Messaging Acceptable-Use Policy

1. Overview

Release Ledger ("we," "us," or "Vivus Tech LLC") provides artist messaging features (fan broadcast email and SMS) through our platform. These features let artists communicate directly with fans who have opted in. Because we send these messages on your behalf using our carrier infrastructure, both you and we are exposed to regulatory and carrier risk if messages are sent unlawfully or in violation of carrier requirements.

This Messaging Acceptable-Use Policy ("Messaging AUP") governs your use of all Release Ledger fan messaging features. It is part of the Release Ledger Terms of Service. By using any messaging feature, you agree to this Messaging AUP.

2. Who this applies to

This Messaging AUP applies to every artist, label, or other user ("you") who uses Release Ledger's fan broadcast email, SMS, WhatsApp, or other messaging channels. It covers both manually initiated broadcasts and any AI-assisted message proposals you approve for delivery.

3. What you are responsible for

3.1 Consent

You must have collected lawful opt-in consent from every fan before sending any marketing or promotional message, regardless of channel:

• Email: A clear, affirmative opt-in (e.g., checked checkbox, confirmed sign-up) where the fan agreed to receive marketing email from you specifically.
• SMS: Prior express written consent (PEWC) as required by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The Release Ledger Fan Hub sign-up flow satisfies PEWC for fans who complete it — but if you import phone numbers from any other source, you are responsible for documenting that each imported contact provided PEWC for your SMS communications.
• CASL (Canada):Express or implied consent under Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, with all prescribed content elements (sender ID, unsubscribe mechanism, physical address) in each message.
• UK / EU: A lawful basis under UK GDPR / EU GDPR for each recipient and each message type — typically consent (freely given, specific, informed, unambiguous) for marketing. Pre-ticked boxes do not constitute consent.
• Australia: Consent under the Spam Act 2003 before sending commercial electronic messages.

3.2 List hygiene

You must:

• Honor opt-outs and unsubscribes immediately (Release Ledger processes STOP keywords in real time; you must also honor revocations received through any other channel within 10 business days for email and as soon as reasonably possible for SMS).
• Never upload purchased, rented, harvested, or scraped contact lists.
• Never re-add a contact who has unsubscribed or opted out.
• Maintain accurate consent records for every contact.

3.3 Content

Your messages must not:

• Contain deceptive or misleading content, subject lines, or sender names.
• Promote illegal activity, violence, hate speech, or content that violates our Terms of Service.
• Contain unsolicited commercial content (spam) as defined by applicable law.
• Constitute harassment, threats, or abuse.
• Violate third-party intellectual property rights.
• Include content that would require additional regulatory clearances (e.g., financial products, alcohol to minors, gambling) without obtaining those clearances first.

3.4 Frequency and timing

You must comply with applicable quiet-hours requirements (e.g., TCPA quiet hours: no marketing SMS before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time of the recipient). Release Ledger enforces quiet hours automatically for SMS, but you are responsible for verifying this setting is enabled before each campaign.

3.5 Required message elements

Every commercial message must include:

• Accurate sender identification (your name or artist name as it appears on your Release Ledger account).
• A clear, easy-to-use opt-out or unsubscribe mechanism.
• For email: a physical postal address (you must provide this in your sender profile before activating email broadcasts).
• For SMS: disclosure that message and data rates may apply, and STOP-to-opt-out instructions (provided automatically in the fan sign-up copy — do not alter or remove these).

4. What we prohibit (zero-tolerance)

The following will result in immediate suspension or termination of your messaging access, and may result in termination of your Release Ledger account:

• Sending any message to a contact who has not opted in.
• Uploading, importing, or using purchased or rented contact lists.
• Re-adding opted-out or unsubscribed contacts.
• Phishing, fraud, or impersonation of another person or entity.
• Sending content prohibited by applicable law or our Terms of Service.
• Attempting to circumvent our suppression lists, rate limits, or compliance gates.
• Any action that causes our Twilio, Resend, or other carrier accounts to be flagged, filtered, suspended, or terminated.

5. Our enforcement rights

We may take any of the following actions without notice when we reasonably believe you have violated this Messaging AUP or when your messaging activity creates regulatory or carrier risk for our platform:

• Pause or suspend your messaging access pending investigation.
• Permanently revoke your messaging access.
• Remove your account.
• Report violations to carriers, regulators, or law enforcement.
• Seek indemnification for losses arising from your violation (see the Fan Messaging Indemnity in our Terms of Service).

6. Reporting

If you believe another user is violating this Messaging AUP, contact us at contact@releaseledger.com with the subject line "Messaging AUP Report."

7. Changes

We may update this Messaging AUP at any time. Material changes will be communicated in advance where required by law. Continued use of messaging features after the effective date of any update constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

8. Questions

Contact contact@releaseledger.com.