Community & Content Policy

Community & Content Policy

1. Introduction

HobbyMela is building a community around creativity, learning, collaboration and respect.

This Community & Content Policy ("Policy") explains the standards expected of all Users, Artists, workshop participants, corporate clients and other members of the Hobbymela community.

This Policy forms part of the HobbyMela Platform Terms of Use and applies whenever you access or use the Platform, publish Content, participate in discussions, offer workshops or otherwise interact with other members of the HobbyMela community.

Our objective is to create a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment where creativity can flourish.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to all content and interactions on the Platform, including:

• Artist Profiles;
• product listings;
• portfolios;
• workshop listings;
• comments;
• reviews;
• discussion forums;
• messages (if introduced);
• photographs;
• videos;
• artwork;
• blogs;
• articles;
• event pages;
• user submissions; and
• any other content published through Hobbymela.

This Policy also applies to behaviour that occurs outside the Platform where that behaviour has a direct impact on the safety, integrity or reputation of the HobbyMela community.

3. Our Community Values

Every member of Hobbymela is expected to contribute to a positive and respectful environment.

We encourage:

• creativity;
• originality;
• collaboration;
• constructive feedback;
• respectful communication;
• diversity of artistic styles and opinions;
• learning and knowledge sharing;
• honesty and authenticity.

We do not tolerate conduct that undermines these values.

4. Respectful Behaviour

Users and Artists must treat one another with courtesy and respect.

You must not:

• harass, threaten or intimidate others;
• bully or repeatedly target another member;
• use abusive, offensive or discriminatory language;
• encourage violence or unlawful conduct;
• publish content intended to humiliate or shame another person;
• impersonate another individual or organization;
• intentionally disrupt community discussions.

Professional disagreements and honest reviews are permitted, provided they remain respectful and are based on genuine experiences.

5. Authenticity

Trust is fundamental to HobbyMela.

Accordingly, Users and Artists should ensure that:

• profile information is accurate;
• product descriptions are truthful;
• workshop details are complete and current;
• reviews reflect genuine experiences;
• portfolios represent their own work unless appropriately credited;
• qualifications, awards or certifications are not exaggerated or fabricated.

Artists must not knowingly misrepresent factory-produced, imported or substantially AI-generated work as entirely handmade where doing so would mislead Users.

6. Acceptable Content

The following types of content are generally encouraged:

• original artwork;
• handmade creations;
• creative tutorials;
• workshop information;
• educational content;
• portfolio images;
• artist stories;
• creative inspiration;
• constructive reviews;
• event announcements;
• community discussions relating to arts, crafts and creativity.

Users remain responsible for ensuring that the content they publish complies with applicable law and these policies.

7. Prohibited Content

The following content is prohibited on HobbyMela:

• unlawful or illegal content;
• counterfeit products;
• stolen artwork;
• plagiarized content;
• copyright infringement;
• trademark infringement;
• misleading advertising;
• fake reviews;
• spam;
• scams;
• phishing;
• malware;
• hate speech;
• discriminatory content;
• threats;
• harassment;
• sexually explicit material;
• graphic violence;
• promotion of illegal activities;
• content that infringes another person's privacy;
• content that encourages self-harm or violence.

HobbyMela may remove prohibited content without prior notice where reasonably necessary.

8. Artist Content

Artists remain responsible for all content published through their Artist Profiles, including:

• product listings;
• workshop descriptions;
• portfolios;
• photographs;
• pricing;
• promotional material;
• videos;
• social media links.

Artists should ensure that their published content is regularly reviewed and updated.

9. User Generated Content

Users retain ownership of the content they create and publish.

By publishing content on HobbyMela, Users grant HobbyMela a limited, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free and revocable license to host, display, reproduce and communicate that content solely for the purpose of operating, improving and promoting the Platform.

Users are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary rights to publish any content they upload.

10. Intellectual Property

HobbyMela respects the intellectual property rights of Artists, Users and third parties.

Unless otherwise stated:

• Artists retain ownership of their original artwork, designs, photographs, workshop material, logos and other creative works.
• Users retain ownership of the original content they publish.
• HobbyMela retains ownership of its trademarks, logos, branding, software, website design, original editorial content, databases and other Platform materials.

Nothing in this Policy transfers ownership of intellectual property from one party to another.

Users must not reproduce, copy, modify, distribute, sell or commercially exploit another person's content without the necessary permission or legal authority.

