Legal

Terms of Service

Version 1.0 · Governing Law: England and Wales

Important Notice

By creating an account or accessing the Platform, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

Preamble

Welcome to Sveelo (the "Platform"), an artist-first digital marketplace that connects emerging and independent artists with collectors, galleries, and art enthusiasts worldwide. Sveelo is operated by Sveelo Ltd., a company incorporated in England and Wales ("we", "us", or "our").

These Terms and Conditions of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Sveelo Ltd. and govern your access to and use of the Platform, including all associated websites, mobile applications, APIs, and services. Please read them carefully before creating an account or making any transaction on the Platform.

1. Definitions

In these Terms, the following capitalised expressions have the meanings set out below:

Term	Definition
Artwork	Any original work of visual art, limited-edition print, sculpture, photograph, digital file, or other creative work listed for sale on the Platform by a Seller.
Buyer	Any registered user who purchases or attempts to purchase an Artwork through the Platform.
Commission	The percentage fee retained by Sveelo from the gross sale price of an Artwork upon a successful transaction, as set out in Schedule A.
Content	Any text, images, video, audio, metadata, or other material uploaded to or generated on the Platform by a User.
Fees	All charges, commissions, subscription fees, listing fees, or other amounts payable by a User to Sveelo, as published on the Platform from time to time.
Intellectual Property	All patents, trade marks, design rights, copyright, database rights, trade secrets, and any other intellectual or industrial property rights, whether registered or unregistered.
Platform	The Sveelo website at sveelo.com and sveelo.art, together with any associated mobile applications, APIs, and ancillary services.
Seller	Any registered artist or authorised representative who lists Artworks for sale on the Platform.
User	Any individual or entity accessing the Platform in any capacity, whether as a Seller, Buyer, visitor, or otherwise.

2. The Role of the Platform

2.1 SaaS Marketplace

Sveelo provides a digital venue and supporting technology — including AI-powered tools for portfolio presentation, pricing guidance, and artist discovery — through which Sellers may list Artworks and Buyers may browse, enquire about, and purchase them.

2.2 No Agency or Dealership

Unless expressly stated in a separate written "Premium Representation" or "White-Glove" agreement signed by an authorised officer of Sveelo Ltd., Sveelo acts solely as a technology intermediary. We are not a party to the contract of sale between Buyer and Seller, we do not hold title to any Artwork at any point, and we do not act as agent, broker, auctioneer, or dealer for either party, except for the strictly limited purpose of facilitating payment collection on behalf of Sellers.

2.3 No Appraisal or Authentication

Any pricing intelligence, valuation estimates, or AI-generated market analysis provided by the Platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal appraisal, authentication certificate, or guarantee of value. Buyers and Sellers should seek independent professional valuation advice for high-value transactions.

2.4 Platform Availability

We will endeavour to maintain the Platform in continuous operation but do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free availability. Scheduled maintenance, third-party outages, or circumstances beyond our control may result in temporary service interruption. We will provide advance notice of planned downtime where reasonably practicable.

3. User Accounts and Eligibility

3.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age and capable of forming a legally binding contract to create an account on the Platform. By registering, you warrant that all information provided is accurate, complete, and current, and that you will keep it updated throughout the term of your account.

3.2 Account Types

The Platform currently offers the following account tiers, the features and Fees of which are described in Schedule A:

Free (Emerging) — Basic listing access, standard Commission rate, limited AI tool usage.
Pro (Subscription) — Expanded listings, reduced Commission rate, full AI tool suite, priority support.
Gallery / Agent — Multi-artist management, bespoke Commission tiers, dedicated account manager (subject to separate agreement).

3.3 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. You must notify us immediately at legal@sveelo.com upon becoming aware of any unauthorised access to or use of your account. We will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to safeguard your credentials.

3.4 One Account Per Person

Each individual may hold only one active account unless Sveelo has granted express written permission for additional accounts. Operating duplicate or fraudulent accounts is a material breach of these Terms.

3.5 Suspension and Termination by Sveelo

We reserve the right, at our sole and reasonable discretion, to suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate any account — without prior notice where we reasonably believe it is necessary to protect the Platform, other users, or third parties — in cases including but not limited to:

Breach of any provision of these Terms;
Provision of false or misleading information;
Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal conduct;
Repeated disputes, chargebacks, or payment failures;
Inactivity for a continuous period exceeding 24 months.

Upon termination, any outstanding amounts owed to Sveelo become immediately due and payable.

