policy applies regardless of whether a person accesses the platform through a computer, smartphone, tablet, compatible application, browser or other supported technology.
1.2 Persons covered
This Policy covers all persons aged 18 years or older whose personal information is handled by COURTREADZ, including paying members, free account holders, authors, publishers, podcast guests, interview participants, promotional entrants, business contacts, website visitors and former users.
Certain provisions also apply to people who contact COURTREADZ without creating an account.
1.3 Strict minimum age requirement β 18 years
COURTREADZ is an adult-only platform.
All persons must be at least 18 years old to access, register for, hold an account on, or participate in COURTREADZ services.
No person under 18 is authorised to:
Create a member, author or publisher account.
Purchase or use a membership.
Post content or participate in the home feed.
Send or receive messages through member services.
Join livestreams, podcasts or interactive video sessions.
Participate in giveaways, competitions or promotions.
Purchase or download products through account-restricted services.
Use community, networking or author services.
During registration, users must confirm that they are at least 18 years of age.
COURTREADZ may request reasonable additional age-verification information where required by law or where there is a reasonable concern about eligibility.
Any such verification must be proportionate, privacy-conscious and limited to information reasonably necessary for the purpose.
If COURTREADZ becomes aware that an individual under 18 has created an account or provided personal information, COURTREADZ may suspend access, investigate, delete the account and remove associated personal information where legally permissible.
Where a minor's information must be retained temporarily for security, investigation, statutory compliance or dispute resolution, it will be restricted to the extent reasonably practicable.
The accidental receipt of information concerning a minor does not authorise COURTREADZ to use that information for unrelated commercial purposes.
1.4 No guaranteed detection of false age declarations
COURTREADZ may rely on age declarations and proportionate verification processes but does not guarantee that every false declaration will be detected.
Users who knowingly provide false age information breach the platform's Terms and Conditions.
This provision does not remove any statutory duty imposed upon COURTREADZ to take reasonable steps to enforce age restrictions or protect personal information.
2. Applicable privacy legislation and regulatory framework
2.1 Australian law
Depending on the nature, size and activities of the business, COURTREADZ may be subject to the following Australian legislation and regulatory requirements:
Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Cth), including applicable amendments.
Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.
Australian Consumer Law under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
Spam Act 2003 (Cth).
Telecommunications and applicable electronic communications laws.
Applicable state and territory surveillance-device, recording and privacy laws.
Applicable online safety and cybercrime legislation.
Applicable taxation, financial-record and consumer protection obligations.
COURTREADZ will determine whether the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles apply to its activities, including where statutory turnover thresholds, exceptions or other jurisdictional conditions are relevant.
Where COURTREADZ is not legally required to comply with a particular Australian Privacy Principle, it may nevertheless adopt equivalent privacy practices as part of its internal operating standards.
2.2 Statutory privacy rights
Australian privacy law includes mandatory requirements that cannot simply be excluded through contractual wording.
In particular, Australian law introduced a statutory cause of action for certain serious invasions of privacy commencing 10 June 2025. This may apply beyond businesses ordinarily covered by the Australian Privacy Principles. οΏΌ
COURTREADZ will not interpret any provision of this Policy as excluding liability where doing so would be unlawful.
2.3 European Union and European Economic Area
Where the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to particular COURTREADZ activities, COURTREADZ will comply with the applicable requirements, including:
A valid legal basis for processing.
Appropriate transparency and privacy notices.
Data minimisation and purpose limitation.
Applicable individual access, correction and deletion rights.
Restrictions on international data transfers.
Appropriate processor contracts.
Security and breach notification obligations.
Applicable rights to object, restrict processing and obtain data portability.
The GDPR does not automatically apply merely because a European resident can visit an Australian website. Applicability must be assessed against the relevant territorial and processing criteria.
2.4 United Kingdom
Where applicable, COURTREADZ will comply with UK data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, as amended.
Applicable UK electronic marketing and cookie requirements will also be considered.
2.5 United States
Where relevant statutory thresholds and territorial conditions are met, COURTREADZ will comply with applicable United States federal and state privacy requirements.
These may include the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act, and other applicable state privacy laws.
2.6 Other international jurisdictions
COURTREADZ may have users in countries including Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Brazil, Japan, South Africa and other jurisdictions.
Depending on the circumstances, additional privacy or data protection laws may apply, including:
Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and applicable provincial legislation.
New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020.
Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act.
Brazil's Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD).
Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information.
South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act.
The applicability of any foreign legislation depends on factors such as the location of users, nature of processing, targeting of services, local establishments, business activities and statutory thresholds.
COURTREADZ reserves the right to restrict particular services or jurisdictions where lawful compliance cannot reasonably be established.
2.7 Mandatory legal protections prevail
Where a provision of this Policy conflicts with a mandatory legal requirement, the applicable mandatory requirement prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
Nothing in this Policy is intended to remove an individual's legally protected rights or remedies.
PART B β COLLECTION AND HANDLING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
3. Categories of personal information collected
COURTREADZ may collect the following categories of information where reasonably necessary for an authorised service or legitimate operational purpose.
3.1 Identity and account information
Information may include:
Full name.
Display name and username.
Email address.
Country and general geographic location.
Date of birth or age-confirmation information where necessary.
Account identification numbers.
Membership status and subscription history.
Registration and verification dates.
Login credentials in appropriately protected form.
Account settings and preferences.
Account restriction, suspension or closure records.
Passwords should be stored using industry-standard one-way password hashing rather than recoverable plaintext.
3.2 Member profile information
Users may voluntarily provide:
Profile photographs.
Cover images.
Personal biographies.
Favourite books and authors.
Currently reading information.
Top five favourite books.
Book collections and personal libraries.
Book ratings and written reviews.
Reading preferences and genre interests.
Links to external social media accounts.
Other information voluntarily published through supported profile fields.
Users should avoid including unnecessary sensitive information in public or member-visible profile fields.
3.3 Community content
COURTREADZ may process information contained in:
Written posts.
Uploaded photographs and videos.
Comments and replies.
Likes, reactions and other engagement.
Book polls and votes.
Mentions and tags.
User-generated reviews.
Reports of inappropriate conduct.
Content-editing and moderation histories.
Associated timestamps and technical metadata.
Content may identify the person who created it and other people mentioned or depicted in it.
3.4 Private messages
Where messaging features are available, COURTREADZ may process message content and associated metadata to provide the messaging service.
Relevant information may include sender and recipient identifiers, timestamps, message content, attachments, delivery status and abuse reports.
Private messages are not intended for public display.
However, they should not be represented as end-to-end encrypted unless that protection is actually implemented and independently verified.
Authorised access to private messages may occur where reasonably necessary to investigate reported abuse, protect users, maintain security, comply with law or resolve technical incidents.
Access must be limited, logged where practicable and subject to appropriate confidentiality controls.
3.5 Payment and billing information
COURTREADZ may process information associated with:
Membership payments.
Author listing fees.
Digital purchases.
Subscription renewals.
Failed or disputed payments.
Refunds and chargebacks.
Invoices and receipts.
Payment transaction identifiers.
Billing addresses where required.
Applicable taxation records.
Where Stripe or another authorised payment processor is used, full payment card information should ordinarily be collected and stored by that processor rather than by COURTREADZ.
COURTREADZ may receive limited payment metadata necessary to manage purchases, subscriptions and financial records.
3.6 Author and publisher information
Author and publisher services may involve collection of:
Legal or trading names.
Professional pen names.
Business email addresses.
Publisher or imprint details.
Business identification and tax information where required.
Author biographies and promotional images.
Book descriptions and cover artwork.
Book pricing and publication details.
Storefront and sales records.
Customer transaction information.
Payout account status.
Verification and onboarding information.
Commercial agreements and correspondence.
Where payment processing or identity verification is undertaken by a third-party provider, that provider may independently collect additional information under its own privacy policy.
3.7 Livestream, video and audio information
When users participate in interactive livestreams, recorded interviews or video calls, COURTREADZ may process:
Display names and participant identifiers.
Voice recordings.
Video images.
Spoken statements.
Chat messages.
Audience questions.
Recording consent acknowledgements.
Session attendance information.
Participation timestamps.
Moderation and safety information.
Recording files and edited media.
Additional requirements concerning recording consent are addressed in Part E.
3.8 Giveaway and competition information
Depending on the promotion, information may include:
Entrant name.
Account identification.
Email address.
Country of residence.
Eligibility declarations.
Competition entry content.
Prize selection and winner information.
Postal address where physical delivery is required.
Bank transfer information where necessary for an authorised cash prize.
Prize delivery confirmation.
Tax or identity information required by applicable law.
Information collected for a giveaway will not automatically be used for unrelated marketing without an appropriate legal basis.
3.9 Technical and device information
When users access the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
Internet Protocol (IP) address.
Browser type and version.
Device type.
Operating system.
Login and session identifiers.
Approximate location inferred from network information.
Referring website addresses.
Pages visited.
Access times.
Error and diagnostic logs.
Security events.
Cookies and similar identifiers.
Network and connection metadata.
Technical information may be personal information where it identifies, or can reasonably identify, an individual.
3.10 Customer service information
When individuals contact COURTREADZ, we may collect correspondence, support requests, complaint details, screenshots, relevant transaction records and information necessary to investigate or resolve the matter.
3.11 Sensitive personal information
COURTREADZ does not ordinarily require users to provide sensitive personal information such as health information, religious beliefs, political opinions, sexual orientation, biometric identification information or criminal records.
Users must not assume that voluntarily posting such information is necessary or appropriate.
Where sensitive information is collected or processed, COURTREADZ will apply the additional requirements imposed by applicable law, including consent where required.
A user voluntarily publishing sensitive information does not automatically authorise unrestricted reuse by COURTREADZ.
4. Methods of information collection
4.1 Direct collection
Personal information may be collected directly when individuals:
Register or update accounts.
Purchase subscriptions.
Submit forms.
Upload content.
Participate in discussions.
Send messages.
Join recordings.
Contact support.
Apply for promotions.
Provide author or publisher information.
4.2 Automatic collection
Technical information may be collected through server logs, authentication systems, security services, cookies and authorised analytics technologies.
4.3 Third-party sources
Information may be received from payment processors, hosting providers, authorised authentication services, authors, publishers, fraud prevention providers and other services with which COURTREADZ legitimately interacts.
Information obtained from third parties must be collected and used in accordance with applicable law.
4.4 Information about other individuals
Users must not upload or disclose another person's personal information without an appropriate lawful basis.
This includes photographs, private communications, residential addresses, contact details and identifying information.
Where a user publishes information about another person, that user is responsible for obtaining any permissions legally required of them.
COURTREADZ retains its own obligations to respond appropriately to privacy complaints, unlawful disclosures and valid removal requests.
5. Purposes for which information is used
COURTREADZ may process personal information for the following purposes:
Creating and authenticating accounts.
Verifying eligibility for adult-only services.
Providing and administering subscriptions.
Processing payments and transactions.
Operating author and publisher storefronts.
Displaying user-authorised profile information.
Enabling community posting, messaging and interaction.
Hosting livestreams, podcasts and interviews.
Managing recording consent and content permissions.
Providing digital books and other products.
Administering competitions and prizes.
Communicating service announcements.
Responding to support requests.
Investigating complaints and misconduct.
Preventing fraud, impersonation and unauthorised access.
Detecting security threats and technical failures.
Maintaining reliable website performance.
Conducting appropriate business analytics.
Meeting accounting and taxation obligations.
Responding to lawful requests and legal proceedings.
Enforcing applicable Terms and Conditions.
Establishing, exercising or defending legal claims.
Improving services through lawful and proportionate analysis.
COURTREADZ will not treat this list as unrestricted permission to use personal information for any unrelated purpose.
Where a new purpose requires additional notice, consent or another lawful basis, appropriate steps will be taken before the processing begins.
6. Lawful bases for processing
Where a law such as the GDPR requires a specific legal basis, COURTREADZ will identify and document the applicable basis before processing personal information.
Depending on the activity, the basis may include:
Contractual necessity: Processing required to create accounts, provide purchased memberships, deliver digital products or administer contracted services.
Legal obligations: Processing necessary to comply with applicable tax, accounting, regulatory or statutory requirements.
Legitimate interests: Processing necessary for appropriate platform security, fraud prevention, service administration and other legitimate purposes, subject to applicable balancing requirements and individual rights.
Consent: Processing for activities requiring a freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous choice, including certain optional recordings, non-essential cookies and marketing activities.
Other lawful grounds: Additional legal bases may apply in limited circumstances where expressly permitted by applicable law.
Consent will not be relied upon where it is invalid, coerced or inappropriate for the processing concerned.
Where processing relies on consent, users may withdraw that consent through the applicable mechanism, subject to lawful limits and the effect of processing already undertaken.
7. Collection minimisation and accuracy
COURTREADZ will seek to collect only information reasonably necessary for identified purposes.
Where practicable, the platform will:
Avoid unnecessary mandatory registration fields.
Use age eligibility confirmation rather than collecting full identity documents unnecessarily.
Limit collection of precise location information.
Restrict access to sensitive records.
Avoid collecting full card details through its own systems.
Provide appropriate profile privacy controls.
Allow correction of inaccurate information.
Review whether stored information remains necessary.
Users are responsible for keeping account information reasonably accurate.
COURTREADZ may correct, update or restrict information where necessary and lawful.
PART C β INFORMATION VISIBILITY, DISCLOSURE AND THIRD PARTIES
8. Public, member-visible and private information
8.1 Visibility categories
COURTREADZ may distinguish between three categories of platform information.
Public information is content intentionally made available to persons who may not hold a COURTREADZ account.
Member-visible information is content accessible to authorised registered users, subject to applicable access settings.
Restricted information is information intended only for the relevant account holder, authorised recipients, approved service providers or authorised COURTREADZ personnel.
The classification of information depends on the actual platform configuration and user-facing privacy settings.
8.2 Home-feed information
Where the home feed is accessible to registered members, posts, comments, images, videos, usernames and associated engagement may be visible to those members.
Users acknowledge that other authorised members may view and interact with material made available to them.
Where permitted by the platform's functionality and applicable law, users may share links or references to content.
COURTREADZ cannot guarantee that another individual will never capture, photograph, screenshot, download, copy or unlawfully redistribute material visible on their device.
8.3 Unauthorised redistribution
Members must not misuse personal information obtained through COURTREADZ.
Prohibited conduct includes:
Publishing another person's private messages without lawful authority.
Disclosing residential addresses or private contact information.
Doxxing or threatening other members.
Distributing intimate or confidential material without consent.
Impersonating another individual.
Collecting member information for unauthorised commercial purposes.
Scraping or harvesting personal information.
Using information to stalk, intimidate or harass another person.
COURTREADZ may remove content, suspend accounts, preserve relevant evidence and report suspected unlawful activity to competent authorities where appropriate.
8.4 Limits of platform control
COURTREADZ does not control independently operated websites, external devices or the conduct of third parties outside its reasonable technical and legal authority.
COURTREADZ is not responsible for every independent act of a third party merely because that person originally encountered information through the platform.
However, this provision does not exclude liability arising from COURTREADZ's own unlawful disclosure, negligence, security failures, statutory breaches or failure to take legally required action.
8.5 Private messaging expectations
Private messages are intended for their selected recipients and should not appear in public feeds.
COURTREADZ will implement reasonable access controls appropriate to the sensitivity of the messaging service.
Users should not assume that messages are immune from lawful disclosure, security investigations, abuse reporting, authorised administration or technical processing necessary to operate the service.
9. Disclosure to third parties
9.1 Permitted disclosures
COURTREADZ may disclose personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary, legally authorised and consistent with this Policy.
Recipients may include:
Website hosting providers.
Cloud storage providers.
Content delivery networks.
Video and audio infrastructure providers.
Payment processors.
Email and notification providers.
Technical developers and support contractors.
Professional advisers.
Account verification providers.
Fraud and cybersecurity service providers.
Authors and publishers involved in authorised transactions.
Government agencies and courts where lawful disclosure is required.
COURTREADZ will seek to limit disclosure to the information necessary for the relevant purpose.
9.2 Website hosting
COURTREADZ uses or may use Digital Pacific and associated infrastructure for website hosting, server administration and related technical services.
Hosting providers may process personal information stored in website databases, account records, uploaded content, server logs and backups.
The extent of provider access will depend on contractual arrangements, system permissions and the services supplied.
9.3 Cloudflare and content storage
COURTREADZ plans to use or may use Cloudflare services, including Cloudflare R2, for storage, security, performance and delivery of uploaded media.
Depending on the configuration, such services may process account-related files, media, IP addresses, security information and request metadata.
Cloudflare's own contractual and privacy documentation may apply to its independent processing activities.
9.4 Agora livestream services
COURTREADZ plans to use or may use Agora technology for interactive video and audio functionality.
Where implemented, Agora or associated service providers may process participant identifiers, audio and video streams, connection data, technical diagnostics and other information necessary to deliver livestream functionality.
COURTREADZ will determine the applicable data-processing roles, retention settings, recording configuration and international transfer arrangements before activating the service.
9.5 Stripe and Stripe Connect
COURTREADZ uses or intends to use Stripe services for payments and Stripe Connect for author-related financial arrangements.
Stripe may independently collect and process payment details, financial information, identity verification records, payout information, fraud indicators and transaction information.
COURTREADZ will not represent that it has no responsibility for payment-related privacy merely because Stripe processes transactions.
9.6 Developers and technical contractors
Developers and authorised contractors may require limited access to website systems, logs, databases or files to perform maintenance and development services.
Where personal information is accessible, COURTREADZ will seek appropriate contractual protections, including confidentiality, restricted use, security requirements and incident reporting.
Contractors must not use member information for their own unrelated purposes without lawful authorisation.
9.7 Authors and publishers
Where a member purchases a digital product, communicates with an author or uses a publisher-related feature, limited information may be shared with the relevant author or publisher where necessary and lawfully authorised.
Information should not be disclosed to authors or publishers for unrelated marketing solely because a member uses the platform.
Where authors independently determine the purposes of processing information they receive, they may have their own privacy obligations.
COURTREADZ may require participating authors and publishers to comply with contractual privacy and confidentiality requirements.
9.8 Professional and legal advisers
Personal information may be disclosed to lawyers, accountants, insurers, auditors or other professional advisers where reasonably necessary for lawful business administration, advice, investigations, insurance claims or dispute resolution.
9.9 Law enforcement and regulatory authorities
COURTREADZ may disclose information where required or authorised by applicable law, including in response to valid court orders, subpoenas, warrants, statutory notices or other lawful compulsory processes.
Where disclosure is discretionary rather than mandatory, COURTREADZ will consider legality, necessity, proportionality and applicable user rights.
COURTREADZ may challenge requests considered invalid or excessive where lawful and appropriate.
