Who we are
Welcome! This website and the Dot Star Media service is owned and operated by Dot Star Media Ltd, a company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 13019340 and whose registered address is 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU. You can contact Dot Star Media Ltd by email on hello@dotstar.media.
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF SERVICE CAREFULLY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, REMEDIES AND OBLIGATIONS. These terms should be read alongside, and in addition to, our privacy policy.
Website – terms and conditions
1. Introduction
These website terms and conditions apply between you, the User of this Website (including any sub-domains), and Dot Star Media Ltd; the owner and operator of this Website. Your agreement to comply with and be bound by these terms and conditions is deemed to occur upon your first use of the Website. If you do not agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, you should stop using the Website.
In these terms and conditions, User or Users means any third party that accesses the Website and is not either (i) employed by Dot Star Media Ltd and acting in the course of their employment or (ii) engaged as a consultant or otherwise providing services to Dot Star Media Ltd and accessing the Website in connection with the provision of such services.
2. Intellectual property and acceptable use
All Content included on the Website, unless uploaded by Users, is the property of Dot Star Media Ltd, our affiliates or other relevant third parties. In these terms and conditions, Content means any text, graphics, images, audio, video, software, data compilations, page layout, underlying code and software and any other form of information capable of being stored in a computer that appears on or forms part of this Website, including any such content uploaded by Users. By continuing to use the Website you acknowledge that such Content is protected by copyright, trademarks, database rights and other intellectual property rights. Nothing on this site shall be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right to use any trademark, logo or service mark displayed on the site without the owner’s prior written permission
You must not otherwise reproduce, modify, copy, distribute or use for commercial purposes any Content without the written permission of Dot Star Media Ltd.
3. Prohibited use
You may not use the Website for any of the following purposes:
- in any way which causes, or may cause, damage to the Website or interferes with any other person’s use or enjoyment of the Website;
- in any way which is harmful, unlawful, illegal, abusive, harassing, threatening or otherwise objectionable or in breach of any applicable law, regulation, or governmental order;
- making, transmitting or storing electronic copies of Content protected by copyright without the permission of the owner.
4. Links to other websites
This Website may contain links to other sites. Unless expressly stated, these sites are not under the control of Dot Star Media Ltd and we assume no responsibility for the content of such Websites and disclaim liability for any and all forms of loss or damage arising out of the use of them. The inclusion of a link to another site on this Website does not imply any endorsement of the sites themselves or of those in control of them.
Users may link to our site, provided it is done in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it. You must not establish a link that suggests any form of association, approval or endorsement on our part where none exists.
5. Privacy policy
Use of the Website is also governed by our privacy policy. By using this site you are giving us permission to use your personal information in the ways set out in our Privacy policy and you warrant that all data provided by you is accurate.
6. Availability of the Website and disclaimers
Any online facilities, tools, services or information that Dot Star Media Ltd makes available through the Website (the Service) is provided “as is” and on an “as available” basis. We give no warranty that Website will be free of defects and/or faults. To the maximum extent permitted by the law, we provide no warranties (express or implied) of fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy of information, compatibility and satisfactory quality. Dot Star Media Ltd is under no obligation to update information on the Website.
While Dot Star Media Ltd uses reasonable endeavours to ensure that the Website is secure and free of errors, viruses and other malware, we give no warranty or guarantee in that regard and all Users take responsibility for their own security, that of their personal details and their computers.
Dot Star Media Ltd accepts no liability for any disruption or non-availability of the Website. Dot Star Media Ltd also reserves the right to alter, suspend or discontinue any part (or the whole of) the Website including, but not limited to, any products and/or services available. These terms and conditions shall continue to apply to any modified version of the Website unless it is expressly stated otherwise.
7. Limitation of liability
Nothing in these terms and conditions will: (a) limit or exclude our or your liability for death or personal injury resulting from our or your negligence, as applicable; (b) limit or exclude our or your liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or (c) limit or exclude any of our or your liabilities in any way that is not permitted under applicable law.
We will not be liable to you in respect of any losses arising out of events beyond our reasonable control.
To the maximum extent permitted by law Dot Star Media Ltd accepts no liability for any of the following:
- any business losses, such as loss of profits, income, revenue, anticipated savings, business, contracts, goodwill or commercial opportunities;
- loss or corruption of any data, database or software;
- any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage.
