Terms of Use

Last Updated: September 1, 2026

Publication date: September 1, 2026

Effective date: September 1, 2026

1. Introduction and Agreement to Terms

1.1 The NovelCult service and its operators

Welcome to NovelCult, a platform designed for writers and readers to create, share, and monetize fiction under author-friendly terms. NovelCult is owned and operated by NovelPedia Pvt Ltd, a private limited company registered in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

By accessing or using NovelCult, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Service (the “Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the platform.

By using NovelCult (novelcult.com), users agree to abide by these Terms of Service and all applicable platform rules, including the Content Policy, monetization rules, and Privacy Policy. These rules are considered an integral part of the Terms of Service and may be updated periodically. Users acknowledge that continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any revised terms and policies. Please review these Terms carefully before using the platform. NovelPedia Private Limited, an Indian private limited company, owns and operates the website, applications, publishing tools, community, accounts, and author program.

Truck Kun, Inc., a Delaware corporation and subsidiary of NovelPedia Private Limited, is the seller and paid-transaction merchant for reader subscriptions and other paid digital access purchased through the platform. Stripe processes those payments and provides Stripe Connect infrastructure; Stripe is not the seller of NovelCult subscriptions.

Truck Kun, Inc.'s address is 131 Continental Dr, Suite 305, Newark, Delaware 19713, United States.

NovelPedia Private Limited's official address is Bansi Sect. 2 Shrinagar, Gudhiyari, Raipur 492008, Chhattisgarh, India.

In these Terms, “NovelCult,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to one or both operators identified above according to the service or obligation being discussed.

By accessing or using NovelCult, you agree to these Terms. NovelCult includes novelcult.com and the other websites, applications, and services covered by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

1.2 Scope of Services

NovelCult provides a fiction-sharing platform that allows authors to:

Publish their works and engage with a community of readers.
Optionally monetize eligible novels through paid Early Access subscriptions.
Participate in community discussions, forums, and messaging, subject to the Content Policy.

NovelCult does not provide legal, financial, or publishing advice, and users are responsible for their own compliance with applicable laws, including copyright and tax obligations.

1.3 Acceptance of Terms

By using NovelCult, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms, along with all other policies governing the platform, including but not limited to:

Privacy Policy — personal-data collection, use, disclosure, and rights;
Content Policy — publication, content, AI, fanfiction, community conduct, and enforcement standards;
DMCA and Copyright Policy — (also in Clause 8) copyright protection and infringement reporting;
Payment, Subscription, Cancellation and Refund Policy — reader pricing, renewal, cancellation, withdrawal, refunds, and chargebacks. A customer-service summary is at Refunds, Cancellations, and Disputes;
Author Monetization and Payout Agreement — author eligibility, revenue share, fees, Stripe Connect, transfers, reversals, and payout settings. A plain-language overview is at the Author Monetization Guide;
the copyright and DMCA process in Section 8 and at novelcult.com/copyright.

If you do not agree with any of these policies, you must discontinue use of the platform.

1.4 Changes to these Terms

NovelCult may update, modify, or replace these Terms frequently as we develop and refine the Services.
Non-material changes are effective immediately upon posting.
Material changes are effective on the date specified in the notice. Where required by law, we will provide at least 15 days’ advance notice (for example, by in-product message or alert, email, or another reasonable method). In all other cases, material changes may take effect immediately.
Your continued use of the Services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Services before the changes take effect.
If you have a paid membership and a material change reduces your rights in a significant way, you may cancel before the effective date. Where required by law, NovelCult will provide a pro rata refund of prepaid, unused fees.
NovelCult is not liable for any loss or liability you incur as a result of changes made.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Minimum Age Requirements

Users must be at least the minimum digital consent age in their country, generally 13 to 16. Access to NSFW areas is limited to users who are 18 or older and requires age verification. We may limit or revoke access if verification is incomplete or invalid.
To participate in monetization features, including subscriptions, ad revenue, and reader tips, you must be 18 years old.
NovelCult may require identity and age verification before enabling payouts or NSFW access. If verification cannot be completed, we may disable monetization or NSFW features.
To enable or participate in monetization, you must be at least 18 and at least the age of majority where you live, whichever is higher.
We may request identity or age information where reasonably needed for law, safety, payments, or account eligibility. We do not promise a verification procedure that has not been implemented.

2.2 Account Creation and Accuracy of Information

Users must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information when registering.
Creating an account using false, misleading, or impersonated information is strictly prohibited.
NovelCult reserves the right to verify user identities at any time and may request additional documentation to confirm compliance with these Terms.
If false or misleading information is discovered, NovelCult may suspend or terminate the account without notice.

2.3 Minors and Paid Features

Users who are not legally able to enter a paid contract may not offer paid access. A parent or guardian may not use a minor's identity to evade the monetization-age rule.

2.4 Account Security Responsibilities

Users are solely responsible for maintaining the security of their accounts.
Sharing account credentials with others is strictly prohibited. Any actions taken under a user’s account will be considered their responsibility.
If unauthorized access is suspected, users must immediately notify NovelCult support to mitigate potential security risks.
NovelCult is not liable for losses resulting from unauthorized access caused by a user’s failure to maintain account security.

2.5 Account Ownership and Transfer Restrictions

Accounts on NovelCult are non-transferable. Users may not sell, trade, or transfer their accounts to another individual or entity.
If an account is found to have been transferred without authorization, NovelCult may suspend or permanently terminate the account.
In the event of user death or incapacity, NovelCult reserves the right to determine the appropriate course of action regarding the account, including but not limited to content removal or transfer to an authorized representative.

By registering an account on NovelCult, you agree to abide by these policies, ensuring a secure, transparent, and community-driven experience for all users.

3. Content Ownership & Licensing

3.1 User Retains Full Ownership of Content

Authors retain 100% intellectual property (IP) rights over their work.
Posting content on NovelCult does not transfer ownership of your material to the platform.
NovelCult does not claim any exclusive rights to user-generated content beyond what is explicitly outlined in this section.

