last updated: july 2025

hey there! welcome to thesmallmediacompany. 

these terms & conditions (let's call them "terms") are important. they're the agreement between you and us about how you can use our services.

we've tried to make them readable, but they're still a legal document. grab a coffee and let's go through this together.

1. who we are & what this covers

we're thesmallmediacompany s.r.l., an italian company based in milan (via martiri oscuri 16, 20125). we create content, ai experiences, and tools to help people realign with themselves.

these terms cover:

• our website (www.thesmallmediacompany.com)

• all our content (books, videos, podcasts, articles)

• ai conversational agents

• membership areas and premium content

• newsletters and communications

• social media presence and content

• mobile apps (when we create them)

• any future services we create
  

by using any of these, you're agreeing to these terms. if you don't agree, we'll miss you, but please don't use our services.

important note for global users: if you are accessing from outside the eu, local laws may apply. we strive to comply globally, but your jurisdiction may provide additional rights.

2. the basics - eligibility & accounts

2.1 age requirement

you must be at least 18 years old to use our services. we create content about personal growth and transformation that's designed for adults. if you're under 18, come back when you're older - we'll still be here.

2.2 creating an account

for some features (like membership areas or ai agents), you'll need an account:

• use real, accurate information

• keep your password secret (seriously, not even your best friend)

• you're responsible for everything that happens with your account

• one person, one account (no sharing)

• notify us immediately if someone hacks your account

2.3 types of accounts

• free users: access to public content, basic features

• newsletter subscribers: get our emails (you can unsubscribe anytime)

• members: access to premium content, full ai features, exclusive materials

• future tiers: we might add more options as we grow

3. our content - intellectual property

3.1 what's ours

everything we create is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws:

• all written content (articles, books, newsletters)

• videos and podcasts

• ai agent personalities and responses

• design, logos, and branding

• code and technical implementations

• course materials and educational content

"thesmallmediacompany" and our logo are our trademarks. don't use them without permission.

3.2 what you can do with our content

• read, watch, listen for personal use

• share links to our content (not the content itself)

• quote small portions with proper attribution

• use our tools as intended

• learn, grow, and transform (that's why we're here!)

3.3 what you cannot do

• copy, reproduce, or distribute our content

• sell or monetize our materials

• create derivative works without permission

• remove copyright notices

• use our content to train ai models

• pretend our content is yours

• use our content for illegal purposes

• create deepfakes or misleading ai-generated content using our materials

• use ai to impersonate us or our agents

3.4 enforcement

we take intellectual property seriously. violations may result in:

• account termination

• legal action

• bad karma (kidding, but really, don't do it)

3.5 future collaborations

we may occasionally:

• license content to partners

• create co-branded experiences

• collaborate with other creators

• open-source certain tools

we'll always maintain quality and align with our values.

4. your content - what you share with us

4.1 user-generated content

when you share content with us (comments, forum posts, ai conversations), you:

• keep ownership of your content

• grant us a license to use it for our services

• promise it's yours to share

• understand it might be visible to others (depending on context)

• accept we might moderate or remove inappropriate content

4.2 ai conversations

your interactions with our ai agents:

• are processed to provide responses

• may be stored to improve the service (anonymized)

• remain private unless you choose to share them

• can be deleted upon request

• should not include sensitive personal information

• may inspire new features or content (always anonymized)

• could be used for research (with consent and anonymization)

4.3 feedback and ideas

we love hearing from you! but legally:

• ideas you share voluntarily aren't confidential

• we might independently develop similar ideas

• you won't be compensated for suggestions

• but we'll always appreciate your input

4.4 ai-assisted content creation

if we provide tools for you to create content:

• you own what you create (within legal bounds)

• you grant us license to host/display it

• you're responsible for your creations

• don't violate others' rights

• we may showcase great examples (with permission)

• ai-generated doesn't mean copyright-free

4.5 content localization & translation rights

to break down language barriers and serve our global community:

• all our content may be translated, dubbed, or localized using ai tools

• this includes text, audio, video, and any future formats

• translations may be automatic or human-reviewed

• original meaning preserved, cultural adaptation allowed

for external contributors (guests, collaborators, user submissions):

• you grant us worldwide rights to translate/dub your contributions

• this includes ai voice cloning for natural-sounding translations

• attribution remains but in localized format

• opt-out only via written agreement before contribution

• we respect cultural sensitivities in adaptation

our promise: making content accessible globally while respecting original intent.