9.10 Business restructuring or transfer
In connection with a lawful sale, merger, restructure or transfer of business assets, relevant information may be disclosed subject to confidentiality, due diligence, applicable privacy obligations and appropriate safeguards.
Any resulting material change in processing practices will be addressed through legally required notices and consent procedures.
10. International data transfers
10.1 Global operation
COURTREADZ is operated from Australia but may be accessed internationally.
Personal information may be processed, hosted, transmitted or accessed outside Australia depending on service-provider infrastructure and contractual arrangements.
10.2 Overseas recipient locations
Potential overseas processing locations may include the United States and other countries in which contracted technology providers operate.
Before publication, COURTREADZ must confirm the actual countries in which its providers store, access or receive personal information and identify likely overseas disclosure destinations where practicable.
A general statement that data may be processed anywhere in the world is not necessarily sufficient to satisfy Australian privacy notice requirements.
The Australian Privacy Principles specifically address overseas disclosures and the identification of recipient countries where practicable. οΏΌ
10.3 Cross-border safeguards
Where required, COURTREADZ will take reasonable steps to ensure overseas recipients protect personal information appropriately.
Measures may include:
Written data-processing agreements.
Contractual confidentiality obligations.
Restrictions on subcontractors.
Appropriate access controls.
Security and encryption requirements.
Incident reporting obligations.
International transfer assessments.
Standard Contractual Clauses where appropriate.
Other approved international transfer mechanisms.
10.4 European international transfers
Where GDPR or UK GDPR transfer restrictions apply, COURTREADZ will use an appropriate lawful transfer mechanism, potentially including adequacy arrangements, approved contractual clauses or other permitted safeguards.
European data protection rules provide specific requirements for transfers outside the European Economic Area. οΏΌ
10.5 No blanket transfer waiver
Accepting this Privacy Policy does not automatically constitute valid consent to every international transfer or eliminate COURTREADZ's responsibility for overseas service providers.
Where specific consent is relied upon as a legal exception, it must satisfy the requirements of the applicable law.
PART D β SECURITY, RETENTION AND DATA BREACH MANAGEMENT
11. Information security
11.1 Security commitment
COURTREADZ will seek to implement technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the nature and sensitivity of information held, the risks of unauthorised access and the size and complexity of its operations.
11.2 Technical safeguards
Security controls may include, where appropriate:
HTTPS and TLS encryption for information in transit.
Encryption of sensitive information at rest.
Secure password hashing.
Multifactor authentication for privileged accounts.
Role-based access controls.
Restricted administrator privileges.
Secure session management.
Software and dependency updates.
Security patch management.
Firewall and web application protection.
Protection against common injection and scripting attacks.
Upload validation and malicious-file scanning.
Rate limiting and login abuse protection.
Security event monitoring.
Backup protection.
Secure credential and secret management.
Appropriate database access restrictions.
Testing and review of access permissions.
Vulnerability identification and remediation.
Appropriate vendor and contractor security controls.
This section describes the intended security framework. It must not be interpreted as a representation that every listed measure has already been deployed.
11.3 Administrative safeguards
COURTREADZ will seek to establish:
Confidentiality obligations for authorised personnel.
Access approvals based on operational necessity.
Removal of access when no longer required.
Secure handling of customer support information.
Incident reporting procedures.
Procedures for investigating privacy complaints.
Appropriate security awareness and training.
Documentation of significant privacy decisions.
Periodic review of third-party providers.
Procedures for secure disposal of information.
11.4 User responsibilities
Users are responsible for taking reasonable steps to protect their accounts, including maintaining confidential passwords, avoiding credential sharing and reporting suspected unauthorised access.
Users must not attempt to bypass security controls, access other accounts, exploit vulnerabilities or interfere with website infrastructure.
11.5 Security limitations
No internet-connected platform can guarantee absolute protection against all cyberattacks, malicious third parties, software vulnerabilities, infrastructure failures or unforeseen security incidents.
COURTREADZ does not warrant that its systems will be completely immune from every possible threat.
Nevertheless, COURTREADZ remains responsible for taking security measures required by applicable law.
The existence of cybersecurity risks does not excuse a failure to implement legally required safeguards.
12. Personal information retention
12.1 General retention principle
COURTREADZ will retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected or for another lawful purpose.
Retention periods may depend on contractual requirements, accounting obligations, legal claims, safety investigations, operational needs and applicable privacy law.
12.2 Account records
Account information may be retained while an account remains active and for a limited period after closure where necessary for lawful purposes.
Information no longer required will be deleted, destroyed or appropriately de-identified, subject to applicable exceptions.
12.3 Financial records
Payment, taxation and accounting information may be retained for applicable statutory recordkeeping periods.
Deleting an account does not necessarily require deletion of records that must lawfully be preserved.
12.4 User-generated content
Posts, comments, photographs and videos may be retained while published on the platform.
Following removal or account closure, associated content will be handled according to applicable law, user rights, contractual permissions and operational retention requirements.
Content may remain in restricted backups temporarily until the applicable backup lifecycle expires.
12.5 Private messages
Private messages may be retained while needed to provide the messaging service, subject to deletion policies, recipient account status, safety investigations and legal obligations.
Deletion by one participant does not necessarily remove an independently retained copy belonging to another participant.
12.6 Recorded media
Recorded interviews, podcasts and livestream content may be retained for the duration permitted by the relevant recording agreement and applicable law.
The retention of raw recordings, edited media, published content and consent records may differ.
COURTREADZ will document the applicable arrangements and provide relevant information before recording.
12.7 Security and moderation records
Limited records of misconduct, fraud, account restrictions, security incidents and complaints may be retained where reasonably necessary to protect users, prevent repeated abuse or establish and defend legal claims.
12.8 Backup retention
Backups may temporarily contain information deleted from active systems.
Where immediate deletion from backups is not technically feasible, COURTREADZ will seek to restrict further use and ensure deletion occurs according to the applicable backup lifecycle.
Restored backups must be managed so that information previously deleted is not unnecessarily reintroduced into active use.
13. Data breaches and security incidents
13.1 Incident definition
A privacy or security incident may involve unauthorised access, unlawful disclosure, loss, alteration, destruction or compromise of personal information.
Examples include compromised administrator credentials, database exposure, accidental publication of private information, malicious access to files or disclosure to an unauthorised recipient.
13.2 Incident response
Where a suspected incident is identified, COURTREADZ will seek to:
Identify the incident and affected systems.
Restrict or contain unauthorised access.
Preserve relevant evidence.
Investigate the nature and scope of the incident.
Identify affected information and individuals.
Assess the likelihood and seriousness of harm.
Engage relevant technical or legal advisers where necessary.
Implement reasonable remedial measures.
Determine notification obligations.
Notify affected persons and authorities where legally required.
Document the response.
Review security controls to reduce recurrence.
13.3 Australian Notifiable Data Breaches scheme
Where the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme applies, COURTREADZ will assess suspected eligible data breaches in accordance with the Privacy Act.
An eligible data breach generally involves unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of personal information likely to result in serious harm, where remedial action has not removed that likelihood.
Regulated entities must take reasonable steps to complete a suspected eligible breach assessment within 30 calendar days and notify affected individuals and the OAIC as soon as practicable when notification is required. οΏΌ
13.4 International notification obligations
Where other privacy laws apply, COURTREADZ will assess additional notification requirements, including potentially shorter reporting periods under GDPR and other legislation.
The applicable deadline depends on the relevant law, role of COURTREADZ and nature of the incident.
13.5 No automatic exclusion of responsibility
COURTREADZ will not be deemed automatically liable for every incident involving an independent third party.
Equally, COURTREADZ cannot exclude liability for its own legally actionable conduct simply by describing an incident as a cyberattack.
Responsibility will be determined by applicable law, facts, contractual duties and the circumstances of the incident.
PART E β LIVESTREAMS, RECORDINGS, PODCASTS AND USER CONSENT
14. Video and audio recording privacy
14.1 Application
This section applies to livestreams, interactive video sessions, author interviews, influencer interviews, podcasts, audio discussions, recorded member participation and other recording activities operated or authorised by COURTREADZ.
14.2 Recording notice
COURTREADZ will provide an appropriate recording notice before collecting identifiable audio or video from a participant where consent or notification is required.
The notice will explain, as applicable:
Whether the session is being recorded.
The types of information collected.
The purposes of recording.
Whether the recording may be edited.
Whether the recording will be published.
The intended audience.
Whether the recording may be used promotionally.
Relevant retention arrangements.
How to contact COURTREADZ about privacy concerns.
14.3 First-time recording consent pop-up
COURTREADZ intends to implement a recording acknowledgement and consent mechanism for first-time participation in applicable recorded services.
Before a participant joins their first recorded livestream, interactive video session or recorded call, a pop-up will appear explaining that audio, video or other contributions may be recorded.
The pop-up will provide access to the complete Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement.
Where affirmative consent is the appropriate legal basis, the participant must actively select an unchecked consent box before proceeding.
The system should record:
The participant's account identifier.
The date and time of consent.
The version of the agreement accepted.
The recording activities covered.
The method by which consent was obtained.
Any subsequent withdrawal or replacement of consent.
14.4 Continuing consent
COURTREADZ may rely on a previously recorded acknowledgement or consent for subsequent sessions only where the original consent remains legally valid and sufficiently specific to cover those activities.
A new acknowledgement or consent may be required if the recording purpose, audience, publication arrangements, technology or applicable legal requirements materially change.
14.5 Joining recorded sessions
Participants who do not provide legally required consent may be prevented from joining interactive recording features.
Where practical, COURTREADZ may provide alternatives such as viewing without enabling a camera or microphone.
A person merely watching a livestream should not automatically be treated as having consented to the recording of their identifiable voice or image.
14.6 Editing and publication
Where appropriately authorised, recorded material may be edited for clarity, length, production quality and presentation.
Editing must not be used unlawfully to misrepresent an individual's statements or create misleading or defamatory material.
Any promotional or commercial use of identifiable recordings must comply with the applicable recording agreement, privacy law and other relevant rights.
14.7 Withdrawal of consent
Where processing relies on consent, individuals may request withdrawal through courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
COURTREADZ will assess the request according to applicable law and the relevant recording agreement.
Withdrawal will not automatically invalidate processing lawfully completed before withdrawal.
Whether an already published recording must be removed depends on the legal basis for continued use, applicable rights and circumstances.
COURTREADZ will not claim an unrestricted perpetual right to process personal information merely because a participant previously accepted a recording agreement.
14.8 Recording by members
Members must not secretly or unlawfully record private communications, video calls or other participants.
Members are responsible for complying with applicable recording, surveillance and privacy laws.
COURTREADZ may investigate reports of unlawful recording and take appropriate moderation or legal action.
14.9 Separate recording agreement
The Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement governs additional matters, including applicable licences, recording permissions, editing rights, distribution, attribution and intellectual property.
Where there is a conflict between that agreement and mandatory privacy legislation, the mandatory law prevails.
PART F β COOKIES, ANALYTICS AND MARKETING
15. Cookies and similar technologies
15.1 Use of cookies
COURTREADZ may use cookies, local storage, session identifiers and similar technologies to operate and improve the website.
These technologies may support authentication, account security, session continuity, user preferences, technical diagnostics, performance measurement and lawful marketing activities.
15.2 Essential cookies
Essential technologies may be necessary to maintain secure logins, process transactions, protect accounts and provide requested services.
Where permitted by law, these may operate without separate opt-in consent.
15.3 Analytics cookies
Analytics technologies may collect information concerning website traffic, page interactions, device types and general usage patterns.
Where analytics cookies or similar technologies require consent, COURTREADZ will obtain it before activation.
15.4 Advertising and tracking technologies
COURTREADZ may use authorised advertising or measurement technologies to understand promotional performance.
Before implementing tracking pixels or behavioural advertising tools, COURTREADZ will assess the information transmitted, recipients, lawful basis, international transfers and relevant opt-out requirements.
The use of tracking pixels can create privacy obligations even where the business does not directly receive every item of information transmitted. οΏΌ
15.5 Cookie consent controls
Where required, COURTREADZ will provide an accessible consent mechanism allowing users to make meaningful choices concerning non-essential technologies.
The mechanism should not treat silence, inactivity or preselected boxes as valid consent where affirmative consent is legally required.
Users should be able to withdraw applicable consent without unnecessary difficulty.
15.6 Cookie register
COURTREADZ will maintain a record of cookies and similar technologies actually deployed, including their purposes, providers, approximate lifetimes and categories.
This information should be made available through a Cookie Policy or equivalent website disclosure.
16. Marketing communications
16.1 Types of communications
COURTREADZ may send communications relating to membership services, account security, transactions, livestream schedules, author interviews, website developments and optional promotional activities.
16.2 Service communications
COURTREADZ may send communications reasonably necessary to operate an account or fulfil a contract, including receipts, password resets, important policy changes and security notices.
These communications are distinct from optional direct marketing.
16.3 Promotional communications
Promotional emails, messages and notifications will be sent in accordance with applicable marketing and privacy law.
Where consent is required, COURTREADZ will obtain valid consent.
16.4 Unsubscribing
Marketing communications will include an appropriate method of unsubscribing where required.
COURTREADZ will honour valid marketing opt-out requests within the applicable legal timeframe.
Australian guidance requires appropriate consent, sender identification and unsubscribe mechanisms for covered commercial electronic messages. οΏΌ
16.5 No automatic marketing consent
Registering for a membership, entering a giveaway or participating in a podcast does not automatically authorise every form of unrelated marketing.
Separate consent will be obtained where required.
16.6 Social media advertising
COURTREADZ may advertise through third-party platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
Those platforms may independently process information under their own privacy terms.
COURTREADZ will assess its own responsibilities when uploading customer lists, deploying tracking technologies or sharing information for advertising.
PART G β MEMBER RIGHTS AND PRIVACY REQUESTS
17. Access to personal information
Individuals may request access to personal information held about them.
Requests should be sent to:
courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com
COURTREADZ may require reasonable identity verification before disclosing account-related or sensitive information.
Requests will be assessed under applicable law.
Access may be limited or refused where a lawful exception applies, including circumstances involving another person's privacy, legal privilege, security risks or other recognised grounds.
Where required, COURTREADZ will explain the reason for refusal and available complaint mechanisms.
18. Correction of personal information
Individuals may request correction of personal information that is inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, irrelevant or misleading.
COURTREADZ will take reasonable steps required by applicable law to investigate and correct information.
Where a requested correction is refused, COURTREADZ will provide any explanation and review mechanism required by law.
19. Account deletion and erasure
19.1 Deletion requests
Members may request closure of their accounts and deletion of personal information through available account controls or by contacting COURTREADZ.
19.2 Information that may be retained
COURTREADZ may retain information where lawfully necessary for:
Financial and taxation records.
Fraud prevention.
Security investigations.
Existing legal disputes.
Compliance with court orders.
Protection of other users.
Establishment or defence of legal claims.
Other lawful retention purposes.
19.3 Published content
Deletion requests involving published posts, reviews, recorded media or content shared with other users will be assessed in accordance with applicable privacy law, contractual permissions and the nature of the content.
COURTREADZ will not guarantee removal of copies independently and lawfully held by unrelated third parties beyond its control.
19.4 International erasure rights
Where GDPR, UK GDPR or another applicable law provides a right to erasure, COURTREADZ will assess and honour that right subject to lawful exceptions.
20. Additional privacy rights
Depending on applicable law, individuals may have rights to:
Access personal information.
Correct inaccurate information.
Request deletion.
Withdraw consent.
Object to certain processing.
Restrict certain processing.
Receive portable copies of eligible information.
Opt out of certain direct marketing.
Limit particular uses of sensitive information.
Obtain information about relevant automated decisions.
Lodge complaints with privacy regulators.
Exercise other statutory privacy protections.
These rights are not identical across all jurisdictions and may be subject to specific legal conditions.
20.1 California residents
Where the California Consumer Privacy Act applies, eligible residents may have rights to know, access, correct and delete certain personal information, and to opt out of qualifying sale or sharing practices.
Additional protections may apply to sensitive personal information and the exercise of privacy rights. οΏΌ
COURTREADZ does not currently declare that it sells personal information. Before publication, the business must verify whether any advertising or data-sharing practices constitute a sale or sharing under applicable legislation.
20.2 European and United Kingdom residents
Where GDPR or UK GDPR applies, eligible individuals may exercise the relevant statutory rights through the privacy contact identified in this Policy.
Requests will be handled within the applicable statutory period, subject to lawful extensions and exceptions.
20.3 Non-discrimination
COURTREADZ will not unlawfully discriminate against individuals for exercising protected privacy rights.
This does not prevent the platform from restricting a service where information genuinely necessary to provide that service cannot lawfully be processed.
21. Automated decision-making and profiling
21.1 General position
COURTREADZ may use automated technologies for account authentication, spam prevention, fraud detection, content recommendations and security monitoring.
21.2 Significant decisions
Where automated processing is used to make decisions that significantly affect an individual's rights or interests, COURTREADZ will assess applicable transparency, fairness and review requirements.
21.3 Human review
Where legally required, eligible individuals may request information or human review concerning qualifying automated decisions.
21.4 Australian transparency requirements
COURTREADZ will monitor the commencement and applicability of Australian privacy transparency requirements concerning significant decisions involving computer programs.
Before deploying such functionality, COURTREADZ will assess whether additional privacy disclosures are required.
PART H β GIVEAWAYS, AUTHORS AND SPECIAL PLATFORM ACTIVITIES
22. Privacy relating to giveaways and competitions
22.1 Purpose
Personal information collected for competitions and giveaways will be used for legitimate purposes associated with administering the promotion.
These may include verifying eligibility, reviewing entries, selecting winners, contacting winners, distributing prizes, preventing fraud and complying with applicable law.
22.2 Australian-only promotions
Where a promotion is restricted to Australian residents, COURTREADZ may request reasonable evidence of eligibility.
Such information must be collected proportionately and used only for authorised purposes.
22.3 Prize payments
Where a prize is paid by bank transfer, COURTREADZ may collect payment details reasonably necessary to complete the transfer.
Banking information must be handled securely and should not be displayed publicly.
22.4 Public winner announcements
COURTREADZ may publish limited winner-identification information where the promotion rules permit and applicable privacy law allows.
A winner's full residential address, bank details, identity documents or other unnecessary private information must not be publicly disclosed.
22.5 Marketing and competitions
Competition participation will not automatically enrol entrants into unrelated marketing communications without a valid legal basis.
22.6 Competition records
Records may be retained for the period required by applicable promotional, financial, consumer or legal obligations.
23. Author and publisher privacy
23.1 Commercial information
COURTREADZ may process author and publisher information to administer storefronts, book listings, digital purchases, payments, professional correspondence and contractual arrangements.
