Terms & Conditions

By accessing or using StreamSpindle or SpindleCast at streamspindle.com and any associated subdomains (collectively, the "Service"), you confirm that you are authorized to enter into this agreement on behalf of the label, company, podcast, or entity you represent ("User"), and that such entity agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms").

These Terms apply to all users of the Service, including record labels using StreamSpindle and podcast creators using SpindleCast. Where provisions apply to one product only, this is stated explicitly. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.

StreamSpindle and SpindleCast are software-as-a-service platforms that enable independent content creators to distribute content to Roku-connected television devices via branded Roku channels.

StreamSpindle serves independent record labels and provides:

• A label dashboard for uploading, managing, and organizing music and video content
• Branded Roku channel creation, deployment, and maintenance
• Viewer subscription management via Roku Pay
• Ad-supported distribution via Roku's advertising framework
• Stream analytics and royalty reporting data
• DDEX ERN XML metadata ingestion (Label plan)
• Monthly royalty reports for label use

SpindleCast serves independent podcast creators and provides:

• A podcast dashboard for managing episodes and channel settings
• RSS feed ingestion and automatic episode sync
• Branded Roku channel creation, deployment, and maintenance
• Viewer subscription management via Roku Pay
• Ad-supported distribution via Roku's advertising framework
• Episode analytics and revenue reporting
• Season and series management (Studio plan)

StreamSpindle and SpindleCast are technology and distribution platforms only. We do not act as a record label, music publisher, performing rights organization, talent agency, or royalty collection society. We do not collect or distribute artist royalties on behalf of labels or podcast hosts.

To use the Service, you must be at least 18 years of age and agree to these Terms.

StreamSpindle (label users) additionally require:

• Status as a legally registered business entity or sole proprietor operating as a record label or music content provider
• The legal right to distribute all content you upload to the Service
• Valid agreements with all artists whose content you upload, granting you master recording rights sufficient for digital distribution

SpindleCast (podcast users) additionally require:

• Ownership of or authorization to distribute all podcast content uploaded or synced via RSS
• Rights to any music, clips, or third-party content included in episodes
• A valid, publicly accessible RSS feed from a recognized podcast hosting provider (for RSS import)

All users must not be located in a jurisdiction subject to U.S. export controls or sanctions.

Users must create an account to access the Service. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account.

StreamSpindle — Label Plans

SpindleCast — Podcast Plans

All plans include a 90-day free trial. No charge is made until day 90. StreamSpindle reserves the right to modify plan pricing with 30 days written notice to active subscribers.

Labels retain full ownership of all content uploaded to the Service. By uploading content, the Label grants StreamSpindle a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, encode, transmit, display, and distribute that content solely for the purpose of operating the Service.

By uploading content, the Label represents and warrants that:

• The Label owns or controls the master recording rights to all uploaded content
• The Label has valid written agreements with all artists, producers, and featured performers whose work is included
• The Label has the right to grant StreamSpindle the distribution license described above
• The content does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party
• The content complies with Roku's content policies and all applicable laws
• All required publishing clearances and synchronization licenses are in place for any musical compositions included in video content

StreamSpindle and SpindleCast operate Roku channels under their developer account. All plan subscribers receive a dedicated branded Roku channel. Users acknowledge that:

• Roku channels are subject to Roku's Developer Distribution Agreement and content policies
• StreamSpindle may be required to remove content that violates Roku's policies without prior notice
• Roku Pay processes viewer subscription payments and Roku retains 20% of gross subscription revenue
• Roku retains 35% of gross ad revenue on ad-supported streams
• StreamSpindle has no control over Roku's platform decisions, fee structures, or policy changes
• Roku channel availability may vary by region, territory, and device
• Beta channels accessed via access code are subject to Roku's beta program policies and may expire

All users must accurately self-certify the content rating of their channel and content at the time of account setup and update it whenever content changes. StreamSpindle uses three content rating tiers that align with Roku's parental control system:

StreamSpindle reserves the right to audit channel content ratings and adjust ratings where self-certifications are found to be inaccurate. Misrepresenting content rating is grounds for immediate account suspension.

This section applies to all users but is particularly relevant to SpindleCast podcast creators who may include music, sound recordings, or musical compositions in their episodes.

