Terms of use

1. Service

epubio provides a web workspace for writing, importing, structuring, designing, validating and generating supported book editions. A file's suitability for an external store or print provider also depends on that provider's current requirements. epubio never publishes on an author's behalf without a deliberate author action.

2. Free starting scope

When registration is open, an account may initially be used within the displayed free scope. Production files, downloads and further professional features require an active BookPass.

3. Personal test-author access

epubio may offer selected individuals personal test access. The invitation is tied to the email address stated in it, is non-transferable and can be redeemed only until the expiry stated in the invitation.

Accepting the invitation creates free, time-limited test use. The full-access and subsequent read-only periods shown in the invitation govern the test. No payment is initiated, no BookPass is purchased, and there is no automatic renewal or paid conversion. Paid add-ons and third-party provider services are included only where expressly stated.

During full access, the BookPass feature set enabled for the test is available. Individual features marked as test, beta or preview may be developed further, replaced or discontinued. Statutory rights remain unaffected.

After full access, the account changes to read-only mode for the period stated in the invitation. The special test entitlement then ends. The account and book projects are not automatically deleted, but without another entitlement, features, editing and new editions may no longer be available. Required editions should be downloaded in time. Any later BookPass purchase is a separate order that requires an explicit payment confirmation.

epubio may extend the test period. Early restriction or termination is permitted only for an objective reason, in particular misuse, a security risk, a material breach of these terms or discontinuation of the test programme. The test author's interests will be taken into account; reasonable notice will be provided unless an urgent security or misuse case requires immediate action.

4. BookPass

The BookPass is a one-off payment of €119.00, including VAT shown at checkout. It provides the described full access for 12 months followed by 60 days of read-only access. It does not renew automatically.

Current upper limits: 250,000 words, 500 chapters, 2 GB storage, 500 images, 3 collaborators and 300 successful builds. The product and price snapshot stored at purchase governs the order.

5. Contract and payment

Product, total price, term and material limits are shown before payment. The user places the order using the final, unambiguous payment confirmation in Stripe Checkout. The contract is formed upon successful payment confirmation. Stripe processes the payment.

6. User content and rights

Users retain their rights in manuscripts and other content. They grant epubio only the limited, non-exclusive rights technically required to store, process, validate and generate requested editions. Users must ensure their uploads do not infringe third-party rights.

7. Responsibility and acceptable use

Credentials must remain confidential. Illegal content, malware, attacks, circumvention of technical limits and unauthorised use of third-party rights are prohibited. epubio may temporarily restrict access to address a specific risk while taking the user's interests into account.

8. Availability and changes

epubio aims for stable operation but does not guarantee uninterrupted availability. Maintenance, security work and product development may change functions provided the contractual purpose and stored purchase scope are not unreasonably impaired. Users should also keep downloaded copies of important editions.

9. Defects and liability

Statutory warranty rights apply. Liability is unlimited for intent, gross negligence, injury to life, body or health and mandatory statutory liability. For slight negligence affecting an essential contractual duty, liability is limited to foreseeable loss typical of the contract.

10. Term, expiry and data access

BookPass access ends after the periods stored with the purchase. Account deletion can be requested through the contact address. Statutory retention duties remain unaffected. Required editions should be downloaded before deletion.

11. Consumer rights and dispute resolution

Consumers retain their statutory rights, including withdrawal rights. See the withdrawal notice. The provider is neither obliged nor willing to participate in consumer arbitration proceedings.

12. Final terms

German law applies while preserving mandatory consumer protections of the consumer's habitual country of residence. Statutory jurisdiction rules apply. If one provision is ineffective, the remaining provisions continue to apply.