Terms of Service

This is a translation of the Korean original. If the two differ, the Korean version prevails.

1. Purpose

These Terms set out the rights, obligations, responsibilities and procedures between JoyLabs (the "Company") and members using TaleCliff and TaleCliff Studio (the "Service").

2. Definitions

• "Member" means a person who agrees to these Terms and creates an account to use the Service.
• "Work" means novels, scripts and other writing a member creates or uploads on the Service, with its title, description and images.
• "Writer" means a member who creates or publishes a Work; "Reader" means a person who reads published Works.
• "Pebbles" are the unit used in the Service to unlock paid episodes, write in Studio and so on. There are "purchased pebbles" received by payment, "bonus pebbles" received from sign-up, events or purchase bonuses, and "subscription pebbles" received each billing period of a subscription.
• "Subscription" means a paid plan that is billed automatically each period and gives the stated benefits during that period.

3. Posting and changes

The Company posts these Terms on the Service.

The Company may change these Terms within the limits of applicable law. It will announce the effective date and reason on the Service or by email at least 7 days in advance (30 days if the change is unfavorable to members).

If a member does not agree to the changes, they may stop using the Service and delete their account. Continuing to use the Service after the effective date means agreeing to the changes.

4. Sign-up and accounts

Anyone aged 14 or older may sign up with a Google account or email.

Members must enter accurate information and keep their account from being used by others. If an account is compromised, the member must tell the Company immediately.

The Company may refuse sign-up or delete an account created with someone else's information, or by a person whose re-registration was restricted after a prior restriction.

5. The Service

• Reader service: read published Works and unlock paid episodes with pebbles, subscriptions or wait-for-free.
• Studio: write a Work step by step from planning to manuscript, share it by link or publish it on the reader home.
• Other features the Company announces.

Some parts of the Service are free and some are paid. Prices and benefits of paid services are shown before payment.

6. Generative AI notice

Studio's writing features use generative AI to produce results. Works made with generative AI carry a "Made with generative AI" label.

Generated results may be inaccurate, differ from what was intended, or resemble other works. Writers are responsible for reviewing content before publishing.

7. Pebbles

Pebbles are purchased at the price shown on the payment screen. Some bundles include bonus pebbles.

Pebbles are spent in this order: subscription pebbles, bonus pebbles, then purchased pebbles.

Subscription pebbles are refilled on the next billing date, and unused subscription pebbles expire at that time.

Bonus pebbles are given free of charge, may expire under the conditions stated when given, and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Purchased pebbles may expire if unused for 5 years from the last payment, under the statute of limitations for commercial claims.

Pebbles cannot be transferred or sold to other members.

8. Subscriptions

A subscription renews and is billed automatically every billing period (monthly or yearly) until the member cancels. The next billing date and amount are shown in the wallet and in emails from the payment provider.

Members can cancel at any time from Manage subscription in the wallet. After cancellation, no further renewal is charged and benefits continue until the end of the paid period.

Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades take effect from the next billing date.

Founding Members (a limited-time benefit of the Read Only yearly plan) get two years for the first payment, after which the plan renews yearly. The second-year payment is not charged; if it is charged, the Company refunds it.

The Company may change subscription prices or benefits. Unfavorable changes are announced at least 30 days before the next renewal, and members may cancel before renewal.

9. Payment

Payments are processed through one of the following, depending on the method chosen at checkout.

• Toss Payments: domestic Korean payments (credit and debit cards, easy-pay services, bank transfer, etc.). The Company is the seller and Toss Payments processes the payment. Prices are shown in Korean won (KRW), VAT included.
• Lemon Squeezy: international payments. Lemon Squeezy acts as reseller (Merchant of Record) and handles payment and tax. Prices are shown in US dollars; depending on the member's country, tax may be added or the amount converted to local currency.

Payment method details are handled directly by each payment provider; the Company does not receive or store card numbers or other payment method details.

If a minor pays without the consent of a legal guardian, the minor or the guardian may cancel the payment.

10. Withdrawal and refunds

Conditions and methods for withdrawal and refunds are set out in the Refund Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

11. Rights to Works

Rights to a Work belong to its writer. Rights in generative AI output follow applicable law.

Writers grant the Company a free, non-exclusive license to use their Works to the extent needed to operate and promote the Service (storing and displaying Works, showing them on the reader home and in search, and making previews and cover images). The license ends when the writer makes the Work private or deletes it, except for announcements and promotional materials already made.

Writers must make sure their Works do not infringe the rights of others and are responsible for any resulting disputes.

Readers may not copy, distribute or adapt Works for any purpose other than reading them on the Service.

12. Prohibited conduct

Members must not:

• use someone else's information, buy or sell accounts, or use multiple accounts to obtain benefits unfairly;
• create or publish illegal content, child sexual abuse material, or Works that infringe the copyright, image rights or reputation of others;
• spam, flood or impersonate others;
• abuse payments or obtain pebbles by fraudulent means;
• use the Service in bulk by automated means, disrupt the Service or its servers, or bypass security measures;
• otherwise violate applicable law or these Terms.

13. Restrictions

If a member violates Section 12, the Company may, depending on the severity, make Works private, suspend use for a period, ban the account, or delete the account.

When an account is banned or deleted, the Company may prevent the same person from signing up again with the same email.

Members may appeal a restriction at customersupport@talecliff.com. If the appeal is justified, the Company lifts the restriction promptly.

14. Changes and suspension of the Service

The Company may change the Service or pause it temporarily for maintenance for operational or technical reasons, with advance notice where possible.

If the Company ends the Service, it will give at least 30 days' notice and refund remaining purchased pebbles and remaining subscription periods under the Refund Policy.

15. Limitation of liability

The Company is not liable for damages caused by force majeure, by the member's fault, or by failures of third-party services beyond its control, except for damages caused by the Company's intent or gross negligence.

The Company is not responsible for the content of Works published by writers, and acts on reports in accordance with applicable law.

16. Account deletion

Members may delete their account at any time from account settings. Deleting an account erases its data, including Works, share links and the wallet, and cancels running subscriptions.

Remaining pebbles are lost when the account is deleted. To request a refund, please do so before deleting the account.

17. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Korea.

The Company and members will try in good faith to resolve disputes through discussion. Any lawsuit shall be brought before the competent court under the Korean Civil Procedure Act.