Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account on The Stage ("Platform"), whether as a Fan or Performer, you ("User," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree, you may not use the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform constitutes ongoing acceptance of these Terms, including any future amendments.

2. Platform Description

The Stage is a live performance platform that connects Performers with Fans worldwide. Performers may host live-streamed or pre-recorded virtual shows, and Fans may purchase tickets, watch live or recorded performances, interact through real-time chat, send tips and superchats, and access VIP replays — via our website at thestage.pro and our companion mobile application.

3. Eligibility & Account Registration

You must be at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to create an account. By registering, you represent that the information you provide is accurate and complete.

• You may register using an email/password combination or through a supported OAuth provider (Google).
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account.
• You may select your account type — Fan or Performer — at the time of registration. Fans may upgrade to Performer status from their profile at any time.
• Each individual may maintain only one account on the Platform.

4. Fan Terms

4.1 Ticket Purchases

Fans may purchase General Admission or VIP tickets to shows listed on the Platform. Ticket purchases are processed securely through PayPal and are subject to the pricing set by the Performer.

• General Admission grants access to the live stream of a scheduled show.
• VIP Tickets include all General Admission benefits plus exclusive replay access for up to 7 days (or as configured by the Performer) after the show ends.

4.2 Platform Fee

A 10% platform service fee is applied to all ticket purchases and tips. This fee supports streaming infrastructure, payment processing, and platform maintenance.

4.3 Tips & Superchats

During live shows, Fans may send voluntary tips to Performers. Tips of $5.00 USD or more are displayed as highlighted "superchat" messages in the live chat. Tips are non-refundable once processed.

4.4 Refund Policy

Ticket refund requests may be submitted for shows that have not yet started. Once a show goes live or reaches "ended" status, tickets are generally non-refundable. Refund decisions are made at the sole discretion of The Stage.

4.5 Fan Conduct

While using the Platform, Fans agree to:

• Not harass, threaten, or abuse Performers or other users in chat or any Platform feature.
• Not attempt to record, redistribute, or restream any live or pre-recorded content.
• Not use bots, scripts, or automated tools to interact with the Platform.
• Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

5. Performer Terms

5.1 Performer Onboarding & Verification

To host shows, Performers must complete a mandatory onboarding process:

• Profile Setup: Provide a stage name (required) and genre (required). Bio and profile picture are optional but recommended.
• Identity Verification: Link at least one active social media account (Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok). Verified Performers receive a verified badge displayed to Fans.
• Attestation: Confirm ownership of or proper licensing for all content performed, possession of public performance rights for live streaming, and agreement to these Terms and platform guidelines.

5.2 Content Ownership & Rights

By creating and streaming content on the Platform, Performers represent and warrant that:

• They own or hold valid licenses for all music, visuals, and other creative works performed.
• They have obtained all necessary public performance rights and mechanical licenses where applicable.
• Their content does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.

Performers retain ownership of their original content. By uploading or streaming on The Stage, Performers grant the Platform a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, distribute, and cache their content solely for the purpose of operating the Platform (including VIP replays and promotional previews).

5.3 Show Creation & Management

Performers may create shows in two formats:

• Pre-Recorded: Upload a video file that plays automatically at the scheduled time.
• Live Venue: Stream in real time using your camera and microphone.

Shows progress through the following statuses: Draft (visible only to the Performer), Published (listed on the Platform and available for ticket purchases), Live (currently streaming), and Ended (completed, with VIP replays available if enabled). The Platform reserves the right to auto-end shows that exceed reasonable duration limits (4 hours for pre-recorded, 12 hours for live venues) as a safeguard against stale sessions.

5.4 Revenue, Fees & Payouts

Performers earn revenue from ticket sales (General and VIP) and tips received during live shows.

• A 10% platform fee is deducted from all earnings (tickets and tips).
• Payouts are processed monthly on the 21st of each month through PayPal.
• A minimum balance of $100 is required to receive a payout. Balances below $100 carry over to the next month.
• Performers are responsible for configuring a valid PayPal email in their Payout Settings.
• Earnings and payout history are tracked on the Performer Dashboard and Reports pages.
• The Platform is not responsible for delays caused by PayPal or the Performer's failure to configure payout settings.

5.5 Performer Conduct

Performers agree to:

• Not stream content that is illegal, obscene, defamatory, or violates the rights of others.
• Not manipulate ticket sales, viewer counts, or tip amounts through fraudulent means.
• Respond in good faith to any copyright or intellectual property complaints.
• Ensure show descriptions and pricing accurately represent the experience being offered.

6. Payment Processing

All financial transactions on the Platform — including ticket purchases, tips, and Performer payouts — are processed through PayPal. The Stage does not store credit card numbers, bank account details, or PayPal credentials on its servers. By making a purchase or receiving a payout, you agree to PayPal's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy in addition to these Terms.

7. Intellectual Property

All Platform branding, design, software, and proprietary content (excluding User-generated content) are the intellectual property of The Stage and its licensors. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or reverse-engineer any part of the Platform without prior written consent.

If you believe content on the Platform infringes your intellectual property rights, please contact us with a detailed description of the alleged infringement and we will investigate promptly.

8. Privacy & Data

We collect and process personal data necessary to operate the Platform, including your name, email address, profile information, and transaction history. We do not sell your personal information to third parties. Data is stored securely and retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described herein. For full details, refer to our data handling practices outlined in our communications.

9. Account Termination

You may delete your account at any time through your Profile settings. Upon deletion:

• Your profile data and purchase history will be permanently removed.
• Active show listings (for Performers) will be taken down.
• Pending payouts will be processed before account closure where possible.

The Stage reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or receive repeated complaints from other users — with or without notice.

10. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. The Stage makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding:

• Uninterrupted or error-free streaming or platform availability.
• The quality, accuracy, or legality of any Performer's content.
• The outcome of any transaction between Fans and Performers.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, The Stage shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform, including but not limited to loss of revenue, data, or goodwill.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Stage, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your use of the Platform, your content, your violation of these Terms, or your infringement of any third-party rights.

12. Modifications to Terms

The Stage reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated through the Platform (e.g., a banner notification or email to registered users). Your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, conducted in English. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

14. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms, please reach out to us through the Platform or visit our FAQ page for additional guidance.