Last updated 2026-07-05. This is the plain language version, and it is the agreement between you and HEARD.
HEARD is a music discovery platform for unsigned artists, listeners, labels, and venues. The platform is operated by HEARD Inc.
You have to be at least 18. We may ask for proof.
You keep ownership of your music and other content. But by posting, uploading, or submitting anything to HEARD, you grant HEARD a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, and irrevocable license to host, store, stream, display, reproduce, distribute, promote, and market your content in connection with operating and growing HEARD and our business, across any media now known or later developed. This license survives any change to your account: it continues even if you stop using HEARD, deactivate, or delete your account, and it applies whether or not your content later becomes popular. We owe you no payment for this license unless we have agreed to one in a separate signed contract or an in-app payout arrangement. By posting, you confirm you have all rights to grant this license, and you agree not to later claim that our hosting, use, promotion, or marketing of content you posted infringes your rights. If you want a different arrangement (an exclusive deal, a revenue split), that has to be negotiated and put in a separate written contract.
Don't post music that isn't yours. Don't use HEARD to harass, threaten, or impersonate anyone. Don't game the algorithm with bots. Don't scrape. Specifics in the Community Guidelines.
Beat and song licenses, album purchases, subscriptions, creator memberships, promotions, bookings, courses, tips, and event tickets all run through Stripe. We take a platform fee on transactions, disclosed at checkout. Refunds go through Stripe. HEARD does not custody, hold, or otherwise control seller funds.
Money HEARD owes you (for example tips and creator-program payments that HEARD funds) accrues to an in-app wallet. If you have not set an automatic payout schedule, those funds wait in your wallet until you claim them. If your account is inactive for three consecutive months (no login, no posting, no activity) any automatic payout schedule turns off and reverts to manual, while earnings keep accruing. Platform-funded amounts that remain unclaimed for twelve months after that three-month inactivity date (about fifteen months total) are forfeited and become the property of HEARD, and we may sweep them to HEARD after the deadline. Proceeds from your own sales (what buyers pay you for your licenses, courses, tickets, and products) are not subject to this forfeiture and remain payable to you, subject to applicable law. Where unclaimed-property (escheat) laws apply, we will follow them.
Artist and Pro plans are recurring. You can cancel anytime through the Stripe portal in Settings, Plans. Cancellation stops the next charge and the current period stays active.
Some creators offer a membership: one recurring price, billed monthly or yearly, that unlocks all of that creator's courses and inspires while you stay subscribed. A membership renews automatically each period until you cancel. You can cancel anytime from the membership control on the creator's profile. Cancellation stops the next charge and your access continues until the end of the period you already paid for. Membership fees for the current period are not refundable once it has started, except where the law requires otherwise. Albums and courses you buy outright are one-time purchases, not subscriptions. Streaming in the feed stays free and is never gated by a membership.
HEARD provides software that connects buyers and sellers. Every sale, license, booking, ticket, course enrollment, or tip on HEARD is a direct transaction between the buyer and the seller. HEARD is not a party to that transaction, does not negotiate price or scope, does not guarantee delivery, performance, fitness for purpose, or quality, and does not warrant the legality of any item sold. Once funds reach the seller's connected Stripe account, the seller assumes full responsibility for fulfillment and for the underlying goods or services.
By listing anything on HEARD, the seller represents and warrants that they own or have all rights to sell it, that they will honor the listing as described, that they will comply with all applicable tax, consumer-protection, intellectual-property, and event-permit laws, and that they will resolve any dispute with the buyer directly. The seller agrees to indemnify and hold HEARD harmless from any claim arising out of the sale or the underlying goods or services, including refunds, chargebacks, fraud claims, copyright complaints, cancellation, no-shows, on-site incidents, and personal injury.
Live events, club nights, festivals, private events, ticketed shows, and any in-person engagement booked through HEARD are between the promoter, venue, artist, and attendees. HEARD does not produce these events, does not provide security or insurance, does not handle physical premises, and is not liable for any cancellation, rescheduling, injury, property damage, conduct, capacity issues, or regulatory enforcement. The promoter, venue, or booker is the merchant of record for ticket sales.
Buyers should attempt to resolve any issue with the seller first. Stripe's dispute and chargeback process is available for payments. HEARD will cooperate with reasonable requests for transaction records but does not arbitrate disputes between buyers and sellers and is not a party to refund decisions.
We can suspend or close an account that breaks these terms or the guidelines. You can delete your own account anytime from Settings.
Disputes with HEARD itself (the platform, not other users) must be raised by emailing legal@theheard.app first. You and HEARD agree to attempt good-faith resolution before formal legal action.
HEARD is provided as is, without warranty of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted by law, HEARD is not liable for: content posted by users; goods or services sold by users; events run by users; tax, copyright, or licensing decisions made by users; consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or punitive damages; lost profits; or lost revenue. HEARD's total aggregate liability to any user for any claim is capped at the greater of (a) the amount that user paid HEARD in platform fees over the prior twelve months, or (b) one hundred US dollars. This cap applies to every claim type, including negligence.
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold HEARD, its officers, directors, employees, and agents harmless from any claim, demand, loss, liability, or expense (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from: your content, your sales, your events, your bookings, your tax obligations, your violation of these terms, or your violation of any third-party right.
We may update these terms. Material changes get an in app notice 14 days before they take effect.
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and any dispute will be handled in the state or federal courts located in Delaware.