Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions / End-User License Agreement
The Bookshelf, LLC
Last Updated: September 9, 2025
The Bookshelf was designed to help authors build beautiful, effective author websites and run direct-to-reader stores. To keep this a solid environment for everyone, these Terms set the ground rules. There’s no hidden agenda—we respect our users and their work.
Please read these Terms & Conditions and End-User License Agreement (“Agreement,” “Terms”) carefully before using any The Bookshelf, LLC (“The Bookshelf,” “TBS,” “we,” “us,” “our”) service, product, material, or software.
By accessing, downloading, or using any TBS material, software, or services (collectively, the “Bookshelf System”), you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Bookshelf System.
1. Your Agreement with The Bookshelf
1.1 Services. Through the Bookshelf System, TBS offers website-building tools, storefront features (including direct sales enablement), related templates, and support resources for authors (the “Services”) as described on our site.
1.2 Ownership of Your Work. As between you and TBS, you own your content (your text, images, products, data). Nothing in these Terms gives TBS any right to your underlying work. You are solely responsible for what your work contains and for complying with applicable laws (e.g., IP, consumer protection, tax).
1.3 Our Property. We own the Bookshelf System, including software, interfaces, templates, and other materials we provide. Your use of our templates does not give us rights in your underlying work.
1.4 Limited Access to Content. Outside of narrow circumstances (e.g., when you request support or we must act to protect the Services or comply with law), TBS does not review your content.
1.5 Backups. You are responsible for maintaining your own backups at all times. While TBS uses commercially reasonable measures and may maintain backups for operational continuity, TBS does not guarantee that your content will never be lost and shall not be liable for loss of content.
1.6 Entire Agreement. This document is your complete legal agreement with TBS regarding your use of the Bookshelf System, along with any additional terms referenced or presented for specific features (“Additional Terms”), which are incorporated here by reference.
1.7 Conflicts. If any conflict exists between these Terms and any Additional Terms for a particular feature, the Additional Terms control for that feature.
1.8 Changes. TBS may update these Terms at any time by posting a new version on our site. Your continued use of the Bookshelf System after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. TBS will not alter any provision to claim rights in your content.
1.9 Third-Party Services. The Bookshelf may make available or integrate third-party services (e.g., domain registration, payment processing, analytics, shipping, tax calculation, marketing tools). TBS does not control third parties; your use of them is at your discretion and subject to their terms. You assume all risk in choosing to use such services.
1.10 Governing Law. Your relationship with TBS is governed by the laws of the United States and the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.
2) Privacy
Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information. By using the Bookshelf System, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Contact for privacy and legal notices:
The Bookshelf, LLC
2051 Gattis School Rd, Suite 540 #166
Round Rock, TX 78664, USA
Email: [email protected]
3) Acceptance of Terms
3.1 Binding Agreement. You accept these Terms by clicking “I agree,” creating an account, or using the Bookshelf System.
3.2 Eligibility. You may not use the Bookshelf System if you are prohibited by law from using it, or if you are not capable of entering a binding contract (e.g., under the age of majority without parental consent). By using the Bookshelf System, you affirm that you are over 18 and legally able to enter this Agreement.
4) Intellectual Property & Licenses
4.1 TBS IP. The Bookshelf name, marks, software, products, designs, and materials are our proprietary property and protected by IP laws. Except as expressly provided herein, no license or right is granted to you.
4.2 Your License to Use. Subject to these Terms, TBS grants you a revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited license to access and use the Bookshelf System for your own author website/store and related activities.
4.3 Prohibited Actions. You will not:
(a) decompile, reverse engineer, or attempt to derive source code;
(b) modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works of the Bookshelf System;
(c) remove or alter proprietary notices;
(d) use the Bookshelf System for illegal, fraudulent, infringing, harassing, or harmful purposes;
(e) use automated scraping, data mining, or excessive API calls;
(f) use our IP to build a competing product; or
(g) circumvent security or access controls.
5) Your Content, Stores, and Compliance
5.1 Your Representations. You represent and warrant that you own or have necessary rights to your content and products; your content is lawful and does not infringe rights of others; and your store operations (pricing, refunds, disclosures, shipping, privacy, accessibility, taxes) comply with applicable laws where you sell.
5.2 Taxes & Regulatory Compliance. You are responsible for all taxes, fees, and regulatory requirements related to your sales (e.g., sales/VAT/GST, marketplace facilitator rules, consumer protection, product safety, digital goods regulations). TBS may offer tax tools or third-party integrations for your convenience, but you remain responsible for accuracy and compliance.
5.3 Payment Processing. Payments are handled by third-party processors you connect (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). TBS does not collect or store full payment instrument details. Your relationship with processors is governed by their terms.
5.4 Store Policies. You agree to clearly disclose key seller policies to your customers (e.g., shipping timelines, returns/refunds, contact information, jurisdiction). You are solely responsible for your customer relationships and post-sale obligations.
