Snapshot of the source text at fetch time, not a live mirror of the policy page.
Plain-English summary
Scribd's terms allow for unilateral account termination without notice or refund (risk_flags-0001) and mandate individual arbitration, waiving class action rights (risk_flags-0002). There's a limited one-year window to file legal actions (risk_flags-0003), and users grant broad, uncompensated licenses for their submissions, which can be used for derivative content and AI training (risk_flags-0005, risk_flags-0006, risk_flags-0004). The company disclaims most warranties (gotchas-0003) and limits its total liability to a small amount (gotchas-0002), with users agreeing to indemnify the company for certain claims (gotchas-0004).
90% confidence
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Risk Flags
4 findings
Critical issues that users should be aware of, including potential legal, financial, or privacy risks.
high95% confidence
Unilateral Account Termination Without Notice or Refund
The company may terminate a user's account and remove their content at any time, with or without notice, and will not be liable for such termination.
Why it matters: Users face the risk of losing access to their account, subscription, user profile, and content without prior warning or compensation, and the company explicitly states it will not be liable for such termination.
You agree that We, at Our sole discretion, may terminate any account You have with the Company or Your use of the Services, and remove any part of Your account, subscription, user profile, and content, at any time, with or without notice. Termination may occur for any reason, including but not limited to, extended inactivity on Your account, abuse of the Website or technical services, or abuse of Our support services. We may also discontinue providing access to the Services, or any part thereof, at any time, with or without notice.
Users are generally required to resolve disputes through binding arbitration individually, giving up their right to go to court and participate in class or collective actions.
Why it matters: Users lose their right to sue the company in court and participate in class action lawsuits, which can limit their ability to seek justice or compensation for widespread issues.
YOU AND THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, EXCEPT AS SET OUT OTHERWISE IN SECTION 15.7 BELOW, ANY ARBITRATION SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY ONLY AND NOT AS A CLASS OR COLLECTIVE ACTION AND THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD RELIEF ONLY IN FAVOR OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARTY SEEKING RELIEF AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO RESOLVE AN INDIVIDUAL PARTY’S CLAIM. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT, ANY ARBITRATION INVOLVING YOU MAY PROCEED ON A CONSOLIDATED BASIS IF AND ONLY IF THE COMPANY PROVIDES ITS CONSENT TO CONSOLIDATE IN WRITING.
15.4 Class Arbitration and Collective Relief Waiver, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
medium90% confidence
Limited Time to File Legal Actions
Any cause of action against the company must be initiated within one year after it arises, or it will be permanently barred.
Why it matters: Users have a limited window of one year to file a legal claim, after which they lose their right to pursue that claim, which can prevent them from seeking redress for issues that become apparent later.
YOU AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE COMPANY MUST COMMENCE WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES. OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION IS PERMANENTLY BARRED.
User Submissions May Be Used to Generate Derivative Content Without Compensation
The company may use user submissions to generate, compile, summarize, or create reviews, ratings, recommendations, or other derivative content, and users will not receive compensation for any user submissions or derivative content generated.
Why it matters: The company can use user submissions to create new content like reviews or recommendations, and users will not be compensated for their original contributions or any derived content.
Without limiting the foregoing, You acknowledge and agree that the Company may use Your User Submissions to generate, compile, summarize, or create reviews, ratings, recommendations, or other derivative content, and to publish, display, or distribute such derivative content on or through the Services or any affiliated platform. You represent and warrant that You have the right to grant this license and that Your User Submissions do not violate any third party’s rights. The Company is under no obligation to use, publish, or retain any User Submissions. You acknowledge that You will not receive compensation for any User Submissions or for any derivative content generated therefrom.
10.4 The Effects of Cancellation or Termination, paragraph 2 · Citation strength: strong
Data Use and Sharing
1 finding
How the company collects, uses, shares, and protects user data, including personal information and content.
medium85% confidence
User Responsibility for Account Information Accuracy Leading to Potential Suspension
Users are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information they provide, and inaccurate account information may lead to the suspension or termination of their account or subscription.
Why it matters: Users must ensure their provided information is always accurate; otherwise, their account or subscription could be suspended or terminated.
You acknowledge and agree that all information You provide to Us is true, accurate, and complete; that You are solely responsible for the accuracy of Your information; and that evidence of inaccurate account information may lead to the suspension or termination of Your Account and/or Subscription.
5.0 Your Personal Information and Privacy, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
Cancellation and Renewal
1 finding
Terms related to subscription management, cancellation policies, and automatic renewals.
low90% confidence
Everand Subscriptions Not Terminated for Inactivity if Paid
The company will not terminate Everand subscriptions due to inactivity if the user continues to pay subscription fees.
Why it matters: Users with Everand subscriptions who continue paying will not have their accounts terminated solely due to inactivity.