5. membership & premium content

5.1 membership benefits

members get:

• access to exclusive content

• full ai agent features

• early access to new releases

• member-only events/workshops

• downloadable resources

• ad-free experience (if we ever have ads)

5.2 membership rules

• memberships are personal (no sharing logins)

• content is for your use only

• downloading for offline personal use is ok

• sharing downloaded content is not ok

• respect the community guidelines

5.3 billing

• prices are in euros (€) unless stated otherwise

• payment is processed by secure third parties

• billing cycles are clearly stated at signup

• taxes may apply based on your location

• price changes will be announced 30 days in advance

5.4 refunds

we want you happy, so:

• 14-day cooling-off period for eu residents

• pro-rated refunds for annual plans within 30 days

• no refunds for monthly plans after 7 days

• no refunds for downloaded content

• contact us for exceptional circumstances

6. ai conversational agents

6.1 what they are

our ai agents are designed for various purposes:

• personalized conversations and support

• creative collaboration and brainstorming

• educational interactions

• entertainment and engagement

• exploration of ideas and concepts

• assistance with specific tasks

• and whatever creative use you find (within legal bounds)

6.2 what they're not

• not therapists or medical professionals

• not a replacement for professional help

• not infallible (they can make mistakes - like humans but less frequently)

• not human (even if they seem like it)

6.3 your responsibilities

when using ai agents:

• don't try to hack or break them

• don't use them for illegal purposes

• don't share other people's personal info

• don't rely on them for critical decisions

• use them as tools for growth, not crutches

• respect their evolving capabilities

• understand features may change as ai technology advances

6.4 data and privacy

• conversations are processed in real-time

• we store data as outlined in our privacy policy

• you can request deletion of your conversations

• we don't share your conversations with others

• we use leading ai platforms with strong security

7. prohibited uses

don't use our services to:

• break any laws

• harm or harass others

• spread malware or viruses

• spam or send unsolicited messages

• impersonate others

• scrape or data mine

• interfere with our systems

• violate others' rights

• promote discrimination or hate

• do anything sketchy or unethical

basically: be a good human. if you wouldn't do it in real life, don't do it here.

8. payment terms

8.1 payment processing

• we use secure payment providers (stripe, paypal, squarespace)

• we don't store your credit card details

• recurring payments are clearly marked

• you can update payment methods in your account

• failed payments may result in service suspension

8.2 currencies and taxes

• primary currency is eur (€)

• other currencies converted at current rates

• you're responsible for your local taxes

• eu customers: vat included as required

• business customers: provide vat number for exemption

8.3 disputes

• check your bank first for payment issues

• contact us within 60 days of any billing error

• we'll investigate and respond within 30 days

• chargebacks without contacting us first may result in account termination

9. disclaimers and limitations

9.1 "as is" services

our services are provided "as is" without warranties. we do our best, but:

• we can't guarantee uninterrupted service

• content might have errors (we're human)

• ai responses aren't always perfect (like humans but less error-prone)

• external links might break

• results from our content vary by person

9.2 limitation of liability

to the maximum extent permitted by law:

• we're not liable for indirect damages

• our total liability is limited to what you paid us in the last 12 months

• we're not responsible for your decisions based on our content

• we're not liable for third-party actions

9.3 indemnification

you agree to defend us from claims arising from:

• your use of our services

• your content

• your violation of these terms

• your violation of others' rights

9.4 third-party services disclaimer

we integrate with amazing third parties, but we can't control them:

• book retailers (amazon, apple, kobo): if your order is late, damaged, or lost, that's between you and them. we'll try to help but can't guarantee resolution

• ai providers (openai, anthropic, google, meta): if their services go down or act weird, we can't fix it. we'll switch to backups when possible