4. Seller Terms

4.1 Listing Eligibility and Warranties

By creating a listing on the Platform, the Seller irrevocably warrants and represents that:

They are the sole legal owner of the Artwork or hold all necessary rights and authorisations from the owner to sell it;
The Artwork is original and does not infringe any third-party Intellectual Property rights;
The Artwork is authentic and has not been misattributed in respect of authorship, medium, date, or provenance;
All descriptions, dimensions, condition reports, edition numbers, and images provided are accurate, complete, and not misleading;
The Artwork is not subject to any lien, charge, security interest, export restriction, cultural property law, repatriation claim, or any other encumbrance that would prevent or restrict its sale or transfer;
The Artwork has not been reported stolen and does not appear on the Art Loss Register or equivalent database.

4.2 Provenance Documentation

For Artworks valued at £2,000 or more (or currency equivalent), Sellers are strongly encouraged and may be required by Sveelo to provide provenance documentation, including bills of sale, exhibition records, certificates of authenticity, or published catalogue references.

4.3 Condition Reports

Sellers must accurately describe the physical condition of each Artwork. Any restoration, repair, overpainting, or structural damage must be disclosed in the listing. Sellers who fail to disclose material defects may be liable to Buyers for misrepresentation and may have their accounts suspended.

4.4 Pricing

Sellers set their own listing prices. Sveelo's AI-powered Pricing Intelligence tools provide market data for guidance only and do not constitute a recommendation. Prices must be listed in the currency specified on the Platform and must include all applicable taxes where required by law.

4.5 Exclusivity

If a Seller marks an Artwork as "Platform Exclusive," they agree not to offer that specific Artwork for sale through any other channel for the duration of the listing or 90 days, whichever is longer.

4.6 Commission and Fees

The Commission rate applicable to each account tier is set out in Schedule A and is calculated on the final gross sale price.
Commission is deducted automatically at the point of payment settlement and is non-refundable.
Sveelo reserves the right to modify its Commission structure and Fees upon 30 days' written notice to active Sellers.

4.7 Seller Payouts

Following a completed sale and the expiry of the applicable return period, Sveelo will remit the net sale proceeds to the Seller's registered bank account within 14 business days. Sellers are responsible for all taxes arising from their sales proceeds.

4.8 Unsold Listings

Sellers may delist an Artwork at any time unless a binding offer or purchase has been accepted, in which case the Seller must complete the transaction or face the consequences set out in clause 7.3.

5. Buyer Terms

5.1 Formation of Contract

A binding contract of sale is formed directly between the Buyer and the Seller at the moment the Buyer's payment is authorised and Sveelo sends the Buyer an order confirmation. Sveelo is not a party to that contract of sale.

5.2 Pricing and Currency

All prices are displayed in the currency shown on the listing. Unless expressly stated otherwise, prices are exclusive of shipping, insurance, import duties, sales tax, and VAT. The final amount charged to the Buyer at checkout will itemise all applicable additional charges.

5.3 Screen Colour Accuracy

Buyers acknowledge that the on-screen appearance of Artworks may differ from the physical work due to variations in monitor calibration, photography lighting, and digital reproduction. Buyers are encouraged to request additional high-resolution images or condition reports prior to purchase.

5.4 Taxes and Import Duties

Buyers are solely responsible for all applicable sales tax, VAT, customs duties, and any other levies or charges arising from the import or delivery of an Artwork into their jurisdiction.

5.5 Offers and Negotiations

Where the Platform facilitates "Make an Offer" functionality, any offer submitted by a Buyer is binding for a period of 72 hours from submission, during which the Seller may accept, decline, or counter. Acceptance by the Seller constitutes a binding contract.

6. Shipping, Risk, and Title

6.1 Seller's Shipping Responsibility

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Seller is responsible for ensuring the Artwork is securely packed to a professional standard and for arranging shipping with a reputable carrier.

6.2 Insurance

Sellers are strongly advised to arrange all-risks transit insurance at full replacement value for any Artwork valued at £500 or more.

6.3 Transfer of Title and Risk

Title to the Artwork passes to the Buyer only upon receipt of the full purchase price by Sveelo. Risk of accidental loss or damage passes to the Buyer upon delivery and physical receipt of the Artwork in good condition.

6.4 Delivery Timeframes

Sellers must dispatch Artworks within the timeframe confirmed at the point of listing or, if none is specified, within 10 business days of order confirmation.

6.5 Inspection Period

Buyers must inspect the Artwork within 3 working days of confirmed delivery. Any damage, significant discrepancy from the listing description, or authentication concern must be reported to Sveelo via the Platform's dispute resolution portal within that period, accompanied by dated photographic evidence.