23.2 Author dashboards
Author dashboards must be configured to restrict access to information relevant to the authorised author or publisher.
An author must not receive unrestricted access to the personal information of unrelated members.
23.3 Customer information
Information relating to purchasers or readers may only be disclosed to authors where necessary and lawfully permitted.
23.4 Independent author responsibilities
Authors and publishers who receive personal information for their own independent purposes may be separately responsible for complying with applicable privacy laws.
Their obligations may include providing privacy notices, maintaining security, restricting use and responding to valid privacy requests.
23.5 Prohibited exploitation
Authors and publishers must not use COURTREADZ-derived information for harassment, spam, unauthorised marketing, identity theft, profiling or unrelated commercial exploitation.
23.6 Enforcement
COURTREADZ may investigate alleged misuse, restrict author services, terminate access and pursue available contractual or legal remedies.
These rights do not eliminate COURTREADZ's own obligations regarding disclosures and platform security.
24. Reviews, bookshelves and reading preferences
Information relating to a member's reading activity may be displayed according to the platform's privacy settings.
This may include ratings, reviews, favourite books, reading progress and personal library information.
COURTREADZ may use such information to provide relevant platform features and lawful recommendations.
Reading preferences will not automatically be treated as consent for sensitive profiling or unrelated advertising.
Users should avoid publishing personal information that they do not wish other authorised users to view.
25. Notifications and tagging
COURTREADZ may generate notifications concerning replies, mentions, tags, messages, announcements and other platform activity.
Notification information may include the relevant username, content reference, timestamp and type of interaction.
Where notification preferences are available, users may control eligible non-essential notifications.
Security, account and legally required notices may continue where necessary.
Members must not misuse tagging or notification functions for harassment, intimidation or unwanted disclosure of private information.
PART I β THIRD-PARTY CONDUCT, LIABILITY AND LEGAL PROTECTION
26. User-generated content and privacy responsibility
26.1 User obligations
Users are responsible for ensuring that information they submit or publish complies with applicable law and the platform's governing agreements.
Users must not knowingly publish personal information unlawfully or infringe another person's privacy rights.
26.2 Third-party misconduct
COURTREADZ may host material created independently by members, authors and other users.
The presence of user-generated material does not mean COURTREADZ endorses, verifies or adopts every statement or disclosure made by the person who posted it.
26.3 Complaints and removal
COURTREADZ may investigate reports involving privacy violations, harassment, unauthorised disclosure, impersonation or unlawful content.
Where appropriate, COURTREADZ may restrict access, remove content, suspend accounts, preserve evidence or refer matters to authorities.
26.4 No absolute immunity
Nothing in this section excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
COURTREADZ may have obligations to respond to unlawful content, maintain reasonable safeguards or address conduct brought to its attention.
27. External websites and services
COURTREADZ may contain links to independent websites, author pages, social media accounts, payment services and other third-party resources.
Independent providers may have their own privacy practices, security controls and legal responsibilities.
COURTREADZ does not control the privacy practices of every external website.
Users are encouraged to review relevant third-party privacy notices before providing personal information.
COURTREADZ remains responsible for its own conduct in selecting, integrating and disclosing information to third-party services to the extent required by applicable law.
28. Unauthorised account access
Users must notify COURTREADZ promptly if they reasonably suspect that their account has been compromised.
COURTREADZ may temporarily restrict an affected account to protect the user, other members or platform infrastructure.
Where appropriate, the platform may require credential resets, additional verification or other proportionate security measures.
Responsibility for an incident will be determined according to the facts and applicable law, rather than automatically attributed to the account holder.
29. Limitation of liability
29.1 General principle
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, COURTREADZ does not assume responsibility for losses arising solely from independent unlawful acts of third parties where those losses are not legally attributable to COURTREADZ.
29.2 Matters outside reasonable control
Such circumstances may include independent third-party misconduct, unauthorised redistribution of member content, external service outages or other events outside COURTREADZ's reasonable control.
29.3 Mandatory obligations
No limitation in this Policy excludes, restricts or modifies any statutory guarantee, privacy obligation, consumer right, duty of care or legal remedy where exclusion would be unlawful.
29.4 Interpretation
Any legally permitted limitation will operate only to the extent enforceable in the relevant jurisdiction.
The invalidity of one limitation does not automatically invalidate unrelated lawful provisions.
29.5 No blanket release
A member's acceptance of this Privacy Policy does not constitute a blanket release of COURTREADZ from all present or future privacy claims.
Privacy notices are primarily instruments of transparency and compliance, not substitutes for lawful conduct or enforceable commercial agreements.
30. Indemnities and contractual responsibility
Where appropriate, separate Terms and Conditions, Membership Agreements and Author Agreements may contain enforceable indemnity provisions addressing losses caused by a user's unlawful conduct or breach of contract.
Any indemnity must be drafted consistently with applicable consumer protection, unfair contract term and other laws.
This Privacy Policy does not itself impose an unlimited indemnity against individuals merely because they use the website.
COURTREADZ reserves the right to pursue lawful remedies against persons responsible for intentional misuse of personal information, unauthorised system access or other actionable misconduct.
PART J β COMPLAINTS, DISPUTES AND REGULATORY COOPERATION
31. Privacy complaints
31.1 Contact details
Individuals who believe their personal information has been mishandled may submit a complaint to:
31.2 Complaint information
A complaint should, where reasonably possible, identify the relevant concern, approximate date, affected account and outcome sought.
Individuals should not send unnecessary identity documents or sensitive information through insecure channels.
31.3 Complaint handling
COURTREADZ will seek to:
Acknowledge receipt within a reasonable period.
Identify the nature of the complaint.
Determine whether immediate protective action is necessary.
Investigate relevant information.
Consult appropriate personnel or advisers.
Assess applicable legal obligations.
Communicate an outcome.
Take reasonable corrective action where warranted.
Maintain appropriate complaint records.
31.4 Response timeframe
COURTREADZ aims to acknowledge privacy complaints within five business days and provide a substantive response within 30 calendar days where reasonably practicable.
These are operational targets, not replacements for shorter statutory deadlines that may apply.
Where additional time is reasonably necessary, COURTREADZ will provide an appropriate update.
31.5 Australian regulatory complaints
Where applicable, individuals may complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Individuals should ordinarily raise their concern directly with COURTREADZ first, where appropriate, but nothing in this Policy removes any statutory right to approach a regulator.
31.6 International regulators
Where foreign privacy laws apply, eligible individuals may have the right to lodge complaints with an appropriate overseas data protection authority.
COURTREADZ will cooperate with competent authorities as required by law.
32. Governing law and jurisdiction
COURTREADZ is operated from New South Wales, Australia.
Subject to mandatory laws and jurisdictional rules, the interpretation of this Policy is intended to be governed by applicable Australian law.
Nothing in this provision prevents a regulator or court from exercising jurisdiction conferred by mandatory Australian or foreign legislation.
Any separate contractual choice-of-law or dispute-resolution provisions must be assessed for enforceability.
33. Cooperation with lawful investigations
COURTREADZ may preserve and disclose information where required or authorised by applicable law in connection with investigations, court proceedings, regulatory inquiries or other lawful processes.
COURTREADZ will seek to restrict disclosure to information reasonably necessary for the relevant lawful purpose.
Confidentiality, legal privilege, data protection and other applicable protections will be considered.
PART K β POLICY GOVERNANCE AND FINAL PROVISIONS
34. Privacy management responsibilities
COURTREADZ will designate responsibility for overseeing privacy matters, including privacy requests, service-provider arrangements, data incidents and policy reviews.
The operator may delegate operational duties to authorised personnel or advisers while retaining any responsibilities imposed by applicable law.
35. Privacy by design
Where reasonably practicable, COURTREADZ will consider privacy and security during the design and development of new features.
Relevant considerations include:
Necessity of information collection.
Default visibility settings.
User consent requirements.
Appropriate access restrictions.
Security architecture.
Data retention.
International transfers.
Third-party integrations.
Risks to vulnerable individuals.
The potential consequences of misuse.
The ability to exercise privacy rights.
36. Privacy impact assessments
COURTREADZ will consider conducting a documented privacy impact assessment before introducing processing activities presenting significant privacy risks.
Such activities may include substantial changes to recording systems, automated profiling, sensitive information processing, identity verification or large-scale third-party data sharing.
37. Training and confidentiality
Individuals authorised to access personal information on behalf of COURTREADZ should receive appropriate instructions concerning confidentiality, information security, lawful use and incident reporting.
Access should be restricted to legitimate operational requirements.
38. Recordkeeping and accountability
COURTREADZ will seek to maintain appropriate records of privacy-related decisions and activities, including:
Current privacy notices.
Material policy revisions.
Consent records.
Relevant processing activities.
Service-provider agreements.
Security incidents.
Privacy complaints.
Requests for access or deletion.
Relevant international transfer assessments.
Significant security and privacy reviews.
Records will be protected and retained according to lawful operational requirements.
39. Changes to this Privacy Policy
39.1 Right to update
COURTREADZ may update this Policy to reflect changes in legislation, technology, platform functionality, business operations or information handling practices.
39.2 Material changes
Where a material change affects individuals' rights or the purposes for which information is processed, COURTREADZ will provide notice and obtain additional consent where required.
39.3 Effective date
The current version and effective date will be displayed on the website.
39.4 Previous versions
COURTREADZ may retain previous versions for legitimate recordkeeping, compliance and dispute-resolution purposes.
39.5 Continued use
Continued use of the website following a policy update does not automatically constitute legally valid consent where an affirmative choice is required.
40. Relationship with other COURTREADZ agreements
This Privacy Policy operates alongside the following documents:
General Website Terms and Conditions.
Membership Terms and Conditions.
Author and Publisher Agreement.
Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement.
Community Standards and Guidelines.
Applicable competition-specific Terms and Conditions.
Any additional legally required notices or contractual agreements.
Each document addresses distinct aspects of the relationship between COURTREADZ and its users.
The Privacy Policy governs information-handling practices but does not replace the other agreements.
Where provisions conflict, mandatory legislation prevails.
41. Severability
If a provision of this Policy is found invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be interpreted or severed to the extent legally permissible.
The remaining provisions will continue to operate insofar as they remain lawful and capable of independent application.
42. No waiver
A failure or delay by COURTREADZ to exercise a lawful right does not necessarily constitute a waiver of that right.
This provision does not alter statutory limitation periods, mandatory duties or rights that cannot lawfully be waived.
43. Interpretation
References to legislation include applicable amendments and replacements unless the context requires otherwise.
Headings are included for convenience and do not independently alter the substantive meaning of this Policy.
Words in the singular may include the plural and vice versa where appropriate.
44. Contact and privacy enquiries
All privacy enquiries, access requests, correction requests, deletion requests, recording concerns and complaints should be directed to:
COURTREADZ BOOK CLUB
End of Comprehensive Privacy Policy
Author & Publisher Agreement
MEDIA & CREATOR TERMS
AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER AGREEMENT
COURTREADZ BOOK CLUB
AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER AGREEMENT
Comprehensive Author, Publisher, Content Licensing, Digital Bookstore, Promotional Services and Platform Participation Agreement
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE
This Author and Publisher Agreement (βAgreementβ) governs the relationship between COURTREADZ Book Club (βCOURTREADZβ, βweβ, βusβ, βourβ, βPlatform Operatorβ) and any author, publisher, publishing company, literary agent, distributor, rights holder, authorised representative or other person or entity (βAuthorβ, βPublisherβ, βContributorβ, βyouβ, βyourβ) who accesses, registers with, supplies content to, promotes books through, sells digital products through, participates in interviews on, or otherwise uses the COURTREADZ platform.
This Agreement is intended to provide extensive contractual protection for COURTREADZ, its operator, personnel and service providers while establishing the legal obligations of Authors and Publishers.
No person under 18 years of age is permitted to access, register for, contribute to, sell through, or otherwise participate in COURTREADZ. This restriction applies to Authors, Publishers, their representatives, interview participants, contributors, and individual users of the platform.
This Agreement must be read alongside the Platform's General Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Membership Terms and Conditions, Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement, and Community Standards and Guidelines.
Important: No agreement can lawfully eliminate every form of liability, prevent a person from commencing legal proceedings, or override mandatory Australian consumer, privacy, copyright or other laws. Clauses intended to limit liability, require indemnification or allocate responsibility must operate only to the extent permitted by law. This draft is designed to provide broad protection but requires review by a qualified Australian commercial and intellectual property solicitor before publication or implementation.
1 β GENERAL AGREEMENT, DEFINITIONS AND ACCEPTANCE
1.1 Purpose and scope
This Agreement establishes the terms governing the participation of Authors and Publishers in the COURTREADZ Book Club online platform, including its digital bookstore, author profiles, book listings, member interactions, interviews, podcasts, live-streaming activities, recorded content, promotional activities and associated services.
Its purposes include:
Defining the contractual relationship between COURTREADZ and participating Authors and Publishers.
Establishing eligibility and identity requirements.
Establishing responsibility for copyright ownership, licensing, permissions and intellectual property.
Regulating the publication, distribution and sale of digital books and other authorised materials.
Allocating responsibility for the accuracy, legality, safety and suitability of materials supplied by Authors and Publishers.
Establishing payment, subscription, transaction, refund and taxation arrangements.
Defining rights relating to author interviews, podcasts, live streams and recordings.
Protecting the Platform's business operations, intellectual property, confidential information, members and reputation.
Establishing complaint-handling, suspension, termination and dispute-resolution procedures.
Allocating legal and financial responsibility for breaches of this Agreement, subject to applicable law.
1.2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Agreement:
βPlatformβ means the COURTREADZ Book Club website, its subdomains, mobile applications if introduced, digital bookstore, membership services, databases, communications systems and associated online services.
βAuthorβ means any person who writes, creates, co-creates, owns or controls rights in literary works and seeks to participate in COURTREADZ.
βPublisherβ means any publishing business, imprint, company or authorised entity responsible for producing, licensing, distributing or marketing literary works.
βRights Holderβ means the individual or legal entity possessing the necessary intellectual property rights or valid licences to authorise the proposed use of a work.
βAuthor Accountβ means a registered account approved for author-related services.
βDigital Bookstoreβ means the portion of the Platform where approved Authors or Publishers may advertise and offer authorised digital literary products.
βContentβ includes books, manuscripts, excerpts, descriptions, cover artwork, photographs, illustrations, promotional graphics, videos, audio recordings, interviews, written posts, reviews, metadata and other materials supplied to or created for the Platform.
βUser-Submitted Contentβ means material uploaded, published, communicated or otherwise made available by an Author, Publisher or other Platform user.
βIntellectual Property Rightsβ includes copyright, trade marks, designs, confidential information, database rights and other proprietary rights recognised under applicable law.
βThird-Party Rightsβ means rights owned or controlled by any person or organisation other than the party supplying the relevant material.
βDigital Productβ means an ebook, electronic publication, digital download or other approved electronically supplied product.
βAuthor Subscriptionβ means the paid recurring service offered to approved Authors or Publishers under the applicable published pricing and checkout terms.
βPayment Providerβ means an independent payment processing or payout service used by the Platform, including Stripe or Stripe Connect where implemented.
βApplicable Lawβ means all laws, regulations, legally binding requirements and enforceable court orders applying to the relevant party, service or transaction.
βBusiness Dayβ means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in New South Wales.
1.3 Acceptance of Agreement
An Author or Publisher agrees to be bound by this Agreement by taking any action that constitutes valid acceptance, including:
Registering for an Author or Publisher account after being presented with this Agreement.
Selecting a clearly identified checkbox confirming acceptance.
Submitting an application to participate where acceptance is expressly required.
Entering into a separate written agreement incorporating these terms.
Renewing an author subscription after being given legally adequate notice of the applicable terms.
The Platform should retain records of acceptance, including the accepted agreement version, date and time, account identifier and relevant electronic confirmation.
Mere browsing or receipt of a hyperlink does not necessarily establish acceptance of every contractual term.
1.4 Authority to enter Agreement
Each Author or Publisher warrants that they:
a. Are at least 18 years old if participating as an individual.
b. Have legal capacity to enter into this Agreement.
c. Are not prohibited by applicable law from conducting the proposed activities.
d. Have provided accurate identification and business information.
e. Possess the authority necessary to grant all licences, permissions and representations made under this Agreement.
f. Where acting for a company, publisher, author, estate or other rights holder, are authorised to bind that entity to the relevant obligations.
An individual purporting to act for a third party without authority may be personally responsible for their own misrepresentations or unlawful conduct, subject to applicable law.
1.5 Independent business relationship
Participation in COURTREADZ does not, by itself, create:
Employment.
A partnership.
A joint venture.
A franchise.
A fiduciary relationship.
A literary agency appointment.
A publishing contract transferring ownership of literary works.
An exclusive distribution arrangement.
A guarantee of commercial success.
Authors and Publishers remain independent participants responsible for their own commercial activities, subject to the actual terms and operation of the relationship.
Neither party may represent that it has authority to bind the other to obligations without express written authorisation.
1.6 No obligation to accept applications
COURTREADZ may assess applications using reasonable, lawful and consistently applied criteria relating to eligibility, identity, suitability, rights ownership, technical compatibility, security and compliance.
Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance, account approval, publication of books, participation in interviews or access to paid services.
Where payment has been accepted for a service that COURTREADZ does not supply, any refund or remedy must comply with the Agreement and applicable consumer law.
2 β ELIGIBILITY, AGE RESTRICTIONS AND ACCOUNT VERIFICATION
2.1 Strict minimum age requirement
COURTREADZ is an exclusively adult platform.
All individual Authors, Publishers, authorised representatives, account holders, interview participants and other individuals accessing the Platform must be at least 18 years of age.
No person under 18 may independently access or use any Platform service, whether paid or free.
An adult must not create an account for the purpose of allowing a minor to use the Platform.
2.2 Representations concerning age
By registering, an individual warrants that they have reached their 18th birthday.
COURTREADZ may request proportionate evidence of age where reasonably necessary to verify eligibility, investigate suspected misuse or comply with legal requirements.
Age verification information must be collected, handled, retained and deleted in accordance with applicable privacy and data-security obligations.
2.3 Accounts involving underage individuals
If COURTREADZ reasonably determines that an account is being used by a person under 18, it may:
a. Restrict access while investigating.
b. Request appropriate verification.
c. Suspend or close an ineligible account.
d. Remove content or disable interactions involving the account.
e. Take steps required by law to protect personal information and respond to safeguarding concerns.
f. Process any applicable refund or other remedy required by law.
The minimum age requirement does not mean COURTREADZ guarantees that every user's age or identity has been independently verified.
2.4 Business identity verification
Authors and Publishers may be required to provide:
Legal name or registered business name.