3.2 License Granted to NovelCult

By posting content on NovelCult, you grant the platform a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, revocable license to host, cache, store, reproduce, distribute, adapt, translate, reformat, transmit, display, perform, index, analyze, and promote the Content in connection with operating, improving, and marketing the Services, including in emails, recommendations, search, and promotional placements. This license ends when you remove the Content, except that it survives for: fulfilling prior purchases, backups, logs, dispute resolution, fraud prevention, legal compliance, and usage analytics that do not disclose your Content publicly.

This license automatically terminates when you remove your content. The license does, however, survive for the following reasons:

Fulfilling prior purchases, including allowing users who have already purchased or unlocked access to your content to retain that access as per their purchase agreement (see 3.3).
Platform operational purposes, including backups, logs, dispute resolution, fraud prevention, legal compliance, and usage analytics that do not publicly disclose your Content.
Legal and archival requirements, where NovelCult is required to retain portions of content for compliance reasons (e.g., DMCA requests, fraud investigations).
Additionally, if you send ideas, suggestions, or feedback, you grant NovelCult a perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use and exploit them without restriction or attribution.

3.3 Right to Remove Content at Any Time

Authors can delete or remove their content from NovelCult at any time.
If a user has paid for access to a chapter or story, they retain access even if the author removes it (unless a refund is issued or the content violates platform policies).
NovelCult reserves the right to remove content that violates its Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or legal obligations.

3.4 Plagiarism, Copyright Violations & Unauthorized Reposting

Authors may only post content they own or have explicit permission to use.
Plagiarism or unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material will result in removal and may lead to account suspension or termination.
Any DMCA takedown requests will be processed per NovelCult’s DMCA Policy.
NovelCult reserves the right to temporarily or permanently disable access to infringing content while claims are reviewed.

By posting content on NovelCult, you affirm that you own or have the necessary rights to the work and that it does not violate copyright laws or infringe upon another creator’s intellectual property.

4.1 Revenue Streams for Authors

Eligible authors may offer paid subscriptions or other monetization features that NovelCult makes available. A feature mentioned in these Terms is not a promise that it is available in every country, account, or product version. NovelCult does not guarantee any specific level of earnings, and revenue distribution is subject to platform engagement, reader activity, and overall market conditions.

NovelCult reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to limit, suspend, or remove monetization or any other site feature for any user or group of users. Nothing in these guidelines shall be interpreted as limiting or reducing that right.

4.2 Payment Processing & Revenue Distribution

Truck Kun, Inc. collects reader payments through Stripe. After a successful payment, the author amount is calculated as:

reader payment - tax - applicable platform fee - actual Stripe processing fee = author transfer

The standard platform-fee rate is 10% of the tax-exclusive base amount. The Author Monetization and Payout Agreement contains the binding calculation, Stripe Connect requirements, refund reversals, and payout rules.

Authors are responsible for providing and maintaining accurate Stripe Connect and payout details. NovelCult is not liable for failed transactions due to user errors, account restrictions, or Stripe policies.
There is no NovelCult minimum payout threshold. After the seven-day hold in the Author Monetization and Payout Agreement, author amounts are transferred to the connected Stripe account. When those funds reach a bank is determined by Stripe.
NovelCult reserves the right to delay or withhold payouts if suspicious activity, fraud, or violations of platform policies are detected.
Payouts require completed tax forms and identity verification. We do not process payouts to sanctioned persons or restricted countries. We may withhold or reverse payments to comply with law or processor rules.

4.3 Tax & Compliance Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for income and similar taxes on amounts paid or allocated to them.
Truck Kun, Inc., as the reader-transaction seller, is responsible for registering, collecting, reporting, and remitting sales tax, VAT, GST, and similar transaction taxes applicable to reader purchases, subject to applicable law.
NovelCult may require tax forms (e.g., W-9 for U.S. residents or W-8BEN for international authors) as a condition for receiving payments.
If legally required, NovelCult may withhold taxes or report earnings to tax authorities, including the Income Tax Department, IRS and other regulatory bodies.
Authors must ensure that tax information provided is accurate and up to date. Failure to submit required tax documentation may result in withheld earnings or account restrictions.
If government agencies request financial data for tax compliance, NovelCult may disclose necessary records in accordance with legal obligations.

4.4 Chargebacks, Disputes & Fraud Prevention

To maintain platform integrity, NovelCult enforces strict policies regarding chargebacks, fraudulent transactions, and revenue manipulation. If a reader disputes a payment or initiates a chargeback, NovelCult may:

Withhold disputed earnings from the author’s balance pending resolution.
Suspend or permanently revoke monetization privileges for accounts with repeated chargebacks.
Investigate fraudulent activity, including but not limited to:
Artificial inflation of views, subscriptions, or tips.
Use of fake accounts to manipulate earnings.
Engagement manipulation, review fraud, or deceptive monetization tactics.
If a chargeback is determined to be fraudulent, NovelCult reserves the right to recover lost funds from the author’s future earnings.
Refund requests for deleted or removed premium content will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account platform policies, reader complaints, and the author’s transaction history.
NovelCult reserves the right to permanently ban accounts engaged in fraudulent monetization practices and reclaim earnings associated with rule violations.
A chargeback temporarily suspends the affected account and related paid access and triggers a fraud and payment investigation. While the formal payment dispute is open, NovelCult will not knowingly issue a duplicate ordinary refund for the same amount.
Chargebacks and refund amounts are deducted from the seller of that particular content. Where the affected amount is still within the seven-day hold described in section 4.2, NovelCult reduces or cancels the held amount and no recovery from the author is required. Where the amount has already been transferred, NovelCult may reverse the related Stripe transfer or recover an amount that cannot be reversed from later author transfers, as described in the Author Monetization and Payout Agreement.

The specialist payment policy governs reader chargebacks and the author agreement governs author adjustments.