• payment processors (stripe, paypal, squarespace): payment issues, refunds, and chargebacks follow their rules. we'll advocate for you but can't override their decisions

• hosting & infrastructure: if squarespace, google, or others have outages, we're all waiting together

• social platforms: if youtube removes a video or instagram changes apis, we adapt but can't control it

what we will do:

• choose reliable partners carefully

• monitor for issues proactively

• help you navigate their support

• switch providers if they consistently fail

• be transparent about dependencies

what we can't do:

• guarantee their uptime or performance

• take responsibility for their mistakes

• force them to act differently

• offer refunds for their failures

• control their policies or changes

bottom line: we're your advocates but not insurers. when third parties fail, we'll help where we can, but the ultimate relationship is between you and them.

10. privacy and data protection

your privacy matters. see our privacy policy for details, but key points:

• we follow gdpr and other privacy laws

• we don't sell your data

• you have rights over your data

• we use cookies (see cookie policy)

• we're transparent about data use

• you can export your data in common formats

• we support data portability standards as they emerge

11. communications

11.1 how we'll contact you

• via email (primary method)

• through your account dashboard

• website notifications

• rarely, by phone (only if necessary)

11.2 marketing communications

• only if you've opted in

• unsubscribe anytime

• we don't spam

• we don't share your email

12. modifications and updates

12.1 to these terms

• we may update these terms

• significant changes: 30 days notice

• continued use = acceptance

• check the "last updated" date

• we'll email about major changes

12.2 to services

• we may add, modify, or discontinue features

• major changes will be announced

• we'll try to grandfather existing members when possible

• no guarantee all features will remain forever

13. termination

13.1 by you

you can leave anytime:

• delete your account in settings

• or email us to close it

• paid subscriptions: cancel before next billing

• content you've purchased remains accessible

• we'll miss you but respect your decision

13.2 by us

we may terminate accounts for:

• terms violations

• illegal activity

• non-payment

• extended inactivity (with notice)

• any reason with 30 days notice

13.3 effects of termination

• access to services stops

• licenses to use our content end

• your content may be deleted

• no refunds for current billing period

• some obligations survive (like confidentiality)

14. general legal stuff

14.1 governing law

• these terms are governed by italian law

• disputes resolved in milan courts

• except where local law requires otherwise

• we'll try mediation first

14.2 entire agreement

• these terms plus our policies = complete agreement

• supersedes all previous agreements

• no oral modifications

• if any part is invalid, the rest remains

14.3 assignment

• you can't transfer your rights

• we can transfer ours (but we'll tell you)

• this doesn't affect your statutory rights

14.4 force majeure

we're not liable for failures due to:

• natural disasters

• wars, terrorism

• pandemic restrictions

• internet outages beyond our control

• basically, acts of god or government

15. special terms for specific services

15.1 books and digital publications

• ebooks are for personal use only

• drm-free but still copyrighted

• no redistribution allowed

• updates/errata provided when available

15.2 events and workshops

• separate registration required

• no-shows forfeit fees

• recordings available to attendees only

• community guidelines apply

15.3 affiliate programs

if we create one:

• separate affiliate terms will apply

• honest promotion required

• no spam or misleading claims

• commissions as specified

15.4 podcast participation

if you're invited to participate in our podcasts:

• you grant us rights to record and distribute your contribution

• you retain ownership of your ideas but license them for the episode

• you can request certain parts be edited out before publication

• you won't be compensated unless agreed in writing

• you represent that your contributions are original

• you understand episodes may be distributed globally, forever

• you grant us rights to translate, dub, and localize your contribution using ai tools (current and future) for worldwide distribution in any language

• we'll credit you as agreed

• you can't use participation for endorsement without permission

15.5 future services

as we evolve, we may introduce:

• new content formats (vr, ar, whatever comes next)

• blockchain or web3 integrations

• api access for developers

• white-label solutions

• collaborative tools

• nfts or digital collectibles

• anything we dream up

these will be governed by these terms plus any service-specific terms. early adopters might get special deals - stay tuned!