8. General
You may not transfer any of your rights under these terms and conditions to any other person. We may transfer our rights under these terms and conditions where we reasonably believe your rights will not be affected.
These terms and conditions may be varied by us from time to time. Such revised terms will apply to the Website from the date of publication. Users should check the terms and conditions regularly to ensure familiarity with the then current version.
The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to these terms and conditions and no third party will have any right to enforce or rely on any provision of these terms and conditions.
If any court or competent authority finds that any provision of these terms and conditions (or part of any provision) is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision will, to the extent required, be deemed to be deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of these terms and conditions will not be affected.
Unless otherwise agreed, no delay, act or omission by a party in exercising any right or remedy will be deemed a waiver of that, or any other, right or remedy.
This website agreement shall be governed by and interpreted according to the law of England and Wales and all disputes arising under the Agreement (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts.
Service – terms and conditions
1. General
Dot Star Media Ltd provides delivery and access to media requests (the “Service”). The Service is available to submitters (“Submitters”) who may use the service to send media requests and to individuals and companies subscribing to our Service to receive media requests (“Subscribers”).
The Service is accessible through our website at www.dotstar.media and any other subdomains or websites through which Dot Star Media makes the Service available (collectively, the “Site”) and any applications for other devices and application program interfaces that may be developed from time to time (collectively, the “App”).
Dot Star Media provides you with access to the Site, the App and the Service subject to the following conditions. If you visit the Site, use the Service, or use any software or App provided by Dot Star Media, you acknowledge that you have read, and that you understand and agree to be bound by these terms of service (“Terms of Service”). If you accept or agree to these Terms of Service on behalf of a company or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that company or other legal entity to these Terms and, in such event, “you” and “your” will refer and apply to that company or other legal entity.
If you do not agree to these Terms of Service then you have no right to obtain information from or otherwise continue using the Site, App or Service. Failure to use the Site, App or Service in accordance with these Terms of Service may subject you to civil and criminal penalties.
2. The Service
Dot Star Media provides a service that monitors Twitter (and other social media services) for media requests from journalists working at established outlets. Requests are reviewed, classified, and passed onto subscribers – who can respond to the journalist. We also accept direct submission of media requests. We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the quality, accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the media requests. All requests and any other content published and/or distributed on our Site or Service is selected, set out, and published at our sole discretion.
The Service and Site may change from time to time, at our discretion. We may temporarily suspend the Service, or the Site, or any features or parts for maintenance or otherwise without liability to you.
3. Intellectual Property Rights
For the purpose of these Terms of Service, intellectual property rights are patents, utility models, copyright and neighbouring and related rights, rights to inventions, trade marks and service marks, business names and domain names, moral rights, goodwill and the right to sue for passing off or unfair competition, rights in designs, rights in computer software, database rights, rights to use, and protect the confidentiality of, confidential information (including know-how and trade secrets) and all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection which subsist or will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world (“IPRs”).
You acknowledge that, except for content sourced from submitters, Dot Star Media is the sole owner of all IPRs in the Site and the Service (including the underlying software) and all such rights are reserved, unless specifically granted in these Terms of Service.
Unless authorised in writing by Dot Star Media, you shall not, with regards to any content accessible from our Site or through the Service, do any of the acts restricted by copyright, as defined in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (“CDPA”), as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time and including all subordinate legislation made from time to time under the CDPA.
4. Registration and Use of Service (for Subscribers and Submitters)
Dot Star Media provides ‘business to business’ services. Subscribers and direct Submitters warrant that they are using the Site and Service for purposes related to their trade, business or profession.
To access our Site, App, and Service as, either a first-time Submitter or Subscriber, you are required to register on our Site with your full name and email address and create an account (“Dot Star Media Account”). You agree to provide us with current, accurate and complete information as part of your registration and you will inform us of any changes to ensure such information remains up to date. We will create a Dot Star Media account for you based upon the personal information you provide to us. You are responsible for safeguarding your account.
You acknowledge and agree not to: (a) do anything which would assist any unauthorised access or use of our Site or Service; (b) create accounts for the purpose of abusing the functionality of the Site or Service; (c) seek to pass yourself off as another user.
You agree that you take sole responsibility for any activities or actions under your Dot Star Media Account and you will notify us immediately if you become aware of any unauthorised use of your account.
