TERMS OF SERVICE

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the ChatterFire platform, including the website at chatterfire.live, the ChatterFire desktop software, and all related services (collectively, the “Platform”). By creating an account, applying to join, or using any part of the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

ChatterFire is a competitive beat-making league. Participation is a privilege, not a right. We reserve the right to suspend or remove any member who violates these Terms at our sole discretion.

1. ELIGIBILITY AND ACCOUNTS

1.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account or use the Platform. By using ChatterFire you represent and warrant that you meet this requirement. Accounts found to belong to users under 18 will be terminated immediately.

1.2 Application and Approval

Access to the ChatterFire competitive league requires an approved producer application and payment of the non-refundable $5 application fee. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. ChatterFire reserves the right to reject any application without explanation.

1.3 Account Responsibility

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You may not share, sell, or transfer your account. Notify us immediately at info@chatterfire.live if you suspect unauthorized access.

2. PLATFORM USAGE RULES

By using the Platform you agree not to:

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Platform or another user's account
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to manipulate votes, scrape data, or interact with the Platform in a non-human manner
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other producers, moderators, or ChatterFire staff
• Submit false information during the application process or in your producer profile
• Use the Platform to promote, distribute, or link to content that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or infringing
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or tamper with the ChatterFire software or infrastructure
• Circumvent, disable, or interfere with security-related features of the Platform
• Use another producer's identity or falsely represent your affiliation with any person or entity

3. PRODUCER CONDUCT STANDARDS

3.1 Sportsmanship

ChatterFire is a competitive environment built on respect for the craft. Producers are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism at all times — before, during, and after battles. Trash talk in good spirit is part of the culture; targeted harassment, threats, or discriminatory language directed at opponents, viewers, or staff is not.

3.2 Battle Obligations

When you accept a battle slot you are committing to show up on time and ready to compete. Failure to appear constitutes a “no-show” governed by Section 5 of these Terms. Attempting to stall, delay, or otherwise manipulate the scheduling process is a conduct violation.

3.3 Communication Standards

All communication through ChatterFire channels — including in-app messaging, Discord, and any official social media interactions — must comply with these conduct standards. Violations occurring on external platforms that are directed at ChatterFire members or staff may also result in disciplinary action.

3.4 Disciplinary Process

ChatterFire staff may issue warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans for conduct violations. Severe violations (threats of violence, doxxing, fraud) result in immediate permanent removal without warning. Disciplinary decisions are final.

4. AI PRODUCTION POLICY — THE 75% RULE

4.1 The Rule

A minimum of 75% of every beat submitted to ChatterFire — whether in a battle, as an application beat, or as a challenge submission — must be created by the producer using their own original human creative input. AI-generated audio, AI-generated melodies, AI-generated drum patterns, or any AI tool that generates full or partial musical content counts against this 75% threshold.

4.2 What Is Permitted

• AI-assisted mixing and mastering (EQ suggestions, loudness normalization, noise reduction)
• AI-powered plugins used for sound design where the producer controls and shapes the output (e.g., spectral morphing, vocal processing)
• Sample packs or loop libraries — these are considered human-created source material
• AI tools used for arrangement suggestions where the final arrangement decisions are made by the producer

4.3 What Is Not Permitted

• Stems, melodies, or chord progressions generated wholesale by an AI tool (e.g., Suno, Udio, AIVA, or equivalent)
• Drum patterns or percussion sequences generated by AI and used without substantial human modification
• Any beat where the majority of musical decision-making was delegated to an AI system
• Using AI to impersonate another producer's style and presenting the output as your own original work

4.4 AI Challenge Process

Any member may file an AI Challenge against a submitted beat. Challenged producers must submit their DAW project file within 48 hours of the challenge notice. ChatterFire staff will review the project file and render a verdict within 7 business days. Producers who fail to submit a project file forfeit the battle and receive a conduct strike. Producers found in violation of the 75% rule forfeit the battle, lose any prizes, and receive a suspension of no less than one full season. A second violation results in permanent removal.

5. NO-SHOW POLICY

5.1 Definition

A no-show occurs when a producer fails to appear for a scheduled battle without providing at least 24 hours' advance notice to ChatterFire staff via official channels.

5.2 Consequences

• First no-show: Automatic forfeit of the battle. Warning issued. Opponent is credited with a win.
• Second no-show: Forfeit, one-month suspension from all competitive battles. Membership status placed under review.
• Third no-show: Permanent membership revocation. No refund of any fees paid. The producer\'s record reflects all no-shows permanently.

5.3 Valid Excuses

Medical emergencies, verified technical outages, or documented family emergencies may be considered for no-show forgiveness at ChatterFire's sole discretion. Requests for forgiveness must be submitted within 48 hours of the missed battle with supporting documentation.

5.4 Membership Revocation

ChatterFire reserves the right to revoke membership for repeated violations of any section of these Terms, not limited to the no-show policy. Revocation terminates your access to the Platform, your competitive record, and any unredeemed prizes. No refund will be issued upon revocation for cause.

6. SOFTWARE DISCLAIMER

6.1 Software Provided “As Is”

The ChatterFire desktop software is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that the software will be error-free, uninterrupted, or compatible with your specific hardware or software environment.

6.2 No Liability for Producer Machine Issues

ChatterFire is not responsible for any damage to, instability of, or performance issues with your computer, DAW, audio interface, or any other hardware or software running on your machine. Installation and use of the ChatterFire software is entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for maintaining backups of your project files and ensuring your system meets the minimum requirements.

