Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a binding legal agreement between you and The Spool List ("we," "us," or "our"). By creating an account, accessing, or using the website, mobile application, or any related services (collectively, the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1. Acceptance & Eligibility

You must be at least 16 years of age to create an account and use the Platform. By registering, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If you are between 16 and 18, you represent that your parent or legal guardian has reviewed and consented to these Terms.

Your continued use of the Platform after any changes to these Terms constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We will notify you of material changes at least 14 days in advance via in-app notification or email.

2. Account Rules

The following rules govern account creation and management:

• One person, one account. Each individual may operate only one account on the Platform. Accounts are not transferable.
• Household & makerspace exceptions. Multiple individuals in the same household or makerspace may each maintain their own account, provided each account discloses the shared location during registration. Shared equipment across accounts in the same household or makerspace must be disclosed.
• Account security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately at [email protected] if you suspect unauthorized access.
• Accurate information. You must provide truthful, current information during registration and keep it updated.

3. Machine Registration

Makers must register their fabrication equipment to receive job matches. Machine registration is subject to the following rules:

• Serial number required. Every registered machine must include its manufacturer serial number. This is verified against the platform catalog of 350+ machine models across 17 categories.
• Platform-wide uniqueness. Each serial number may only be registered to one account at any time, across the entire Platform. If a machine changes ownership, the previous owner must deregister it before the new owner can register it.
• Photo verification. We may require photographic evidence of machine ownership, including images showing the serial number plate. EXIF metadata may be analyzed to verify authenticity.
• Custom-built machines. Machines without a manufacturer serial number (custom builds, DIY kits, heavily modified equipment) are assigned a platform identifier in the format TSL-CUSTOM-XXXX. Additional documentation or video verification may be required.
• Accuracy obligation. You must accurately represent your equipment's capabilities, condition, and availability. Misrepresentation of equipment is grounds for suspension.

4. Subscription Tiers & Pricing

The Platform offers four subscription tiers for makers. Commission is charged to the maker on each completed transaction. Buyers pay no listing fees, subscription fees, or commission.

Subscriptions are billed monthly. On the iOS app, Pro and Premium subscriptions are processed via Apple In-App Purchase. On the web, subscriptions are processed via Stripe. Enterprise subscriptions are available via Stripe only. You may cancel at any time; access continues through the end of the current billing period. No refunds are provided for partial billing periods.

5. Marketplace Mechanics

Job Posting

Buyers post jobs with descriptions, material requirements, tolerance specifications, budgets, deadlines, and design files. The Platform automatically matches jobs to makers whose registered equipment meets the job's requirements, prioritizing geographic proximity within the maker's tier radius.

Bidding & Acceptance

Matched makers may submit bids with pricing, estimated timelines, and any notes. Buyers review bids and accept the one that best meets their needs. Acceptance of a bid creates a binding agreement between buyer and maker to fulfill the job at the agreed terms.

Equipment-Verified Matching

Matching is performed based on registered equipment capabilities, not keyword search. The Platform verifies that a maker's machine can handle the specified materials, processes, and tolerances before presenting the job.

Fulfillment

Makers must fulfill accepted jobs to the agreed specification and timeline. Buyers must confirm delivery and approve or dispute the work within 14 days of marked delivery. If no action is taken, funds are released to the maker automatically.

6. Payments & Escrow

• Payment processor. All payments are processed by Stripe, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and USDC stablecoin.
• Escrow. When a buyer accepts a bid, funds are held in escrow via Stripe. Funds are released to the maker only when the buyer confirms satisfactory delivery or the 14-day auto-release window expires.
• Commission. Platform commission (per tier) is deducted from the maker's payout at the time of fund release.
• Disputes. Either party may open a dispute before funds are released. Disputed funds are held until resolution. See the Dispute Resolution section below.
• Payouts. Makers receive payouts via their connected Stripe account. Payout timing follows Stripe's standard schedule for the maker's country.
• Chargebacks & fraud. Fraudulent chargebacks, payment fraud, or deliberate non-payment will result in immediate account suspension and may be referred to law enforcement.

Dispute Resolution

We encourage buyers and makers to resolve disputes directly through in-app messaging. If direct resolution fails, either party may escalate to The Spool List for mediation. We will review evidence from both parties and make a determination within 14 business days. Our determination regarding escrow fund distribution is final.

7. Intellectual Property

• Your content. You retain full ownership of all designs, files, images, and content you upload to the Platform. By uploading, you grant The Spool List a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, reproduce, and distribute your content solely for the purpose of operating the marketplace (e.g., showing portfolio images, displaying job attachments to matched makers).
• Maker work. Makers retain ownership of their techniques, processes, and any original creative elements. Unless otherwise agreed between buyer and maker, the buyer receives ownership of the finished physical product and the right to use their original design files.
• Platform IP. The Spool List name, logo, design system, and Platform software are our intellectual property. You may not reproduce, modify, or create derivative works of our Platform without written permission.

