These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a binding agreement between you ("User", "you", or "your") and the operator of covers.cafe ("covers.cafe", "Service", "we", "us", or "our").
By accessing, registering for, submitting content to, or otherwise using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and all applicable policies incorporated herein.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE USE OF THE SERVICE.
1. Eligibility and Account Registration
1.1. You must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to access or use the Service. Users below the age of majority in their jurisdiction must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian where required by applicable law.
1.2. You represent that all information provided during registration and subsequent use of the Service is accurate and that you are legally permitted to use the Service.
1.3. You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for activity conducted through your account, except to the extent resulting from a security failure attributable to the Service.
1.4. Account sharing, impersonation, fraudulent registration, and attempts to evade previously imposed restrictions are prohibited.
1.5. We reserve the right to refuse registration, restrict account functionality, or terminate accounts in accordance with these Terms and applicable law.
2. Purpose and Nature of the Service
2.1. covers.cafe is a community-oriented platform intended primarily for the submission, discovery, and display of user-created, fan-made album cover artwork.
2.2. The Service distinguishes between two categories of artwork:
A. User-Submitted Artwork
Artwork submitted by users for hosting and display through covers.cafe. Such submissions are subject to our originality, intellectual property, metadata, and content requirements.
B. Official Album Artwork
Artwork associated with officially released music, displayed within a separately designated "Official" section.
Official album artwork in this section is referenced through external sources, including third-party music services such as Apple Music. These references are maintained as external resource links and are rendered for display through the Service.
The Service does not intentionally store original copies of these externally referenced images as user-uploaded artwork on its servers.
2.3. The presence of externally referenced artwork does not constitute a claim of ownership, authorship, sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation with the applicable artist, record label, distributor, or rights holder.
2.4. All intellectual property rights in externally referenced artwork remain with their respective owners.
2.5. The Service may remove, disable, or discontinue external artwork references at its discretion, including in response to rights-holder requests, third-party service restrictions, or applicable legal obligations.
2.6. Users may not use the availability of artwork in the Official section as justification for uploading unauthorized reproductions of the same material.
3. User-Submitted Content and Intellectual Property
3.1. By submitting artwork, images, descriptions, metadata, or other materials ("User Content"), you represent and warrant that:
- You created the submitted material or possess the necessary rights, permissions, or other lawful basis to submit it.
- Your submission does not unlawfully infringe third-party intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or other protected rights.
- Your submission complies with applicable law and these Terms.
- Your submission does not contain prohibited, deceptive, malicious, or otherwise unauthorized material.
3.2. Direct copies of commercially released album artwork are prohibited as user-submitted artwork, unless the submission has been expressly authorized by the Service and the user possesses the necessary rights or permissions.
3.3. The Service is intended to promote fan-created artwork, including original reinterpretations, alternative compositions, and transformative creative works. However, designation as "fan-made" does not automatically establish legal authorization or exemption from copyright law.
3.4. Merely resizing, cropping, recoloring, filtering, or making superficial modifications to existing copyrighted artwork does not automatically qualify a submission as permissible fan-created artwork under these Terms.
3.5. We reserve the right to reject or remove artwork that we reasonably determine violates these standards, regardless of whether a formal copyright complaint has been received.
3.6. You retain whatever ownership rights you lawfully hold in your User Content.
3.7. By submitting User Content, you grant covers.cafe a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, reproduce, process, resize, display, and distribute that content as reasonably necessary to operate, maintain, secure, and provide the Service.
3.8. This license terminates upon deletion of the relevant User Content, except where continued retention is reasonably necessary for legal compliance, dispute resolution, security, or existing authorized technical operations.
4. Album Year and Submission Requirements
4.1. All user-submitted album covers must be assigned a release year no earlier than 1900 and no later than one (1) calendar year after the current calendar year.
4.2. The permitted upper limit automatically advances with each calendar year. For example, during 2026, permissible years range from 1900 through 2027, inclusive.
4.3. Submissions outside this range are prohibited, regardless of whether the artwork depicts a fictional, historical, anticipated, or unreleased album.