StreamSpindle's role: StreamSpindle is a distribution platform. We do not license music on your behalf, evaluate fair use claims, or clear rights to any third-party content. Users are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses and clearances before distributing content through our platform.

Music you must have rights to:

• Master recording rights — the right to use the specific recorded performance (typically held by the record label or artist)
• Synchronization (sync) license — the right to use the underlying musical composition in conjunction with video content
• Mechanical license — required for reproduction of musical compositions in audio content
• Public performance rights — typically licensed via PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) but requirements vary by platform and territory

Royalty-free and licensed music: Music from royalty-free libraries (e.g., Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Musicbed) or content licensed under Creative Commons may be used subject to the specific terms of those licenses. Users are responsible for verifying that any such license permits distribution on commercial streaming platforms including Roku.

Incidental use: Brief, incidental inclusion of ambient music or background audio that is not the focus of the content may be treated differently under fair use doctrine. However, StreamSpindle makes no representations about whether any specific incidental use qualifies for fair use protection.

Music clips in podcast episodes: Playing a song clip to discuss, critique, or comment on it may constitute fair use under certain conditions — typically brief excerpts used for commentary purposes. However, users assume all legal risk for such determinations. If a rights holder disputes the use, StreamSpindle will act on valid takedown notices regardless of the user's fair use belief.

The following content is strictly prohibited on the Service and will result in immediate removal and account termination without refund:

• Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — any content that sexually exploits or depicts minors. StreamSpindle will report such content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and relevant law enforcement.
• Content involving minors in inappropriate contexts — content that sexualizes, exploits, or endangers children in any way
• Hate speech — content that promotes, glorifies, or incites hatred, violence, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
• Incitement to violence — content that directly incites violence against specific individuals or groups
• Terrorism and extremism — content that promotes, glorifies, or recruits for terrorist organizations or violent extremist movements
• Non-consensual intimate imagery — distributing intimate images or recordings of any person without their consent
• Harassment and doxxing — content designed to harass specific individuals or expose their private information
• Misleading medical information — content that makes false health or medical claims that could endanger viewers
• Election interference — deliberately false claims about voting, elections, or democratic processes designed to suppress participation
• Spam and artificially inflated metrics — using bots, click farms, or other artificial means to inflate stream counts or subscriber numbers

The following content requires prior written approval from StreamSpindle before distribution:

• Mature (17+) rated content with graphic violence or explicit language
• Content depicting legal but controlled activities (gambling, firearms, alcohol) directed at general audiences
• Political advertising content

StreamSpindle complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and responds to valid notices of copyright infringement. StreamSpindle has registered a designated DMCA agent with the U.S. Copyright Office.

To submit a takedown notice, send the following to [email protected] with subject line "DMCA Notice":

• Your name, address, phone number, and email address
• Identification of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed
• Identification of the infringing material and its location on the Service (URL or channel name)
• A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized by the rights holder, its agent, or the law
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the rights holder or authorized to act on their behalf
• Your physical or electronic signature

Response timeline: StreamSpindle will acknowledge valid DMCA notices within 3 business days and act on them within 10 business days. In clear cases of infringement, StreamSpindle may act more quickly.

Counter-notice: If you believe content was removed in error, you may submit a counter-notice to [email protected] including your contact information, identification of the removed material, a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the content was removed by mistake, and your consent to jurisdiction of the federal district court for your location. Upon receipt of a valid counter-notice, StreamSpindle will restore the content within 10–14 business days unless the original complainant seeks a court order.

Repeat infringers: StreamSpindle maintains a repeat infringer policy. Accounts that receive three or more valid DMCA notices within a 12-month period will be terminated.

Non-DMCA content complaints (prohibited content, content rating violations, etc.) should be sent to [email protected]. StreamSpindle will review and respond within 5 business days.

StreamSpindle tracks stream data for royalty reporting purposes. The following rates are used as reference benchmarks in StreamSpindle's royalty reporting tools. Actual royalty obligations between labels and their artists are governed solely by the Label's agreements with those artists.

These rates are provided as informational benchmarks only. StreamSpindle does not set, guarantee, or enforce royalty rates between labels and artists. Labels are solely responsible for determining appropriate royalty rates per their artist agreements.

Royalties are split between master recording rights (label/artist — tracked by StreamSpindle) and publishing rights (songwriter/publisher — handled by PROs such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC). StreamSpindle tracks master royalty data only and has no involvement in publishing royalty collection or distribution.

