Rory Terms of Service

Last Updated: September 8, 2026
Effective Date: September 8, 2026
Entity: Rory LLC ("Rory", "we", "us", or "our")
Contact: [email protected]
Websites & Services: joinrory.com, app.joinrory.com, rory.page, rorypay.com, and associated software, APIs, and mobile experiences (collectively, the "Services").

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF SERVICE CAREFULLY. THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT PROVISIONS GOVERNING YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, CLASS ACTION WAIVER, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT, PURCHASING COINS, SUPPORTING A CREATOR, OR OTHERWISE USING THE SERVICES, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS.

1. Structure of the Services & Eligibility

1.1 Account Roles

Rory provides a creator engagement and support platform that enables fans to support online creators through one-time payments, subscriptions, and virtual goods. The platform operates on two distinct account roles:

• Fan Accounts: Enable consumers to purchase virtual Rory Coins, support creators with tips, join recurring tiers, and send direct messages to creators.
• Creator Accounts: Enable verified creators to host custom profile pages, publish pay links, receive tips and recurring contributions, and disburse cleared USD earnings.

An account may hold only one role at any time. A creator account cannot purchase coins or tip from creator balances. A fan account cannot receive creator payouts.

1.2 Age Eligibility & Minors (COPPA Compliance)

The Services are intended solely for individuals who are at least thirteen (13) years of age (or sixteen (16) years of age in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom). If you are between 13 and 18 years old (or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction of residence), you represent and warrant that you possess the express consent and supervision of your parent or legal guardian who has reviewed and agreed to these Terms on your behalf.

Creator accounts and creator USD disbursements are strictly restricted to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age (or the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction) and fully capable of entering into legally binding contracts. Rory does not knowingly collect personal data from or offer services to children under the age of 13 in strict compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

2. Virtual Goods & Rory Coins

2.1 Limited License Only

Rory Coins are digital virtual goods provided solely for amusement, engagement, and creator support within the Services. When you acquire Rory Coins, you receive a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to use Rory Coins exclusively within the Services. You do not own Rory Coins, and you possess no property, monetary, or equity interest in them.

2.2 Strict Prohibition on Cash-Outs & Transfers

RORY COINS HAVE NO CASH VALUE. FANS CANNOT CASH OUT, WITHDRAW, REDEEM, CONVERT, OR EXCHANGE RORY COINS FOR REAL CURRENCY, LEGAL TENDER, MONETARY INSTRUMENTS, OR STORED VALUE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Rory Coins are not stored value, an electronic money account, a bank deposit, or cash equivalents. Unused coins remain on the fan's virtual ledger. Coins may not be traded, sold, bartered, or transferred between fan accounts or outside the platform. Any attempted transfer, sale, or cash-out of coins is strictly prohibited, void ab initio, and constitutes a material breach of these Terms resulting in immediate account termination.

2.3 Payout Rail Isolation

Rory Coins never travel to payout processors, banks, or disbursement services (such as Hyperwallet, PayPal, or Venmo). Payout rails interface solely with creator USD disbursements.

3. Append-Only Financial Ledger & Accounting

All transactions on Rory—including coin credits, coin spends, platform fees, and creator earnings—are recorded in an immutable, append-only cryptographic ledger.

• Balance Definition: Account balances (both fan virtual coin balances and creator USD earnings) are mathematically defined as the precise sum of all recorded credit and debit ledger entries (SUM(delta)).
• Immutability: Rory does not alter, modify, overwrite, or delete historical ledger records. Corrections are executed exclusively through subsequent compensating entries.
• Auditability: Every financial action requires an idempotency key to eliminate duplicate charges, double-spending, or conflicting state mutations.

4. Coin Purchases & Payments

4.1 Payment Processing

Fans purchase coin packages in United States Dollars (USD) through authorized payment gateways (including credit/debit card processors, PayPal, and Apple Pay where available). You represent and warrant that you are authorized to use the chosen payment method. All charges are billed immediately upon order submission.

