Acceptable Use Policy

Effective Date: August 1, 2025
Last Updated: August 10, 2025

1. Introduction

This Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) governs the use of Spirit Collective’s platform and services by all users, including members, vendors, instructors, and visitors. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to comply with this policy.

Spirit Collective reserves the right to modify this AUP at any time. Violations may result in warnings, suspension, or permanent termination of your account.

2. Prohibited Products and Services

Vendors and instructors may NOT offer, sell, or promote:

2.1 Illegal Items

• Any products or services illegal under local, state, or federal law
• Controlled substances, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia
• Prescription medications or unauthorized pharmaceuticals
• Stolen goods or items encouraging illegal activity

2.2 Weapons and Dangerous Items

• Firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories
• Explosives, fireworks, or explosive materials
• Knives, brass knuckles, or other weapons
• Instructions for creating weapons or explosives

2.3 Regulated Substances

• Tobacco products, e-cigarettes, vaping products, or nicotine delivery systems
• Alcohol (without proper licensing and age verification)
• Cannabis/marijuana products (including CBD – pending policy review)

2.4 Adult and Inappropriate Content

• Pornographic or sexually explicit materials
• Services of a sexual nature
• Content that sexualizes minors in any way

2.5 Harmful or Deceptive Items

• Counterfeit or replica products
• Products making unsubstantiated health claims
• Pyramid schemes, MLM recruitment, or “get rich quick” schemes
• Malware, viruses, or hacking tools/services

2.6 Financial and Gambling

• Unauthorized financial services or credit repair
• Cryptocurrency schemes or unregistered securities
• Gambling services or lottery tickets
• Payday loans or cash advances

2.7 Other Prohibited Items

• Human parts or remains
• Endangered species products
• Recalled items or products violating safety standards
• Items promoting hate, violence, or discrimination
• Stolen intellectual property or pirated content

3. Prohibited Activities

Users may NOT engage in:

3.1 Fraudulent Behavior

• Misrepresentation of identity, products, or services
• Creating fake reviews or manipulating ratings
• Price manipulation or false advertising
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions
• Transaction manipulation or payment fraud

3.2 Harassment and Harm

• Harassment, bullying, or threatening behavior
• Doxxing or sharing others’ private information
• Hate speech or discrimination based on protected characteristics
• Encouraging self-harm or violence

3.3 Platform Abuse

• Circumventing platform fees or payment systems
• Spam or unsolicited commercial messages
• Automated bots or scripts without permission
• Attempting to hack or compromise platform security
• Scraping data without authorization

3.4 Intellectual Property Violations

• Copyright infringement
• Trademark violations
• Selling counterfeit goods
• Unauthorized use of others’ content or images

3.5 Minor Safety Violations

• Adults attempting inappropriate contact with minors
• Minors under 13 creating accounts
• Vendors under 18 operating without parental consent

4. Vendor-Specific Requirements

All vendors and instructors must:

• Provide accurate business information
• Maintain accurate product descriptions and pricing
• Honor their stated refund and return policies
• Respond to customer inquiries within reasonable timeframes
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Not engage in unfair competition or market manipulation

5. Detection and Monitoring

Spirit Collective employs various methods to detect violations:

5.1 Automated Detection

• Keyword filtering for prohibited items and services
• Image recognition for inappropriate content
• Price monitoring for unusual patterns or underpricing
• Behavioral analysis for suspicious account activity

5.2 Manual Review

• User reports via “Report” buttons on listings and profiles
• Random audits of vendor listings and content
• New vendor screening during onboarding
• Transaction monitoring for unusual patterns

5.3 Community Reporting

Users can report violations through:

• Report buttons on all listings and profiles
• Direct email to: report@thespiritcollective.net
• Customer support channels

6. Enforcement and Consequences

6.1 Three-Strike System

For most violations, we employ a progressive discipline approach:

First Violation:

• Written warning via email
• Required acknowledgment of policy
• Removal of violating content

Second Violation:

• 7-30 day suspension (depending on severity)
• Required completion of policy review
• Possible restrictions on account features

Third Violation:

• Permanent account termination
• Forfeiture of pending payments
• Ban on creating new accounts

6.2 Immediate Termination

Certain severe violations result in immediate termination without warning:

• Child safety violations
• Selling illegal items or services
• Fraud or payment manipulation
• Repeated copyright/trademark violations
• Creating accounts after being banned

6.3 Vendor-Specific Consequences

• Removal from search results
• Demotion in marketplace rankings
• Hold on pending payments during investigation
• Requirement to provide additional verification

7. Appeals Process

Users may appeal enforcement actions by:

1. Submitting an appeal within 30 days to: appeals@thespiritcollective.net
2. Providing detailed explanation and any supporting evidence
3. Awaiting review (typically 5-7 business days)

Appeals are limited to one per enforcement action. Decisions on severe violations (child safety, illegal items) are final.

8. Data Retention

For banned vendors:

• Content archived for 30 days for buyer protection
• Transaction records retained per legal requirements
• Personal data handled per our Privacy Policy

9. Reporting Intellectual Property Violations

To report IP violations, submit:

• Identification of the copyrighted work or trademark
• URL of the infringing content
• Your contact information
• Statement of good faith belief
• Statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury
• Physical or electronic signature

Send to: team@thespiritcollective.net

10. Payment Processing

Violations related to payment processing include:

• Chargebacks exceeding 1% of transactions
• Fraudulent transactions
• Money laundering or financial crimes
• Circumventing platform payment systems

These violations may result in immediate suspension and reporting to authorities.

11. Geographic Restrictions

Certain products/services may have geographic restrictions. Vendors must:

• Comply with local laws in buyer’s jurisdiction
• Clearly state any shipping or service restrictions
• Verify age and location for regulated items

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this AUP at any time. Significant changes will be notified via:

• Email to registered users
• Platform notifications
• 30-day notice for material changes affecting vendors

Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

13. Integration with Other Policies

This AUP works in conjunction with our:

• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Community Guidelines
• Vendor Agreement

In case of conflict, the most restrictive provision applies.

14. Contact Information

For questions about this policy:

• Email: team@thespiritcollective.net

For reporting violations:

• Email: team@thespiritcollective.net
• Use “Report” buttons throughout the platform

15. Severability

If any provision of this AUP is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force.

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By using Spirit Collective, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Acceptable Use Policy.