Artist Agreement

1. Artist Registration and Eligibility

1.1 Eligibility Requirements

To register as an Artist on PlugVerse, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal right to perform music, comedy, DJ sets, or other entertainment
• Provide accurate and truthful information in your profile
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction
• Have valid identification and tax documentation as required

1.2 Profile Requirements

Your artist profile must include:

• Accurate stage name or band name
• Valid contact information
• Truthful representation of your skills, experience, and capabilities
• Media samples that accurately represent your current performance quality
• Honest pricing that reflects your actual rates

1.3 Band and Group Accounts

If you register as a band or group, the account holder is responsible for ensuring all members comply with this Agreement. You must have authorization to represent the band and accept bookings on their behalf.

2. Booking and Performance Obligations

2.1 Gig Applications

When applying for gigs, you agree to:

• Only apply for gigs you are genuinely interested in and available for
• Provide accurate availability information
• Respond promptly to venue communications
• Honor any quoted prices unless explicitly renegotiated with the venue
• Withdraw applications if your circumstances change

2.2 Confirmed Bookings

Once a booking is confirmed, you agree to:

• Arrive at the venue on time as specified in the contract
• Perform for the agreed duration and set times
• Maintain professional conduct throughout the engagement
• Bring all necessary equipment as agreed upon
• Comply with venue rules and regulations
• Perform content appropriate for the venue and audience

2.3 Cancellation Policy

Canceling confirmed bookings can result in penalties including negative reviews, account restrictions, or removal from the platform. If you must cancel:

• Notify the venue immediately through the platform
• Provide as much notice as possible (minimum 48 hours recommended)
• Offer to help find a replacement if possible
• Accept any cancellation fees specified in the contract

2.4 No-Shows

Failing to appear for a confirmed booking without notice ("no-show") is a serious violation. No-shows may result in:

• Immediate account suspension or termination
• Forfeiture of any pending payments
• Liability for damages incurred by the venue
• Permanent ban from the platform

3. Payments and Financial Terms

3.1 Payment Processing

PlugVerse uses Stripe Connect to process artist payments. You must set up a valid Stripe Connect account before your first confirmed booking to receive payments through the platform. Before your first payout, you must complete a W-9 form (US persons) or W-8BEN form (non-US persons) through the Stripe Connect onboarding process. Payments are processed according to the terms of your Stripe agreement.

3.2 PlugVerse Fees

$0 booking fee. PlugVerse does not charge a platform fee, service fee, or commission on artist payouts for a gig booking. You receive the full agreed performance fee for every gig booked through PlugVerse. See the Pricing page for the latest tier breakdown. PlugVerse may introduce a small service fee on the Free tier in the future, with at least 30 days' notice; Pro subscribers will continue to receive the full agreed performance fee.

Optional value-added services that an artist may choose to use (such as instant payouts, banking products, capital advances, or premium subscription features) may carry their own fees, which will be clearly disclosed before you use them. PlugVerse reserves the right to offer such services and additional paid features in the future. Any such fees, if introduced, will be optional and clearly disclosed; they will not be retroactively applied as a tax on completed bookings. See the Pricing page for current subscription rates.

3.3 Payment Timeline

Payments are typically released within 24-48 hours after a gig is marked as complete by the venue. First-time payouts may take longer due to verification requirements.

3.4 Chargeback Clawback

If a payor (venue, organizer, or ticket purchaser) disputes a charge with their card issuer or bank and the payment processor (Stripe) rules against PlugVerse, the disputed funds are returned to the payor and PlugVerse bears the immediate loss. You agree that:

• Recovery from future payouts: PlugVerse may recover the full disputed amount from any pending or future payouts owed to you, including deducting from your available withdrawal balance until the debt is fully offset.
• Hold on pending payouts: PlugVerse may freeze any pending payouts associated with the disputed booking until the dispute is resolved.
• Dispute-handling fees: Reasonable administrative and processing fees incurred by PlugVerse in responding to the dispute may also be deducted.
• Defense obligation: You remain responsible for defending the underlying performance obligation. PlugVerse may request, and you agree to provide, evidence of performance (setlists, video, communications) within five business days of a dispute notification.

This clause survives termination of this Agreement with respect to any dispute arising from a gig performed under it.

3.5 Off-Platform (Self-Managed) Payments

Sections 3.1, 3.3, and 3.4 above apply to protected (on-platform) bookings processed through Stripe. A booking may instead be marked self-managed (off-platform) when both you and the payer agree to it before signing the contract. For a self-managed booking, you receive payment directly from the payer, outside PlugVerse. PlugVerse does not process, hold, escrow, or guarantee that payment, provides no payout timeline, and offers no chargeback protection or dispute resolution for it. Any payment dispute is solely between you and the payer. By signing a self-managed contract you acknowledge that the payment is not protected by PlugVerse, and you should only agree to it with a payer you trust.

3.5 Tax Responsibilities

You are solely responsible for all tax obligations arising from payments received through PlugVerse. This includes:

• Reporting all income to relevant tax authorities
• Paying all applicable federal, state, and local taxes
• Providing accurate tax information (W-9 or equivalent) when required
• Maintaining your own records of income and expenses

PlugVerse may be required to report payments to tax authorities and provide you with tax forms (e.g., 1099) if your annual earnings exceed applicable thresholds.

3.6 Independent Contractor Status

Artists are independent contractors, not employees of PlugVerse or the venues that book them. You are responsible for your own business expenses, insurance, equipment, and compliance with labor laws.