Trading name.
Business registration number or ABN, where applicable.
Country of residence or establishment.
Business contact details.
Evidence of authority to represent a publisher or rights holder.
Payment-provider onboarding information.
Tax information reasonably required for lawful processing.
Evidence of publishing or distribution rights where relevant.
COURTREADZ may refuse or suspend participation where verification cannot reasonably be completed.
2.5 Account security
Authors and Publishers must maintain the confidentiality of their login credentials, use reasonable security practices and promptly notify COURTREADZ of suspected unauthorised access.
They must not knowingly share access with unauthorised individuals, circumvent security measures, impersonate others or access another person's account without permission.
COURTREADZ remains responsible for its own legally required security measures and cannot exclude liability for its own unlawful or negligent handling of account information merely because an account holder has security obligations.
3 β AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 General responsibilities
Authors and Publishers are responsible for ensuring that their participation, products, listings, representations and communications comply with applicable law and this Agreement.
They must:
Supply accurate and current information.
Act honestly and in good faith in commercial dealings.
Maintain all necessary intellectual property permissions.
Provide lawful and accurate product descriptions.
Avoid deceptive, misleading or fraudulent conduct.
Comply with applicable consumer protection requirements.
Respect the privacy and rights of Platform members.
Maintain appropriate records of licences, permissions and sales.
Cooperate reasonably with lawful investigations and substantiated complaints.
Promptly correct material inaccuracies brought to their attention.
3.2 Responsibility for supplied materials
Each Author or Publisher is primarily responsible for the content they create, select, upload, license or otherwise supply.
This includes responsibility for establishing the legality of materials before submission, rather than assuming COURTREADZ has independently cleared them.
Authors and Publishers acknowledge that acceptance of content for publication does not constitute legal approval, copyright certification or verification of factual accuracy by COURTREADZ.
3.3 Prohibited misrepresentations
Authors and Publishers must not falsely claim:
a. To own copyright or publishing rights.
b. To have permission from another rights holder.
c. That a book has received an award, endorsement or review that it has not received.
d. That COURTREADZ endorses, sponsors or guarantees their work without authorisation.
e. That sales, rankings, reviews or testimonials are genuine when they have been fabricated or materially manipulated.
f. That a book is an official edition, authorised translation or licensed adaptation when it is not.
g. That a digital product includes rights or features not actually supplied.
3.4 Responsibility for personnel and representatives
Where an Author or Publisher authorises employees, contractors, assistants or representatives to operate their account, the account holder must take reasonable steps to ensure those individuals comply with this Agreement.
The Author or Publisher remains responsible for actions undertaken within their actual authority and for breaches properly attributable to the account holder under applicable law.
3.5 Cooperation and corrective action
Where COURTREADZ receives credible evidence of an infringement, unlawful product, fraudulent transaction, misleading listing or other serious breach, the relevant Author or Publisher must provide reasonable assistance in investigating and resolving the matter.
This may include providing licence documentation, correcting listings, removing disputed material, communicating with affected customers or assisting with refunds.
COURTREADZ may take proportionate interim protective measures where reasonably necessary to prevent further harm.
4 β COPYRIGHT, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND OWNERSHIP
4.1 Applicable intellectual property legislation
Copyright and intellectual property matters are governed by applicable laws, including, where relevant:
Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth).
Australian Consumer Law.
Applicable defamation, privacy and confidentiality laws.
Relevant international copyright laws and treaties.
Laws applying in countries where content is distributed or accessed.
Australian copyright law distinguishes ownership from licensing: granting permission to use a work does not automatically transfer ownership. Literary works may be protected without formal copyright registration, and authors may also possess moral rights. οΏΌ
4.2 Ownership of original literary works
Unless expressly agreed otherwise in a separate written agreement, Authors and Publishers retain their existing ownership rights in original works supplied to COURTREADZ.
Nothing in this Agreement automatically transfers copyright ownership in a book, manuscript, cover design or other pre-existing work to COURTREADZ.
The rights granted to COURTREADZ are licences limited to the purposes described in this Agreement and any applicable separately accepted content or recording agreement.
4.3 Warranty of copyright ownership or authorisation
Every Author and Publisher represents and warrants that, before supplying any content:
a. They own the relevant rights or have obtained valid permission from the rights holder.
b. They have authority to grant the licences specified in this Agreement.
c. Their agreement with any publisher, distributor, co-author, illustrator, photographer or other contributor does not prohibit the proposed use.
d. All necessary third-party permissions have been obtained.
e. They have not knowingly supplied pirated, stolen, unauthorised or unlawfully reproduced material.
f. Any restrictions on territory, language, format, duration or distribution have been disclosed before publication.
g. They will promptly inform COURTREADZ if their authority to distribute the material expires, is withdrawn or becomes disputed.
4.4 Publisher-exclusive rights
Authors acknowledge that a publishing agreement may grant a publisher exclusive rights over particular formats, territories, editions or distribution channels.
An Author must not assume that authorship alone entitles them to distribute an ebook independently where those rights have been exclusively licensed or assigned.
Where publishing rights are controlled by another party, the Author must obtain that party's permission before supplying the affected content to COURTREADZ.
4.5 Co-authored works
Where a work has multiple copyright owners, the supplying party must obtain all permissions legally necessary for the proposed use.
This may include authorisation from co-authors, estates, publishers or other parties with enforceable interests.
The supplying party must not represent that a work is wholly owned by them where another person possesses relevant rights.
4.6 Cover artwork, photographs and design elements
An Author's permission to sell a book does not necessarily establish ownership of every visual component associated with it.
The Author or Publisher must establish the necessary rights for:
Book cover illustrations.
Cover photography.
Graphic design.
Typography or licensed fonts where relevant.
Stock photographs.
Maps, diagrams and illustrations.
Promotional images.
Publisher logos and trade marks.
Character artwork.
Third-party endorsements or quotations.
A licence permitting artwork to appear on a printed book may not necessarily permit unrestricted use in online advertisements, merchandise or unrelated promotional materials.
4.7 Third-party extracts and quotations
Authors and Publishers must ensure that excerpts, quotations, song lyrics, poems, illustrations and other incorporated material are lawfully used.
They must not assume that attribution alone creates permission.
Where a copyright exception is relied upon, the supplying party is responsible for ensuring that the particular use falls within the applicable exception.
4.8 AI-generated or AI-assisted content
Authors and Publishers must comply with applicable law and Platform disclosure requirements concerning content produced or materially modified using artificial intelligence.
They warrant that they have sufficient rights to supply and license the final material.
They must not knowingly submit AI-generated content that unlawfully reproduces protected third-party expression, impersonates another person, misuses a person's likeness or misleads customers about material product characteristics.
COURTREADZ may request clarification where the origin or rights status of supplied content creates a credible legal concern.
4.9 Moral rights
Nothing in this Agreement is intended to extinguish moral rights that cannot lawfully be assigned or waived.
Where permitted by law, Authors and other relevant creators may provide specific written consent to reasonable editing, cropping, formatting, excerpting, captioning and promotional adaptation within the scope of an agreed use.
A general licence under this Agreement must not be treated as an unlimited moral-rights consent for every creator whose work appears in the content.
4.10 Licence granted to COURTREADZ
By uploading or supplying approved content, the Author or Publisher grants COURTREADZ a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence, subject to any expressly agreed payment terms, to:
a. Host and store the supplied content.
b. Reproduce content as reasonably necessary for authorised Platform operations.
c. Display book covers, descriptions, author biographies and promotional materials.
d. Create technical copies, backups, thumbnails and format-compatible versions.
e. Display approved content to users and prospective customers.
f. Promote the relevant Author, Publisher, book or Platform service using authorised promotional material.
g. Transmit and deliver purchased digital products to customers in accordance with the applicable sale.
h. Permit technical service providers to process content on COURTREADZ's behalf solely for authorised purposes.
i. Retain records and copies where reasonably necessary for legal compliance, transaction fulfilment, dispute resolution or security.
This licence does not authorise COURTREADZ to sell an Author's entire book independently of the agreed bookstore arrangement, create unauthorised derivative literary works or commercially exploit supplied content for unrelated purposes.
4.11 Duration of content licence
The licence continues for the period reasonably necessary to provide the selected services and fulfil transactions.
Following lawful account termination or content removal, COURTREADZ will cease new promotional and commercial uses of the removed content within a reasonable operational period, subject to continuing rights needed for prior transactions, lawful retention, customer access entitlements and other expressly agreed surviving uses.
Content may remain temporarily in backups and cached systems in accordance with reasonable retention schedules.
4.12 Intellectual property belonging to COURTREADZ
COURTREADZ retains ownership or licensed rights in its own:
Business name and branding.
Logos and original graphic assets.
Website design and original interface elements.
Proprietary software and source code.
Original promotional campaigns.
Original podcast and interview production elements.
Original Platform-created text, photographs, graphics and recordings, subject to contributor rights.
Confidential business processes and proprietary information.
Authors and Publishers receive no ownership interest in COURTREADZ intellectual property merely by participating in the Platform.
4.13 Unauthorised use of Platform intellectual property
Authors and Publishers must not reproduce, resell, commercially exploit or falsely claim ownership of COURTREADZ's protected materials without permission.
Ordinary authorised sharing of Platform links, book listings, approved promotional graphics and expressly provided marketing assets is permitted within the scope of the relevant permission.
4.14 Copyright infringement responsibility
Where an Author or Publisher supplies material without the necessary rights, they are responsible for their own infringement, misrepresentations and contractual breaches to the extent established by applicable law.
COURTREADZ may seek contractual indemnification under Part 17 for eligible losses arising from those breaches.
COURTREADZ does not guarantee that user-submitted content is free from infringement. However, it cannot automatically disclaim liability for every copyright claim merely by stating that the content was uploaded by another person. Its own conduct, knowledge, role in distribution and applicable statutory obligations may affect liability.
4.15 Copyright complaints and takedown procedure
A rights holder who believes content on COURTREADZ infringes their rights may submit a written complaint to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
The complaint should identify the work, disputed content, relevant rights, grounds of complaint, contact details and any supporting evidence reasonably available.
COURTREADZ may:
Acknowledge the complaint.
Assess the information provided.
Request additional details.
Temporarily restrict access where warranted.
Notify the affected account holder where lawful and appropriate.
Seek proof of ownership or permission.
Remove or disable disputed material.
Restore material where a complaint is withdrawn, resolved or found unsupported.
Preserve relevant records.
Comply with applicable legal notices and court orders.
COURTREADZ may terminate repeat or serious infringers in accordance with applicable law and fair contractual procedures.
5 β DIGITAL BOOKSTORE, PRODUCT LISTINGS AND DISTRIBUTION
5.1 Nature of the digital bookstore
COURTREADZ may provide an online marketplace through which approved Authors and Publishers advertise and sell digital literary products to eligible members or other authorised customers.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise, COURTREADZ acts as a technology platform and marketplace facilitator rather than the publisher, literary agent or copyright owner of listed works.
The legal identity of the seller, payment recipient and contracting supplier for each transaction must be clearly disclosed to the customer before purchase.
The actual commercial and technical arrangements, rather than contractual labels alone, determine the parties' legal responsibilities.
5.2 Author and Publisher storefronts
Approved Authors and Publishers may receive access to a dedicated storefront containing authorised information such as:
Author or Publisher name.
Profile photograph or logo.
Biography and publishing background.
Available digital books.
Cover images.
Book descriptions and genre classifications.
Prices and supported currencies.
Relevant content information.
Purchase or download functionality.
Other features approved by COURTREADZ.
COURTREADZ may establish reasonable technical, editorial and design standards to maintain Platform consistency, accessibility and security.
5.3 Approval of digital products
COURTREADZ may review submitted listings before publication to assess compliance with applicable technical requirements, Platform rules and reasonably identifiable legal risks.
Approval does not constitute a guarantee that a product is lawful, original, commercially successful, technically perfect or free from third-party claims.
COURTREADZ may reject or request amendments to listings where it has reasonable grounds relating to illegality, infringement, misleading information, cybersecurity, consumer protection or Platform suitability.
5.4 Product information requirements
Authors and Publishers must provide accurate information about each digital product, including, where applicable:
a. Full title and author name.
b. Publisher or imprint.
c. Edition and publication date.
d. Digital file format.
e. File size or technical requirements where material.
f. Supported reading devices or applications.
g. Language.
h. Genre and appropriate content descriptors.
i. Price, currency and applicable charges.
j. Any digital rights management restrictions.
k. Material limitations on downloads, access or permitted use.
l. Any other information reasonably necessary for an informed purchasing decision.
5.5 Accuracy of book descriptions
Authors and Publishers must not materially misrepresent a book's contents, length, format, completeness, edition or other important characteristics.
A sample, excerpt, abridged edition or promotional document must not be presented as a complete book unless clearly identified.
Books must not be advertised as immediately downloadable where they cannot actually be supplied on the advertised terms.
5.6 Digital file integrity and security
Authors and Publishers warrant that digital files supplied to the Platform will not knowingly contain:
Malware, viruses or ransomware.
Spyware or unauthorised tracking software.
Hidden executable code intended to compromise devices.
Deliberately corrupted files.
Unlawful material.
Files designed to harvest customer credentials.
Undisclosed technical restrictions that materially contradict the listing.
COURTREADZ may scan, quarantine or reject files where reasonably necessary to protect its systems and users.
5.7 File formats and compatibility
COURTREADZ may specify accepted formats, including EPUB, PDF or other supported formats.
Authors and Publishers must ensure their files comply with the published technical specifications and are reasonably fit for their described purpose.
COURTREADZ does not guarantee compatibility with every device, operating system, application or third-party reading service.
However, express compatibility representations made to customers must be accurate, and mandatory consumer guarantees remain applicable.
5.8 Distribution territories
Authors and Publishers must identify any territorial restrictions on the sale or distribution of their products.
They must not authorise worldwide distribution where their rights are restricted to particular countries or regions.
COURTREADZ may use reasonable technical measures to restrict availability where required, but the Author or Publisher remains responsible for accurately disclosing the restrictions attached to their rights.
If COURTREADZ cannot reasonably support a required territorial restriction, it may decline the listing.
5.9 Translations and alternative editions
Separate rights may apply to translations, audiobooks, illustrated editions, adaptations, revised editions and other formats.
An Author or Publisher must not upload or distribute a format or edition unless they possess the necessary rights for that particular product.
5.10 Customer licence and permitted use
Unless otherwise clearly stated in lawful product-specific terms, a customer purchasing a digital book receives a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to access and read the purchased copy for private use, subject to applicable law.
The purchase does not transfer copyright ownership.
Customers must not unlawfully reproduce, redistribute, resell, upload or commercially exploit copyrighted material.
Any additional usage restrictions must be disclosed before purchase and must not override mandatory legal rights.
5.11 Delivery of digital products
The responsible seller must ensure that purchased digital products are delivered in accordance with the advertised terms.
Where COURTREADZ provides the delivery infrastructure, it will use reasonable care and skill in supplying the agreed technical service.
Where delivery fails, the parties must cooperate in identifying the cause and providing the legally required remedy.
5.12 Existing customer purchases
Removal of an Author or Publisher account does not automatically extinguish existing customer rights.
The parties must take reasonable steps to honour completed transactions, subject to licensing restrictions, lawful removal requirements and technical limitations.
Where a product must be withdrawn because of infringement or illegality, the parties must cooperate in determining an appropriate remedy for affected purchasers.
5.13 No guaranteed sales or exposure
COURTREADZ does not guarantee:
a. Any minimum number of sales.
b. Any particular revenue.
c. Any number of customer visits.
d. Any specific search ranking.
e. Featured placement.
f. Social media growth.
g. Increased publishing opportunities.
h. Positive reviews.
i. Commercial success.
j. Continued visibility at an unchanged position.
Any separately purchased advertising or promotional placement will be governed by its specific agreed terms.
6 β AUTHOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, FEES AND RENEWALS
6.1 Author subscription price
The standard Author subscription is intended to be:
STANDARD AUTHOR SUBSCRIPTION
AU$29.99 / month
Subject to the pricing, GST treatment and inclusions displayed at checkout.
The subscription provides access to the Author services expressly included in the applicable plan, subject to account approval, service availability and this Agreement.
The subscription fee is separate from book sale proceeds, payment processing charges and any separately agreed promotional services.
6.2 Subscription inclusions
The standard plan may include an approved Author profile, eligible digital book listings, storefront management and other functions expressly advertised as part of the plan.
COURTREADZ must clearly identify any material limitations on the number of listings, storage, file sizes, support, features or usage before purchase.
A subscription does not guarantee acceptance of unlawful or non-compliant content.
6.3 Recurring billing authorisation
By expressly selecting a recurring subscription and providing valid payment authorisation, the subscriber authorises the applicable payment provider to charge the disclosed recurring fee according to the agreed billing schedule.
The billing frequency, price, renewal arrangements and cancellation procedure must be disclosed before payment.
6.4 Automatic renewal
Unless cancelled in accordance with the disclosed subscription terms, an active monthly subscription may renew automatically for successive monthly billing periods.
COURTREADZ must not rely on automatic renewal where the subscriber has not validly agreed to it.
Subscribers must be provided with a reasonably accessible method of cancelling future renewals.
6.5 Cancellation by the Author or Publisher
An Author or Publisher may cancel their subscription through the available account cancellation facility or by contacting COURTREADZ.
Cancellation ordinarily prevents future recurring charges after it has been processed.
Access to paid features may continue until the end of the paid billing period, unless an earlier termination or other arrangement applies.
Cancellation does not automatically entitle a subscriber to a refund for a fully supplied billing period, but nothing in this clause limits any refund or remedy required by law.
6.6 Price changes
COURTREADZ may change subscription prices for future billing periods by providing clear advance notice and complying with applicable law.
The notice should identify the new price, effective date and cancellation options.
A material price increase must not be imposed retrospectively or through an unfair contractual variation mechanism.
6.7 Failed payments
Where a subscription payment fails, COURTREADZ may notify the account holder and allow a reasonable opportunity to update payment information.
Continued non-payment may result in proportionate restriction or suspension of paid services.
Any retry attempts, additional charges or collection procedures must comply with the payment authorisation and applicable law.
6.8 Refunds and statutory rights
Subscription refunds will be assessed according to the service supplied, the reason for cancellation and applicable legal obligations.
COURTREADZ will not impose a blanket prohibition on refunds where mandatory consumer rights apply.
Under Australian law, qualifying customers may have non-excludable consumer guarantees relating to services, including remedies for qualifying failures. οΏΌ
6.9 Subscription fees and sales proceeds
Payment of the Author subscription does not entitle COURTREADZ to ownership of an Author's literary works.
Conversely, an Author's payment of a subscription does not entitle them to ownership of the Platform, its members, its software or its other intellectual property.