6.3 DAW Compatibility

The ChatterFire software integrates with third-party DAWs via standard audio routing protocols. We do not guarantee compatibility with all DAW versions or configurations. ChatterFire is not affiliated with any DAW manufacturer and does not warrant that our software will function correctly with any specific DAW.

6.4 License Terms

Your software license is personal, non-transferable, and limited to activation on up to two devices simultaneously. Attempting to activate on additional devices, share your license key, or circumvent the device limit will result in license revocation without refund. Software purchases are non-refundable after activation.

7. GIFTING AND PRIZE POOL TERMS

7.1 Live Gifting

Viewers may send gifts to a producer during a battle. Gifts are purchased on ChatterFire and processed by our payment provider. Gifts sent to a producer during a battle are split 70% to the producer and 30% to ChatterFire. Gifts are voluntary payments from the audience. They are not entry fees, wagers, or purchases of any outcome.

7.2 Prize Distribution

Prize pools apply only at designated special events, which ChatterFire announces in advance. Regular battles do not carry a prize pool.

Where a prize pool applies, the winning producer receives 70% of the total prize pool. ChatterFire retains 30%. The producer's 70% is calculated on the full pool before any costs. Event costs, including payment processing fees, server costs, and an operational reserve, are paid entirely out of ChatterFire's 30% and never reduce the producer's share.

A prize pool must reach $50 for a payout to occur. Below that amount no payout is made and the full pool carries forward to the next qualifying special event.

Amounts displayed during an event are projections and may change until the event concludes.

Final prize amounts are settled after any applicable taxes are deducted. ChatterFire reserves the right to withhold prizes pending verification of eligibility and compliance with these Terms.

7.3 Prize Eligibility

Prize payouts are subject to the following conditions:

• The winning producer must be in good standing with no active suspensions or unresolved disciplinary matters
• The winning producer must not have any open AI Challenge findings pending against them
• The winning producer must provide valid payment information within 14 days of the special event conclusion
• ChatterFire reserves the right to withhold prizes if fraud, manipulation, or vote brigading is suspected and under investigation

7.4 No Guarantee of Prize Amounts

ChatterFire does not guarantee any specific prize amount for any special event. Prize figures displayed at special events are projections only. You agree that you will not hold ChatterFire liable for any difference between projected and actual prize amounts.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

8.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, CHATTERFIRE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR BE AVAILABLE ON AN UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE BASIS.

8.2 Limitation of Damages

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL CHATTERFIRE, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES — INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION — ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

8.3 Cap on Liability

Our total cumulative liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total fees you paid to ChatterFire in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) $50 USD.

8.4 Essential Basis

The limitations of liability in this section reflect a fair allocation of risk between ChatterFire and you and are an essential basis of the bargain between the parties. These limitations will apply even if any limited remedy fails of its essential purpose.

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

9.1 Your Beats — You Own Your Music

You retain full ownership of the beats and musical works you create and submit to ChatterFire. Submitting a beat to a battle, the application process, or an AI Challenge does not transfer ownership of your music to ChatterFire.

9.2 License Grant to ChatterFire

By submitting a beat to ChatterFire, you grant us a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display your beat solely for the purposes of operating the Platform — including streaming the battle, archiving the battle recording, and promoting ChatterFire through highlights and clips. This license does not allow us to sell, sublicense, or commercially exploit your beats outside of Platform operations.

9.3 ChatterFire Intellectual Property

The ChatterFire name, logo, software, website design, scoring systems, league structure, and all related intellectual property are owned by ChatterFire and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our intellectual property without express written permission.

9.4 DMCA

If you believe that content on the Platform infringes your copyright, please contact us at info@chatterfire.live with sufficient detail to identify the claimed infringement. We will respond to valid DMCA notices in accordance with applicable law.

10. SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL

ChatterFire reserves the right to suspend, restrict, or permanently remove any member from the Platform for any violation of these Terms, including but not limited to:

• Violations of the producer conduct standards (Section 3)
• Violations of the AI production policy (Section 4)
• Accumulated no-shows under the no-show policy (Section 5)
• Fraud, misrepresentation, or abuse of the Platform
• Any conduct that ChatterFire determines, in its sole discretion, to be harmful to the Platform, its members, or its reputation

Suspension or removal decisions may be made without prior notice in cases of severe violations. In other cases, we will endeavor to provide notice and an opportunity to respond before taking action. All such decisions are final and binding. Removed members forfeit any active membership subscriptions, prizes, and competitive records with no right to a refund.

11. PAYMENTS AND REFUNDS

All fees charged by ChatterFire — including the application fee, membership subscriptions, and software purchases — are processed through Stripe. By providing payment information you authorize ChatterFire to charge the applicable fees.

• Application fee ($5): Non-refundable. Charged upon submission of a producer application regardless of whether the application is approved.
• Membership subscriptions: Billed on the schedule selected at signup. You may cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. No pro-rated refunds for partial periods.
• Software purchases: Non-refundable after the license is activated. If you experience technical issues, contact support before activating to preserve your refund eligibility.

12. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ChatterFire and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to your violation of these Terms or your use of the Platform, including but not limited to any content you submit, your conduct in battles or community channels, or your violation of any third-party rights.

13. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTES

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform that cannot be resolved informally shall be submitted to binding arbitration. You waive any right to a jury trial or class action participation with respect to claims against ChatterFire.

14. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

ChatterFire reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify active members by email and update the effective date above. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the Platform.

15. CONTACT US

For questions or concerns about these Terms of Service, please contact: