Alpha-Next is operated by Lotus Research and Design, LLC.
These Terms govern your use of Alpha-Next and the worlds hosted on it. By creating an account or using the service, you agree to them.
The service
Alpha-Next lets creators host worlds: membership spaces with courses, gatherings, discussion and a shop. Features change as the platform grows. "Members" use Alpha-Next. "Hosts" run worlds and sell in them.
Accounts
- You must be 18 or older and able to form a binding agreement.
- One account per person. We may verify you by email or phone.
- You are responsible for your account and for keeping your passphrase safe. Your messages are end-to-end encrypted, so we cannot recover your passphrase or anything locked with it.
Acceptable use
Do not use Alpha-Next to break the law, infringe others' rights, spread malware, harass anyone, or break into accounts or systems. We may suspend or remove accounts that do.
Buying
Purchases are processed by Stripe and paid to the host who sells them. The host is the seller. A platform fee of 1.5% is shown as its own line at checkout. Refunds: you can ask for a refund until the course's second week begins, unless the host has set a different window. To ask, reply to your receipt email or write to the host. A refund returns the price and the platform fee in the same share: a full refund returns everything you paid, and a partial refund returns that part of the price and the same share of the platform fee.
Hosting
- Drafting a world is free. Publishing one requires a plan. Plans, commissions and fees are listed at alpha-next.io/pricing and are billed monthly.
- Upgrades take effect at once. Downgrades take effect at the end of the month.
- Hosts pay card processing on their own prices, and Stripe's payout and tax-form costs.
- On any refund, the buyer gets back the price and the platform fee in the same share, whatever the reason.
- Stripe keeps its processing fee on any refund. That cost stays with the host.
- Hosts are responsible for what they sell, for their own taxes, and for their buyers. You agree to cover any claim against us that arises from what you sell.
Stripe
Payment processing for hosts is provided by Stripe and is subject to the Stripe Connected Account Agreement, which includes the Stripe Terms of Service. By hosting on Alpha-Next, you agree to that agreement as Stripe may change it. You agree to give us accurate information about you and your business, and you authorize us to share it, and your transaction information, with Stripe.
SMS verification
We use SMS only to send one-time verification codes, in response to something you did. We do not send marketing texts. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Message and data rates may apply. See our Privacy Policy for how we handle your number.
Your content
Your content is yours. You give us only the permissions needed to host and show it so the service works. You are responsible for what you post and for having the right to post it.
Disclaimers and liability
The service is provided "as is," without warranties. To the fullest extent the law allows, we are not liable for indirect or consequential damages, and our total liability is limited to what you paid us in the 12 months before the claim.
Changes
We may update these Terms. For material changes, including to prices, we give 30 days' notice. Using the service after changes take effect means you accept them.
Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of Colorado.