Beta Reader Terms & Conditions
1. Definitions
1.1 “Author” means the person identified on the website offering the manuscript for beta-reading.
1.2 “Beta Reader” means any person who registers, is accepted and receives a copy (in whatever format) of the manuscript for the purpose of providing feedback to the Author.
1.3 “Manuscript” means the unpublished work supplied by the Author to the Beta Reader under these Terms & Conditions.
1.4 “Feedback” means comments, notes, suggestions and responses provided by the Beta Reader to the Author regarding the Manuscript.
1.5 “Confidential Information” means the Manuscript and any other non-public information provided by the Author in connection with the Beta Read process.
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2. Agreement
2.1 By accepting to act as Beta Reader and receiving the Manuscript, the Beta Reader agrees to these Terms & Conditions.
2.2 The Author may update or amend these Terms & Conditions at any time, and such updated terms will apply to any further Beta Reads undertaken after the update.
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3. Supply of the Manuscript & Feedback
3.1 The Author supplies the Manuscript solely for the purpose of receiving Feedback from the Beta Reader.
3.2 The Beta Reader will provide Feedback in the format and by the deadline (if any) agreed by the Author.
3.3 The Beta Reader acknowledges that the Manuscript may still be subject to further revision and is not a final published work.
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4. Rights and Ownership
4.1 Copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the Manuscript remain with the Author.
4.2 Nothing in these Terms & Conditions grants the Beta Reader any rights to publish, exploit or otherwise commercially use the Manuscript.
4.3 The Feedback is provided free of charge unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Beta Reader grants to the Author a royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable licence to use the Feedback in any manner the Author chooses.
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5. Confidentiality
5.1 The Beta Reader agrees that the Manuscript is Confidential Information. The Beta Reader will not disclose, reproduce, publish, distribute or make available the Manuscript or any part of it to any third party without the Author’s express written consent.
5.2 The Beta Reader will take reasonable steps to protect the Manuscript from unauthorised access, copying or disclosure.
5.3 These confidentiality obligations continue indefinitely (or until the Manuscript is published and the Author gives written release).
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6. No Warranty & Limitation of Liability
6.1 The Author supplies the Manuscript “as is” and gives no warranty (express or implied) regarding its fitness for purpose, correctness or absence of infringing content.
6.2 The Author shall not be liable to the Beta Reader for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special loss, damage or expense arising from the supply of the Manuscript or the Beta Reader’s participation.
6.3 Nothing in these Terms & Conditions shall exclude or limit liability for death or personal injury caused by the Author’s negligence or liability which cannot legally be excluded under UK law (for example under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977).
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7. Termination
7.1 The Author may terminate the Beta Reader’s participation at any time, for any reason, including without cause, by giving notice to the Beta Reader. Upon termination the Beta Reader will immediately cease reading the Manuscript (if unread) and destroy or securely return all copies of the Manuscript and any related materials.
7.2 The Beta Reader may withdraw at any time by notifying the Author, and will comply with the obligation to destroy or return all copies of the Manuscript and related materials.
8. Data Protection & Privacy
8.1 The Author may collect and process the Beta Reader’s personal data (name, email address and other relevant contact information) for the purposes of managing the Beta Read.
8.2 The Beta Reader acknowledges and agrees that the Author may communicate with the Beta Reader by email or other means regarding the Beta Read, and that such communications are necessary for the performance of these Terms & Conditions.
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9. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
9.1 These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
9.2 The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales in respect of any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms & Conditions.
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10. Miscellaneous
10.1 If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be severed and will not affect the remaining provisions.
10.2 No failure or delay by the Author in exercising any right under these Terms & Conditions will operate as a waiver of that right.
10.3 These Terms & Conditions represent the entire agreement between the Author and the Beta Reader in relation to the Beta Read and supersede any earlier agreements, arrangements or understandings, whether oral or written.