We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your account and deny you access to the Site should you violate these Terms of Service, including providing inaccurate, fraudulent, not current, or incomplete information.
5. Free Trial
You may be offered a time-limited free trial of our subscription Service. There is no obligation to purchase our Services at the end of a free trial period. We will not take any payment information from you for the free trial, although you may choose to supply payment information in the customer payment portal during your free trial. You will be asked to provide your name and business email address before you can use the Service.
6. Subscription (for Subscribers only)
As a subscriber you will receive access to the Service and a stream of media request emails, notifications and alerts as determined by your subscription plan. You agree that any replies you make to requests delivered by the Service will be, to the best of your knowledge and understanding, appropriate and relevant responses to each individual media request.
When you subscribe to our Service to receive requests, you acknowledge that: your subscription may only be used by the named account holder and is not transferable; you may not transfer or assign your membership or the benefits of such membership; we reserve the right to monitor your usage of the Site and to terminate your subscription in case of any breach of these Terms of Service; and you will observe and comply with these Terms of Service.
Subscribers may add employees or staff of their company, business or organisation (“Business”) to their Dot Star Media Account who share the same business email domain and provided that they will ensure compliance and take responsibility for any breach of these Terms of Service (and any other policy or agreement in force between Dot Star Media and themselves).
Your subscription will begin on the date we send an email confirming that we received your payment and that your subscription has been activated. The minimum subscription period is one month, payable in advance. Subscriptions may be started or stopped, upgraded or downgraded by the account administrator(s) using the customer portal on the Site. Subscription fees are non-refundable. In the event of payment failures Dot Star Media reserves the right to limit your access to the Service.
We reserve the right to accept or refuse requests for subscription at our discretion.
6. Renewal (applies to Subscribers)
Our subscription packages are rolling monthly subscription plans, unless otherwise agreed with us. We will use the nominated card details provided by you to collect recurring payments for a subscription. Starting a subscription initiates a continuous payment authority and, unless you cancel your subscription in accordance with paragraph 10 (Termination), your subscription will automatically renew each month.
8. Changes to subscription fees (applies to Subscribers)
We reserve the right to change the subscription fee from time to time. We will contact the account administrator by email giving you 31 days’ notice (“Notice Period”) of any change in subscription fees before they take effect. Unless you cancel your subscription prior to the expiration of the Notice Period, your continued use of our Service or Site constitute your acceptance of these changes. The payment card we have on record for you will be used to collect the new subscription fee. If you do not agree to any fee changes, then you must cancel, or downgrade, your subscription. Cancellations or changes to subscriptions can be made by account administrators using the customer portal on the Site, or by contacting us on hello@dotstar.media, prior to the expiration of the Notice Period.
9. Taxes (applies to Subscribers)
Dot Star Media subscription fees are quoted exclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT). VAT will be added to subscription fees at the prevailing rate in the United Kingdom.
10. Termination (applies to Subscribers)
Without prejudice to its other rights and remedies, either party may terminate these Terms of Service on giving not less than 31 days’ written notice to terminate to the other party.
Either party may terminate these Terms of Service, upon notice, if an effective resolution is passed for the winding up of the other party (other than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction) or if the other party:
- materially breaches these Terms and the breach remains unremedied thirty-one (31) days after the date the breaching party receives a notice from the other party describing the breach and requiring it to be cured;
- materially breaches the Terms and the breach is incapable of being cured;
- enters into a composition with its creditors;
- receives a court order for its winding up;
- has a receiver, manager, administrative receiver or administrator appointed with respect to it;
- ceases to be able to pay its debts as they fall due; or
- takes or suffers any action similar to any of the above in any jurisdiction.
Dot Star Media may also give Subscribers immediate notice to terminate the Service in whole or in part, or modify it or the terms on which it is provided, if all or part of the Service: becomes illegal or contrary to any law, regulation, guideline or request of any regulatory authority; or becomes subject to a claim or potential claim that it infringes or violates the rights of any third party.
Termination of all or any part of this Client Terms will not affect a party’s respective accrued rights and obligations. Clauses: 3, 12 to 16 along with any others that by their nature should survive will survive termination.