4.4. Previously submitted artwork that does not comply with this requirement must be corrected by December 8, 2026.
4.5. Noncompliant submissions remaining after the deadline may be permanently deleted without additional individual notice.
4.6. We are not obligated to preserve, restore, or provide copies of content removed for violation of these requirements.
5. Metadata Accuracy and Search Integrity
5.1. All submitted metadata must accurately and reasonably describe the associated artwork.
5.2. Metadata includes, without limitation, artist names, album titles, release years, tags, categories, descriptions, and other searchable attributes.
5.3. The following conduct is prohibited:
- Knowingly assigning unrelated artist or album tags to increase visibility.
- Misrepresenting the subject, creator, origin, or classification of artwork.
- Repeatedly inserting popular search terms unrelated to the submission.
- Manipulating metadata to interfere with search relevance, rankings, or content discovery.
- Using misleading descriptions or categories to circumvent content restrictions.
5.4. For example, assigning a Taylor Swift tag to artwork relating exclusively to Ariana Grande for the purpose of increasing search exposure constitutes prohibited metadata manipulation.
5.5. The desire to obtain additional views, engagement, or visibility does not excuse inaccurate or deceptive metadata.
5.6. We may correct, remove, or restrict misleading metadata, remove affected submissions, or impose account-level sanctions.
5.7. Repeated or intentional violations may result in suspension or permanent termination of posting privileges.
6. Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to:
6.1. Upload unauthorized copies or reproductions of copyrighted commercial artwork.
6.2. Submit unlawful, exploitative, threatening, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise prohibited material.
6.3. Upload child sexual abuse material or other content involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
6.4. Engage in deceptive tagging, search manipulation, spam, or fraudulent activity.
6.5. Impersonate another individual, artist, organization, or rights holder.
6.6. Circumvent content moderation systems, account restrictions, suspensions, or access controls.
6.7. Access or attempt to access accounts, databases, systems, or information without authorization.
6.8. Distribute malware, malicious scripts, or other harmful software.
6.9. Scrape, harvest, or systematically extract Service content using automated tools without prior authorization, except where such restrictions are prohibited by applicable law.
6.10. Interfere with the security, stability, availability, or ordinary operation of the Service.
6.11. Abuse reporting systems, copyright complaint procedures, or other administrative processes through knowingly false or malicious submissions.
6.12. Use the Service in any manner that violates applicable law.
7. Content Moderation and Enforcement
7.1. covers.cafe retains editorial and administrative discretion over content displayed or hosted through the Service.
7.2. We may investigate suspected violations and take enforcement action where we reasonably determine that content or conduct violates these Terms, threatens the integrity of the Service, or creates legal or security risks.
7.3. Enforcement measures may include:
- Formal warnings.
- Metadata correction or removal.
- Content rejection, restriction, or deletion.
- Temporary posting restrictions.
- Extended posting suspensions, including suspensions of one year or longer.
- Permanent termination of posting privileges.
- Permanent account suspension or termination.
7.4. Enforcement measures need not follow a progressive disciplinary sequence. Serious violations may result in immediate suspension or termination without a prior warning.
7.5. We may consider the severity, frequency, intent, and consequences of a violation when determining appropriate enforcement measures.
7.6. We are not obligated to restore removed content or reverse enforcement decisions, except where required by applicable law.
7.7. Users may not create or use alternate accounts to circumvent restrictions imposed on another account.
7.8. Nothing in this section limits legally required notice, appeal, counter-notification, or other procedural rights.
8. Copyright Complaints and DMCA Compliance
8.1. covers.cafe respects applicable intellectual property law, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), 17 U.S.C. § 512.
8.2. The Service distinguishes between user-hosted submissions and externally referenced official artwork. Copyright complaints will be evaluated according to the nature of the material, the Service's involvement, and applicable legal requirements.
8.3. Externally referenced artwork is not represented as original artwork owned or hosted by covers.cafe. However, external sourcing does not necessarily eliminate potential copyright obligations or liability.
8.4. Rights holders who believe that material accessible through the Service infringes their rights may submit a written complaint to our designated copyright agent.