4.5 Monetization Restrictions

Fully AI-generated content is not eligible for monetization.
Fanfiction and other derivative works are not eligible for monetization unless the author has documented commercial rights and NovelCult gives written approval.
Mature content may be restricted by region, law, or processor requirements.
Artificial traffic, self-dealing, fake subscriptions, review manipulation, and other deceptive monetization are prohibited.

These content-based restrictions are currently enforced through author declarations, reports, rights documents, and manual review. NovelCult does not claim complete proactive detection or automated blocking.

NovelCult reserves the right to demonetize content that is deemed exploitative, deceptive, or in violation of community standards.
Payment processor limitations: NovelCult is not responsible for issues related to third-party payment providers, including but not limited to:
Account suspensions, frozen funds, or regulatory holds imposed by Stripe or financial institutions.
Rejected payments due to compliance issues or country restrictions.
Legal disputes between users and payment providers, including chargebacks and transaction failures.
NovelCult reserves the right to modify or discontinue monetization programs at any time based on operational needs, regulatory changes, or payment processor restrictions.

4.6 Liability & Indemnification for Monetization

NovelCult does not guarantee revenue, continued monetization eligibility, or financial success.
By monetizing content on NovelCult, authors acknowledge and accept full responsibility for their earnings, taxes, and compliance with local laws.
Authors agree to indemnify and hold NovelCult harmless from any claims, liabilities, damages, or losses resulting from:
Tax non-compliance or financial reporting failures.
Loss of earnings due to platform policy changes or payment provider issues.
Content violations that lead to demonetization, suspension, or removal.
NovelCult reserves the right to withhold or reclaim payments in cases of fraud, Terms of Service violations, or legal non-compliance.

By participating in NovelCult’s monetization program, authors agree to these terms and acknowledge their responsibility to comply with financial, tax, and content policies. NovelCult reserves the right to update, modify, or discontinue monetization programs as needed to ensure legal compliance, operational sustainability, and platform integrity.

5. AI & Automated Content Policies

NovelCult maintains strict policies to preserve the integrity of human-driven storytelling and protect the platform from potential legal, ethical, and quality risks.

5.1 AI-Assisted vs. Fully AI-Generated Content

AI-Assisted Writing – Authors may use AI tools for:
- Editing, proofreading.
- Brainstorming, outlining, and idea expansion.
- Summarization and formatting assistance.
- Disclosure is not required for AI-assisted content as long as the core creative effort remains human-driven and AI does not generate substantial portions of the work.
Fully AI-Generated Stories – Any work primarily or entirely written by AI must:
- Be clearly labeled as AI-generated in the metadata, title, or description.
- Not be monetized through NovelCult’s ad revenue, subscriptions, or tipping system.
- Not receive platform promotional benefits, such as ranking boosts, featured slots, or algorithmic prioritization. Any AI generated work needs to be properly tagged so and will not be eligible for any platform benefits.

5.2 Transparency for Readers

AI-generated content must be clearly disclosed so that readers can make informed decisions about the material they engage with.
NovelCult may introduce filtering tools that allow readers to opt out of viewing AI-generated works.
Failure to properly disclose AI-generated content may result in penalties, including demonetization, content removal, or account suspension.

5.3 Prohibited AI Uses

The following AI-generated activities are strictly prohibited on NovelCult:

AI-generated reviews, comments, or forum posts – All community interactions must be entirely human-driven.
AI-generated engagement manipulation – Fake AI-generated ratings, reviews, or automated voting are prohibited.
Deceptive AI content – Using AI to generate misleading summaries, clickbait, or false metadata is strictly forbidden.
AI spam or automated posting – Any use of AI to mass-produce low-quality or spam content is not allowed.

5.4 AI-Assisted Translations

AI-generated translations must be human-reviewed before publication to ensure accuracy and readability.
If a translation has not been reviewed, it must be clearly labeled as AI-generated.
All translations require explicit permission from the original content owner unless the work is legally in the public domain.
Poorly translated or unreviewed AI-generated work may be removed or restricted from monetization.

5.5 Legal & Financial Consequences of AI Policy Violations

Failure to properly label AI-generated content or attempting to bypass AI disclosure rules constitutes a severe breach of NovelCult’s policies.

Authors violating AI disclosure rules agree that NovelCult is fully protected from any resulting legal claims or liabilities.
NovelCult reserves the right to remove, demonetize, or ban accounts that engage in deceptive AI practices.
If NovelCult is harmed financially or legally due to an author's failure to comply with AI policies, the author agrees to compensate NovelCult for damages, including but not limited to:
Legal fees and penalties incurred due to AI-generated misrepresentation.
Platform reputation damage and loss of revenue caused by AI content violations.
Costs associated with regulatory fines, lawsuits, or compliance measures resulting from AI misuse.

By using AI in content creation, authors agree to these policies and acknowledge that failure to comply may result in account suspension, legal liability, and financial penalties. These measures ensure fair competition, transparency, and a high-quality reader experience on NovelCult.

6. Content Restrictions & Prohibited Conduct

To maintain a high-quality, professional, and reader-friendly platform, NovelCult enforces strict content and conduct guidelines. Violations of these policies may result in content removal, demonetization, account suspension, or permanent bans. NovelCult has no obligation to pre-screen, monitor, review, or edit content. We may remove, refuse to display, or restrict content or features at any time at our sole discretion.

6.1 Prohibited Content

The following types of content are strictly prohibited on NovelCult:

Illegal or infringing material – Content that violates copyright laws, promotes illegal activities, or infringes upon the intellectual property or rights of others.
Misleading or deceptive content – Clickbait titles, false advertising, or summaries that misrepresent the actual content of a story.
Violence and Discrimination – Any content that promotes violence, hatred, or discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, or other protected characteristics.
Glorification of violence, self-harm, or abuse – Including domestic violence, rape, suicide encouragement, or romanticizing self-harm.
Child exploitation or sexualization – Immediate and permanent ban for any content involving the abuse, mistreatment, endangerment, or sexualization of minors. No exceptions.
Non-fiction, manifestos, or political essays – NovelCult is a fiction-only platform. Discussions of real-world political, religious, or ideological issues are not permitted.
Excessive or gratuitous NSFW content.
NSFW content must be properly labeled.
Erotica as the primary focus is not permitted.
Depictions of incest, necrophilia, bestiality, or extreme sexual violence are banned.
Fake engagement & ranking manipulation – Artificial likes, votes, review swaps, bot-generated interactions, or other fraudulent engagement tactics are prohibited.
Suggestive Covers meant to attract clicks.

