Terms & Conditions

2. Company Responsibilities

CanvasConnect is committed to providing a secure, reliable, and professional platform for artists and customers. Our responsibilities include:

2.1 Platform Operation & Maintenance

We are responsible for maintaining the technical infrastructure, security, and functionality of the CanvasConnect platform. We will make reasonable efforts to ensure the platform is available 24/7, though we do not guarantee uninterrupted access.

2.2 Artwork Display & Watermarking

CanvasConnect will display all artworks with watermarks on the public-facing platform to protect artists' intellectual property. Watermarked images will be used for:

• Homepage and gallery displays
• Search results and category pages
• Social media promotions and marketing materials
• Email newsletters and promotional campaigns

Only paying customers who complete a purchase will receive unwatermarked, high-resolution versions of the artwork for personal use or display.

2.3 Artist Attribution

We will always mention and credit the artist on every artwork listing, including:

• Artist's full name and profile link
• Artist's biography and statement (if provided)
• Artist's contact information (if artist opts in)
• Links to artist's social media profiles (if provided)

We will never claim ownership of any artwork or misrepresent the creator of any piece listed on our platform.

2.4 Payment Processing

We are responsible for securely processing all payments, collecting applicable commissions, and disbursing payments to artists according to our payment schedule. We use industry-standard payment processors and encryption to protect financial information.

2.5 Customer Support

We provide customer support to both artists and buyers through email, phone, and our support ticketing system. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 48 business hours.

2.6 Quality Control & Curation

We reserve the right to review and approve all artist applications and artwork submissions to maintain the quality and integrity of our marketplace. We may reject submissions that do not meet our standards or violate our content policies.

2.7 Marketing & Promotion

We will actively promote the platform and featured artworks through social media, email marketing, partnerships, and advertising campaigns. Artists may be featured in promotional materials with proper attribution.

2.8 Dispute Mediation

In the event of disputes between artists and customers, we will act as a neutral mediator to facilitate fair resolution. Our decisions in dispute cases are final and binding.

2.9 Data Protection

We are responsible for protecting user data in accordance with applicable data protection laws and our Privacy Policy. We will never sell or share personal information with third parties without consent.

2.10 Limitation of Liability

While we strive to provide excellent service, CanvasConnect is not responsible for:

• The quality, authenticity, or legality of artworks listed by artists
• Disputes between artists and customers regarding artwork condition or description
• Shipping delays or damage caused by third-party carriers
• Loss of data due to technical failures beyond our control
• Any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the platform

3. Artist Responsibilities

Artists who list their work on CanvasConnect agree to the following responsibilities and obligations:

3.1 Ownership & Authenticity

Artists must:

• Be the original creator and legal owner of all artworks submitted
• Have full rights to sell the artwork without infringing on any third-party rights
• Provide accurate and truthful descriptions of all artworks
• Guarantee that artworks are authentic and not copies or reproductions (unless explicitly stated)

3.2 Artwork Availability & Notification

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: Artists MUST immediately notify CanvasConnect if they sell an artwork through any other channel, platform, or in-person sale. This includes:

• Sales through other online marketplaces (Etsy, Saatchi Art, etc.)
• Direct sales to collectors or galleries
• Sales at art fairs, exhibitions, or studio visits
• Consignment sales through galleries or dealers
• Any other transaction that makes the artwork unavailable

Notification Process: Artists must email support@canvasconnect.com within 24 hours of an external sale with the artwork title and ID. Upon notification, CanvasConnect will immediately remove or mark the artwork as sold on the platform.

Consequences of Failure to Notify: If an artist fails to notify us and a customer purchases an unavailable artwork, the artist will be responsible for:

• Full refund to the customer
• Any transaction fees or penalties incurred
• Potential suspension or termination of their artist account
• Damage to their reputation on the platform

3.3 Accurate Listings

Artists must provide:

• High-quality, accurate photographs of artworks
• Correct dimensions, medium, and materials
• Honest condition reports
• Fair and reasonable pricing
• Detailed descriptions and stories behind the artwork

3.4 Order Fulfillment

When an artwork is sold, artists must:

• Acknowledge the order within 48 hours
• Professionally package the artwork to prevent damage
• Ship within 5-7 business days (unless otherwise agreed)
• Provide tracking information to CanvasConnect and the customer
• Ensure artwork arrives in the condition described

3.5 Commission Agreement

Artists agree to pay CanvasConnect a commission (typically 15-25%) on each sale. The commission rate is agreed upon during artist onboarding and clearly stated in the artist dashboard.

3.6 Professional Conduct

Artists must:

• Respond promptly to customer inquiries
• Maintain professional communication
• Honor all sales and agreements
• Not attempt to circumvent the platform by conducting off-platform transactions with customers met through CanvasConnect

3.7 Content Standards

Artists must not submit artwork that:

• Contains illegal, offensive, or explicit content
• Infringes on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property
• Promotes hate, violence, or discrimination
• Violates any applicable laws or regulations

3.8 Profile Maintenance

Artists should keep their profile information current, including:

• Biography and artist statement
• Contact information
• Payment details for receiving payouts
• Portfolio and featured works

4. Customer Responsibilities

Customers who purchase artwork through CanvasConnect agree to the following:

4.1 Account Information

Customers must:

• Provide accurate and complete personal information
• Maintain the security of their account credentials
• Update their information when necessary
• Not share account access with others