Designated DMCA Agent
Jacob Robison
MSTRJK ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
2100 Wickersham Ln Unit 3084
Austin, TX 78741
Telephone: 512-210-4341
Email: jakerobison17@gmail.com
8.5. Copyright infringement notifications must substantially comply with 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3), including:
- A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or authorized representative.
- Identification of the copyrighted work allegedly infringed.
- Identification of the material at issue and information reasonably sufficient to locate it.
- Sufficient contact information for the complaining party.
- A statement of good-faith belief that the disputed use is unauthorized by the rights holder, its representative, or applicable law.
- A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the complainant is authorized to act on behalf of the relevant rights holder and that the notification is accurate.
8.6. Upon receiving a substantially compliant notification, we will respond expeditiously as required by applicable law, including removing or disabling access to allegedly infringing material where appropriate.
8.7. We maintain a policy providing for termination, in appropriate circumstances, of users determined to be repeat infringers.
8.8. Users whose content has been removed due to a copyright notification may submit a counter-notification satisfying 17 U.S.C. § 512(g)(3), including the required signature, identification of removed material, statement under penalty of perjury, contact information, and jurisdictional consent.
8.9. Counter-notifications may be submitted to the designated copyright agent listed above. Where applicable, restoration procedures will follow statutory requirements.
8.10. Knowingly submitting materially false copyright complaints or counter-notifications may result in legal liability under applicable law.
8.11. Nothing in these Terms waives, restricts, or eliminates rights or obligations established under applicable copyright law.
9. Third-Party Services and External Content
9.1. The Service may display content, information, artwork, or links originating from third-party services, including music streaming platforms, databases, and content providers.
9.2. Such content may remain hosted on infrastructure controlled by its respective provider rather than covers.cafe.
9.3. covers.cafe does not claim ownership of third-party artwork merely because it is linked, indexed, embedded, or rendered through the Service.
9.4. Third-party trademarks, artist names, album titles, and artwork remain the property of their respective rights holders.
9.5. We do not guarantee the continued availability, accuracy, licensing status, or functionality of third-party resources.
9.6. Third-party providers may modify, restrict, or discontinue access to their resources independently of covers.cafe.
9.7. References to third-party products or services do not imply endorsement, affiliation, sponsorship, or authorization.
10. Account Suspension and Termination
10.1. We may suspend, restrict, or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms, suspected unlawful conduct, threats to platform security, or other legitimate operational reasons.
10.2. Enforcement may occur with or without advance notice, subject to applicable law.
10.3. Upon termination, your authorization to access the Service immediately ceases.
10.4. Content associated with terminated accounts may be removed or retained as reasonably necessary for legal compliance, enforcement records, security, or dispute resolution.
10.5. Account termination does not release you from liabilities or obligations arising before termination.
10.6. Provisions intended by their nature to survive termination, including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution, shall remain effective.
11. Disclaimer of Warranties
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY.
WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE FROM DATA LOSS, OR THAT CONTENT WILL REMAIN PERMANENTLY AVAILABLE.
WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY, LEGAL STATUS, OWNERSHIP, OR AUTHORIZATION OF USER-SUBMITTED OR THIRD-PARTY CONTENT.
NOTHING IN THESE TERMS EXCLUDES WARRANTIES OR RIGHTS THAT CANNOT LAWFULLY BE DISCLAIMED.
12. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, COVERS.CAFE AND ITS OPERATORS, AFFILIATES, REPRESENTATIVES, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE.
THIS INCLUDES LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, REVENUE, GOODWILL, CONTENT, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, OR ACCESS TO THE SERVICE.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF:
(A) TEN UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($10.00); OR
(B) THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU TO THE SERVICE DURING THE THREE (3) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.
THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL NOT APPLY WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
13. Indemnification
To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless covers.cafe and its operators, affiliates, and representatives from third-party claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, and reasonable legal expenses arising from:
- Content you submit or distribute through the Service.
- Your infringement or alleged infringement of third-party rights.
- Your unlawful conduct or material violation of these Terms.