4.2 Transparent Pricing & No Hidden Fees

Prices for Rory Coin packages are clearly displayed before purchase. Rory does not assess hidden surcharges or post-checkout handling fees.

4.3 Purchase Finality

All purchases of Rory Coins are final and non-refundable once coins are credited to the fan's account, except as expressly provided in our Refund and Cancellation Policy or required by mandatory consumer protection laws.

5. Creator Support, Tipping & Platform Fees

5.1 Spend Irrevocability

When a fan uses Rory Coins or guest USD to support a creator, purchase a digital extra, or pledge recurring support, that transaction is executed immediately and is final, irrevocable, and non-refundable.

5.2 Spend Mechanics & Creator Net Earnings

Upon spend completion:

1. The fan's account or coin balance is debited by the designated support amount or coin face value.
2. The applicable platform fee and payment processing costs are deducted in accordance with the prevailing fee schedule published on the Platform and in the Creator Dashboard (which may vary by transaction type, tiered support brackets, or account status).
3. The resulting net earnings are credited to the creator's ledger balance in USD cents. All calculations and ledger entries are executed automatically and recorded immutably.

5.3 Fan-to-Creator Communications

Tips may include optional text messages or voice notes. Creators may reply with audio voice thank-you notes. Messages containing hate speech, harassment, extortion, defamation, nudity, or unlawful material will result in content removal and account sanctions without refund.

6. Creator USD Payouts

6.1 Available Balance & Minimums

Creators may request disbursements of cleared USD balances to their connected bank account (via ACH/Plaid), PayPal account, or Venmo account. Payouts require an available cleared balance meeting the minimum threshold ($25.00 USD). This minimum payout threshold applies solely to creator earnings disbursements and does not restrict or determine the minimum amounts fans may contribute, tip, or spend to support creators (which are governed by individual creator stream settings and available coin packages).

6.2 Identity Verification & Tax Compliance (KYC/AML)

To comply with federal and state regulations, creators requesting USD payouts must satisfy Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and tax compliance verification through our identity partners (e.g., Plaid, Didit). We reserve the right to withhold payouts pending identity verification or where required by law (including Form 1099 reporting).

6.3 Disbursement Authorization

Creator payouts constitute disbursements of earned service income. A creator payout is never a refund or cash-out of fan coin purchases. Payouts may be delayed, suspended, or reversed in cases of suspected fraud, chargebacks, sanctions violations, or banking network failures.

6.4 Independent Contractor Status & Tax Responsibilities

Creators operate strictly as independent contractors and are not employees, partners, agents, or joint venturers of Rory LLC. Creators bear sole and exclusive responsibility for all federal, state, local, and international tax reporting, filings, and liabilities arising from earned creator payouts, including self-employment taxes. Rory does not withhold income or payroll taxes from creator disbursements, except where backup withholding is specifically mandated by applicable law or IRS notice. Where required by federal or state law, Rory or its payment partners will report earnings on IRS Form 1099-K, Form 1099-NEC, or equivalent tax documents.

6.5 Chargebacks, Fraud & Creator Balance Offsets

If a fan payment, coin purchase, or tip is reversed, disputed, charged back, or determined to be fraudulent after creator net earnings have been credited to a creator's ledger balance or disbursed:

1. Rory reserves the right to debit the disputed amount and any associated payment network chargeback or dispute assessment fees directly from the creator's ledger balance.
2. If the creator's balance is insufficient, Rory may offset or deduct the negative balance from subsequent earnings or future disbursements.
3. In instances of collusive fraud, money laundering, or chargeback abuse, Rory reserves the right to freeze pending payouts and terminate the associated account immediately.