6.2 Content Warnings & NSFW Labeling

Stories containing graphic violence, sexual content, or disturbing themes must include appropriate content warnings.
NSFW content may be subject to regional restrictions based on local laws, platform policies, and payment processor limitations.
Failure to properly label NSFW content may result in content removal, demonetization, or account suspension.

6.3 Prohibited Conduct & Community Violations

Users must not engage in:

Harassment, threats, or doxxing – Targeting or revealing private information about other users.
Posting offensive, disruptive, or inflammatory content in forums, reviews, or discussions.
Brigading or coordinated attacks – Organizing mass reporting, spamming, or harassment campaigns.
Privacy violations – Sharing personal or sensitive information about others without consent.

6.4 Enforcement & Consequences

NovelCult reserves the right to:

Remove content that violates these rules, with or without prior notice.
Demonetize, suspend, or permanently ban accounts engaging in prohibited conduct or repeated violations.
Take legal action against users who engage in severe policy violations, including copyright infringement, harassment, or fraudulent activity.
Modify or restrict access to NSFW content at its discretion. If payment processors or local laws prohibit certain content types, NovelCult is not responsible for lost earnings.
Immediately remove content flagged for plagiarism, legal risks, or violations of platform policies.

6.5 Liability & Discretion

NovelCult does not verify the accuracy of user-generated works. Fiction is created at the sole discretion of authors.
Users are solely responsible and liable for ensuring their content does not infringe on copyrights, intellectual property rights, or violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Some stories may contain controversial, graphic, or disturbing content—reader discretion is advised.
NovelCult is not responsible for emotional distress caused by consuming content on the platform.
Users should report content violations rather than engage in direct disputes with authors. NovelCult will work diligently to review and remove reported violations, including copyright infringement.

6.6 User Content Disclaimer and Liability

NovelCult is under no obligation to edit or control User Content that you or other users post or publish, and will not be in any way responsible or liable for User Content. NovelCult may, however, at any time and without prior notice, screen, remove, edit, or block any User Content that in our sole judgment violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable.
You understand that when using the Service you will be exposed to User Content from a variety of sources and acknowledge that User Content may be inaccurate, offensive, indecent, or objectionable. NovelCult does not endorse any User Content or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed in any User Content.
You agree to waive, and do waive, any legal or equitable right or remedy you have or may have against NovelCult with respect to User Content. We expressly disclaim any and all liability in connection with User Content. If notified by a user or content owner that User Content allegedly does not conform to these Terms, we may investigate the allegation and determine in our sole discretion whether to remove the User Content, which we reserve the right to do at any time and without notice. For clarity, NovelCult does not permit copyright-infringing activities on the Service.

By using NovelCult, you agree to follow these guidelines to maintain a safe, professional, and engaging storytelling environment. Violations may result in account penalties, content removal, or permanent restrictions at NovelCult’s sole discretion.

7. Community Standards & Interaction Rules

To foster a positive, respectful, and drama-free environment, NovelCult enforces strict community interaction rules across forums, reviews, and discussions. Violations may result in content removal, account restrictions, demonetization, or permanent bans.

7.1 Respectful Behavior in Forums, Reviews, and Comments

Users must engage in discussions with civility and professionalism:

No harassment, bullying, or personal attacks – Critique the work, not the author.
No discrimination – Hate speech based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, or other protected characteristics will result in immediate account action.
No doxxing – Sharing private or personal information about anyone is strictly prohibited.
No trolling, baiting, or flame wars – This platform is for storytelling and creative discussion, not personal disputes or inflammatory arguments.

7.2 Authors Set the Rules in Their Spaces

Authors control their own story comment sections and may delete comments or restrict discussions as they see fit.
Authors can flag Reviews but not delete them.
Authors may establish additional discussion guidelines (e.g., requiring constructive criticism only).
Readers must respect an author’s request to keep discussions on topic and free from harassment.

7.3 Review and Rating Guidelines

Reviews should help readers make informed decisions and provide meaningful feedback to authors:

All ratings must be justified – If you give a rating, explain why in a written review.
Stay on topic – Reviews should focus on the book itself, not the author’s personal beliefs, identity, or unrelated opinions.
No review-bombing or rating manipulation –
No brigading or coordinated downvotes.
No fake accounts created to boost or lower ratings.
Declare mutual reviews – Transparency is required for review exchanges to prevent misleading engagement.
Reviews may be limited to users who have read the chapters or spent time on the novel.

7.4 Spam Prevention & Self-Promotion Rules

No flooding discussions with self-promotion – Promoting your work is only allowed in designated spaces.
No excessive linking or off-topic promotion – All promotional content must be relevant to the conversation and comply with platform guidelines.
No solicitation or spamming – Users may not send unsolicited messages, comments, or promotions to other users.

7.5 No Ranking Manipulation

No fake engagement, alt accounts, or bots to artificially boost a story’s ranking.
Abusing the rating system or manipulating rankings in any way will result in demonetization, content removal, or account suspension.
NovelCult reserves the right to investigate and remove fraudulent engagement to maintain a fair and competitive platform.

By engaging in NovelCult’s community, you agree to uphold professionalism, respect, and fairness in all interactions. Failure to comply may result in warnings, content removal, demonetization, or permanent account bans at NovelCult’s sole discretion.