StreamSpindle generates monthly royalty reports for each Label. These reports include:

• Total streams per track, segmented by audio and video
• Qualified streams (30 seconds or more) per track
• Non-qualifying streams (under 30 seconds) per track
• Estimated royalty amounts based on reference rates
• Per-artist breakdown based on uploaded catalog metadata
• SVOD vs. AVOD stream segmentation
• Ad revenue attribution per track where applicable

StreamSpindle retains royalty report data and acknowledgment records for a minimum of 7 years from the date of generation. These records may be produced in response to valid legal process including subpoenas, court orders, or regulatory inquiries.

StreamSpindle makes no representation that the royalty data provided is sufficient to satisfy all legal royalty accounting obligations. Labels should consult with a music industry attorney or accountant regarding their specific royalty accounting requirements.

Labels using the StreamSpindle platform acknowledge and agree that:

• Labels are solely responsible for calculating, tracking, and disbursing royalties to all artists, producers, featured performers, and other rights holders whose content appears on the platform
• StreamSpindle's royalty reports are provided as a tool to assist with royalty accounting and do not constitute a complete royalty accounting statement for any jurisdiction
• Labels must have valid written agreements with all artists covering digital streaming distribution prior to uploading content
• Labels must pay artists in accordance with those agreements regardless of whether the Label has received payment from StreamSpindle
• Labels are responsible for registering sound recordings with relevant collecting societies and PROs
• Labels must comply with all applicable laws regarding artist royalty payments in their jurisdiction

StreamSpindle strongly recommends that all Labels:

• Maintain written artist agreements that specifically address digital streaming royalties
• Work with a music industry attorney to ensure compliance with applicable royalty laws
• Keep detailed royalty payment records for all artists on the platform
• Acknowledge and act on StreamSpindle monthly royalty reports promptly

Distributors accessing StreamSpindle under an Enterprise plan agree to the following obligations in addition to all other Terms:

Onboarding & Invitations

• Distributors may invite Labels to link their StreamSpindle accounts by issuing an invite code via the distributor dashboard. Invite codes expire after 7 days.
• Labels retain full ownership of their StreamSpindle accounts at all times. A distributor link does not transfer account ownership to the distributor.
• Labels may unlink from a distributor for any territory at any time. Upon unlinking, the Label is solely responsible for updating their DDEX connection and territory rights for the affected territory.
• A Label may be linked to different distributors in different territories simultaneously.

Rate Configuration

• Distributors may configure their percentage take and the Label percentage for each territory they manage. The combined distributor % and label % may not exceed 100% of net revenue for that territory.
• Distributors may set per-artist streaming rates, which are used in royalty calculations. Artist-level rates take precedence over all other rate configurations.
• Rate changes apply prospectively only. Distributors may not retroactively alter royalty line items or finalized royalty statements.
• Distributors may access a read-only view of each managed Label's dashboard, scoped to the territories the distributor manages for that Label.

Invoice Requests & Payment Obligations

• Labels may submit invoice requests to their distributor once they have acknowledged their monthly royalty statement for a given period.
• Invoice request amounts are calculated from the Label's locked, acknowledged royalty statement and are immutable once submitted.
• Distributors must either approve or formally dispute each invoice request. Distributors may not modify invoice amounts.
• Upon approval, a payout record is created. Distributors are obligated to fulfill approved payouts promptly and in accordance with any separate distributor-label agreement.
• Disputes must include a written reason. Disputes unresolved for 30 calendar days from the dispute date are automatically escalated to StreamSpindle for review. StreamSpindle's determination in escalated disputes is binding and final.
• All invoice requests, approvals, disputes, and escalations are permanently logged with timestamps. These records may be produced in legal proceedings.

StreamSpindle complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and will respond to valid takedown notices.

Label-initiated takedowns: Labels may request removal of their own content at any time via the takedown request form in the dashboard. Content will be removed from the Roku channel within 24–48 hours of a confirmed request.

Artist-initiated takedowns: If an artist submits a valid takedown request claiming rights over content uploaded by a Label, StreamSpindle will:

• Notify the Label of the claim within 24 hours
• Temporarily suspend the disputed content pending resolution
• Restore content only upon receipt of documented proof of rights from the Label
• Permanently remove content if the Label cannot substantiate their rights

Third-party DMCA notices: To submit a DMCA takedown notice, contact us at [email protected] with the required statutory information.