- Your misuse of the Service.
This obligation does not extend to claims caused solely by the Service's own unlawful conduct or to liabilities that cannot legally be transferred to users.
14. Governing Law
14.1. These Terms and any dispute arising from or relating to the Service shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, United States of America, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except where superseded by applicable federal law or mandatory protections of another jurisdiction.
14.2. The parties designate Travis County, Texas, as the contractual location for dispute resolution under these Terms, subject to the arbitration provisions below and applicable law.
14.3. The Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA"), 9 U.S.C. §§ 1–16, shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of the arbitration agreement to the extent applicable.
15. Mandatory Binding Arbitration
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR ABILITY TO PURSUE CLAIMS IN COURT OR PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTIONS.
15.1. Agreement to Arbitrate
Except where arbitration is prohibited by applicable law, you and covers.cafe agree that disputes, claims, or controversies arising from or relating to these Terms, your account, submitted content, enforcement decisions, or use of the Service shall be resolved through final and binding individual arbitration rather than litigation in court.
15.2. Pre-Arbitration Resolution
Before initiating arbitration, the complaining party must provide written notice describing the dispute, the relevant facts, and the requested resolution.
Notices to covers.cafe must be submitted to mstrjk@mstrjk.com.
The parties shall have thirty (30) days following receipt of the notice to attempt resolution in good faith before commencing arbitration, unless immediate action is legally necessary.
15.3. Arbitration Procedure
Arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its applicable consumer or commercial arbitration rules, as determined by the nature of the dispute and the applicable rules.
The arbitration shall be conducted by one neutral arbitrator.
15.4. Arbitration Location
The designated arbitration location shall be Travis County, Texas.
Where required by applicable arbitration rules or law, eligible consumers may participate remotely or obtain another legally required hearing location.
15.5. Individual Proceedings
To the extent permitted by applicable law, arbitration shall proceed on an individual basis.
Neither party may consolidate claims or participate in class, collective, or representative arbitration without the consent of all affected parties, except where such restrictions are unenforceable.
15.6. Arbitration Fees
Filing fees, administrative costs, and arbitrator compensation shall be allocated in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules and mandatory law.
Nothing in this agreement requires a consumer to bear fees prohibited by applicable law or governing consumer arbitration standards.
15.7. Finality and Enforcement
The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding, subject to any review or challenge permitted by applicable law.
Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered by a court possessing jurisdiction.
15.8. Limited Judicial Proceedings
Nothing in this agreement prohibits judicial proceedings that applicable law expressly permits or requires, including proceedings to compel arbitration, enforce or challenge an arbitration award, or address claims that cannot legally be subjected to mandatory arbitration.
Such proceedings shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in Travis County, Texas, to the extent that venue is lawful and enforceable.
15.9. Severability
If any provision of this arbitration agreement is determined to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain effective to the maximum extent permitted by law, except where severance would materially alter the agreement to arbitrate.
16. Changes to These Terms
16.1. We reserve the right to revise, replace, or supplement these Terms to reflect operational, legal, technical, or policy changes.
16.2. Revised Terms will be published with an updated effective date.
16.3. Where changes materially affect user rights or obligations, we will make reasonable efforts to provide advance notice.
16.4. Continued use of the Service after revised Terms become effective constitutes acceptance to the extent permitted by applicable law.
16.5. Material changes to the arbitration agreement shall not automatically apply retroactively to disputes that arose before the revised agreement became effective.
16.6. If you do not agree to revised Terms, you must discontinue use of the Service.
17. General Provisions
17.1. Severability. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain effective to the extent permitted by law.
17.2. No Waiver. Failure to enforce a provision does not constitute a waiver of the right to enforce that provision later.
17.3. Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with applicable incorporated policies, constitute the agreement governing use of the Service.
17.4. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except where expressly provided, these Terms do not create enforceable rights for third parties.
17.5. Headings. Section headings are provided for convenience and do not alter the interpretation of these Terms.
18. Contact Information
For general inquiries, account matters, or questions concerning these Terms:
covers.cafe
Email: mstrjk@mstrjk.com