VinylStack Legal Glossary

Document ID: VS-LGL-001
Version: 1.0
Status: Working Draft
Effective Date: Not applicable
Last Updated: 14 August 2026
Document Owner: VinylStack
Publication Classification: Public governance draft
Cross References: VS-LGL-000 v1.0, VS-LGL-005 v1.0

Purpose and authority

This Glossary is the controlled drafting vocabulary for VinylStack documents. It creates no legal rights by itself and never overrides an Accepted Agreement or one of its attached Schedules.

A binding document incorporates this Glossary only when it identifies the exact Document ID and version. Updating this Glossary does not change any earlier agreement. The complete order of precedence is defined in VS-LGL-005.

Defined terms

Accepted Agreement

The exact immutable version of a VinylStack agreement affirmatively accepted by the relevant party and recorded with its Document ID, version and Document Digest.

Account

A registered VinylStack user account used to access authorised platform features. An Account may hold more than one role, but a user role does not itself grant authority over an Artist Studio.

Artist

An individual performer, group, band or other creative identity represented in an Artist Studio. An Artist is not automatically the Rights Holder for every component of a Release.

Artist Content

Content supplied or authorised for an Artist Studio or Release, including Audio, Artwork, photography, lyrics, credits, Metadata, stories, video and spoken introductions.

Artist Earnings Ledger

VinylStack's auditable accounting ledger for Artist Earning Entries. It is separate from the Record Token ledger and is not an Artist wallet or listener currency.

Artist Earning Entry

An accounting entry associated with an eligible Artist Release transaction. Before an approved Artist Payout Agreement is operational, an entry may be classified as Pending Artist Earnings and is not withdrawable.

Artist Manager

An Account holder granted server-authorised membership and a defined management role for an Artist Studio. Artist management authority does not arise from catalogue association, similar naming or Apple Music content.

Artist Studio

A moderated VinylStack space containing an Artist's approved public identity, releases, biography, Gallery, stories, sessions and other authorised material. An Artist Studio does not imply representation, management or endorsement by VinylStack.

Artwork

Visual material associated with an Artist Studio or Release, including covers, rear sleeves, Inserts, labels, photographs, illustrations and approved promotional imagery.

Audio

A sound recording or spoken recording uploaded, referenced, processed or played through VinylStack.

Collector

A Listener who organises or acquires Digital Vinyl and other records in a VinylStack collection. The term describes the product experience and does not imply ownership of copyright or a downloadable master.

Commercial Release

An Artist Release separately approved for listener acquisition under the current Artist Release Agreement, Listener Protected Playback Terms and all required technical and moderation gates.

Composition

The underlying musical work, including music, lyrics and arrangement, distinct from a particular Master Recording and from a recorded performance.

Content

Any material uploaded to, processed by or displayed through VinylStack, including Audio, Artwork, photography, lyrics, Metadata, stories, credits, video and voice material.

Copyright Block

An immediate restriction applied because of a credible rights complaint, legal requirement or unresolved authority concern. It is distinct from Artist Withdrawal and Platform Suspension and may affect new sales, previews, existing playback or other access according to the approved copyright and purchaser-remedy policies.

Digital Vinyl

A VinylStack collector presentation comprising authorised recordings or catalogue references together with approved Artwork, Metadata, credits, stories and other materials. Digital Vinyl is provided under the applicable licence and is not a downloadable Artist master or a transfer of copyright.

Document Digest

The lowercase SHA-256 checksum of the exact bytes of an immutable published document.

DRM

Digital Rights Management technology used to control authorised access to digital content. DRM reduces specified copying and access risks but cannot guarantee that audible content will never be recorded or redistributed.

Edition

A specifically identified version of a Release or physical production. The applicable document must distinguish a Digital Vinyl version from a limited physical production run.

Emergency Security Block

A temporary or continuing restriction applied to protect Artist Content, Accounts, entitlements or systems during a suspected security incident. It is distinct from a finding of wrongdoing and from voluntary Artist Withdrawal.

Entitlement

A server-authorised, Account-bound right to access specified functionality or Protected Playback under the applicable terms. Collection possession and copied Artwork do not create or transfer an Entitlement.

Gallery

The collection of approved photography or imagery associated with an Artist Studio or Release.

Inspired By

A VinylStack feature that may create a personal MixDisc from approved contextual inputs associated with eligible music. It does not reproduce an Artist's protected Master Recording. Availability for Protected Releases requires a separately approved non-exportable reference workflow.