7. Cancellations, Returns, and Disputes

7.1 Buyer's Statutory Rights

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes the statutory rights available to consumers under applicable legislation, including the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (UK), which provide a 14-day cancellation right for distance sales, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK).

7.2 Voluntary Returns Policy

In addition to statutory rights, Sveelo operates a voluntary returns policy where a Buyer may request a return within 7 days of delivery if the Artwork significantly differs from its description or images. If approved, the Artwork must be returned in its original condition. Return shipping costs and insurance are the Buyer's responsibility unless the Artwork was damaged or materially misrepresented.

7.3 Seller Cancellations

If a Seller cancels a confirmed sale without good cause, Sveelo may, at its discretion:

Impose a cancellation penalty of up to 10% of the listed sale price;
Temporarily suspend the Seller's listing privileges;
Leave negative feedback on the Seller's public profile.

7.4 Dispute Resolution Between Users

In the event of a dispute between a Buyer and Seller, both parties agree to first engage in good-faith resolution through Sveelo's in-platform dispute portal. Sveelo's determination in any mediation is advisory only and does not constitute a legally binding judgment.

7.5 Chargebacks

A Buyer who initiates a chargeback with their card issuer without first engaging Sveelo's dispute resolution process may have their account suspended pending investigation.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Platform Content

All software, code, design, branding, trade marks, and original editorial content on the Platform are the exclusive Intellectual Property of Sveelo Ltd. or its licensors. You may not copy, reproduce, adapt, or commercialise any Platform Content without prior written consent.

8.2 User Content Licence

By uploading Content to the Platform, the User grants Sveelo a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable licence to use, store, reproduce, adapt, display, and distribute such Content solely for the purposes of:

Operating and promoting the Platform;
Displaying Artworks in search results, editorial features, social media, and marketing materials;
Training and improving Sveelo's AI features, in anonymised and aggregated form only.

This licence terminates upon the User's deletion of the Content or closure of their account, subject to any archival obligations required by law.

8.3 Retention of Copyright by Artists

The Artist retains all copyright and moral rights in each Artwork. The purchase of an Artwork constitutes the purchase of the physical object only. No right to reproduce, exhibit commercially, or create derivative works is transferred unless expressly confirmed in a separate written agreement between Buyer and Seller.

8.4 AI-Generated Content

Where a User employs Sveelo's AI tools to generate content, the User warrants that any input material provided does not infringe third-party Intellectual Property rights. Sveelo makes no warranty as to the originality or copyright status of AI-generated outputs.

8.5 Copyright Infringement Notifications

If you believe that Content on the Platform infringes your copyright, please submit a written notification to legal@sveelo.com.

9. AI Features and Data

9.1 Nature of AI Tools

Sveelo's AI-powered features — including the Portfolio Optimizer, Sveelo Storyteller, Aesthetic DNA Matcher, Pricing Intelligence Agent, and Tier Readiness Assessment — are provided as supplementary tools to assist Users. They do not constitute professional legal, financial, curatorial, or authentication advice.

9.2 Accuracy Disclaimer

AI outputs are generated probabilistically and may be inaccurate, incomplete, or inappropriate for a particular context. Users must exercise their own professional judgement before relying on any AI-generated output for commercial, legal, or reputational decisions.

9.3 Data Used for AI Processing

By using AI features, Users consent to their submitted Content being processed by Sveelo's AI systems and third-party AI providers (including OpenAI) in accordance with Sveelo's Privacy Policy. Sveelo does not share identifiable artist data with third parties for commercial advertising purposes.

10. Fees, Payment, and Subscriptions

10.1 Payment Processing

Payments are processed by Sveelo's third-party payment processors. By transacting on the Platform, you agree to the payment processor's terms of service. Sveelo does not store full card details.

10.2 Subscription Renewals

Subscription plans renew automatically at the end of each billing period unless cancelled by the User at least 7 days before the renewal date via account settings or by writing to billing@sveelo.com.

10.3 Refunds on Subscriptions

Subscription fees are non-refundable except where required by law or where Sveelo has committed a material breach of service.

10.4 Fee Changes

Sveelo reserves the right to modify subscription prices and Commission rates upon 30 days' written notice. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any change constitutes acceptance of the revised fees.

10.5 Taxes on Fees

Where applicable, Sveelo will add VAT or equivalent taxes to its Fees at the prevailing rate. Sellers are responsible for their own VAT registration and compliance obligations.