8. Copyright & DMCA Policy

NovelCult respects the intellectual property rights of others and is committed to ensuring that our platform complies with all applicable copyright laws. We require all users to do the same. Unauthorized use of copyrighted material is a violation of these Terms and will result in content removal and penalties, up to and including permanent account termination.

8.1 Author's Ownership

Authors retain full ownership of their original content posted on NovelCult. By posting, you grant NovelCult a license to display, distribute, and operate the Service, but you do not lose your copyright. You may not upload, share, or distribute any content that you do not own or for which you do not have explicit permission from the owner.

8.2 Grievance Officer (India) & Copyright Contact (DMCA Notices)

In accordance with India's Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), NovelCult has appointed a single point of contact to receive all notices related to copyright infringement or other grievances.

All complaints or notices must be submitted only to this designated agent, which constitutes NovelCult's official submission process:

Grievance Officer / Copyright Contact: Mehul Gupta
Email (Official Process): [email protected]
Registered Office: Bansi Sect. 2 Shrinagar, Gudhiyari, Raipur 492008, Chhattisgarh, India
Website: https://novelcult.com
Copyright notices: novelcult.com/copyright
CIN: U62099CT2026PTC020607

8.3 Procedure for Reporting Infringement

If you are a copyright owner (or an agent authorized to act on their behalf) and you believe your work has been infringed upon, you must send a written notice to our Grievance Officer (see section 8.2) that includes all of the following information:

a. An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright. b. A detailed description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed. c. A description of the material you claim is infringing, including the specific URL(s) on NovelCult where the material is located. d. Your full legal name, physical address, telephone number, and email address. e. A statement by you that you have a "good faith belief" that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law. f. A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or are authorized to act on the owner's behalf.

To ensure compliance and a valid notice, NovelCult may, at its discretion, reject or disregard notices that are incomplete, fail to provide sufficient information (such as a specific URL), or are not submitted to our designated Grievance Officer. We are not obligated to take action on non-compliant notices.

8.4 Repeat Infringer Policy (Consequences)

NovelCult takes copyright violations seriously and will terminate the accounts of repeat infringers. We enforce a "strike" system for copyright violations:

First Violation: The infringing content will be removed, and the user will receive a formal warning.
Second Violation: The infringing content will be removed, and the user's account will be temporarily suspended and/or demonetized.
Third Violation / Egregious Violations: The user's account will be permanently terminated, and all of their content may be removed.

NovelCult reserves the right to immediately terminate any account without prior warning if the violation is particularly severe, intentional, or commercial in nature.

8.5 Counter-Notice Procedure (For Accused Users)

If you believe your content was removed by mistake or misidentification, you may send a counter-notice to our Grievance Officer (see section 8.2). Your counter-notice must include:

a. Your physical or electronic signature. b. Identification of the material that was removed, including the URL(s) where it appeared before removal. c. A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification. d. Your full legal name, physical address, telephone number, and email address. e. A statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the courts in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, and that you will accept service of process from the person who provided the original infringement notification.

If we receive a valid counter-notice, we will forward it to the original complainant. If the complainant does not notify us that they have filed a court action against you within 10-14 business days, we may restore the removed content.

8.6 Legal Disclaimers & Intermediary Status

NovelCult is a hosting platform and digital intermediary. We do not and cannot actively monitor all user-generated content for copyright violations. Users are solely responsible and liable for the content they upload, ensuring it complies with all applicable laws.

By using the Service, you acknowledge that NovelCult is not liable for copyright infringement committed by its users. However, NovelCult will comply with all legal obligations to remove infringing content once a valid and complete notice is received, in accordance with the DMCA and India's IT Act.

9. Account Termination, Suspension & Appeals

NovelCult reserves the right to suspend, demonetize, or permanently terminate accounts that violate platform policies. While we strive for fairness, maintaining platform integrity and user safety is our top priority. Violations may result in loss of access to earnings, content removal, or legal action where applicable. NovelCult may limit, suspend, or terminate any account or access to any feature at any time for any or no reason, with or without notice. NovelCult is not liable for any loss resulting from such action.

9.1 Grounds for Account Suspension or Termination

Accounts may be suspended, demonetized, or permanently banned for the following reasons:

Violating content guidelines, including but not limited to plagiarism, prohibited content, ranking manipulation, or AI policy violations.
Engaging in harassment, threats, discrimination, or doxxing of other users.
Repeated DMCA takedown violations, indicating consistent copyright infringement.
Fraudulent activity, including but not limited to:
Chargeback abuse
Fake engagement (e.g., bot-generated views, manipulated ratings, review fraud)
Deceptive monetization practices
Circumventing bans or suspensions by creating new accounts after being banned.
Severe violations, including but not limited to illegal content, child exploitation, extreme harassment, or threats of violence.

Accounts terminated for severe violations will not be reinstated under any circumstances.

If an account is suspended for fraud, chargeback abuse, or deceptive practices, earnings may be withheld until the case is resolved.
Authors banned for policy violations permanently lose access to monetization and may not create a new account under a different name.

9.2 Warnings Before Permanent Bans

Most violations will receive a warning first, except in severe cases (e.g., child exploitation, doxxing, illegal activity, or fraud).
Repeat offenses may result in demonetization, content removal, or full account termination.
Severe violations may result in immediate, non-appealable bans.

9.3 Ban Appeals Process

Users may submit an appeal if they believe their suspension was unjustified. Appeals must include:

Acknowledgment of the reason for the suspension.
Relevant context or evidence disputing the decision.
Submission through NovelCult’s official support system.

Appeals will be reviewed fairly, but NovelCult is not obligated to reinstate accounts. The final decision is at NovelCult’s sole discretion.

9.4 Policy on Ban Evasion

Creating new accounts after being banned is strictly prohibited.
Evading a ban will result in permanent account deletion, forfeiture of earnings, and IP-based restrictions.
Users who attempt to bypass enforcement actions may face further legal or financial consequences if fraudulent activity is involved.

