Terms of service

Last updated: July 23, 2026

1. Introduction

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the DirectDisc website at directdisc.io and any related services, drops, and purchases (together, the "Platform"). The Platform is operated by DirectDisc ("DirectDisc," "we," "us," or "our"), a sole proprietorship operated by Aaron Neal, based in New York, USA.

By accessing the Platform, placing a pre-order, or otherwise using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Who we are and what we do

DirectDisc is a fan-funded platform that helps independent artists produce physical CDs. Fans pre-order copies of a release during a limited-time campaign (a "drop"). If enough pre-orders are placed to reach the drop's funding threshold before the campaign closes, the release is manufactured and shipped. If the threshold is not reached, the drop does not proceed and no charge is completed (see Section 5).

DirectDisc provides the storefront, the pre-order mechanic, and coordination of manufacturing and fulfillment. Artists supply the music, artwork, and rights to the material sold through their drops.

3. Eligibility and accounts

You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, to place an order. By using the Platform you represent that you meet this requirement and that the information you provide is accurate and complete.

If you create an account, you are responsible for keeping your login credentials secure and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us promptly at hello@directdisc.io if you believe your account has been used without authorization.

4. Drops, pre-orders, and how funding works

4.1 Pre-orders. Physical products on the Platform are sold primarily through timed drops. When you place a pre-order, you are committing to purchase the item if and when the drop reaches its funding threshold and closes successfully.

4.2 Funding threshold. Each drop has a minimum number of units required for production (the "threshold"). Our standard domestic threshold is 100 units, though certain releases — including Import Edition and other special tiers — may carry a higher threshold, which will be clearly shown on the drop page.

4.3 Campaign close. Each drop runs for a stated period and closes at the time shown on the drop page (typically Sunday night). We may, at our discretion, extend a campaign's close date to give a drop additional time to reach its threshold. If we do, we will make reasonable efforts to notify participants.

4.4 Successful drops. If a drop reaches its threshold by close, the drop is confirmed, your payment method is charged (see Section 5), and the release proceeds to manufacturing and fulfillment.

4.5 Unsuccessful drops. If a drop does not reach its threshold by close, the drop is cancelled, the release is not manufactured, and you are not charged. Where a charge or authorization has already been placed, it is voided or refunded in full (see Section 5).

5. Pricing, payment, and charge timing

5.1 Prices. All prices are shown on the relevant drop or product page and are stated in US Dollars (USD). Prices exclude taxes, shipping, and any duties unless stated otherwise. Applicable taxes and shipping are calculated and displayed at checkout.

5.2 Charge-at-close. For pre-orders in a drop, we use a deferred-charge (charge-at-close) model. Depending on the payment method and processor, this means we either place a temporary authorization at the time of pre-order and capture it when the drop succeeds, or we collect payment details and charge them at close. You are only charged if the drop reaches its threshold and closes successfully. By placing a pre-order you authorize this charge.

5.3 Failed or expired authorizations. If your authorization or payment method fails at the time a successful drop closes (for example, an expired card), your order may not be fulfilled. We may attempt to contact you to update payment details but are not obligated to hold your unit.

5.4 Payment processing. Payments are handled by third-party processors (including Shopify Payments and its supported providers). We do not store full card numbers. Your use of these payment services is also subject to the processors' own terms and privacy policies.

6. Manufacturing, shipping, and delivery

6.1 Production timeline. Because items are manufactured only after a drop succeeds, delivery takes longer than standard in-stock retail. Estimated production and shipping timeframes are shown on the drop page. These are estimates, not guarantees, and may be affected by manufacturing capacity, artwork approvals, supply availability, and shipping conditions.

6.2 Shipping. Shipping costs, methods, and destinations are shown at checkout. Risk of loss passes to you on delivery to the carrier. You are responsible for providing an accurate shipping address; we are not responsible for orders lost due to an incorrect address you supplied.

6.3 International orders, duties, and taxes. For international shipments, you are the importer of record and are responsible for any customs duties, import taxes, or fees charged by the destination country. These are not included in the item price or shipping cost unless expressly stated.

6.4 Delays. We will make reasonable efforts to keep you informed of significant delays. A production or shipping delay does not, by itself, entitle you to cancel a confirmed order, except as required by applicable consumer-protection law.

7. Cancellations, returns, and refunds

7.1 Before a drop closes. You may cancel a pre-order at any time before the drop closes, at no cost, since you have not yet been charged. To cancel, email us at hello@directdisc.io with your order details before the drop's close time, and we will remove your pre-order from the campaign.

7.2 After a drop closes. Once a drop closes successfully and manufacturing begins, orders are made-to-order and generally cannot be cancelled. This does not affect any rights you have under applicable consumer-protection law.

7.3 Damaged or defective items. If your item arrives damaged, defective, or materially different from what was described, contact us at hello@directdisc.io within 14 days of delivery with your order number and photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund for verified defects. See our Refund & Shipping Policy for full details.

7.4 Statutory rights. Nothing in these Terms limits any non-waivable rights you have under the consumer-protection laws of your jurisdiction.

8. Artists and content

8.1 Artist responsibility. Music, artwork, names, and other materials featured in a drop are provided by the artist or their representatives. The artist is responsible for ensuring they hold all rights necessary to produce, distribute, and sell the release, including any songwriter, publishing, mechanical, and sample clearances.

8.2 No endorsement. DirectDisc facilitates production and sale but does not claim ownership of artists' content and does not endorse or guarantee any artist's statements, campaign claims, or fulfillment representations beyond what these Terms provide.

8.3 Takedowns. We may remove or suspend any drop or content that we reasonably believe infringes third-party rights, violates law, or breaches these Terms.

9. Acceptable use

You agree not to: use the Platform for any unlawful purpose; place fraudulent or unauthorized orders; interfere with or disrupt the Platform's operation or security; scrape, reverse-engineer, or misuse the Platform; or infringe the intellectual-property or other rights of DirectDisc, artists, or third parties.

10. Intellectual property

The DirectDisc name, logo, Platform design, and original content are owned by DirectDisc or its licensors and are protected by intellectual-property laws. Artist releases and associated artwork remain the property of the respective rights holders. Nothing on the Platform grants you any license to reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from this material except for personal use of a product you have lawfully purchased.

11. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available." To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure, or that any particular drop will reach its threshold.

12. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, DirectDisc and its owner, operators, and suppliers will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for lost profits or data, arising from your use of the Platform. Our total aggregate liability for any claim relating to a purchase will not exceed the amount you paid for the item giving rise to the claim. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so parts of this section may not apply to you.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DirectDisc and its owner and operators from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your breach of these Terms, your misuse of the Platform, or your violation of any law or third-party right.

14. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. You agree that any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York State, except where applicable law grants you the right to bring proceedings elsewhere.

15. Changes and severability

We may modify these Terms at any time by posting an updated version with a new "Last updated" date. If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at hello@directdisc.io.

DirectDisc — directdisc.io