8. DMCA Takedown Procedure

If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, submit a DMCA takedown notice to [email protected] containing:

1. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed.
2. Identification of the infringing material and its location on the Platform (URL or description).
3. Your contact information (name, address, phone, email).
4. A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner.
5. A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of one.
6. Your physical or electronic signature.

We will respond to valid DMCA notices within 10 business days. The accused party will be notified and may submit a counter-notice. Repeat infringers will have their accounts terminated.

Design provenance. Every listing on The Spool List must declare its design origin — original, licensed, public domain, or CC0. Sellers offering a licensed design must be able to produce the license document on request. Sellers asserting original authorship submit to this takedown process if challenged. Listings without a clear provenance declaration are not permitted to publish.

Designated DMCA Agent. The Spool List's designated DMCA agent is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c). To serve formal notice:

• By email: [email protected] (subject line: DMCA Takedown Notice)
• By post: The Spool List Ltd, DMCA Agent, c/o registered office, Delaware, USA
• U.S. Copyright Office DMCA designated-agent directory: copyright.gov/dmca-directory/

9. Prohibited Conduct

The following activities are strictly prohibited on the Platform:

• Fraud & misrepresentation. Providing false information, fabricating credentials, misrepresenting equipment capabilities, or engaging in any deceptive practices.
• Multi-account abuse. Operating multiple accounts to manipulate ratings, circumvent bans, game job matching, or gain unfair marketplace advantage.
• Off-platform payments. Soliciting or arranging payments outside the Platform to avoid commission. This removes escrow protection for both parties and is grounds for suspension.
• Harassment & abuse. Threatening, intimidating, discriminating against, or harassing other users in messages, reviews, or any Platform interaction.
• Counterfeit goods. Manufacturing, listing, or distributing counterfeit, trademark-infringing, or unauthorized replica products.
• Weapons. The Platform prohibits all firearm-related work, including manufacturing, modification, or repair of firearms, firearm components, suppressors, or ammunition. Other weapons are prohibited unless they carry valid serial numbers and comply with all applicable laws.
• Automated access. Scraping, crawling, or using automated tools to access the Platform without written permission.
• Review manipulation. Posting fake reviews, incentivizing reviews, retaliatory reviews, or any form of rating manipulation.
• Illegal activity. Using the Platform for any purpose that violates applicable local, national, or international law.

10. Enforcement

Violations are handled through a graduated enforcement ladder:

11. Appeals

• Window. You have 30 days from the date of an enforcement action to submit an appeal.
• How to appeal. Email [email protected] with your account email, the enforcement action in question, and your explanation or evidence.
• Review target. We aim to review and respond to all appeals within 14 days of receipt.
• Outcome. Appeals are reviewed by a different team member than the one who issued the original action. The appeal decision is final.

12. Limitation of Liability

The Platform 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, or non-infringement.

We facilitate connections between buyers and makers but are not a party to the transaction. We do not guarantee the quality of any maker's work, the accuracy of any listing, or a buyer's ability or willingness to pay.

Liability cap. To the maximum extent permitted by law, The Spool List's total aggregate liability arising from or related to these Terms or your use of the Platform is limited to the greater of: (a) the total fees you paid to The Spool List in the 12 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) $100 USD.

In no event shall The Spool List be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, business opportunities, or goodwill.

13. Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

Binding arbitration. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform that cannot be resolved through informal negotiation shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered under the rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). The arbitration shall be conducted in English. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding.

Class action waiver. You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis only, and not as a class, consolidated, or representative action.

Opt-out. You may opt out of this arbitration clause by sending written notice to [email protected] within 30 days of creating your account. Your notice must include your name, account email, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration. If you opt out, disputes will be resolved in the courts specified under Governing Law.

Small claims exception. Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court if it falls within that court's jurisdictional limits.

14. App Store Compliance

If you access the Platform via the iOS app downloaded from the Apple App Store or a future Android app from Google Play:

• These Terms are between you and The Spool List, not Apple Inc. or Google LLC. Apple and Google are not responsible for the Platform or its content.
• Apple and Google are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and have the right to enforce them against you.
• Apple and Google have no obligation to provide maintenance, support, or warranty for the app. Any claims related to the app (including product liability, legal compliance, or IP infringement) are The Spool List's responsibility, not Apple's or Google's.
• In-app purchases on iOS are subject to Apple's terms. On the web, purchases are subject to Stripe's terms.

15. General Provisions

• Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
• Entire agreement. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines, constitute the entire agreement between you and The Spool List regarding the Platform.
• Waiver. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.
• Assignment. You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights without restriction.
• Force majeure. Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures in performance caused by events beyond reasonable control (natural disasters, war, pandemic, government action, etc.).
• Notices. We may send notices to the email address associated with your account. You are responsible for keeping your email address current.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands, without regard to conflict of law principles. Subject to the arbitration clause above, any legal proceedings shall be brought in the courts of the Cayman Islands. If you are a consumer in the EU/EEA, nothing in these Terms affects your rights under mandatory consumer protection laws in your country of residence.

17. Contact

For questions about these Terms, enforcement actions, or legal matters:

• Legal inquiries: [email protected]
• Appeals: [email protected]
• General support: [email protected]