By using NovelCult, users agree to abide by these enforcement policies to maintain a fair, professional, and trustworthy platform. Violations may lead to permanent loss of access to the platform, legal action, or financial penalties where applicable.

10. Refunds & Chargeback Policy

NovelCult maintains a fair but firm policy regarding refunds and chargebacks to protect both authors and readers while preventing abuse of the payment system. The Payment, Subscription, Cancellation and Refund Policy governs reader payments. It explains automatic renewal, how to cancel, EU/UK withdrawal rights, voluntary refunds, unauthorized payments, and chargebacks. A customer-service summary is published at Refunds, Cancellations, and Disputes.

10.1 Cancellation, Withdrawal, and Refunds

Subscriptions automatically renew at the price and interval shown at checkout until canceled. Readers can cancel through Subscriptions > Manage Billing and the Stripe Billing Portal. Ordinary cancellation stops future renewals and normally preserves access through the paid period.

Eligible EU/EEA and UK consumers may have a 14-day statutory withdrawal right. Mandatory consumer remedies and other non-waivable rights always apply.

Refund requests are reviewed under the specialist payment policy. NovelCult does not promise automatic approval or a fixed response time that the current product and support operation do not provide.

The voluntary refund window is seven calendar days after the charge. The Truck Kun, Inc./NovelCult support team decides requests and may grant an appropriate full or partial refund. A full refund ends the associated paid access immediately. Mandatory rights and remedies remain unaffected.

10.2 Chargebacks

A chargeback temporarily suspends the affected account and related paid access and triggers a fraud and payment investigation. NovelCult will not knowingly issue a duplicate ordinary refund for the same amount while the formal dispute is open. The specialist payment policy contains the complete reader-facing rule.

11. Data Privacy & Security

The Privacy Policy identifies the controllers, the categories and purposes of processing, international transfers, retention, security, and available privacy rights. NovelCult does not treat acceptance of these Terms as consent where privacy law requires a separate choice. If these Terms conflict with the Privacy Policy about personal-data handling, the Privacy Policy controls.

12. Liability & Disclaimer of Warranties

NovelCult provides its services on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without any express or implied warranties. Users assume all risks associated with the platform's use.

12.1 No Guarantees or Warranties

NovelCult does not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free, or secure service.
No warranties are made regarding the accuracy, reliability, or availability of the platform.
NovelCult is not responsible for any:
Data loss, corruption, or service downtime.
Technical failures, software bugs, or security breaches.
Content removals, moderation actions, or changes to platform policies.

12.2 Limitation of Liability

NovelCult is not liable for any indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages, including but not limited to:

Loss of data, revenue, or business opportunities caused by platform issues or policy enforcement.
Payment processor issues, chargebacks, or fraudulent transactions affecting author earnings.
Actions of third parties, including external websites, advertisers, or payment services.
Legal disputes or claims against authors based on their content (e.g., defamation, copyright disputes, or privacy violations).

Liability Cap:

In all cases, NovelCult’s total liability is capped at the amount paid by the user in the past 12 months.
Users waive the right to sue NovelCult for content moderation decisions, including account suspensions, demonetization, or content removal.

12.3 Compliance with Legal Requests & Law Enforcement

If a government agency or law enforcement entity requires user data for a valid legal investigation, NovelCult may comply upon receiving a legally binding request (e.g., subpoena, court order).
NovelCult is not liable for any actions taken in response to legal obligations, including user data disclosures where required by law.

By using NovelCult, users acknowledge and accept all risks associated with the platform’s use and agree that NovelCult is not liable for damages, financial losses, or third-party claims resulting from their activity on the platform.

13. Indemnification Clause

By using NovelCult, users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless NovelCult, its owners, employees, affiliates, partners, service providers, and legal representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees and legal costs) arising from:

13.1 User-Generated Content & Copyright Compliance

Any content the user publishes, shares, or distributes on NovelCult, including but not limited to:
Copyright violations, plagiarism, or intellectual property disputes.
Defamation, libel, slander, or false statements that lead to legal claims.
Obscene, illegal, or prohibited content that violates laws or third-party rights.

13.2 User Behavior & Platform Interactions

Actions taken by the user on the platform, including but not limited to:
Harassment, threats, abuse, or discrimination against other users.
Fraudulent behavior, including fake engagement, chargeback abuse, or deceptive monetization practices.
Violations of NovelCult’s Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or Content Policies.

13.3 Financial Responsibilities & Monetization Compliance

All financial obligations arising from the user’s monetization activities, including but not limited to:
Income-tax reporting and compliance for amounts paid or allocated to the author. Truck Kun, Inc. retains the reader sales-tax, VAT, and GST responsibilities stated in Section 4.3.
Financial loss caused by the user's proven fraudulent transaction or material breach of the Author Monetization and Payout Agreement.
Financial damages caused to NovelCult due to the user’s violation of payment terms or policies.

13.4 Legal Defense & Costs

If NovelCult is sued, investigated, fined, or subjected to legal action due to a user's content, actions, or regulatory violations, the user agrees to cover all associated costs, including:
Attorney fees, court costs, and settlements.
Fines, penalties, or damages awarded in lawsuits against NovelCult.
Costs incurred in complying with subpoenas, regulatory investigations, or enforcement actions.

13.5 Binding Nature of Indemnification

This indemnification obligation survives account termination or discontinuation of platform use. Users remain responsible for any claims arising from their past activity on NovelCult even after deleting their account.
NovelCult reserves the right to assume exclusive legal defense in any case where indemnification applies, with the user agreeing to cooperate fully in the legal process.

By using NovelCult, users acknowledge and accept full responsibility for their content, actions, and financial obligations and agree to indemnify NovelCult against all related claims, liabilities, and legal costs.

14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

14.1 Legal Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by Indian law. Except for IP injunctions and claims that qualify for small-claims court, all disputes will be resolved by binding individual arbitration under the seat of Raipur.
The arbitrator’s award is final and may be entered in any court with jurisdiction.
By using NovelCult, users agree that any legal disputes must be resolved under the laws of the specified jurisdiction.