Notwithstanding the above, the Subscriber’s account administrator is free to stop (and restart) a Subscription by visiting the customer payment portal on the Site, whenever they like. Terminated subscriptions will continue to the end of their current monthly payment cycle at which time Service access and delivery will end.
11. Submitters (applies to sending requests)
When sending a media request using the Service you grant Dot Star Media a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable licence to use, copy, reproduce, process, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, display and distribute your media request, in part or in full, in any media or distribution methods for the purpose of the Service. You agree that this licence includes the right for Dot Star Media to provide, promote, and improve the Service and to make your media requests available to other companies, organisations or individuals for the syndication, broadcast, distribution, promotion or publication of such media requests on other media and services, subject to these Terms of Service as adopted from time to time. You represent and warrant that you have all the rights, power and authority necessary to grant the rights granted herein to any media requests that you submit. We reserve the right to not distribute Submitter requests without prior notice, at our sole discretion, and without liability to you.
12. Misuse
You agree not to misuse our Service. In particular, you may not do any of the following while accessing or using the Site or the Service:
- systematically forward or copy all or any part of Dot Star Media alerts, emails and notifications to third parties.
- access, tamper with, or use non-public areas of the Service, Dot Star Media’s computer systems, or the technical systems of Dot Star Media’s providers;
- probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of any system or network or breach or circumvent any security or authentication measures;
- access or search or attempt to access or search the Service by any means (automated or otherwise).
- forge any part of the header information in any email or posting, or in any way use the Service to send altered, deceptive or false information;
- interfere with, or disrupt, or attempt to do so, the access of any Subscriber, host or network, including, without limitation, sending a virus, overloading, flooding, spamming, mail-bombing the Service, or by scripting the creation of Content in such a manner as to interfere with or create an undue burden on the Service.
13. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age to use this Service. By using the Service, as either a Subscriber or Submitter and agreeing to these terms and conditions, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age.
14. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Dot Star Media disclaims all express and implied warranties with regard to the information, services, and materials contained on this website. All information and services are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Dot Star Media shall not be responsible for your use of any information and is not responsible for any errors, omissions or out of date information.
Dot Star Media further accepts no responsibility or liability for, and makes no warranties, that this Site and the Service will be uninterrupted or error-free or that defects will be corrected or that this website or the server that makes it available is free of any virus or other harmful elements. Dot Star Media is not responsible for any disruption to the Site or Service or loss or corruption of any information whilst using the Service. Dot Star Media also disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, reliability, operability or availability of information accessed through the Service.
Note that some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusions of implied warranties so some or all of the above exclusions may not apply to you.
Dot Star Media’s liability under these Terms of Service, in tort or otherwise arising out of or in connection with these Terms of Service shall not in aggregate exceed the fees paid by a Subscriber for the Service.
Nothing in these Terms of Service shall exclude or in any way limit Dot Star Media’s liability for fraud, death, and personal injury arising out of its negligence.
15. Miscellaneous
Due in part to its automated nature the Service may expose you to content that you find offensive, objectionable, or unpleasant. You may contact us to inform us of content that you object to. We will investigate any complaints and violations of our policies and take any action that we deem acceptable. In our experience interpretations of events and their meaning can vary and we reserve the right to decide what action we take in response, or otherwise.
We may revise these Terms of Service from time to time. The changes will not be retroactive, and the most current version of these Terms of Service will govern our relationship with you. We will attempt to notify you of material revisions using the email address associated with the account administrator on your Dot Star Media account. By continuing to access or use the Site or the Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised Terms of Service.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to confer on a person any right to enforce any term of this Agreement which that person would not have but for the Rights of Third Parties as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time and including all subordinate legislation made from time to time under the The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. The parties may by agreement extinguish or vary any of the provisions in this Agreement without the consent of any third party and section 2 (l) of the Rights of Third Parties shall not apply.
If any provision or part-provision of these Terms is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision under this clause shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this agreement.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to, or shall be deemed to, establish any partnership or joint venture between any of the parties, constitute any party the agent of another party, or authorise any party to make or enter into any commitments for or on behalf of any other party. Each party confirms it is acting on its own behalf and not for the benefit of any other person.
16. Jurisdiction
These Terms of Service and the use of the Site and of the Service and any dispute or claim arising out of, or in connection with, it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute relating to these Terms of Service and/or the use of the Service.
August 2023