11. Prohibited Conduct

Users must not, and must not permit any third party to:

List Artworks that are forged, stolen, misattributed, or subject to repatriation claims;
Engage in shill bidding, price manipulation, or other fraudulent market conduct;
Use the Platform to launder money or fund illegal activity;
Scrape, harvest, or systematically extract data from the Platform without written authorisation;
Reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to access the source code of any Platform software;
Circumvent the Platform to conduct off-platform transactions with Users first contacted through Sveelo, for a period of 24 months from the date of first introduction;
Harass, threaten, or engage in discriminatory conduct toward other Users or Sveelo staff;
Upload Content containing malicious code, viruses, or disruptive data;
Impersonate any artist, gallery, or other person or entity;
Violate any applicable law, regulation, or professional code.

Violations of this clause may result in immediate account termination and referral to relevant authorities.

12. Anti-Money Laundering

Sveelo is committed to compliance with the UK Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 (as amended). In accordance with these obligations:

Sellers and Buyers may be required to provide identity verification documents before high-value transactions are processed;
Transactions above £10,000 (or currency equivalent) may be subject to enhanced due diligence;
Sveelo may be required by law to report suspicious transactions to the relevant authorities without notifying the User concerned.

13. Privacy and Data Protection

The collection, storage, and use of personal data by Sveelo is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Sveelo processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

14. Limitation of Liability

14.1 Platform Provided "As Is"

The Platform and all services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Sveelo expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, and non-infringement.

14.2 Exclusion of Consequential Loss

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Sveelo shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of revenue, loss of profits, loss of data, or loss of business opportunity.

14.3 Liability Cap

Subject to clause 14.4, Sveelo's total aggregate liability to any User shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the total Fees paid by that User to Sveelo in the 12 months preceding the claim; or (b) £500.

14.4 Exceptions

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes Sveelo's liability for: (i) death or personal injury caused by Sveelo's negligence; (ii) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; (iii) any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited by law.

14.5 Third-Party Platforms and Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. Sveelo has no control over and accepts no responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or terms of any third-party service.

15. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Sveelo Ltd., its directors, officers, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to: (i) your use of the Platform; (ii) your breach of these Terms; (iii) your infringement of any third-party rights; or (iv) any Artwork you list or sell through the Platform.

16. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

16.1 Escalation Process

In the event of any dispute arising between a User and Sveelo, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute informally by contacting legal@sveelo.com in the first instance. Sveelo will endeavour to respond within 10 business days.

16.2 Mediation

If the dispute cannot be resolved informally within 30 days, either party may refer the matter to a mediator appointed by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) before commencing formal legal proceedings.

16.3 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16.4 Consumer Rights Unaffected

If you are a consumer resident in another jurisdiction, you may retain the right to bring proceedings in the courts of your country of habitual residence and to rely on mandatory consumer protection provisions of local law.

17. Modifications to the Terms

Sveelo reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide at least 30 days' written notice of material changes via email to your registered address and a prominent notice on the Platform. Continued use after the effective date of the changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

18. General Provisions

18.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any applicable Schedule, constitute the entire agreement between you and Sveelo in relation to your use of the Platform.

18.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

18.3 Waiver

No failure or delay by Sveelo in exercising any right under these Terms shall constitute a waiver of that right.

18.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer any rights or obligations under these Terms without Sveelo's prior written consent. Sveelo may assign its rights and obligations to any affiliate, successor, or acquirer of the business without restriction.

18.5 Force Majeure

Sveelo shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, pandemic, government action, war, civil unrest, cyberattack, or failure of third-party infrastructure.

18.6 Notices

All legal notices to Sveelo must be sent in writing to legal@sveelo.com. Notices sent by email shall be deemed received on the next business day following transmission.

Schedule A — Fees and Commission Rates

The following rates are current as of the Effective Date. Sveelo may update these rates upon 30 days' written notice.

Account Tier	Monthly Subscription	Commission on Sales	AI Feature Access
Free (Emerging)	£0	TBC	Limited
Pro	TBC / month	TBC	Full
Gallery / Agent	Bespoke	Bespoke	Full + Priority

Payment processing fees (charged by our third-party payment provider) are additional and are shown at checkout.

Schedule B — Acceptable Use Summary

The following is a non-exhaustive summary. The full list is contained in clause 11.

Forgeries, stolen works, or works with unresolved repatriation claims
Misattributed or falsely provenance-documented Artworks
Sexually explicit or obscene content
Content inciting hatred, discrimination, or violence
Off-platform circumvention of Sveelo's marketplace