5.5 Content Moderation. TBS may remove or disable access to content that we reasonably believe violates these Terms or the law, or that poses risk to users, our infrastructure, or third parties.
6) Acceptable Use
You will not upload, post, store, or sell content that is: (i) illegal; (ii) defamatory, obscene, or exploitative; (iii) hateful or incites violence; (iv) malware or code intended to interfere with the Bookshelf System; (v) misleading or deceptive (including false advertising, counterfeit goods, unlawful “get rich quick” schemes); (vi) doxxing or invasion of privacy; or (vii) violating IP or publicity/privacy rights.
7) DMCA / IP Complaints
If you believe content on a TBS-hosted site infringes copyright, send a notice with the information required by 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3) to [email protected] (Subject: DMCA Notice) or by mail to our address above. We may remove or disable access to allegedly infringing material and, where appropriate, terminate repeat infringers. If you submit a counter-notification, you consent to us sharing it with the complaining party.
8) Termination, Suspension, and Changes
8.1 Changes/Availability. TBS may modify or discontinue the Bookshelf System (or any feature) temporarily or permanently, with or without notice. We are not liable for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation.
8.2 Termination by TBS. We may suspend or terminate your access if you breach these Terms, use the Bookshelf System in a manner that risks harm or liability, or as required by law. Where feasible, we will provide notice and an opportunity to export your content.
8.3 Your Responsibility to Backup. Always maintain your own backups. Upon termination, your right to use the Bookshelf System ends, and we may delete your data consistent with our retention practices.
9) Fees and Payment
9.1 Plans & Billing. Access to certain features may require subscription fees or other charges. Fees are processed by third-party processors. You are responsible for all applicable taxes and third-party fees (e.g., internet carrier charges).
9.2 Changes to Fees. We may change prices or billing terms prospectively with reasonable notice as required by law.
9.3 Refunds. Except where required by law or expressly stated, fees are non-refundable. Your processor’s terms may provide separate rights (e.g., chargebacks).
10) Disclaimers
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE BOOKSHELF SYSTEM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TBS AND ITS AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS, AND LICENSORS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.
Third-party services are the responsibility of their providers. If a third-party feature changes or ceases, TBS is not obligated to maintain outputs from that service (this does not affect your ability to export your own content where available).
11) Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TBS AND ITS AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS, AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, REVENUE, GOODWILL, DATA) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE BOOKSHELF SYSTEM, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY. IN NO EVENT WILL TBS’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID TO TBS FOR THE SERVICES IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM. THESE LIMITATIONS APPLY EVEN IF A REMEDY FAILS ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in such cases, the limitations apply to the fullest extent permitted.
12) Your Account and Security
You agree to keep your account information accurate and your credentials confidential. You are responsible for all activity under your account. Notify us promptly of any unauthorized use or security issue.
13) Feedback
You are not required to provide feedback. If you do, you grant TBS a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use it for any lawful purpose without compensation.
14) Links
The Bookshelf System may contain links to third-party sites/services. We are not responsible for their availability, content, or practices. Some links may be affiliate links.
15) Dispute Resolution; Venue
15.1 Good-Faith Resolution. Before filing any legal action, you agree to first attempt to resolve disputes with TBS in good faith (email or video/phone conference).
15.2 Venue/Jurisdiction. Any claim or dispute with TBS shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Travis County, Texas. You consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in those courts and waive any objection to inconvenient forum.
15.3 Injunctive Relief. Notwithstanding the foregoing, TBS may seek urgent injunctive or equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect the Bookshelf System, our IP, or users.
15.4 Class Action Waiver. You agree not to bring or participate in class or representative actions against TBS.
16) Notices; Miscellaneous
16.1 Notices to TBS. Send legal notices to the address above.
16.2 Notices to You. We may provide notices via email, your account, or posting within the Bookshelf System.
16.3 Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent. TBS may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
16.4 Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect, and the provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted.
16.5 Waiver. A failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver.
16.6 Entire Agreement. These Terms (and any incorporated Additional Terms and policies) are the entire agreement between you and TBS regarding the Bookshelf System and supersede prior or contemporaneous agreements on the subject.
16.7 Export/Compliance. You represent that you are not located in a sanctioned jurisdiction and will comply with applicable export and sanctions laws in using the Bookshelf System.
16.8 Force Majeure. TBS will not be liable for delays or failures due to events beyond its reasonable control (e.g., internet outages, DDoS, acts of God, labor disputes).
16.9 Headings. Headings are for convenience only and have no legal effect.
17) If You Don't Agree
If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Services, website, or software offered by The Bookshelf, LLC.
We meant it when we said “no nefarious intentions.” Our goal is to give authors dam good tools—and a clear, fair agreement.