4. Content and Intellectual Property

4.1 Your Content

You retain ownership of all original music, performances, and creative content you create. By uploading content to PlugVerse, you grant us a limited license to display and promote your content solely for platform operations.

4.2 Performance Rights

You represent and warrant that:

• You have the right to perform all music in your sets (original or properly licensed)
• You comply with performance rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) requirements
• You will not perform copyrighted material without proper authorization
• Any cover songs performed are properly licensed by the venue

4.3 Media Uploads

All media (photos, videos, audio) you upload must be content you own or have rights to use. Do not upload copyrighted material without permission. Venues may record your performances as specified in your gig contract.

5. Professional Standards and Conduct

5.1 Professional Conduct

Artists must maintain professional standards including:

• Respectful communication with venues and other users
• Punctuality for all scheduled events and communications
• Professional appearance appropriate for the venue
• Sobriety during performances (unless otherwise agreed)
• Compliance with venue policies regarding conduct

5.2 Prohibited Activities

Artists are prohibited from:

• Using PlugVerse's protected (on-platform) payment to make a connection and then moving payment off-platform without both parties' agreement, in order to avoid value-added service fees (mutually electing self-managed/off-platform payment before signing is permitted. See Section 3.5)
• Misrepresenting skills, experience, or availability
• Soliciting users off-platform to evade PlugVerse's records or protections for a booking that originated on PlugVerse, where the parties did not mutually elect self-managed payment
• Engaging in discrimination or harassment
• Performing under the influence of drugs or excessive alcohol
• Damaging venue property or equipment

5.3 Reviews and Ratings

Venues may leave reviews and ratings after your performances. You may respond to reviews professionally. Do not attempt to manipulate ratings through fake reviews or intimidation.

Reliability Score: PlugVerse maintains an automated Reliability Score for each artist based on: gig completion rate, cancellation history, no-show incidents, and punctuality reports. Your score affects visibility in search results and eligibility for premium opportunities. View your score in your Artist Dashboard. To request human review of your score, contact legal@plugverse.app.

6. Insurance and Liability

6.1 Insurance Recommendations

We strongly recommend that artists maintain appropriate insurance coverage including:

• General liability insurance
• Equipment insurance for your gear
• Professional liability insurance

Some venues may require proof of insurance before confirming bookings.

6.2 Limitation of Liability

PlugVerse is not liable for any injuries, damages, or losses that occur during performances. You perform at venues at your own risk. PlugVerse does not provide insurance coverage for artists.

6.3 Equipment Responsibility

You are responsible for your own equipment. PlugVerse and venues are not responsible for theft, damage, or loss of your equipment unless explicitly agreed in writing.

6.4 Contract Non-Party Disclaimer

PlugVerse is not a party to any performance contract between you and a venue or organizer. All disputes regarding performance, payment terms, or contract obligations are between you and the other contracting party. PlugVerse assumes no liability for the performance or breach of any contract between users.

6.5 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless PlugVerse, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses arising from: (a) your breach of any contract with a venue or organizer; (b) your negligence or willful misconduct during performances; (c) disputes with venues, organizers, or other users regarding payment, performance, or contract terms.

7. Account Suspension and Termination

7.1 Grounds for Suspension

Your account may be suspended for:

• Repeated cancellations or no-shows
• Consistently negative reviews
• Violations of this Agreement or Terms of Service
• Fraudulent activity or misrepresentation
• Complaints from venues or other users

7.2 Termination

You may terminate your artist account at any time. You must fulfill all confirmed bookings before closing your account. PlugVerse may terminate accounts for serious or repeated violations with or without notice.

7.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Outstanding payments for completed gigs will still be processed
• Your profile will be removed from the platform
• You remain bound by any contracts entered into before termination
• Certain provisions of this Agreement survive termination

8. Bookings from Organizers

Artists may be booked by Organizers (including fraternity and sorority social chairs and other event planners) in addition to traditional Venues. All terms in this Agreement apply equally to bookings made by Organizers. By accepting a booking from an Organizer, you accept the same obligations as for any Venue booking.

9. Force Majeure

Neither Artist nor PlugVerse shall be liable for failure to perform obligations due to causes beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemic, government orders, venue destruction, or power and internet outages. Artists experiencing a force majeure event must notify affected venues and PlugVerse as soon as practicable.

10. Dispute Resolution

Disputes between artists and venues should first be addressed directly between the parties. If unresolved, either party may escalate to PlugVerse mediation through the platform's Resolution Center. PlugVerse's ruling is tiered by dispute value: for disputes under $500, the ruling is immediately binding and executed automatically; for disputes of $500 or more, the ruling is advisory. Either party has 14 days to file a written appeal through the platform, after which the ruling becomes binding automatically if no appeal is filed or resolved. Either party retains the right to pursue independent arbitration or litigation as provided in the Terms of Service.

For disputes with PlugVerse directly, please see the Dispute Resolution section in our Terms of Service.

Binding Arbitration: All disputes between you and PlugVerse (not disputes with other users) are subject to the binding arbitration provision in our Terms of Service, including the class action waiver and jury trial waiver. You have 30 days from the date you accept this Agreement to opt out of arbitration by emailing legal@plugverse.app.

11. Contact Information

For questions about this Artist Agreement, please contact us:

PlugVerse
Email: legal@plugverse.app
Address: 127 S Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (980) 272-1831