Any marketplace commission must be separately disclosed and agreed.
7 β STRIPE CONNECT, PAYMENTS, PAYOUTS AND TAXATION
7.1 Payment processing arrangement
COURTREADZ may use Stripe, Stripe Connect or another authorised payment provider to process digital bookstore transactions and distribute funds to participating Authors or Publishers.
The relevant payment provider operates under its own contractual terms, eligibility rules, verification requirements and regulatory obligations.
Authors and Publishers must accept the applicable payment-provider agreement before using its services.
7.2 Seller onboarding
Before receiving payments, Authors and Publishers may be required to complete identity, business and bank account verification.
Information required by the payment provider may include legal identity, beneficial ownership, tax details and payout account information.
COURTREADZ does not guarantee approval by the payment provider.
7.3 Seller of record
The seller of record for each digital book transaction must be determined by the actual transaction configuration and disclosed terms.
Where an Author or Publisher is the seller of record, that party is responsible for the seller obligations applicable to the transaction.
Where COURTREADZ is legally or operationally the seller or supplier, COURTREADZ remains responsible for obligations that applicable law imposes upon it.
The use of Stripe Connect does not, by itself, eliminate COURTREADZ's legal obligations or establish that every transaction is solely between the Author and purchaser.
7.4 Allocation of sale proceeds
Unless a separate written commercial arrangement specifies otherwise, the parties intend that the Author or Publisher will receive the proceeds of their own eligible digital book sales, less any applicable and properly disclosed transaction fees, taxes, refunds, chargebacks or other authorised deductions.
Any Platform commission, application fee or revenue share must be expressly disclosed and agreed before it is charged.
The AU$29.99 monthly Author subscription is not itself a grant of authority for COURTREADZ to deduct an undisclosed percentage of book sales.
7.5 Payout timing
Payouts are subject to the payment provider's processing schedule, verification requirements, account status and applicable restrictions.
COURTREADZ does not guarantee that funds will arrive by a particular date where the timing is controlled by an independent provider.
Where a payout delay is caused by COURTREADZ's own breach of an obligation, its responsibility will be determined under applicable law and this Agreement.
7.6 Chargebacks and disputed transactions
Authors and Publishers must reasonably cooperate in investigating disputes concerning their sales.
Where a chargeback arises from a product defect, misleading listing, failure to deliver, fraud or other conduct attributable to the seller, the seller may be responsible for applicable losses and authorised charges.
Where a chargeback is caused by a Platform error, payment processing failure or another party's conduct, responsibility must be allocated according to the actual cause and applicable law.
7.7 Refund administration
The parties must establish an operational process for responding to refund requests and customer complaints.
The responsible seller must not refuse a remedy required by applicable consumer law.
Where COURTREADZ facilitates a refund, any recovery of funds from an Author or Publisher must be supported by the applicable transaction agreement and law.
7.8 Taxes and GST
Authors and Publishers are responsible for determining and fulfilling their own applicable income tax, GST, VAT, sales tax and other taxation obligations.
They must obtain professional tax advice where necessary.
COURTREADZ is responsible for taxes imposed upon it in its own capacity and for any collection, reporting or remittance obligations imposed upon marketplace operators under applicable law.
Neither party may transfer a statutory tax obligation merely by describing another party as responsible in this Agreement.
7.9 International transactions
International sales may involve currency conversion, foreign transaction fees, withholding requirements, consumer protection laws, territorial restrictions or other regulatory obligations.
The applicable pricing and payment arrangements must accurately disclose material charges and currency information.
7.10 Fraud prevention and payment restrictions
COURTREADZ may suspend or restrict transactions where reasonably necessary to investigate credible indications of fraud, money laundering, sanctions violations, stolen payment credentials or other unlawful conduct.
The Platform may cooperate with payment providers, regulators and law enforcement where legally required or permitted.
7.11 No guarantee of payment-provider availability
COURTREADZ cannot guarantee uninterrupted availability of independent payment services.
Where payment-provider restrictions prevent the provision of an agreed paid service, the parties' rights to cancellation, refund or other remedies remain subject to applicable law.
8 β AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, PODCASTS, LIVE STREAMS AND RECORDED CONTENT
8.1 Scope of recorded participation
Authors and Publishers may be invited to participate in:
Live author interviews.
Recorded podcast interviews.
One-on-one video conversations.
Group discussions.
Book launches.
Promotional conversations.
Author question-and-answer sessions.
Member-exclusive events.
Recorded live streams.
Social media promotional recordings.
Other agreed literary and entertainment content.
Participation is voluntary unless separately agreed under a specific commercial arrangement.
8.2 Recording consent
Before recording or broadcasting an interview, COURTREADZ must obtain any consent or authorisation required by applicable law.
The participant must be informed of the intended recording, broadcasting, editing and distribution arrangements.
Where required, consent must be obtained from all relevant participants.
No provision of this Agreement authorises unlawful covert recording.
8.3 Licence for authorised recordings
Where an Author or Publisher knowingly participates in an agreed recorded interview and provides the necessary express consent, they grant COURTREADZ a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence, unless otherwise agreed in writing, to use the authorised recording for:
a. Publication on the COURTREADZ website.
b. Replay by eligible members.
c. Editing into full-length episodes.
d. Creating short promotional clips.
e. Publishing excerpts on COURTREADZ social media accounts.
f. Creating subtitles, captions and transcripts.
g. Producing trailers and promotional announcements.
h. Reformatting for compatible devices and media channels.
i. Storing and backing up the recording.
j. Using authorised excerpts in promotional materials for the relevant interview or Platform.
k. Distributing the recording through additional channels expressly identified in the applicable recording consent.
8.4 Duration of recording licence
Unless the individual recording agreement states otherwise, the licence may continue for the duration of the applicable intellectual property rights for the agreed uses.
This duration must be prominently disclosed before participation.
COURTREADZ will consider reasonable requests for removal or restriction, including where there are substantiated privacy, safety, legal or rights concerns.
Any statutory rights to withdraw consent, object to particular processing or obtain a remedy remain unaffected.
8.5 Ownership of produced recordings
Subject to applicable law and third-party rights, COURTREADZ may own the copyright in original recording and production elements it creates or commissions under valid arrangements.
An Author retains their pre-existing intellectual property rights in their books and other independently owned materials.
Ownership of the final recording does not automatically transfer ownership of the Author's underlying literary works.
The rights of performers, producers, photographers, music owners and other contributors must be addressed separately where required.
8.6 Editing and presentation
COURTREADZ may edit authorised recordings for reasonable production purposes, including:
Removing technical interruptions.
Improving sound quality.
Correcting visual or audio synchronisation.
Adding introductory or closing sequences.
Inserting authorised branding.
Removing repeated statements.
Shortening content for promotional use.
Adding subtitles or accessibility features.
Removing material presenting credible legal or safety concerns.
Editing must not knowingly create a materially false representation of a participant's statements or conduct.
8.7 Statements made during interviews
Authors and Publishers are responsible for their own statements, including claims concerning third parties, publishing rights, sales, personal experiences and factual allegations.
Participants must not knowingly make defamatory, fraudulent, unlawfully discriminatory, threatening or otherwise unlawful statements.
COURTREADZ retains responsibility for its own publication, editing, moderation and other conduct to the extent imposed by law.
8.8 No guaranteed editorial approval
Unless expressly agreed, participants do not receive an automatic contractual right to approve every editorial decision before publication.
However, COURTREADZ may offer factual corrections or review of particular sensitive material where reasonably appropriate.
Nothing prevents a participant from raising a legitimate legal complaint or exercising statutory rights.
8.9 Use of name, image and likeness
Subject to the applicable consent, COURTREADZ may use the participant's professional name, approved biography, photograph, recorded voice and likeness to identify and promote the relevant interview.
This permission does not authorise unrelated endorsements, deceptive advertising or uses exceeding the agreed scope.
8.10 Third-party content during interviews
Participants must not knowingly introduce unlicensed music, video footage, artwork, substantial literary extracts or other protected material into a recording without appropriate authorisation.
Where a rights issue arises, COURTREADZ may edit, mute, restrict or remove the affected material.
8.11 No automatic payment
Participation in an Author interview does not automatically create an entitlement to an appearance fee, royalty, advertising revenue share or other payment.
Any compensation must be separately agreed.
The absence of payment does not eliminate rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
8.12 Technical failures and lost recordings
COURTREADZ will take reasonable care in providing any recording service it has agreed to supply.
Nevertheless, recording failures, internet interruptions, corrupted files and third-party technical problems may occur.
COURTREADZ does not guarantee that every live event will be successfully recorded or recoverable.
Any legal responsibility for failure to supply a contracted service remains subject to mandatory law.
8.13 Separate recording agreement
Where a participant is recorded, COURTREADZ may require acceptance of a separate Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement.
That agreement should identify the particular event, permitted uses, duration, editing rights, compensation arrangements, confidentiality requirements and any negotiated restrictions.
In the event of inconsistency, the more specific signed recording agreement prevails for the relevant recording, except where mandatory law requires otherwise.
9 β MARKETING, ADVERTISING, PROMOTION AND ENDORSEMENTS
9.1 Promotional participation
Authors and Publishers may promote their books through authorised Platform features, interviews, announcements, paid promotions or other approved activities.
All promotional material must comply with applicable advertising, consumer protection, intellectual property and privacy laws.
9.2 Permission to promote listed books
For the duration of an authorised listing, Authors and Publishers grant COURTREADZ permission to use approved book covers, titles, author names, biographies, descriptions and promotional assets for marketing the relevant book and its availability on the Platform.
This includes reasonable promotion through COURTREADZ's website, emails, social media accounts and other approved channels.
9.3 Paid advertising
Any separately purchased advertising package must clearly specify:
a. The services being purchased.
b. The price and any additional charges.
c. The proposed publication channels.
d. Whether advertising expenditure is included.
e. Any agreed publication dates or periods.
f. Any creative approval process.
g. Cancellation arrangements.
h. Any applicable usage rights.
i. Responsibility for supplying advertising assets.
j. Whether performance reporting is included.
9.4 No guaranteed promotional results
Unless expressly agreed in a separate enforceable contract, COURTREADZ does not guarantee that promotional activities will result in sales, followers, reviews, publicity, publisher interest or other commercial outcomes.
Any estimates or projections must be identified accurately and must not be misleading.
9.5 Sponsored content and disclosure
Authors and Publishers must disclose material commercial relationships where required by law.
COURTREADZ must likewise comply with its own disclosure obligations when publishing sponsored reviews, paid promotions, endorsements or other advertising.
9.6 Reviews and recommendations
COURTREADZ may publish genuine editorial opinions about books, including favourable, mixed or critical reviews.
Payment for advertising, participation in an interview or holding an Author subscription does not guarantee a positive review.
Authors and Publishers must not pressure members to publish false reviews, conceal incentives, or manipulate ratings.
9.7 Advertising accuracy
All parties must avoid false or misleading representations concerning:
Book quality or contents.
Awards and achievements.
Sales figures.
Reader reviews.
Publication status.
Limited-time offers.
Pricing.
Endorsements.
Availability.
Sponsorship arrangements.
Australian consumer law applies to advertising and online selling, including misleading representations and the handling of online reviews. οΏΌ
9.8 Use of COURTREADZ branding
Authors and Publishers may use approved COURTREADZ promotional materials only within the scope of the permission granted.
They must not imply that COURTREADZ is their publisher, employer, business partner or exclusive representative without express written authorisation.
10 β COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND MEMBER INTERACTIONS
10.1 Access to community features
Authors and Publishers may be permitted to interact with eligible members through posts, comments, direct messages, book discussions, live events and other Platform functions.
Participation is subject to this Agreement and the Community Standards and Guidelines.
10.2 Responsibility for communications
Authors and Publishers are responsible for the legality and appropriateness of their own communications.
They must not knowingly publish or send:
a. Defamatory statements.
b. Credible threats of violence.
c. Unlawful harassment.
d. Discriminatory abuse prohibited by applicable law.
e. Fraudulent offers.
f. Malicious links or files.
g. Unlawfully disclosed personal information.
h. Copyright-infringing material.
i. Unsolicited commercial messages in breach of applicable law.
j. Material intended to impersonate or deceive other users.
10.3 Direct messaging
Access to a member's profile or messaging function does not authorise unrestricted commercial solicitation or collection of their personal information.
Authors and Publishers must respect users' communication preferences, blocking decisions and applicable privacy requirements.
10.4 Member privacy
Authors and Publishers must not scrape, harvest, sell, publish or commercially exploit member personal information without a lawful basis.
They must not disclose private conversations, addresses, contact details, payment information or other confidential member information without appropriate authorisation or another lawful basis.
10.5 Author and member disputes
COURTREADZ may provide a reporting or complaint process for disputes between Authors and members.
The Platform is not automatically a party to every disagreement arising between independent users.
However, COURTREADZ may intervene where reasonably necessary to enforce Platform rules, protect users, investigate unlawful conduct or fulfil its own legal obligations.
10.6 Moderation
COURTREADZ may remove content, restrict messaging, issue warnings, suspend accounts or take other proportionate action where it reasonably considers this necessary for lawful operation and community safety.
Moderation decisions should be based on legitimate reasons, applied fairly and accompanied by an appropriate review or appeal process where practicable.
10.7 No guarantee of user conduct
COURTREADZ does not guarantee the truthfulness, reliability or conduct of every independent Platform user.
Authors and Publishers should exercise reasonable care when engaging with other users.
This clause does not exclude any duty COURTREADZ independently owes under applicable law.
11 β PRIVACY, DATA PROTECTION AND CONFIDENTIALITY
11.1 Applicable privacy framework
Personal information must be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws.
Depending on the circumstances, these may include the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, applicable state laws and relevant overseas privacy legislation.
The Australian Privacy Principles regulate matters including personal information collection, use, disclosure, security, access and correction for entities to which they apply. οΏΌ
11.2 Information collected from Authors and Publishers
COURTREADZ may collect information reasonably necessary to operate its services, including:
Names and professional identities.
Contact details.
Business registration details.
Account credentials and account activity.
Publishing and rights information.
Author biographies and promotional photographs.
Subscription and transaction records.
Payment-provider identifiers.
Customer service correspondence.
Interview recordings and related consents.
Technical information relevant to security and functionality.
Collection must be lawful, proportionate and consistent with applicable privacy obligations.
11.3 Purposes of information processing
Personal information may be processed for legitimate and legally permitted purposes, including account administration, identity verification, subscription management, payment processing, publication of authorised profiles, customer support, fraud prevention, compliance and agreed promotional activities.
Information must not be used for materially unrelated purposes without an appropriate legal basis.
11.4 Third-party service providers
COURTREADZ may use service providers for hosting, cloud storage, content delivery, communications, analytics, payments and live video services.
Relevant providers may include Digital Pacific, Cloudflare, Agora and Stripe where those services are implemented.
Personal information may be disclosed to such providers only as reasonably necessary and in accordance with applicable law and contractual arrangements.
11.5 Overseas data processing
Some technology providers may store or process information outside Australia.
COURTREADZ must make appropriate disclosures and take steps required by applicable privacy law concerning overseas disclosures.
Authors and Publishers acknowledge that international service delivery may involve cross-border processing, subject to applicable legal safeguards.
11.6 Data security
COURTREADZ will take reasonable and legally required steps to protect personal information within its control against misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Authors and Publishers must likewise implement appropriate security measures for personal information they independently collect or control.
11.7 Data breaches
Where a suspected data breach occurs, the relevant party must investigate promptly and take reasonable steps to contain the incident.
Each party must comply with applicable notification obligations, including any mandatory reporting to regulators or affected individuals.
Authors and Publishers must promptly notify COURTREADZ if a security incident affecting their systems may compromise Platform information or customers.
11.8 Confidential information
Each party must protect confidential business information lawfully disclosed by the other party.
Confidential information may include non-public financial information, unreleased manuscripts, private business plans, credentials, commercially sensitive technical information and confidential communications.
This obligation does not prevent disclosures required by law, protected whistleblowing, reporting suspected unlawful conduct to authorities or obtaining professional legal advice.
11.9 Personal information of customers
An Author or Publisher receiving customer information through a lawful transaction may use that information only for authorised purposes and in compliance with applicable privacy and marketing laws.
A book purchase does not automatically authorise the seller to add the customer to unrelated promotional mailing lists.
11.10 Data retention and deletion
Personal information must not be retained indefinitely without a lawful and legitimate reason.
Retention periods should reflect transaction obligations, tax recordkeeping, dispute resolution, security, legal compliance and operational requirements.
Requests for access, correction or deletion will be assessed under applicable law and the Platform's Privacy Policy.
12 β CONTENT RESTRICTIONS AND PLATFORM SAFETY
12.1 Prohibited content
Authors and Publishers must not knowingly supply or promote content that is unlawful to publish, distribute or sell in the relevant jurisdiction.
Prohibited activities include:
Distribution of pirated literary works.
Sale of stolen or unlawfully obtained digital products.
Publication of unlawful threats or targeted harassment.
Distribution of malicious software.
Fraudulent impersonation.
Publication of unlawfully obtained private information.
Material that violates applicable child protection laws.
Unlawful discriminatory or extremist content.
Content that unlawfully infringes intellectual property.
Material prohibited by a binding court order or applicable regulatory requirement.
12.2 Adult literary content
COURTREADZ is an 18+ platform, but that does not mean all adult-oriented content is automatically lawful or permitted.
Books containing mature themes may be accepted subject to applicable classification laws, Platform rules, content disclosures and any relevant distribution restrictions.
The Platform may establish additional rules concerning explicit content, graphic violence, sensitive topics and other material.
12.3 Content warnings
Where required by law or Platform policy, Authors and Publishers must provide accurate content information or warnings.
Content warnings should not materially misrepresent the book or conceal information important to a customer's purchasing decision.
12.4 Removal of unlawful content
COURTREADZ may promptly disable access to material where it has credible grounds to believe continued distribution would be unlawful or create a serious risk of harm.
Where appropriate, the affected Author or Publisher will be informed of the reason and provided an opportunity to respond.
12.5 No general guarantee of pre-screening
COURTREADZ does not represent that it manually reviews every item, message, comment, file or transaction before publication.
The absence of universal pre-screening does not relieve COURTREADZ of applicable legal duties concerning moderation, notices, content removal or its own participation in unlawful conduct.
13 β PLATFORM AVAILABILITY, TECHNOLOGY AND THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
13.1 Service availability
COURTREADZ will use reasonable care and skill in providing the services it agrees to supply.
The Platform may occasionally experience maintenance, technical interruptions, software defects, network failures or service-provider outages.
13.2 Maintenance and updates
COURTREADZ may undertake reasonable maintenance, upgrades, security patches and functionality improvements.