4.2 Payment Obligations

Customers agree to:

• Pay the full purchase price, including shipping and applicable taxes
• Use valid payment methods
• Not dispute legitimate charges
• Complete payment within the specified timeframe

4.3 Artwork Reception

Upon receiving artwork, customers must:

• Inspect the artwork immediately upon delivery
• Report any damage or discrepancies within 48 hours
• Photograph any damage for documentation
• Contact CanvasConnect support for resolution

4.4 Proper Use of Artwork

Customers who purchase artwork:

• Receive the physical artwork for personal display and enjoyment
• Do NOT receive copyright or reproduction rights (unless explicitly stated)
• May not reproduce, copy, or create derivative works
• May not use artwork for commercial purposes without artist permission
• Must credit the artist if sharing images on social media

4.5 Returns & Refunds

Customers may request returns only if:

• The artwork is significantly different from the description
• The artwork arrives damaged (with photo evidence)
• The artwork is not authentic or misrepresented

Return requests must be made within 7 days of delivery. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs unless the return is due to seller error or damage.

4.6 Communication

Customers should:

• Communicate respectfully with artists and CanvasConnect staff
• Provide clear and detailed information when reporting issues
• Respond promptly to inquiries regarding orders

4.7 Prohibited Activities

Customers must NOT:

• Attempt to contact artists to circumvent platform fees
• Use the platform for fraudulent purposes
• Resell artwork as original or misrepresent its provenance
• Harass artists or other users
• Abuse the return or refund policy

4.8 Reviews & Feedback

Customers are encouraged to leave honest reviews and ratings. Reviews must:

• Be based on actual purchase experience
• Be truthful and not defamatory
• Not contain offensive or inappropriate language
• Focus on the artwork and transaction, not personal attacks

5. Payment & Commissions

5.1 Commission Structure

CanvasConnect charges artists a commission on each successful sale. The standard commission rate ranges from 15% to 25%, depending on the artist's tier and agreement. The commission covers:

• Platform hosting and maintenance
• Payment processing
• Marketing and promotion
• Customer support
• Dispute resolution services

5.2 Artist Payouts

Artists receive their earnings (sale price minus commission) according to the following schedule:

• Payouts are processed monthly
• Minimum payout threshold: ETB 5,000
• Payment methods: Bank transfer, PayPal, or other agreed methods
• Artists are responsible for any fees charged by their payment provider

5.3 Customer Payments

Customers can pay using:

• Credit/Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
• PayPal
• Bank transfer (for high-value purchases)

All payments are processed securely through encrypted payment gateways. CanvasConnect does not store customer credit card information.

5.4 Refunds

Refunds are issued in the following circumstances:

• Artwork not as described
• Damaged during shipping (with proof)
• Artist unable to fulfill order
• Fraudulent transaction

Refunds are processed within 5-10 business days to the original payment method.

5.5 Taxes

Artists are responsible for reporting and paying taxes on their earnings. CanvasConnect may provide sales reports but does not provide tax advice. Customers may be charged applicable sales tax based on their location.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 Artist Copyrights

Artists retain full copyright and intellectual property rights to their artworks. By listing on CanvasConnect, artists grant us a limited, non-exclusive license to:

• Display artwork images (with watermarks) on the platform
• Use artwork images in marketing and promotional materials
• Share artwork on social media with proper attribution
• Create thumbnails and optimized versions for web display

This license terminates when the artist removes the artwork or closes their account.

6.2 Customer Rights

When customers purchase artwork, they receive:

• Ownership of the physical artwork
• Right to display the artwork privately or publicly
• Right to resell the physical artwork

Customers do NOT receive:

• Copyright or reproduction rights
• Right to create prints or copies
• Right to create derivative works
• Right to use artwork commercially

6.3 Platform Content

All content on the CanvasConnect platform, including logos, design, text, and software, is owned by CanvasConnect and protected by copyright and trademark laws.

7. Shipping & Returns

7.1 Shipping Responsibilities

Artists are responsible for:

• Securely packaging artwork
• Shipping within agreed timeframe
• Providing tracking information
• Insuring high-value items

7.2 Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on artwork size, weight, and destination. Customers pay shipping costs unless otherwise stated.

7.3 International Shipping

International orders may be subject to customs duties and import taxes, which are the customer's responsibility.

7.4 Return Policy

Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery if:

• Artwork is significantly different from description
• Artwork arrives damaged
• Wrong item was shipped

Artwork must be returned in original condition. Return shipping is customer's responsibility unless due to seller error.

8. Dispute Resolution

8.1 Mediation Process

In case of disputes, parties should first attempt to resolve the issue directly. If unsuccessful, CanvasConnect will mediate. Our decision is final and binding.

8.2 Arbitration

Any disputes that cannot be resolved through mediation will be settled through binding arbitration in accordance with Ethiopian law.

8.3 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Ethiopia. Any legal proceedings must be conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

9. Account Termination

9.1 Voluntary Termination

Users may close their accounts at any time by contacting support. Artists must fulfill all pending orders before closing their account.

9.2 Termination by CanvasConnect

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent activity
• Repeated customer complaints
• Failure to fulfill orders
• Abusive behavior

9.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• All active listings will be removed
• Pending orders must be completed
• Outstanding payments will be processed
• Access to the platform will be revoked

By using CanvasConnect, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

For questions or concerns, contact us at:
Email: support@canvasconnect.com
Phone: +251 910 836 355