14.2 Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Users must first attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting NovelCult’s support team before initiating any legal proceedings.
If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, users agree to binding arbitration in the designated jurisdiction as the sole method of resolution.
Class-action lawsuits are expressly prohibited. Users waive their right to participate in any class-action claim against NovelCult, its owners, employees, or affiliates.
The arbitration decision will be final and binding, with no right to appeal.
Users as permitted by Indian law may go to consumer court.

14.3 International Compliance & User Responsibilities

NovelCult operates globally, and users are responsible for ensuring their content and activities comply with the laws of their own country.
Users must ensure their content does not violate local laws regarding:
Defamation, slander, or libel
Obscenity, pornography, or adult content restrictions
Copyright and intellectual property laws
Taxation or financial reporting requirements
If a user’s region restricts NSFW content, political material, or monetized online fiction, the user assumes all legal responsibility for ensuring compliance.
NovelCult is not liable for any legal disputes or penalties arising from a user’s failure to comply with local regulations.

14.4 Enforcement of Governing Law

These governing-law and dispute provisions do not deprive a consumer of mandatory protections, regulators, or courts that applicable law makes available and does not permit the parties to waive.
If any provision of this agreement is found unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.

The governing-law and dispute provisions apply only to the extent permitted by applicable law and do not override a non-waivable consumer right or remedy.

15. Account Deletion & Data Retention

15.1 User-Initiated Deletion

Users may request to delete their account at any time by submitting a deletion request through NovelCult’s official support system.
Account deletion is permanent and irreversible. Once deleted:
Personal data, content, and account history will be deleted or de-identified except for records retained under Section 15.2 and the Privacy Policy.
Users will lose access to past purchases, subscriptions, and earnings.
Pending transactions or disputes must be resolved before an account deletion request is processed.

15.2 Retention of Data for Legal Compliance

Certain data must be retained by NovelCult even after account deletion to comply with legal, tax, and financial regulations, including but not limited to:
Transaction records and payment history for tax reporting.
Fraud prevention and chargeback investigation logs.
Legal compliance records, including DMCA requests and regulatory obligations.
Purchased content will remain accessible to buyers unless explicitly refunded or removed due to policy violations.

15.3 Rejoining After Deletion

Users who delete their account must create a new account if they wish to rejoin.
Previous purchases, memberships, and earnings will not be recoverable, and NovelCult will not reinstate lost content or financial balances from deleted accounts.
If a user was banned or had their account removed for policy violations, they may not create a new account unless explicitly permitted by NovelCult.

By requesting account deletion, users acknowledge and accept that data retention for legal purposes is required and that NovelCult is not responsible for lost access to prior content, earnings, or transactions.

16. Third-Party Services & External Links

NovelCult may integrate with, utilize, or provide links to third-party services, including but not limited to:

Payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, bank transfer services).
Advertising networks that provide monetization opportunities.
External websites, promotional tools, or affiliate services that authors may use to market their content.

16.1 Third-Party Liability

NovelCult is not responsible for the security, reliability, policies, or functionality of third-party services.
Users are solely responsible for complying with the terms and conditions of any third-party service they use through NovelCult.
If a third-party service experiences failures, security breaches, or policy changes, NovelCult bears no liability for any resulting issues, including but not limited to:
Loss of earnings due to payment processor restrictions or account suspensions.
Ad revenue loss due to external advertising policy changes.
Data breaches or privacy issues arising from third-party integrations.

16.2 Payment Processor Limitations

NovelCult does not control or influence the policies of payment processors.
If a payment processor declines, withholds, or reverses a transaction, NovelCult is not liable for lost earnings.
Users should contact [email protected] about a NovelCult billing or access problem. This does not restrict any non-waivable right to contact a payment provider, card issuer, regulator, or court.
By using external payment services, users acknowledge that NovelCult is not responsible for financial delays, account holds, or transaction failures imposed by third-party providers.
Stripe may decline, delay, restrict, refund, or reverse activity under its rules or legal obligations. NovelCult remains responsible for obligations that apply to it as platform operator or transaction seller.

By engaging with third-party services through NovelCult, users accept all risks associated with external providers and acknowledge that NovelCult is not responsible for any disruptions, financial losses, or data security concerns caused by those services.

17. Severability

If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect. Headings are for convenience only. These Terms are the entire agreement between you and NovelCult regarding the Services.

18. Refunds & Chargebacks for Incomplete Serialized Works

18.1 Refunds and No Guarantee of Completion

NovelCult does not guarantee that serialized works, ongoing stories, or subscription-based content will be completed by the author.
By purchasing access to ongoing content, users acknowledge the risk that an author may discontinue, delay, or fail to finish a work.
An unfinished work does not automatically create a contractual refund right. Refunds and mandatory remedies depend on whether the specific paid access promised for the charged period was supplied, as described in the Payment, Subscription, Cancellation and Refund Policy.

18.2 No Liability for Unfinished Content

NovelCult is not responsible for an author’s commitment to serialized content.
Any disputes regarding unfinished works must be resolved between the author and their audience.

19. Security & Liability for Hacked Accounts

19.1 User Responsibility for Account Security

Users are solely responsible for maintaining the security of their accounts and agree that NovelCult is not liable for unauthorized access caused by:

Weak passwords or failure to enable two-factor authentication.
Sharing login credentials with third parties.
Malware, phishing attacks, or hacks unrelated to NovelCult’s security systems.

19.2 NovelCult's Role in Security Incidents

Users must immediately report unauthorized access.
NovelCult may temporarily freeze an account to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
NovelCult is not responsible for stolen earnings or unauthorized withdrawals unless a platform-wide security breach is proven.

19.3 Fraudulent or Suspicious Activity

NovelCult reserves the right to permanently suspend accounts that engage in fraudulent activity, including:

Using stolen payment information.
Unauthorized access to another user’s account.
Chargeback fraud, suspicious payment reversals, or illegal transactions.