We will not terminate Your Everand Subscription for inactivity if You continue to pay Subscription Fees.
Less obvious clauses that could be disadvantageous to the user, such as waivers, disclaimers, or limitations of liability.
high95% confidence
Limited Liability for Damages
The company is not liable for special, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, reliance, or exemplary damages, including damages from unsuccessful legal actions, lost business, revenues, or anticipated profits.
Why it matters: Users cannot claim certain types of damages, such as lost profits or business, even if the company was advised of such possibilities, significantly limiting potential compensation for harm.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NEGLIGENCE, WILL THE COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES, CONTRACTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR THIRD-PARTY PARTNERS, LICENSORS, OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, RELIANCE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY UNSUCCESSFUL COURT ACTION OR LEGAL DISPUTE, LOST BUSINESS, LOST REVENUES OR LOSS OF ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY OR NON-PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THAT RESULT FROM YOUR USE OR YOUR INABILITY TO USE THE MATERIALS AND CONTENT ON THE SERVICES OR ANY REFERENCE SITES, OR ANY
10.4 The Effects of Cancellation or Termination, paragraph 6 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
Total Liability Limited to Small Amount
The total liability of the company to the user for all damages and causes of action is limited to the amount paid by the user for accessing the services during the three months preceding the claim, or $100, whichever is greater.
Why it matters: Users' potential compensation for damages is severely capped, either to a maximum of three months' subscription fees or $100, significantly limiting financial recourse in case of harm.
IN NO EVENT WILL THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES, CONTRACTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR THIRD-PARTY PARTNERS, LICENSORS, OR SUPPLIERS TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS, YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES OR YOUR INTERACTION WITH OTHER USERS OF THE SERVICES (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, WARRANTY, OR OTHERWISE), EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU, IF ANY, FOR ACCESSING THE SERVICES DURING THE THREE (3) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE CLAIM OR ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
10.4 The Effects of Cancellation or Termination, paragraph 7 · Citation strength: strong
medium90% confidence
Disclaimer of Warranties
The company disclaims all warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement of proprietary rights, to the fullest extent permissible by law.
Why it matters: Users are not guaranteed that the services will meet specific quality standards, be suitable for particular uses, or not infringe on third-party rights, potentially leaving them without recourse if the service fails to perform as expected.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY, AND ITS AFFILIATES, PARTNERS, AND SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, STATUTORY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM THE COMPANY OR THROUGH THE SERVICES WILL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN.
10.4 The Effects of Cancellation or Termination, paragraph 4 · Citation strength: strong
medium90% confidence
User Indemnification of the Company
Users agree to indemnify and hold the company harmless from claims, losses, and damages, including legal fees, arising from their use or misuse of the services, violation of terms, or breach of representations.
Why it matters: Users could be held responsible for the company's legal costs and damages if their actions (e.g., misuse of services, terms violation) lead to claims against the company.
You agree to indemnify, save, and hold Us, Our affiliated companies, contractors, employees, agents and Our third-party suppliers, licensors, and partners harmless from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, including legal fees and expenses, arising out of Your use or misuse of the Services, any violation by You of these Terms, or any breach of the representations, warranties, and covenants made by You herein.
10.4 The Effects of Cancellation or Termination, paragraph 3 · Citation strength: strong
Protections
2 findings
Clauses that offer user benefits, rights, or safeguards.
Protection95% confidence
Right to Opt Out of Arbitration
Users have the right to opt out of the Arbitration Agreement within thirty days of specific dates by sending a written notice.
Why it helps: This allows users to retain their right to pursue legal action in court rather than being bound by mandatory arbitration, preserving their access to the judicial system.
You have the right to opt out and not be bound by the Arbitration Agreement by sending a written notice of Your decision to opt out to legal@scribd.com with the subject line, “ARBITRATION OPT-OUT.” The notice must be sent within thirty (30) days of (i) 17 February 2024; or (ii) Your first use of the Services, whichever is later.
If arbitration costs are prohibitive compared to litigation, the company will reimburse filing and hearing fees above $250 to prevent it from being cost-prohibitive, unless claims were frivolous or in bad faith.
Why it helps: This provision ensures that users are not financially barred from pursuing arbitration, making the dispute resolution process more accessible for those with limited funds.
If You are able to demonstrate that the costs of arbitration will be prohibitive as compared to the costs of litigation, the Company will reimburse any filing and hearing fees in excess of $250 that the arbitrator deems necessary to prevent the arbitration from being cost-prohibitive regardless of the outcome of the arbitration, unless the arbitrator determines that Your claim(s) were frivolous or asserted in bad faith, in which case arbitration fees (including attorneys’ fees) may be imposed upon You consistent with the Arbitrator’s Rules and the standard for sanctions set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11.