11. Copyright & Infringement Reporting

If you believe that content published on HobbyMela infringes your copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights, you may submit a written complaint to HobbyMela.

Your complaint should include, where applicable:

• your name and contact details;
• a description of the intellectual property claimed to have been infringed;
• the URL or location of the allegedly infringing content;
• evidence supporting your ownership or authority to act on behalf of the rights holder;
• a statement that the information provided is accurate and made in good faith.

HobbyMela may:

• request additional information;
• temporarily restrict access to the content while investigating;
• remove the content if appropriate;
• notify the affected User or Artist; or
• take any other action reasonably necessary to protect intellectual property rights and comply with applicable law.

Repeated infringement may result in suspension or termination of the relevant Account.

12. AI-Generated & Digitally Assisted Content

HobbyMela welcomes innovation while promoting transparency and authenticity.

Artists and Users may use artificial intelligence or other digital tools as part of their creative process. However, they must not use such tools to deceive or mislead others.

Where AI or similar technologies have materially contributed to a work, Artists should accurately represent the nature of that work if such information would reasonably influence a User's purchasing or participation decision.

Artists must not falsely represent AI-generated or mass-produced work as entirely handmade or original where doing so would be misleading.

HobbyMela may publish additional guidance on AI-generated content as technology and industry practices evolve.

13. Content Moderation

To maintain a safe and trustworthy Platform, HobbyMela may review, moderate, restrict or remove content that it reasonably believes:

• violates this Policy or the Platform Terms of Use;
• is unlawful or potentially unlawful;
• infringes intellectual property rights;
• poses a risk to Users or the Platform;
• is fraudulent, misleading or deceptive;
• contains spam, malware or malicious code;
• adversely affects the integrity of the Platform.

Moderation may be undertaken using a combination of automated tools and human review, where appropriate.

HobbyMela is not obliged to monitor all content published on the Platform but reserves the right to do so where reasonably necessary.

14. Reporting Concerns

If you encounter content or behaviour that violates this Policy, you may report it using the reporting tools available on the Platform or by contacting HobbyMela Support.

Reports may relate to:

• abusive behaviour;
• harassment;
• fake Artist Profiles;
• misleading product listings;
• counterfeit products;
• copyright infringement;
• spam;
• fraudulent activity;
• inappropriate workshop listings;
• other safety concerns.

HobbyMela may request additional information to assist its investigation.

Submitting a report does not guarantee that content will be removed or that a particular enforcement action will be taken.

15. Enforcement Actions

Where HobbyMela reasonably determines that this Policy has been violated, it may take one or more of the following actions:

• issue a warning;
• remove or restrict access to content;
• temporarily suspend specific Platform features;
• suspend an Account;
• terminate an Account;
• remove product listings or workshops;
• limit visibility of content;
• report unlawful activity to relevant authorities where required by law.

The action taken will generally depend on factors such as:

• the seriousness of the violation;
• whether it is a repeated offence;
• the potential impact on Users or the Platform;
• applicable legal obligations.

16. Appeals

If your content has been removed or your Account has been restricted, you may contact HobbyMela to request a review of the decision.

When submitting an appeal, you should provide:

• your name and Account details;
• a description of the decision being challenged;
• any relevant supporting information.

HobbyMela will review the appeal in good faith and communicate its decision within a reasonable period.

The outcome of an appeal is final unless HobbyMela determines that new and material information has become available.

17. Trust & Safety

HobbyMela is committed to maintaining a platform where Artists and Users can interact with confidence.

To support this objective, HobbyMela may:

• verify certain Artist information;
• investigate reports of misuse;
• implement technical security measures;
• monitor suspicious activity;
• restrict abusive Accounts;
• educate Users about online safety and fraud prevention.

While HobbyMela takes reasonable measures to promote a safe environment, Users remain responsible for exercising appropriate judgement when interacting with others, purchasing products or participating in workshops.

18. Policy Updates

HobbyMela may amend this Policy from time to time to reflect:

• changes in Platform features;
• legal or regulatory requirements;
• technological developments;
• evolving community standards;
• industry best practices.

The updated Policy will be published on the Platform together with the revised "Last Updated" date.

Continued use of the Platform after the updated Policy becomes effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

19.Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding this Refund & Cancellation Policy, please contact:

Hobbymela

Email: hello@hobbymela.com

Phone: +91 89286 13244