Where practical, advance notice will be provided for planned interruptions likely to materially affect paid services.
13.3 Changes to Platform features
COURTREADZ may modify Platform functionality for legitimate technical, commercial, security or legal reasons.
Material changes to paid subscription inclusions must be handled consistently with the subscriber's contractual and statutory rights.
13.4 Third-party services
Certain Platform features depend upon independent providers.
COURTREADZ does not control every action, policy or system of those providers.
Nevertheless, outsourcing a service does not automatically remove COURTREADZ's own obligations to customers or other contracting parties.
13.5 Cybersecurity
Authors and Publishers must not attempt to:
a. Gain unauthorised access to Platform systems.
b. Circumvent security controls.
c. Extract protected databases.
d. Introduce malicious software.
e. Interfere with service availability.
f. Exploit vulnerabilities for unauthorised purposes.
g. Access another person's private information without permission.
h. Conduct unlawful scraping or automated abuse.
COURTREADZ may take lawful and proportionate action to protect the Platform, including restricting access and reporting suspected criminal activity.
13.6 Backups and data loss
COURTREADZ may maintain backups according to its operational procedures.
Authors and Publishers should retain independent copies of their manuscripts, cover artwork, promotional materials and business records.
COURTREADZ does not undertake to serve as an Author's permanent archival or manuscript preservation service unless expressly agreed.
13.7 No permanent hosting guarantee
The existence of a subscription or published listing does not guarantee that COURTREADZ will operate indefinitely.
If the Platform or a material paid service is discontinued, COURTREADZ must comply with applicable contractual obligations and mandatory refund or other remedy requirements.
14 β WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND UNDERTAKINGS
14.1 Author and Publisher warranties
Each Author and Publisher represents and warrants, to the extent applicable, that:
a. Their registration details are materially accurate.
b. They have authority to enter this Agreement.
c. They possess the rights necessary to supply their content.
d. Their supplied material does not knowingly infringe third-party intellectual property rights.
e. Their listings do not contain material false or misleading representations.
f. They have obtained necessary permissions for supplied photographs, artwork, quotations and other third-party material.
g. Their digital products do not knowingly contain malicious software.
h. They will comply with applicable consumer protection requirements.
i. They will not knowingly misuse member information.
j. They will comply with applicable advertising and marketing laws.
k. They will not knowingly impersonate another person or business.
l. They will notify COURTREADZ of material changes affecting their rights or authority.
m. They will cooperate reasonably with legitimate rights complaints.
n. They will not use the Platform to facilitate unlawful transactions.
o. They will comply with applicable tax and reporting obligations.
p. They will not knowingly supply false evidence during a complaint investigation.
14.2 Continuing nature of warranties
These representations apply when relevant content is submitted and continue for as long as the Author or Publisher maintains the relevant listing or activity.
The Author or Publisher must notify COURTREADZ if a material representation ceases to be accurate.
14.3 COURTREADZ undertakings
COURTREADZ undertakes to:
a. Provide contracted services with the care and skill required by applicable law.
b. Accurately disclose material subscription terms.
c. Apply reasonable security practices.
d. Handle personal information in accordance with applicable obligations.
e. Respect validly retained intellectual property rights.
f. Respond appropriately to substantiated legal complaints.
g. Provide legally required consumer remedies.
h. Act consistently with applicable restrictions on unfair contract terms.
15 β AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW AND NON-EXCLUDABLE RIGHTS
15.1 Application of Australian Consumer Law
This Agreement is subject to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), including Schedule 2, the Australian Consumer Law (βACLβ), where applicable.
The parties acknowledge that certain consumer guarantees, statutory protections and remedies cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified by contract.
15.2 Consumer guarantees
Where applicable, services supplied by COURTREADZ must comply with relevant statutory guarantees, including requirements concerning due care and skill, fitness for disclosed purposes and supply within a reasonable time.
Digital products and services may also be subject to applicable consumer guarantees.
Nothing in this Agreement removes those rights.
15.3 Misleading or deceptive conduct
Neither party may engage in misleading or deceptive conduct prohibited by applicable law.
This includes misleading statements concerning pricing, sales, copyright ownership, book availability, publishing credentials, advertising results or product characteristics.
15.4 Unfair contract terms
The parties acknowledge that Australian unfair contract terms laws may apply to standard-form agreements involving consumers and eligible small businesses.
A contractual term may be unlawful if it creates a significant imbalance, is not reasonably necessary to protect legitimate interests and would cause detriment if relied upon.
Since November 2023, Australian law has prohibited proposing, using or relying on unfair terms in covered standard-form contracts, with potential penalties. οΏΌ
15.5 Interpretation consistent with law
Any provision of this Agreement that would unlawfully exclude a statutory right must be read subject to that right.
Where a provision cannot lawfully operate, it will be ineffective to the extent required by law without necessarily invalidating the remaining lawful provisions.
15.6 No exclusion of mandatory remedies
Nothing in this Agreement prevents an eligible party from pursuing:
A statutory refund.
A statutory remedy for defective goods or services.
Compensation available under applicable law.
A complaint to a regulator.
Proceedings before a court or tribunal with jurisdiction.
Any other non-excludable legal right.
16 β LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
16.1 Purpose
The following provisions allocate commercial risks between the parties, subject to mandatory law.
They are intended to protect COURTREADZ against responsibility for losses that are properly attributable to independent Authors, Publishers, users or third parties, without unlawfully excluding responsibility for COURTREADZ's own conduct.
16.2 Independent Author and Publisher conduct
To the maximum extent permitted by law, COURTREADZ is not responsible for unlawful or unauthorised conduct independently undertaken by an Author or Publisher where that responsibility is not otherwise imposed on COURTREADZ by law.
Examples may include:
a. An Author knowingly uploading a pirated manuscript.
b. A Publisher falsely claiming distribution rights.
c. An Author independently making defamatory statements.
d. An Author misrepresenting their publishing credentials.
e. A Publisher supplying a corrupted digital file.
f. An Author unlawfully disclosing member information.
g. A seller failing to meet its own applicable tax obligations.
h. An Author independently entering an unauthorised commercial arrangement with a member.
This provision does not apply to the extent COURTREADZ's own conduct legally contributes to the relevant loss or liability.
16.3 Third-party disputes
COURTREADZ is not automatically responsible for every dispute between an Author and:
A publisher.
A literary agent.
A co-author.
A copyright owner.
A reader.
A distributor.
A payment provider.
Another Platform user.
Where COURTREADZ is not a party to the underlying transaction or wrongful conduct, its responsibility will be determined by applicable law and its actual role.
16.4 No guarantee of business outcomes
COURTREADZ makes no guarantee concerning future book sales, publishing contracts, royalties, audience growth, social media performance or commercial opportunities unless a specific enforceable promise has been made.
16.5 Consequential and indirect loss
To the extent permitted by law, neither party is liable to the other for remote or unforeseeable indirect commercial losses arising from ordinary contractual breaches.
This provision does not exclude compensation for losses that applicable law requires to be recoverable, including reasonably foreseeable losses covered by non-excludable consumer guarantees.
16.6 Liability cap for eligible commercial claims
For claims arising solely from an ordinary breach of the paid Author subscription agreement, and only where legally enforceable, COURTREADZ's aggregate contractual liability may be limited to the greater of:
a. The subscription fees actually paid by the claimant during the 12 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim; or
b. AU$500.
This proposed cap does not apply to the extent prohibited by law, including relevant statutory consumer rights, fraud, wilful misconduct, or liabilities that cannot lawfully be limited.
The appropriateness and enforceability of this cap must be assessed by legal counsel, particularly for standard-form small business contracts.
16.7 No limitation for deliberate misconduct
Nothing in this Agreement is intended to excuse a party from liability for its own fraud, deliberate unlawful conduct or other liability that applicable law prohibits it from excluding.
16.8 Fair allocation of responsibility
Where loss arises from the conduct of multiple parties, responsibility should be allocated according to applicable law, contractual obligations and the parties' respective contributions.
An Author or Publisher must not be required to indemnify COURTREADZ for loss caused solely by COURTREADZ's own unlawful conduct.
17 β INDEMNIFICATION AND LEGAL CLAIMS
17.1 Author and Publisher indemnity
To the extent permitted by law, the Author or Publisher agrees to indemnify COURTREADZ and its operator against reasonable and properly substantiated losses, liabilities, damages, settlements and legal costs arising directly from:
The Author's or Publisher's material breach of this Agreement.
Their infringement of third-party copyright or other intellectual property rights.
Their knowing or negligent supply of unauthorised content.
Their material misrepresentation of publishing or distribution rights.
Their fraudulent conduct.
Their unlawful misuse or disclosure of personal information.
Their supply of malicious digital files.
Their unlawful advertising or deceptive product representations.
Their failure to fulfil seller obligations for which they are legally responsible.
Their unauthorised use of third-party photographs, artwork, music or recordings.
Their independently unlawful statements or communications.
Their material breach of confidentiality obligations.
The indemnity applies only to the extent that the relevant loss is properly attributable to the Author's or Publisher's conduct and is legally recoverable.
17.2 Copyright-specific indemnity
Where an Author or Publisher uploads, distributes or authorises the sale of material without necessary rights, they agree, to the extent permitted by law, to indemnify COURTREADZ against reasonable losses resulting from that breach.
This may include:
a. Reasonable legal defence costs.
b. Damages legally payable to an affected rights holder.
c. Reasonable settlement payments.
d. Reasonable investigation expenses.
e. Necessary content removal or corrective costs.
f. Other legally recoverable losses directly arising from the infringement.
The indemnity does not extend to the extent the loss results from COURTREADZ's independent infringement, unauthorised use or other legally attributable wrongdoing.
17.3 Notification of claims
A party seeking indemnification must notify the other party within a reasonable time after becoming aware of a relevant claim.
A delay in notification will affect indemnification only to the extent the delay materially prejudices the responding party, unless applicable law provides otherwise.
17.4 Cooperation
The parties must reasonably cooperate in responding to claims, including preserving relevant evidence and supplying information lawfully within their possession or control.
17.5 Legal defence and settlement
Neither party may enter into a settlement that imposes a non-monetary obligation, admission of wrongdoing or additional liability on the other party without that party's written consent.
Consent must not be unreasonably withheld where the proposed settlement is lawful and reasonable.
17.6 Mitigation of loss
A party claiming indemnification must take reasonable steps to mitigate avoidable loss.
17.7 No automatic liability for allegations
An allegation or complaint alone does not establish that an Author or Publisher has infringed copyright or breached this Agreement.
Liability must be determined by the applicable contractual standards, evidence, law or valid settlement arrangements.
17.8 Survival
Indemnification obligations relating to conduct occurring during the Agreement may survive termination, subject to applicable limitation periods and law.
18 β ACCOUNT SUSPENSION, TERMINATION AND REMOVAL
18.1 Suspension grounds
COURTREADZ may suspend an Author or Publisher account where it has reasonable grounds to believe:
a. The account is being used unlawfully.
b. The account holder is under 18.
c. Material registration information is fraudulent.
d. Copyright infringement is occurring.
e. The account presents a material cybersecurity risk.
f. Serious harassment or threatening conduct has occurred.
g. The account holder has materially breached this Agreement.
h. A payment provider has imposed a relevant restriction.
i. Suspension is required by law or court order.
18.2 Proportionate response
Where practicable, COURTREADZ may issue a warning or allow a reasonable opportunity to remedy a breach before suspension.
Immediate suspension may be appropriate where delay would create a serious legal, financial, security or safety risk.
18.3 Notice of termination
Except where immediate action is reasonably necessary, COURTREADZ should provide written notice identifying the material grounds for termination.
18.4 Termination by Author or Publisher
Authors and Publishers may terminate their participation and cancel recurring subscriptions in accordance with the disclosed cancellation procedure.
Termination does not automatically reverse completed sales or extinguish obligations arising before termination.
18.5 Effect of termination
Following termination, COURTREADZ may:
Disable access to Author-only features.
Remove active storefront listings.
Prevent new sales.
Revoke Platform permissions.
Preserve legally required records.
Assist with unresolved transactions.
Retain material covered by valid surviving recording licences.
Take reasonable steps to fulfil existing customer entitlements.
18.6 Outstanding payments
Lawfully payable amounts remain due following termination.
Any outstanding seller proceeds must be handled according to the applicable payment arrangement, subject to lawful deductions, refunds, disputes and provider restrictions.
18.7 Refunds following termination
Where COURTREADZ terminates an account without cause before completing a prepaid service period, the subscriber may be entitled to an appropriate refund for the unused service, subject to applicable law.
Where termination results from a serious breach by the subscriber, any refund or deduction must remain lawful and proportionate.
18.8 Review of decisions
An Author or Publisher may request review of a suspension or termination by contacting courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
COURTREADZ may request relevant evidence and reconsider the decision in light of the circumstances.
19 β DISPUTE RESOLUTION, COMPLAINTS AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
19.1 Initial complaint procedure
Authors and Publishers should submit contractual complaints in writing to:
courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com
The complaint should identify the relevant account, disputed event, supporting information and requested resolution.
19.2 Good-faith negotiations
Where appropriate, the parties agree to attempt reasonable good-faith negotiations before commencing ordinary contractual litigation.
This requirement does not prevent urgent applications for injunctive relief, statutory complaints or other proceedings that cannot lawfully be restricted.
19.3 Mediation
If a dispute cannot be resolved through direct negotiations, the parties may agree to mediation through an independent mediator.
Unless otherwise agreed, mediation costs will be shared equally, excluding each party's own legal representation costs.
Neither party is required to waive statutory rights as a condition of mediation.
19.4 Legal remedies
Nothing in this Agreement prevents a party from exercising a lawful right to commence proceedings before a competent court or tribunal.
19.5 Governing law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, together with applicable Commonwealth laws.
19.6 Jurisdiction
Subject to mandatory laws and the jurisdiction of relevant courts or tribunals, the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of courts competent to hear disputes arising under this Agreement in New South Wales.
This clause does not prevent a consumer or eligible party from exercising a mandatory right to bring proceedings elsewhere.
19.7 International participants
Overseas Authors and Publishers acknowledge that COURTREADZ operates from Australia.
However, mandatory laws applicable in other jurisdictions may also govern particular transactions, rights or obligations.
20 β GENERAL CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS
20.1 Entire agreement
This Agreement, together with expressly incorporated policies and any valid separately executed commercial agreements, constitutes the parties' agreement concerning the services covered by it.
It does not override representations or rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
20.2 Order of precedence
Where documents conflict, the following order applies unless mandatory law requires otherwise:
A specific written agreement signed or expressly accepted by the relevant parties.
Specific terms governing a particular paid service or recording.
This Author and Publisher Agreement.
General Website Terms and Conditions.
Other incorporated Platform policies, according to their subject matter.
The Privacy Policy governs the description of personal information handling but does not override applicable privacy law.
20.3 Amendments
COURTREADZ may amend this Agreement for legitimate operational, legal, technical or commercial reasons.
Material amendments affecting existing contractual rights must be notified appropriately and implemented in accordance with applicable law.
A material change requiring fresh consent will not be treated as accepted merely because a revised document has been uploaded to the website.
20.4 Severability
If a provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to operate to the extent legally possible.
20.5 No waiver
A party's failure to enforce a contractual right on one occasion does not automatically waive that right in future circumstances.
20.6 Assignment
Authors and Publishers must not transfer their accounts or contractual obligations without COURTREADZ's prior written consent, which must not be unreasonably withheld where applicable law requires.
COURTREADZ may transfer this Agreement as part of a lawful business sale or restructuring where the transfer does not unlawfully diminish the other party's rights.
20.7 Force majeure
Neither party is liable for delay caused by events beyond its reasonable control to the extent permitted by law, provided it takes reasonable steps to mitigate the effects.
Such events may include natural disasters, widespread network failures, major infrastructure disruption or government restrictions.
A force majeure event does not automatically extinguish payment, refund or other rights that applicable law preserves.
20.8 Notices
Contractual notices may be delivered through the registered account email address, Platform notification system or another agreed method.
Notices must be reasonably calculated to reach the recipient.
20.9 Electronic communications
The parties consent to lawful electronic communications and electronic contracting procedures, subject to applicable legislation.
20.10 Interpretation
Headings are provided for convenience and do not limit the meaning of the Agreement.
References to legislation include applicable amendments and replacement legislation.
20.11 Survival
Provisions concerning accrued payment obligations, confidentiality, intellectual property, surviving licences, indemnification, dispute resolution and other obligations intended to continue may survive termination to the extent lawful and appropriate.
21 β SPECIAL AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
By accepting this Agreement, each Author or Publisher expressly acknowledges that:
COURTREADZ is a separate online book club and platform.
COURTREADZ does not automatically become the publisher of their books.
They retain their pre-existing copyright ownership unless separately agreed.
They must possess the necessary rights to distribute their books.
They are responsible for obtaining third-party copyright permissions.
They must not upload pirated or unlawfully distributed content.
They are responsible for the accuracy of their own book listings.
They must comply with applicable consumer protection obligations.
They are responsible for their own tax obligations to the extent imposed by law.
Stripe or another payment provider may impose separate requirements.
Payment processing does not guarantee instant payouts.
An Author subscription does not guarantee book sales.
A subscription does not guarantee interviews or promotional exposure.
Promotional participation does not guarantee positive reviews.
Interview recording and publication require appropriate authorisation.
They must comply with the Platform's privacy and community requirements.
They must not unlawfully collect or misuse member information.
COURTREADZ may take proportionate action against serious breaches.
They may be responsible for losses legally attributable to their breaches.
They retain all statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
They must be at least 18 years of age to access or participate in the Platform.
No person under 18 is authorised to operate an account or use the Platform.
22 β FORMAL ELECTRONIC ACCEPTANCE AND DECLARATIONS
22.1 Author and Publisher declaration
By selecting the acceptance checkbox during registration or subscription, I confirm that:
I am at least 18 years old.
I have read and understood this Author and Publisher Agreement.
I have the authority to enter into this Agreement.
I have the necessary rights and permissions for the content I submit.
I understand my responsibilities concerning copyright, digital products, privacy and lawful commercial conduct.
I understand the applicable subscription price and recurring billing arrangements.
I understand that COURTREADZ does not guarantee sales, income or commercial success.
I agree to comply with the incorporated Platform policies.
I understand that applicable statutory rights and obligations continue to apply.
22.2 Required registration checkbox
This is a preview of the acceptance wording, not a live registration form.
22.3 Electronic records
COURTREADZ should maintain appropriate records of:
a. The Author's or Publisher's legal or registered identity.
b. The account associated with acceptance.
c. The accepted Agreement version.
d. The date and time of acceptance.
e. The relevant subscription and pricing terms.
f. The accepted payment authorisation.
g. Any separately granted recording permissions.
h. Any subsequently accepted amendments.