15.6 digital ownership & nfts

if we explore digital ownership models:

• we'll be transparent about what ownership means

• utility and rights will be clearly defined

• no promises of financial returns

• environmental impact will be considered

• community benefit remains priority

15.7 cross-platform presence

our content and services may appear on:

• third-party platforms (medium, substack, etc.)

• social media (instagram, tiktok, youtube, etc.)

• partner websites

• educational platforms

• wherever our community needs us

same rules apply everywhere we show up.

15.8 beta features & experiments

we love trying new things:

• beta features are clearly marked

• they might break (that's why they're beta)

• feedback is especially welcome

• no guarantees they'll become permanent

• early access might be member-only

• "crazy things" products are experimental by nature

participate at your own (minimal) risk!

15.9 api & developer access

if/when we offer api access:

• separate developer terms will apply

• rate limits to ensure fair use

• api keys are your responsibility

• no scraping or overwhelming our servers

• build cool things but respect our users

• share what you create (we love seeing it)

15.10 community standards & moderation

if we create community features:

• be respectful and supportive

• no hate, harassment, or harm

• constructive feedback welcome

• help others on their journey

• moderators have final say

• repeated violations = removal

• community-driven standards will evolve

15.11 educational & institutional use

for schools, universities, or organizations:

• special licensing may be available

• bulk access can be arranged

• educational discounts possible

• proper attribution required

• no reselling our content as yours

• contact us for institutional needs

15.12 partnerships & integrations

we may partner with:

• other content creators

• technology platforms

• educational institutions

• wellness organizations

• anyone aligned with our mission

partner content will be clearly marked and quality-vetted.

16. dispute resolution

before lawyers get involved:

1. email us your concern

2. we'll respond within 10 business days

3. we'll try to work it out together

4. if needed, we'll try mediation

5. last resort: courts in milan

for eu residents: you can also use the eu online dispute resolution platform.

17. contact us

questions about these terms? we're here:

email: legal@thesmallmediacompany.com

address: thesmallmediacompany s.r.l.

via martiri oscuri 16 - 20125 milan, italy

for privacy: privacy@thesmallmediacompany.com

for support: support@thesmallmediacompany.com

18. future-proofing & evolution

18.1 technological changes

as technology evolves, so will we. these terms cover:

• new ai models and capabilities we adopt

• emerging platforms and distribution methods

• novel content formats not yet invented

• integration with future services

• whatever the metaverse becomes

18.2 regulatory adaptation

laws change, especially around ai and data. we commit to:

• staying compliant with new regulations

• updating terms as needed

• notifying you of significant changes

• grandfathering existing users when possible

• being transparent about adaptations

18.3 business model evolution

we may explore:

• new pricing models

• token-based systems

• community ownership structures

• decentralized elements

• partnership models

core promise: we'll always prioritize our community and mission over profit.

18.4 accessibility commitment

we're committed to making our content accessible to everyone:

• improving website accessibility over time

• offering content in multiple formats

• considering diverse needs in our design

• welcoming feedback on accessibility issues

• evolving with accessibility standards

18.5 global operations

serving the world from italy means:

• content primarily in english (for now)

• prices in eur but accepting global payments

• respecting local laws where you are

• cultural sensitivity in our content

• time zones are tricky - we're working on it

• translations coming as we grow

18.6 open source & community

we believe in giving back:

• some tools may be open-sourced

• community contributions welcomed

• proper attribution always given

• open source ≠ no rules

• contributing = agreeing to our license

• building together for everyone's benefit

18.7 environmental commitment

small company, mindful footprint:

• digital-first to reduce physical waste

• carbon-conscious hosting choices

• print-on-demand for physical products

• encouraging digital consumption

• offsetting when possible

• always looking for greener options

final thoughts…

we know this was long. thanks for reading it all. we created these terms to be fair and clear while protecting what we've built. our goal is simple: create amazing content and experiences that help people grow. these terms help us do that sustainably.

welcome to thesmallmediacompany. we're glad you're here.

let's create something meaningful together.