20. Monetization Restrictions for Fanfiction & Derivative Works

20.1 Fanfiction & Copyright Compliance

Fanfiction and other derivative works may not be monetized unless NovelCult gives written approval and the author either relies only on public-domain material or provides written permission covering commercial use.
Copyrighted characters, settings, and other protected material may not be used commercially without the required rights.
NovelCult may pause or remove unauthorized monetization after manual review. Where law and safety permit, the author will receive the general reason and a way to provide rights documentation or appeal.

20.2 Derivative Works & AI-Generated Content

Monetized content must be original unless explicitly labeled as an adaptation with proper licensing.
Fully AI-generated works may not be monetized. AI-assisted work must comply with the Content Policy.
These rules are enforced through author declarations, reports, document requests, and manual review. NovelCult does not claim complete automated detection.

21. Digital Estate Management (Handling of Author Death)

21.1 Inheritance of Accounts & Earnings

If an author passes away or becomes incapacitated, their account and earnings may be transferred to a legal heir with valid documentation.
Heirs must provide:
A valid will or legal directive.
Court orders or power of attorney documentation to claim funds or manage content.

21.2 Content Ownership After Death

If no legal heir claims the account within 12 months, NovelCult may:

Retain the content as-is for archival purposes.
Remove the content upon verified request from family members.
Distribute earnings to a designated charity or as per governing estate laws.

21.3 Restrictions on Posthumous Monetization

Heirs who claim an account may not monetize new content under the deceased author’s name unless they provide evidence of co-authorship or legal ownership.

22. Review & Ranking Manipulation Policy

22.1 Prohibited Manipulation Tactics

NovelCult strictly prohibits:

Review Bombing – Coordinated negative reviews meant to harm an author’s ranking.
Artificial Rating Boosts – Paying users, using bots, or offering incentives for positive reviews.
Fake Accounts – Using multiple accounts to manipulate rankings, ratings, or engagement.

22.2 Consequences for Manipulation

First Violation – Formal warning and removal of fraudulent reviews or manipulated engagement.
Second Violation – Temporary demonetization of the affected work and possible ranking penalties.
Third Violation – Permanent account suspension, removal of all monetized content, and forfeiture of earnings.

NovelCult reserves the right to escalate enforcement actions immediately—including skipping warning steps—if the violation is severe, repeated, or intentionally deceptive.

22.3 Reporting Suspicious Reviews

Users may report review manipulation to NovelCult’s moderation team.
NovelCult reserves the right to adjust rankings, remove manipulated ratings, and take enforcement action.

23. AI-Generated Book Covers & Promotional Art Policy

23.1 AI-Generated Covers & Transparency

Authors may use AI-generated book covers only if they disclose this in the book’s metadata.
AI-generated covers cannot be falsely marketed as “hand-drawn” or “human-made.”

23.2 AI Art Monetization Restrictions

AI-generated illustrations or covers may be monetized only if they do not infringe on copyrighted art.
Any copyright violation or proven art theft will result in immediate content removal and potential account suspension.

24. Protection Against Piracy & Unauthorized Use

24.1 Intellectual Property Rights & Platform Content Protection

All content posted on NovelCult, including stories, images, user-generated discussions, and metadata, remains the intellectual property of its respective authors.
Automated access, scraping, and text-and-data mining of the Services and Content are prohibited without our prior written consent, including for AI training. This prohibition applies notwithstanding any statutory TDM exceptions to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Users may not copy, distribute, or commercially exploit any content from NovelCult without explicit written permission from the content owner or the platform.

24.2 Prohibited Uses

Users are strictly prohibited from:

Downloading, reproducing, or sharing content from NovelCult outside the platform without explicit written permission.
Using automated bots, scraping tools, or AI crawlers to extract, copy, or repurpose content. Any such scraping or unauthorized use by third-party entities is expressly forbidden.
Distributing content obtained from NovelCult on piracy sites, unauthorized platforms, or AI training datasets.

24.3 No Liability for Unauthorized Distribution

NovelCult is not responsible for piracy, unauthorized reposting, or infringement that occurs outside the platform.
If an author believes their content has been misused or stolen, they are solely responsible for taking legal action, including issuing DMCA takedown notices or seeking copyright enforcement through third-party legal channels.
NovelCult does not intervene in third-party disputes over stolen content and has no obligation to enforce copyright claims on behalf of users.

24.4 Enforcement & Legal Action

NovelCult reserves the right to monitor, investigate, and take legal action against any unauthorized use or infringement of content hosted on its platform.
Users found engaging in piracy, content scraping, or unauthorized distribution may face account suspension or permanent bans, and NovelCult may pursue legal action where applicable.
NovelCult cooperates with copyright enforcement agencies and may issue Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests for stolen or misused content at its discretion.
If you believe your content has been scraped or stolen from NovelCult, users may report the issue to platform moderators and file the necessary copyright enforcement reports.

24.5 User Responsibilities

By using NovelCult, users acknowledge that all content on the platform is legally protected and agree not to engage in, facilitate, or enable piracy, unauthorized sharing, or misuse of content.
Users bear full responsibility for protecting their intellectual property, enforcing their copyrights, and monitoring for unauthorized distribution.
NovelCult may provide guidance on submitting copyright enforcement requests but is not obligated to take action on behalf of content creators.

25. User Agreement

By using NovelCult, you agree to these Terms and the incorporated documents that apply to your activity. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

26. Contact

Website: https://novelcult.com

Account, safety, billing, cancellation, withdrawal, refund, and complaints: [email protected]

Postal and legal correspondence:

NovelPedia Private Limited

Bansi Sect. 2 Shrinagar, Gudhiyari

Raipur 492008, Chhattisgarh, India

CIN: U62099CT2026PTC020607

Truck Kun, Inc.

131 Continental Dr, Suite 305

Newark, Delaware 19713, United States