Records must be retained and protected in accordance with applicable law.
23 β BUSINESS AND LEGAL CONTACT INFORMATION
COURTREADZ BOOK CLUB
Operated by Courtney Holloway
Australian Business Number: 59 281 471 602
Website: https://courtreadz.comβ οΏΌ
Email: courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com
Governing jurisdiction: New South Wales, Australia.
All formal notices, copyright complaints, legal enquiries, privacy concerns and Author or Publisher contractual complaints may be directed to the above email address, unless another legally required notification procedure applies.
24 β FINAL DECLARATION
This Agreement establishes the contractual terms under which Authors and Publishers may participate in COURTREADZ Book Club.
It is intended to protect the lawful interests of COURTREADZ, its operator, Authors, Publishers, customers and other Platform users by defining the parties' respective rights and responsibilities.
Authors and Publishers acknowledge that they remain responsible for their own original content, rights permissions, publishing arrangements, lawful sales activities and contractual breaches to the extent imposed by applicable law.
COURTREADZ retains the right to administer and protect its Platform, enforce reasonable community and commercial requirements, respond to lawful complaints and seek appropriate remedies for breaches of this Agreement.
Nothing in this Agreement is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any statutory right, consumer guarantee, privacy obligation, intellectual property protection or other legal requirement that cannot lawfully be excluded.
End of Author and Publisher Agreement.
Video & Audio Recording Agreement
RECORDING, VIDEO AND AUDIO RIGHTS AGREEMENT
1 β GENERAL TERMS AND APPLICATION
1. Purpose and legal operation
1.1 Purpose
This Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement (βAgreementβ) governs the recording, capture, storage, editing, reproduction, publication, distribution, transmission, streaming, promotion, archiving and other authorised use of audio, video, audiovisual and associated content created through or for COURTREADZ Book Club (βCOURTREADZβ).
It establishes the rights and obligations of COURTREADZ and individuals participating in recorded activities, including members, authors, publishers, influencers, interviewees, presenters and other contributors.
The Agreement is intended to:
a. Establish lawful recording and publication permissions.
b. Protect the legitimate commercial and intellectual property interests of COURTREADZ.
c. Define the rights retained by Participants.
d. Establish a transparent electronic consent procedure.
e. Regulate the recording and distribution of live events and interviews.
f. Address third-party copyright, performers' rights, privacy and confidential information.
g. Allocate responsibilities fairly between COURTREADZ and Participants.
h. Provide procedures for complaints, correction, removal and disputes.
i. Support compliance with applicable Australian laws.
1.2 Application
This Agreement applies to authorised recording activities conducted through COURTREADZ, including:
Weekly live book club sessions and monthly extended live streams.
One-on-one video and audio interviews.
Author, publisher and influencer podcast interviews.
Member participation through cameras, microphones or broadcast questions.
Pre-recorded and live audiovisual programs.
Recordings available for member replay.
Edited interviews and podcast episodes.
Promotional excerpts and trailers.
Authorised social media publication.
Transcripts, captions, subtitles and still images derived from recordings.
Content recorded using approved third-party services on behalf of COURTREADZ.
1.3 Parties
COURTREADZ means Courtney Holloway trading as COURTREADZ Book Club and, where applicable, persons authorised to act on behalf of the business.
Participant means an individual who participates in or contributes to a recorded activity, or whose identifiable contribution is lawfully included in a recording.
Member means a registered individual using COURTREADZ under the applicable Membership Terms.
Guest means an invited author, publisher representative, influencer, interviewee, presenter, speaker or other contributor.
Recording means the capture or fixation of audio, video, audiovisual or other relevant media.
Platform means courtreadz.com and associated authorised digital services.
Consent Record means the electronically stored evidence of a Participant's acceptance of recording permissions.
Authorised Purpose means a recording or use specifically disclosed and covered by a valid consent, licence, agreement or other lawful basis.
1.4 Relationship with other agreements
This Agreement operates alongside the COURTREADZ General Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Membership Terms, Author and Publisher Agreement and Community Standards and Guidelines.
An event-specific or individually negotiated agreement prevails over a general provision to the extent of an inconsistency concerning that event, subject to mandatory law.
1.5 No exclusion of statutory rights
Nothing in this Agreement excludes, restricts or modifies any statutory right, consumer guarantee, privacy protection, copyright protection or other legal obligation that cannot lawfully be excluded.
2. Strict age requirement β 18 years and older
2.1 Adults-only access
COURTREADZ is exclusively for individuals aged 18 years or older.
No person under 18 may register for, access, participate in or use the Platform, including live streams, interviews, podcasts, member discussions, recordings and related interactive services.
2.2 Age confirmation
Before entering a recorded activity for the first time, each Participant must affirm that they are at least 18 years old.
The electronic consent popup must contain an express age confirmation.
2.3 False declarations
Providing false age information constitutes a material breach and may result in account suspension, termination and other lawful action.
2.4 Appearance of minors
Participants must not intentionally include a person under 18 in a recording.
If a minor unexpectedly appears or is heard, COURTREADZ may pause recording, remove the affected content, restrict access or take other appropriate safeguarding measures.
2.5 Legal obligations preserved
Nothing in this Agreement removes COURTREADZ's responsibilities under applicable child protection, privacy or other laws.
2 β FIRST-TIME ELECTRONIC RECORDING CONSENT
3. Mandatory first-time recording consent popup
3.1 Electronic consent system
COURTREADZ will implement an electronic recording consent process that appears when a registered Participant first attempts to join a recorded activity.
The process applies to members, authors, publishers, influencers, invited guests and other eligible Participants.
3.2 When the popup must appear
The first-time popup must appear before the Participant enters a recorded live session or begins a recorded video or audio call.
The popup must appear before COURTREADZ intentionally captures the Participant's identifiable audio or video contribution for the relevant recording.
3.3 Mandatory acceptance
The popup must contain a mandatory checkbox that is initially unticked.
The Participant must actively select the checkbox and then choose the applicable acceptance or continuation button.
No consent will be inferred solely from visiting the website, creating an account, viewing the popup, remaining silent or failing to object.
3.4 Expandable agreement
The popup must include a clearly labelled option to view or expand the complete Recording, Video and Audio Rights Agreement.
The full Agreement must be accessible before acceptance.
Participants must be able to review the terms without being required to consent first.
3.5 Plain-language summary
The popup must prominently explain that:
a. The session may be recorded.
b. The Participant's voice, image, name and contributions may be captured if they actively participate.
c. Authorised recordings may be edited.
d. Recordings may be made available for replay.
e. Recordings may be published or distributed within the disclosed scope.
f. Authorised excerpts may be used for promotion.
g. COURTREADZ operates commercially.
h. Participants retain applicable legal rights.
i. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
3.6 Refusal of consent
A Participant who does not accept the recording terms must not be permitted to enter an activity where their participation would necessarily involve recording without the required consent.
Where reasonably practicable, COURTREADZ may offer a non-recorded or passive viewing alternative.
Refusal must not be treated as consent.
3.7 No pre-selected consent
The checkbox must not be pre-ticked, automatically selected or accepted through an inactive default setting.
3.8 Electronic legal effect
Where the requirements for a valid agreement and recording consent are satisfied, electronic acceptance may constitute legally effective evidence of agreement and consent.
The parties acknowledge that the legal effectiveness of consent depends on the relevant facts and applicable laws, not merely the existence of a checkbox.
4. Once-only acceptance and continuing consent
4.1 Initial acceptance
COURTREADZ intends that a Participant will ordinarily be required to accept the complete Agreement once, before their first recorded activity.
4.2 Continuing application
After valid acceptance, the Agreement may apply to subsequent recordings of the same disclosed nature and purpose without requiring the Participant to repeat the full acceptance process.
4.3 Conditions of continuing consent
Continuing consent may be relied upon only where:
a. The original consent was validly obtained.
b. The Participant was adequately informed.
c. The later activity falls within the scope of the original consent.
d. The purposes have not materially changed.
e. No relevant legal requirement mandates renewed consent.
f. Consent has not been validly withdrawn or otherwise ceased to apply.
g. The circumstances do not make reliance on the earlier consent inappropriate.
4.4 Recording notices for subsequent sessions
Even where the full Agreement has already been accepted, COURTREADZ will display a clear notice before a subsequent recorded session.
The notice should identify that recording will occur and provide access to the Agreement and recording-related enquiries.
A further checkbox is not automatically required for every session, provided the existing consent is legally sufficient.
4.5 New recording purposes
Fresh consent will be sought where required for materially different purposes, including unrelated commercial endorsements, new categories of sensitive data use, or uses outside the previously authorised scope.
4.6 No indefinite blanket authorisation
A once-only acceptance does not grant unrestricted or perpetual permission to record any conversation in any circumstance.
4.7 Withdrawal or invalidation
If a Participant withdraws applicable consent, or COURTREADZ determines that the existing consent is no longer sufficient, the system must require an appropriate new authorisation before further recording that depends on consent.
5. Consent records and evidence
5.1 Electronic recordkeeping
COURTREADZ may maintain secure records of consent, including:
a. Participant account identifier.
b. Participant name or registered username.
c. Date and time of acceptance.
d. Agreement version accepted.
e. The consent wording presented.
f. Relevant event or recording category.
g. The affirmative action taken.
h. Technical records reasonably necessary to establish acceptance.
i. Subsequent changes or withdrawals.
5.2 Storage and security
Consent records will be stored securely and access restricted to authorised personnel.
5.3 Retention
Consent records may be retained for legitimate evidentiary, contractual, operational and legal purposes, subject to applicable privacy and retention requirements.
5.4 Proof of acceptance
COURTREADZ may rely on authentic electronic records to establish what terms were presented and accepted.
Such records are evidence of acceptance but do not conclusively determine the legality of every recording or later use.
5.5 No recorded verbal declaration required
A Participant is not required to provide a verbal or video-recorded declaration of consent solely to accept this Agreement.
A valid electronic consent process may be used instead.
5.6 Technical failure
Where consent status cannot be verified, COURTREADZ must not assume acceptance.
The system should request fresh acceptance or prevent recording participation until consent can be established.
6. Consent popup wording
The following wording is intended for implementation on COURTREADZ.
COURTREADZ β Recording Consent
Before joining your first recorded session
COURTREADZ records certain live streams, video calls and interviews. If you participate using your microphone, camera or broadcast contributions, your voice, image and statements may be recorded, edited and published for the purposes described in our Agreement.
Authorised recordings may be available for member replay and may be used in agreed promotional content.
You must be at least 18 years old.
Design preview only. This control does not grant or store legal consent.
6.1 Acceptance must be voluntary
Participants must have a genuine opportunity to decline consent.
6.2 Accessibility
The popup and Agreement should be accessible on supported devices and designed so Participants can read the terms without unreasonable difficulty.
6.3 Version control
COURTREADZ will maintain identifiable versions of this Agreement.
6.4 Separate permissions where required
The popup does not replace additional consent required by applicable law for particular recordings or uses.
3 β RECORDING OF LIVE STREAMS AND INTERVIEWS
7. Weekly and monthly live streaming
7.1 Recorded events
COURTREADZ may conduct weekly book club live streams, monthly extended live streams and additional events.
7.2 Recording of events
Events identified as recorded may be captured and retained for authorised replay, editing and publication.
7.3 Members joining live streams
A member entering a recorded live stream for the first time must complete the electronic consent process where their participation requires recording consent.
7.4 Subsequent participation
Members who have already accepted a valid continuing consent need not ordinarily repeat the full Agreement acceptance for later sessions of the same authorised nature.
7.5 Participation controls
Where supported, members may participate as viewers without enabling a camera or microphone.
7.6 On-stage participation
Where a member is invited to speak or appear on camera, COURTREADZ must ensure the member has received appropriate recording notice and any necessary consent has been obtained before recording the contribution.
7.7 Recorded questions
Questions and comments submitted for broadcast may be incorporated into recordings within the disclosed scope.
7.8 Replay availability
COURTREADZ may make lawfully recorded sessions available for replay to eligible members.
7.9 Technical limitations
COURTREADZ does not guarantee that every event will be recorded successfully or remain available indefinitely.
This provision is subject to applicable consumer guarantees and other mandatory obligations.
8. Private video calls and podcast interviews
8.1 Application
This section applies to one-on-one or group video and audio calls arranged for interviews, podcasts, author discussions and related COURTREADZ content.
8.2 First-time consent
Before a guest's first recorded call, COURTREADZ will present the electronic recording consent popup.
8.3 No automatic recording before consent
COURTREADZ must not intentionally begin recording a private call before obtaining the consent or other legal authorisation required for that recording.
8.4 Previously accepted terms
Where a guest has already validly accepted this Agreement, the full popup need not be repeated if the new recording is covered by the existing consent.
A clear recording notice must still be provided.
8.5 Guest-specific purposes
The guest must be informed of the intended recording and publication purposes, including whether the interview will be members-only, publicly released or used in promotional material.
8.6 Multiple participants
Where a call involves multiple participants, COURTREADZ must ensure all relevant participants have received appropriate notice and any necessary consent has been obtained.
8.7 Late arrivals
A person joining after recording has started must not have their contribution intentionally recorded without the required authorisation.
8.8 Editing and release
COURTREADZ may edit and publish authorised interviews within the scope of the agreed permissions.
8.9 No guaranteed publication
COURTREADZ retains reasonable editorial discretion to delay, edit or decline publication.
8.10 Interview scheduling
Agreement to attend an interview does not, by itself, authorise uses that were not adequately disclosed or otherwise lawfully permitted.
9. Recording notices and participant awareness
9.1 Recording indicator
Where technically practicable, a visible recording indicator should remain displayed while recording is active.
9.2 Start and stop notifications
Participants should be informed when recording begins and where recording is resumed after a material interruption.
9.3 Recording status
The Platform should accurately distinguish between live broadcasting, recording and unrecorded communications.
9.4 No covert recording
This Agreement does not authorise covert recording contrary to applicable law.
9.5 Applicable surveillance laws
Participants and COURTREADZ must comply with relevant Commonwealth, state and territory surveillance and communications laws.
9.6 Jurisdictional differences
Where participants are located outside NSW or Australia, COURTREADZ must consider applicable laws in those jurisdictions.
4 β INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OWNERSHIP AND LICENSING
10. Intellectual property ownership
10.1 Ownership of COURTREADZ materials
COURTREADZ retains ownership of intellectual property it independently creates or lawfully acquires, including its branding, original scripts, graphics, editing elements, production materials and recordings to the extent copyright law or a valid assignment grants ownership to COURTREADZ.
10.2 Participant-owned material
Participants retain ownership of their original intellectual property unless ownership has been validly assigned in writing.
10.3 Separate rights
A completed recording may contain several distinct copyright and other rights, including rights in underlying literary works, sound recordings, films, music, photographs and performances.
10.4 No automatic transfer of books
An author's appearance in an interview does not transfer ownership of their books, manuscripts, book covers, illustrations or other separately protected works to COURTREADZ.
10.5 Contractor-created material
COURTREADZ will obtain appropriate written assignments or licences from contractors where necessary to secure the intended production and distribution rights.
11. Participant licence to COURTREADZ
11.1 Licence grant
Subject to the Participant possessing the relevant rights and having provided valid authorisation, the Participant grants COURTREADZ a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use the Participant's authorised contributions for the purposes disclosed in the relevant recording consent.
11.2 Permitted activities
Within the agreed scope, the licence permits COURTREADZ to:
a. Capture and reproduce contributions.
b. Store and securely back up recordings.
c. Edit and format recordings.
d. Communicate recordings to authorised audiences.
e. Stream and distribute completed recordings.
f. Make recordings available for member replay.
g. Produce transcripts, subtitles and captions.
h. Create promotional excerpts.
i. Incorporate contributions into relevant compilations.
j. Use authorised third-party providers to perform the licensed activities.
k. Maintain reasonable archival copies.
11.3 Worldwide availability
Recordings may be made available internationally where such distribution falls within the disclosed and authorised purposes.
11.4 Duration
Unless otherwise agreed, a licence for a completed interview or podcast may continue for the duration of applicable copyright protection, subject to the scope of consent, mandatory law and any enforceable withdrawal or termination rights.
For ordinary member contributions, the scope and duration will be determined by the relevant consent and applicable Platform terms.
11.5 No unlimited licence
The licence does not authorise unrelated commercial uses, undisclosed endorsements or other materially different purposes.
11.6 No transfer of unrelated rights
COURTREADZ receives no ownership or licence in unrelated works merely because their creator participates in a recorded event.
12. Editing and editorial control
12.1 Editorial discretion
COURTREADZ may edit recordings for legitimate production, editorial, accessibility, legal and technical purposes within the authorised scope.
12.2 Permitted modifications
These may include:
a. Removing pauses and repeated statements.
b. Improving audio quality.
c. Adjusting lighting and image quality.
d. Removing technical interruptions.
e. Correcting transcription errors.
f. Adding introductions and closing sequences.
g. Creating chapter divisions.
h. Producing shorter excerpts.
i. Adding subtitles and captions.
j. Removing unlawful or inappropriate material.
k. Removing unnecessary personal information.
l. Reformatting content for authorised distribution channels.
12.3 Accurate representation
COURTREADZ will take reasonable care not to edit a Participant's contribution in a materially misleading manner.
12.4 No automatic final approval
Unless separately agreed, Participants do not have an automatic contractual right to approve every edit.
12.5 Legitimate objections
COURTREADZ will reasonably consider complaints involving materially misleading edits, false attribution, privacy, confidentiality, defamation or other legal concerns.
12.6 Publication decisions
COURTREADZ may decline, postpone or discontinue publication for legitimate editorial, operational or legal reasons.
13. Moral rights and performers' rights
13.1 Recognition
COURTREADZ recognises that creators and performers may possess statutory rights under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
13.2 Attribution
Where required and reasonably practicable, COURTREADZ will appropriately identify the relevant creator or performer.
13.3 False attribution
COURTREADZ must not knowingly falsely attribute protected work or performances.
13.4 Derogatory treatment
Editing permissions do not override applicable moral rights protections.
13.5 Written consent to specified acts
Where necessary, COURTREADZ may obtain a separate written consent concerning specified acts or omissions affecting moral rights, in accordance with applicable law.
13.6 No blanket waiver
Nothing in this Agreement purports to transfer or extinguish moral rights that cannot lawfully be transferred or waived.
13.7 Performers' authorisation
Where recording, communicating or otherwise exploiting a performance requires authorisation, COURTREADZ must obtain sufficient permission for the intended activities.
14. Commercial publication and monetisation
14.1 Commercial platform
Participants acknowledge that COURTREADZ is a commercial membership-based business.