StreamSpindle reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that are subject to repeated or credible rights disputes.

Subscription fees are billed monthly in advance via Stripe. By providing payment information, you authorize StreamSpindle to charge your payment method on a recurring monthly basis until you cancel.

Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. No refunds are issued for partial months.

StreamSpindle reserves the right to suspend access to the Service if payment fails. Labels will be notified of payment failures and given 7 days to update payment information before suspension.

All fees are in USD and exclusive of applicable taxes. Labels are responsible for any taxes applicable to their use of the Service.

StreamSpindle distributes a portion of Roku Pay subscription revenue and ad revenue to Labels in accordance with the following structure:

Distributor Revenue Deductions

Where a Label is linked to a Distributor for a given territory, the Distributor's agreed percentage is deducted from the Label's share of revenue for streams originating in that territory. The net revenue flow for distributor-managed labels is:

The Label's net income visible in the StreamSpindle dashboard reflects revenue after platform fee, distributor fee, and artist royalty deductions. This is the amount the Label may invoice their distributor for via the invoice request system.

Revenue disbursements are made monthly, typically within 30–45 days of the end of each calendar month, subject to Roku's payment schedule to StreamSpindle. StreamSpindle is not responsible for delays caused by Roku's payment processing.

StreamSpindle reserves the right to withhold disbursements in cases of suspected fraud, unresolved rights disputes, or account suspension.

StreamSpindle collects and processes data in accordance with its Privacy Policy. Key data practices relevant to these Terms:

• Stream data: StreamSpindle records all stream events including start time, duration, track ID, and viewer device ID for analytics and royalty reporting purposes
• Royalty records: Stream reports and acknowledgment records are retained for a minimum of 7 years
• Content metadata: Track titles, ISRCs, artist names, and other metadata are stored and used to generate reports
• Legal compliance: StreamSpindle may disclose data in response to valid legal process including subpoenas, court orders, or regulatory requests
• Label data: Account information, billing records, and upload history are retained for the duration of the subscription plus 7 years

StreamSpindle does not sell Label data to third parties. Analytics data is used solely to operate and improve the Service and to generate Label reports.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Label agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless StreamSpindle, its officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Content uploaded to the Service by the Label, including any infringement of intellectual property rights
• Any claim by an artist, producer, performer, or rights holder arising from the Label's failure to pay royalties or honor artist agreements
• The Label's breach of any representation, warranty, or obligation under these Terms
• Any dispute between the Label and its artists regarding content distributed through StreamSpindle
• The Label's violation of any applicable law, regulation, or third-party right
• Any unauthorized use of the Service by the Label or its representatives

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy of royalty data, or non-infringement.

StreamSpindle does not warrant that:

• The Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure at all times
• Royalty reports are sufficient to satisfy all legal royalty accounting obligations in every jurisdiction
• Stream data will be 100% accurate in all circumstances
• Roku's platform, policies, or fee structures will remain unchanged
• Revenue projections or calculator estimates will reflect actual earnings

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, StreamSpindle's total liability for any claims arising from or related to these Terms or the Service shall not exceed the total subscription fees paid by the Label in the twelve months preceding the claim.

StreamSpindle shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of revenue, profits, or business opportunities
• Losses arising from Roku platform changes, outages, or policy modifications
• Losses arising from artist royalty disputes between the Label and its artists
• Loss or corruption of content or data
• Any claim arising from inaccuracies in royalty estimates or projections

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the state in which StreamSpindle is incorporated, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation between the parties. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Label waives any right to a jury trial or to participate in a class action lawsuit.

StreamSpindle reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to Labels via email and in-dashboard notification at least 14 days before taking effect. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of updated Terms constitutes acceptance.

If you do not agree with updated Terms, you may cancel your subscription before the effective date. No refunds will be issued for prepaid subscription periods.

For general questions about these Terms, contact us at [email protected].

For DMCA takedown notices, contact [email protected] with the subject line "DMCA Notice."

For royalty dispute inquiries, contact [email protected].

StreamSpindle recommends that all Labels retain independent legal counsel for matters relating to artist agreements, royalty obligations, and content rights.