📝 Writer Terms of Service

1. Content Ownership & Licensing

Original Content Requirement

• 100% Original Work: All content must be your original creation
• No Plagiarism: Copying from other sources is strictly prohibited
• Proper Attribution: All sources, quotes, and references must be properly cited
• Fact Verification: You are responsible for accuracy of all claims and statements

License Grant

By submitting content, you grant GaiaExplore:

• Perpetual License: Worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use your content
• Editorial Rights: Right to edit, modify, or adapt your content for publication
• Distribution Rights: Right to distribute across all platforms and media
• Promotional Rights: Right to use content excerpts for marketing purposes

2. Writer Responsibilities & Warranties

Content Accuracy

• Factual Accuracy: Verify all claims, dates, and factual statements
• Source Citation: Provide credible sources for all major claims
• Clear Speculation: Distinguish between facts and theories/opinions
• Current Information: Ensure information is up-to-date at time of submission

Legal Warranties

You warrant and represent that:

• Content is original and does not infringe any copyrights or intellectual property
• You have the right to grant the licenses described in this agreement
• Content does not violate any laws or third-party rights
• All factual claims are accurate to the best of your knowledge
• Content does not contain defamatory, libelous, or harmful statements

3. Prohibited Content

Absolutely Forbidden

• Plagiarized Content: Any copied or derivative work without permission
• False Information: Knowingly false claims or fabricated evidence
• Hate Speech: Content promoting discrimination or violence
• Defamatory Content: False statements that could harm individuals or organizations
• Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized use of protected material
• Dangerous Content: Instructions for illegal or harmful activities

Editorial Guidelines

• Balanced Reporting: Present multiple perspectives on controversial topics
• Evidence-Based: Support extraordinary claims with extraordinary evidence
• Respectful Tone: Maintain professional and respectful language
• Cultural Sensitivity: Respect different cultures and belief systems

4. Editorial Process & Rights

GaiaExplore Editorial Rights

GaiaExplore reserves the right to:

• Edit Content: Modify articles for clarity, accuracy, or style
• Reject Submissions: Decline content that doesn't meet our standards
• Remove Content: Delete published content if issues arise
• Fact-Check: Verify claims and require additional sources
• Add Disclaimers: Include editorial notes or disclaimers

Review Process

1. Initial Review: Content checked for guidelines compliance
2. Fact Verification: Claims verified against credible sources
3. Plagiarism Check: Automated scanning for copied content
4. Editorial Review: Final review for quality and accuracy
5. Publication Decision: Accept, request revisions, or reject

5. Indemnification & Liability

Writer Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless GaiaExplore, its owners, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or legal costs arising from:

• Copyright infringement in your submitted content
• Factual errors or false statements in your articles
• Defamatory or libelous content you provide
• Violation of third-party rights through your content
• Any legal action resulting from your submitted material

Limitation of GaiaExplore Liability

• Editorial Independence: Writers are independent contributors, not employees
• Content Responsibility: Authors retain primary responsibility for their content
• Legal Protection: GaiaExplore protected by editorial and platform immunity laws

6. Content Guidelines by Category

Mystery & Paranormal Content

• Credible Sources: Official reports, witness testimonies, documented evidence
• Balanced Skepticism: Present both believers' and skeptics' perspectives
• Avoid Sensationalism: Stick to facts rather than dramatic speculation
• Respect Privacy: Protect identities of witnesses who request anonymity

Historical Content

• Academic Standards: Use peer-reviewed sources when possible
• Multiple Sources: Corroborate facts with independent sources
• Context Provided: Explain historical context and significance
• Avoid Revisionism: Don't promote debunked conspiracy theories as fact

News & Current Events

• Timeliness: Ensure information is current and relevant
• Primary Sources: Quote official statements and direct sources
• Fact-Checking: Verify information through multiple reliable sources
• Attribution: Clearly cite all sources and quotes

7. Copyright & Fair Use

Acceptable Use

• Brief Quotes: Short excerpts (under 50 words) with proper attribution
• Fair Use Doctrine: Commentary, criticism, or educational use
• Public Domain: Content explicitly in the public domain
• Creative Commons: Content with appropriate Creative Commons licensing

Required Attribution

All quotes and references must include:

• Original author/source name
• Publication title and date
• Direct link to source when available
• Clear indication that content is quoted/referenced

8. Submission Requirements

Content Format

• Original Document: Submit in editable format (Google Docs, Word, etc.)
• Source List: Provide complete bibliography of all sources
• Image Rights: Include licensing information for all images
• Author Bio: Brief professional biography and credentials

Quality Standards

• Minimum Length: 800+ words for feature articles
• Professional Writing: Proper grammar, spelling, and structure
• Engaging Style: Written for general audience, not academic specialists
• SEO Optimization: Include relevant keywords and meta descriptions

9. Compensation & Rights

Payment Terms

• Payment Structure: Rates determined by article length and complexity
• Payment Schedule: Net 30 days after publication
• Tax Responsibility: Writers responsible for their own tax obligations
• Independent Contractor: Writers are not employees of GaiaExplore

Byline Rights

• Author Credit: Proper byline on published articles
• Bio Inclusion: Brief author bio with articles
• Portfolio Rights: Right to include published work in personal portfolio

10. Termination & Enforcement

Agreement Termination

This agreement may be terminated:

• By either party with 30 days written notice
• Immediately for violation of these terms
• For submission of plagiarized or false content
• For repeated quality or guideline violations

Post-Termination

• License Survival: Content licenses continue after termination
• Published Content: GaiaExplore may continue displaying published articles
• Indemnification: Writer's legal responsibilities continue

11. Legal Jurisdiction

• Governing Law: [Your jurisdiction/country] law governs this agreement
• Dispute Resolution: Arbitration required before litigation
• Legal Fees: Prevailing party entitled to legal fees