14.2 Membership revenue
Authorised recordings may be included in paid membership services.
14.3 Promotional activities
Where permitted, COURTREADZ may promote authorised recordings through its website, official social media accounts, newsletters and other agreed distribution channels.
14.4 Sponsorships
COURTREADZ may operate sponsor-supported programming where this is consistent with the relevant agreements and applicable advertising law.
14.5 No automatic royalties
Voluntary participation does not automatically entitle a Participant to royalties, residual payments, appearance fees or a percentage of membership revenue.
14.6 Separate compensation agreements
Any payment, revenue share or appearance fee must be agreed separately or arise under applicable law.
14.7 Paid advertisements
Using a Participant's identifiable image or voice in paid advertising must fall within the consent obtained and must not misleadingly imply an endorsement.
Where appropriate, COURTREADZ will obtain separate express consent for paid advertising.
14.8 No false endorsements
COURTREADZ must not knowingly portray a Participant as endorsing an unrelated product, sponsor or service without authority.
15. Author and publisher content
15.1 Literary ownership
Authors and publishers retain their applicable rights in books, manuscripts, illustrations, cover designs and other protected materials.
15.2 Author interviews
Participation in an interview permits the uses authorised by the relevant recording agreement but does not transfer ownership of unrelated literary works.
15.3 Book excerpts
Participants must not assume that reading or displaying substantial portions of a book is automatically permitted.
15.4 Book covers
The inclusion of book cover artwork must be supported by an appropriate licence, permission or applicable legal exception.
15.5 Publisher representatives
A person representing a publisher may grant rights only to the extent they are authorised to do so.
15.6 Third-party material
Participants must identify known restrictions affecting content they intentionally supply.
15.7 Separate promotional agreements
Any paid author promotion, advertising arrangement or sponsored feature may be governed by additional written terms.
5 β COPYRIGHT, CONTENT RESPONSIBILITY AND PLATFORM PROTECTION
16. Copyright compliance
16.1 Applicable law
Participants must comply with the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and applicable intellectual property laws.
16.2 Participant responsibility
Participants are responsible for ensuring that material they independently supply is lawful and appropriately authorised.
16.3 Prohibited infringement
Participants must not knowingly supply or distribute:
a. Pirated books or audiobooks.
b. Unauthorised commercial music.
c. Copyright-infringing video clips.
d. Unlicensed photographs or artwork.
e. Unauthorised substantial literary excerpts.
f. Other protected material used without permission or another lawful basis.
16.4 Participant warranties
Participants warrant, to the extent reasonably within their knowledge and control, that they possess the rights necessary to supply and license their contributions.
16.5 COURTREADZ production responsibility
COURTREADZ remains responsible for obtaining necessary rights in material it independently selects, commissions or adds to productions.
16.6 Copyright exceptions
Nothing in this Agreement prohibits use permitted by applicable copyright exceptions.
16.7 Complaints
Copyright complaints may be submitted to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
16.8 Investigation
COURTREADZ may investigate credible complaints and request evidence of ownership or licensing.
16.9 Content restriction
COURTREADZ may temporarily restrict or remove disputed material where reasonably appropriate.
16.10 Repeat infringement
Repeated or serious infringement may result in account restrictions or termination.
17. User-generated content and third-party statements
17.1 Independent contributions
Members and guests may independently express opinions, submit questions and provide other content.
17.2 Responsibility
Participants are responsible for their own unlawful conduct and content to the extent provided by law.
17.3 No automatic endorsement
COURTREADZ does not automatically endorse statements made by Participants.
17.4 No guarantee of prior review
Live contributions may be transmitted without advance editorial review.
17.5 Moderation
COURTREADZ may remove, restrict or moderate material where reasonably necessary.
17.6 Independent legal obligations
The Participant's responsibility does not remove any separate legal obligations imposed on COURTREADZ.
17.7 No blanket immunity
Nothing in this Agreement represents that COURTREADZ is automatically immune from liability for third-party content.
18. Prohibited conduct
Participants must not knowingly use recording or streaming facilities to engage in:
a. Harassment or intimidation.
b. Unlawful discrimination.
c. Threats of violence.
d. Defamatory false allegations.
e. Copyright infringement.
f. Fraud or impersonation.
g. Unlawful disclosure of personal information.
h. Unlawful recording of private conversations.
i. Distribution of child sexual abuse material.
j. Malicious or deceptive activity.
k. Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information.
l. Other unlawful conduct.
COURTREADZ may take proportionate moderation or enforcement action in response to breaches.
19. Defamation and reputational harm
19.1 Participant statements
Participants must take reasonable care when making factual allegations about identifiable individuals or organisations.
19.2 Opinions and criticism
Lawful literary criticism, reviews and personal opinions are permitted.
19.3 Serious allegations
COURTREADZ may investigate, edit, restrict or decline publication of serious allegations where reasonably appropriate.
19.4 Complaints
A person alleging defamation may submit a complaint identifying the relevant content.
19.5 Legal responsibility
Responsibility for publication will be determined under applicable law and the particular circumstances.
19.6 No automatic exclusion
COURTREADZ does not obtain automatic immunity from defamation liability solely because a statement originated with a Participant.
20. Participant indemnification
20.1 Limited indemnity
To the extent permitted by law, a Participant agrees to indemnify COURTREADZ against reasonable, substantiated third-party losses and legal expenses directly arising from:
a. Knowing copyright infringement by the Participant.
b. Fraudulent representations concerning content ownership.
c. Deliberate unlawful disclosure of confidential information.
d. Deliberately defamatory statements.
e. Material breaches of express intellectual property warranties.
20.2 Exclusions
The indemnity does not apply to the extent a loss results from COURTREADZ's own negligence, unlawful conduct, unauthorised use, materially misleading editing or breach of its obligations.
20.3 Notification
COURTREADZ will give reasonably prompt notice of relevant claims where practicable.
20.4 Cooperation
The parties will reasonably cooperate in responding to legitimate claims.
20.5 Mitigation
COURTREADZ must take reasonable steps to minimise avoidable loss.
20.6 Fairness
The indemnity must be interpreted consistently with applicable unfair contract terms and consumer protection legislation.
6 β PRIVACY, SECURITY AND RECORDING MANAGEMENT
21. Privacy and personal information
21.1 Privacy compliance
COURTREADZ will handle personal information in accordance with applicable Australian privacy law and its published Privacy Policy.
21.2 Personal information in recordings
Recordings may contain names, voices, facial images, statements, professional information and other identifying details.
21.3 Collection purposes
Information may be collected for recording production, distribution, membership services, consent verification, moderation, security, complaints and lawful business administration.
21.4 Sensitive information
Sensitive personal information will not be treated as automatically available for unrestricted use merely because it was disclosed during an interview.
21.5 Incidental information
COURTREADZ may edit or restrict recordings containing unnecessary personal information.
21.6 Access and correction
Participants may request access to or correction of personal information where applicable law provides those rights.
21.7 International processing
Where overseas service providers process personal information, COURTREADZ will assess applicable cross-border obligations.
21.8 Privacy Act coverage
The applicability of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) depends on the relevant statutory requirements and circumstances. COURTREADZ will comply with the Act where applicable and with its published privacy commitments.
22. Storage and security
22.1 Recording storage
COURTREADZ may store recordings using appropriately selected internal systems and third-party providers.
22.2 Safeguards
Reasonable safeguards may include access controls, authentication, secure transmission, backups, software updates and restricted administrative permissions.
22.3 Raw recordings
Unpublished recordings and production files will be accessible only to persons with a legitimate operational need.
22.4 Third-party contractors
Contractors handling recordings must be subject to appropriate contractual and security requirements.
22.5 Retention
Recordings and associated information will be retained according to lawful operational, contractual and evidentiary needs.
22.6 Deletion
Information no longer reasonably required will be deleted or de-identified where required by applicable law.
22.7 Data breaches
COURTREADZ will assess suspected data breaches and comply with applicable notification requirements.
22.8 No absolute security guarantee
COURTREADZ cannot guarantee that any electronic system is entirely free from security risks, but remains responsible for meeting applicable security obligations.
23. Artificial intelligence and digital processing
23.1 Production assistance
COURTREADZ may use appropriately selected technology for transcription, captions, audio enhancement, translation, editing and related production functions.
23.2 Accuracy
Automated transcripts and captions may contain errors and may be corrected.
23.3 Voice cloning
Consent to ordinary recording does not automatically authorise cloning a Participant's voice.
23.4 Synthetic video
COURTREADZ will not knowingly create materially deceptive synthetic representations of a Participant without appropriate authorisation.
23.5 AI model training
This Agreement does not provide blanket permission to use identifiable recordings to train unrelated generative AI models.
23.6 Additional consent
Materially different AI uses will require an appropriate lawful basis and any necessary additional consent.
24. Third-party streaming and hosting services
24.1 External services
COURTREADZ may use third-party providers for video calls, live streaming, hosting, editing, storage and content distribution.
24.2 Provider agreements
COURTREADZ will seek appropriate contractual safeguards governing relevant provider access and processing.
24.3 Service interruptions
Third-party technical failures may affect recording or streaming availability.
24.4 Liability
Any allocation of responsibility for third-party failures remains subject to applicable law.
24.5 Provider changes
COURTREADZ may change providers where reasonably necessary, subject to applicable contractual and legal obligations.
25. Unauthorised copying and redistribution
25.1 Restricted content
Participants must not unlawfully reproduce, download, screen-record or redistribute restricted COURTREADZ recordings.
25.2 Private communications
Participants must not unlawfully record or disclose private communications.
25.3 Commercial exploitation
Participants must not commercially exploit COURTREADZ-owned content without authorisation.
25.4 Approved sharing
Participants may share official links and authorised promotional material in accordance with applicable permissions.
25.5 Enforcement
COURTREADZ may take lawful and proportionate action concerning unauthorised redistribution.
25.6 Legal exceptions
Nothing in this section overrides conduct permitted by mandatory law.
7 β WITHDRAWAL, LIABILITY, DISPUTES AND LEGAL ENFORCEMENT
26. Withdrawal of recording consent
26.1 Right to request withdrawal
A Participant may contact COURTREADZ to withdraw consent to future recordings where consent is the applicable legal basis for recording.
26.2 Future participation
Following an effective withdrawal, COURTREADZ must not rely on the withdrawn consent for future recording activities.
26.3 Existing recordings
Withdrawal does not automatically invalidate an otherwise lawful recording or terminate every contractual licence previously granted.
The continuing use of existing recordings will depend on the original permissions, applicable law and the circumstances.
26.4 Removal requests
Participants may request the removal, restriction or editing of an existing recording.
26.5 Assessment
COURTREADZ will consider applicable privacy, copyright, performers' rights, contractual, safety and other legal obligations.
26.6 Previously distributed copies
COURTREADZ cannot guarantee the removal of all copies previously and lawfully distributed to independent third parties.
26.7 Technical controls
Where consent is withdrawn, COURTREADZ will update the Participant's consent status and prevent future recording participation that requires the withdrawn permission until a valid new authorisation is obtained.
27. Complaints and correction requests
27.1 Complaints
Participants and affected third parties may submit complaints to courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com.
27.2 Information required
Complaints should identify the relevant recording, content, date, issue and requested remedy.
27.3 Review
COURTREADZ will assess complaints reasonably, taking into account the seriousness of the allegation and applicable law.
27.4 Available remedies
COURTREADZ may:
a. Correct inaccurate information.
b. Edit or remove material.
c. Restrict access.
d. Suspend distribution.
e. Publish a clarification.
f. Request further information.
g. Refer the matter for legal advice.
h. Decline a request where legally justified.
27.5 Urgent concerns
Complaints involving credible threats, serious privacy violations or other immediate risks may receive priority.
27.6 Response targets
COURTREADZ will aim to acknowledge written complaints within seven business days and provide a substantive response within 30 calendar days where reasonably practicable.
Statutory deadlines take precedence.
28. Limitation of liability
28.1 General allocation
Each party remains responsible for its own acts and omissions to the extent required by applicable law.
28.2 Participant statements
COURTREADZ does not automatically endorse or assume responsibility for every independent statement made by a Participant.
28.3 Editorial decisions
To the extent permitted by law, COURTREADZ will not be liable solely because a Participant disagrees with a lawful editorial decision made within the scope of the agreed permissions.
28.4 Technical interruptions
COURTREADZ does not guarantee uninterrupted recording, streaming, hosting or replay availability.
28.5 Unforeseeable losses
To the extent permitted by law, liability for remote or unforeseeable losses may be excluded where doing so is lawful and fair.
28.6 Exclusions
Nothing in this Agreement excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability arising under applicable consumer guarantees.
28.7 No protection for unlawful conduct
Nothing in this Agreement protects COURTREADZ from liability for its own fraud, unlawful conduct or other conduct for which liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
28.8 Interpretation
Any liability limitation must be interpreted consistently with the Australian Consumer Law and applicable unfair contract terms legislation.
29. Australian Consumer Law
29.1 Consumer guarantees
Where COURTREADZ supplies services to consumers, applicable consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law continue to apply.
29.2 Non-excludable rights
No term in this Agreement excludes, restricts or modifies rights or remedies where doing so would be unlawful.
29.3 Unfair contract terms
This Agreement must not be interpreted or applied in a manner inconsistent with applicable unfair contract terms protections.
29.4 Statutory remedies
Members retain any applicable statutory remedies for failures to comply with consumer guarantees.
29.5 Transparency
Material contractual provisions will be presented clearly and made reasonably accessible before acceptance.
The ACCC confirms that electronic actions such as clicking βI agreeβ can form contracts, while statutory consumer guarantees and unfair contract terms protections continue to apply. οΏΌ
30. Termination and continuing rights
30.1 Termination of participation
COURTREADZ may suspend or terminate recording participation for legitimate safety, legal, security or contractual reasons.
30.2 Voluntary departure
Participants may discontinue future voluntary participation.
30.3 Existing licences
Termination of membership does not automatically extinguish a valid existing recording licence.
30.4 Surviving provisions
Provisions concerning existing intellectual property rights, lawful archival retention, confidentiality, accrued obligations and enforceable indemnities may survive termination to the extent necessary and lawful.
30.5 No expanded permissions
Termination does not create additional recording or publication rights.
31. Dispute resolution
31.1 Initial communication
The parties should first attempt to resolve ordinary contractual disputes through written communication.
31.2 Good-faith discussions
The parties agree to make reasonable efforts to exchange relevant information and resolve disputes fairly.
31.3 Mediation
The parties may voluntarily agree to mediation.
31.4 Legal proceedings
Nothing in this Agreement prevents a party from exercising statutory rights, contacting a regulator or seeking urgent legal relief.
31.5 Regulatory complaints
Participants retain applicable rights to contact consumer protection, privacy and other competent authorities.
32. Governing law and jurisdiction
32.1 Governing law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, together with applicable Commonwealth legislation.
32.2 Courts
Subject to mandatory law, the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of courts competent to hear disputes in New South Wales.
32.3 International Participants
Participants located overseas acknowledge that COURTREADZ operates from Australia.
32.4 Mandatory foreign laws
Nothing in this Agreement excludes mandatory protections applicable in another jurisdiction where those protections cannot lawfully be excluded.
33. Amendments and updates
33.1 Amendments
COURTREADZ may update this Agreement for legitimate legal, operational, security or technical reasons.
33.2 Material changes
Material changes affecting Participant rights will be communicated through reasonable notice.
33.3 Renewed consent
Where an amendment introduces materially different recording or publication purposes requiring additional consent, COURTREADZ will obtain that consent before relying on the new permissions.
33.4 Existing licences
An amendment does not retrospectively expand an existing licence without a valid legal basis.
33.5 Version history
COURTREADZ will maintain records of relevant Agreement versions.
34. General provisions
34.1 Entire agreement
This Agreement, together with applicable incorporated policies and specific permissions, records the relevant contractual arrangements concerning recording activities.
34.2 Severability
If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to operate where legally possible.
34.3 No waiver
Failure to enforce a provision does not necessarily waive the right to enforce it later.
34.4 Electronic acceptance
Electronic acceptance may be used where legally effective.
34.5 No partnership
Participation does not automatically establish employment, partnership, agency, joint venture or ownership rights in COURTREADZ.
34.6 Assignment
Any assignment or transfer of contractual rights must comply with applicable law, contractual restrictions and privacy obligations.
34.7 Statutory rights
Nothing in this Agreement overrides mandatory statutory protections.
8 β ACCEPTANCE, WEBSITE IMPLEMENTATION AND LEGAL CONTACT
35. Electronic acceptance declaration
By actively selecting the mandatory consent checkbox and confirming acceptance, the Participant declares that:
a. They are at least 18 years old.
b. They have been given access to the complete Agreement.
c. They understand that COURTREADZ conducts recorded live streams, video calls and interviews.
d. They understand the recording purposes disclosed to them.
e. They voluntarily consent to recording activities covered by the applicable consent.
f. They authorise the agreed editing, publication, replay and promotional uses.
g. They understand that COURTREADZ operates commercially.
h. They acknowledge their responsibilities concerning content they supply.
i. They understand that additional consent may be necessary for materially different purposes.
j. They acknowledge that their electronic acceptance may be securely recorded as evidence.
k. They understand that statutory rights are not removed by accepting the Agreement.
l. They agree to the applicable terms of this Agreement.
36. Mandatory website implementation requirements
36.1 Initial consent
The full recording consent popup must appear before a Participant's first recorded activity requiring consent.
36.2 Expandable legal document
The Participant must have access to the complete Agreement through an expandable area or equivalent accessible interface.
36.3 Active checkbox
The checkbox must remain unticked until actively selected.
36.4 Acceptance button
The Participant must affirmatively confirm acceptance.
36.5 Consent database
COURTREADZ should securely store the Participant's consent status, acceptance timestamp, applicable Agreement version and relevant consent scope.
36.6 Subsequent sessions
Where valid continuing consent applies, the Participant need not repeat the full Agreement acceptance for subsequent covered activities.
36.7 Subsequent recording notice
A brief recording notice must still be displayed before subsequent recorded sessions.
36.8 Material changes
Fresh consent must be obtained where required by law or the scope of the original consent.
36.9 Consent withdrawal
The system should provide a reliable method for identifying withdrawal requests and preventing unauthorised future recording.
36.10 Recording controls
Where technically practicable, recording should not commence until the required permissions have been verified.
36.11 Administrative records
Authorised administrators should be able to verify consent records where reasonably necessary to investigate a dispute.
36.12 Security
Consent records must be protected against unauthorised access, alteration and deletion.
37. Contact information
COURTREADZ Book Club
Courtney Holloway
ABN: 59 281 471 602
Email: courtneyjaneofficial@gmail.com
End of Recording, video and audio rights agreement.