Insert

Supplementary material accompanying Digital Vinyl, such as lyrics, credits, Artist stories, photography, studio notes or other approved release material.

Intellectual Property

Copyright, database rights, trade marks, performer rights, design rights, moral rights and other recognised legal protections.

Licence

Permission granted by a Rights Holder for defined uses, territories and duration. A Licence does not transfer ownership unless an agreement expressly and validly says otherwise.

Listener

A person accessing music or related content through a VinylStack Account.

Master Recording

The recorded performance from which playback, preview or protected delivery copies may be prepared. Ownership or control must be established separately from rights in the Composition, performance, Artwork and other Release elements.

Metadata

Information describing an Artist, Release or track, such as names, titles, credits, duration, genre, identifiers, release date and territory.

MixDisc

A VinylStack collector-created sequence or album experience assembled through eligible platform functionality. A MixDisc does not transfer rights in its referenced music and must use playback sources authorised for the Listener and the intended use.

Pending Artist Earnings

Artist Earning Entries recorded before all conditions for an approved payout are satisfied. Pending Artist Earnings are not Record Tokens and are not spendable platform currency. Until an Artist Payout Agreement becomes operational, they are accounting observations rather than withdrawable funds or a promise of payment.

No listener purchase may be opened on the permanent basis that VinylStack can retain revenue while denying the Artist a defined contractual earnings entitlement. The live commercial model must be settled before sales are enabled.

Platform Suspension

A restriction applied by VinylStack under an approved platform rule, moderation decision or contractual power. It is distinct from Artist Withdrawal, Copyright Block and Emergency Security Block and must provide the applicable notice and appeal route.

Protected Playback

Authenticated streaming made available to an Account holding the required Entitlement. Protected Playback does not provide the uploaded master or an unencrypted permanent download, and no technical measure makes recording impossible.

Protected Release

An Artist Release whose required private source, bounded preview, rights, moderation, protected-media, entitlement and current-policy checks have passed. Acceptance of terms alone does not make a Release protected or commercially available.

Purchaser

A Collector whose Account has obtained an Entitlement to specified Digital Vinyl under the Listener Protected Playback Terms. The word does not imply purchase of copyright, a master file or unrestricted ownership.

Record Token

VinylStack's listener-held internal purchase unit governed by the Record Token Terms. Record Tokens are not legal tender, cash or Artist Earnings, and their acquisition, restoration, use, expiry and refund treatment must follow the approved platform and payment rules.

Release

An Artist-approved single, EP, album or other defined programme containing one or more recordings and associated materials. The applicable Artist Release Schedule identifies the exact Release being authorised.

Release Manifest

The immutable or versioned record of the Release identity, track programme, relevant source checksums, contributors, rights declarations, territories and commercial settings submitted for approval.

Re-Master

A VinylStack feature allowing a user to create a personal presentation or sequencing experience from eligible music. It does not perform audio mastering, alter an original Master Recording or grant new rights in the underlying music. Availability for Protected Releases requires separate approval.

Rights Holder

A person or organisation owning or controlling one or more rights required for a particular use of Content. Different Release components may have different Rights Holders.

Schedule

A document attached to and forming part of an Agreement that records agreement-specific or Release-specific information. A Schedule ranks below its Accepted Agreement unless that Agreement expressly provides otherwise.

Sleeve

The approved visual packaging presented with Digital Vinyl, which may include front and rear covers, Inserts, labels and related Artwork.

Stream

The authorised transmission of Audio for playback, including necessary encrypted buffering or transient technical copies. It is not an unencrypted permanent download.

Territory

A country or region in which specified rights, availability or contractual provisions apply.

User

Any person accessing VinylStack, whether as a Listener, Collector, Artist Manager or another authorised role.

VinylStack

The VinylStack service operated by the legal entity identified in the applicable Agreement. The entity definition must be completed before a binding document is approved.

Withdrawal

See Artist Withdrawal below.

Artist Withdrawal

An Artist's authorised request to end future commercial availability of a Release. It is distinct from Platform Suspension, Copyright Block and Emergency Security Block. The applicable Agreement and Listener Protected Playback Terms govern existing Entitlements and refunds.

Interpretation

• Singular includes plural and plural includes singular where the context permits.
• References to a person include an incorporated or unincorporated legal entity where appropriate.
• References to writing include an approved electronic record.
• Headings do not change the meaning of a provision.
• “Including” does not limit the words that precede it.

Revision history

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