7. User Conduct & Acceptable Use

You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

1. Fraud & Exploitation: Using stolen payment methods, engaging in unauthorized card testing, or manipulating ledger entries.
2. Cash-Out Evasion: Attempting to convert virtual fan coins into cash or colluding with creators to bypass coin virtual goods restrictions.
3. Money Laundering: Utilizing Rory for structuring, money transmission without a license, or washing illicit proceeds.
4. Harassment & Abuse: Threatening, defaming, stalking, or extorting creators, fans, or staff.
5. System Interference: Reverse-engineering, decompiling, scraping, flooding, or exploiting security vulnerabilities within Rory APIs or services.
6. Multi-Accounting: Creating multiple accounts to circumvent disciplinary suspensions, purchase limits, or KYC verification gates.

8. Intellectual Property & User Content

8.1 Rory IP

All trademarks, logos, brand assets, software code, user interface designs, and sound effects are the proprietary intellectual property of Rory LLC or its licensors. You may not copy, display, or distribute Rory brand marks without express written authorization.

8.2 Creator Content License

You retain ownership of original photos, bios, videos, voice recordings, and text you upload. By posting content on Rory, you grant Rory a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to host, display, reproduce, and transmit your content solely for the operation and promotion of the Services.

8.3 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Notice & Takedown Procedure

Rory respects the intellectual property rights of others and complies with the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512). If you believe that your copyrighted work has been copied or posted on the Services in a manner that constitutes copyright infringement, please submit a written DMCA Notice to our Designated Copyright Agent containing:

1. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed.
2. Identification of the material claimed to be infringing and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material (including specific URLs).
3. Your full legal name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
4. A statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
5. A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf.
6. Your physical or electronic signature.

Designated Copyright Agent:
Copyright Compliance Officer, Rory LLC
Email: [email protected] (Subject: "DMCA Copyright Infringement Notice")
Address: Rory LLC, Orange County, California, USA

8.4 Repeat Infringer Policy

In accordance with 17 U.S.C. § 512(i), Rory maintains a policy of terminating, in appropriate circumstances and at our sole discretion, accounts of users who are determined to be repeat copyright infringers.

9. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

9.1 As-Is Provision

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

9.2 Limitation of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL RORY LLC, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

9.3 Monetary Cap

OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU TO RORY IN THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($100.00 USD).

10. Dispute Resolution, Binding Arbitration & Class Action Waiver

10.1 Informal Dispute Resolution

Before initiating formal legal action, you and Rory agree to attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute, claim, or controversy through informal negotiations by contacting [email protected].

10.2 Mandatory Individual Arbitration

ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS, RORY COINS, PAYOUTS, OR THE SERVICES THAT CANNOT BE RESOLVED INFORMALLY SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION ("AAA") UNDER ITS CONSUMER ARBITRATION RULES.

10.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND RORY AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.

10.4 Governing Law & Forum

These Terms and any dispute hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. For any claim not subject to arbitration, exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall lie in the state and federal courts located in Orange County, California.

10.5 Small Claims Court Exception

Notwithstanding the agreement to arbitrate, either you or Rory may bring an individual action in a small claims court of competent jurisdiction located in Orange County, California, or in your county of residence, provided that the action falls within that court's jurisdictional monetary limits and remains an individual, non-representative proceeding.

10.6 30-Day Right to Opt Out of Arbitration

You have the right to opt out of the binding arbitration provisions set forth in Section 10 by delivering written notice of your decision to [email protected] within thirty (30) days of the date you first register an account or access the Services. Your opt-out notice must include your full legal name, registered email address, username, and an unequivocal statement that you decline arbitration. If you validly opt out, all other provisions of these Terms will continue to apply, and claims will be resolved in the state and federal courts located in Orange County, California.

11. Termination & Survival

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account or access to the Services immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any breach of these Terms, suspected fraud, or legal non-compliance. Upon termination, all licenses granted to you terminate immediately. All provisions which by their nature should survive termination (including virtual goods restrictions, ledger records, IP licenses, disclaimers, indemnity, and arbitration) shall survive.

12. Modifications & Contact

We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the Services following publication of revised Terms constitutes your acceptance thereof.

• Inquiries: [email protected]
• Official Policy Registry: https://legal.joinrory.com/en-us/terms
• Corporate Entity: Rory LLC, Orange County, California, USA