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1. Introduction and Scope

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the submission, publication, distribution, and sale of electronic books ("e-books") on the Abay Repository platform. By submitting an e-book to the platform, you ("Author," "Publisher," or "Licensor") agree to be bound by these Terms.

These Terms are established in accordance with the laws of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, including but not limited to:

Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Proclamation No. 410/2004
Federal Income Tax Proclamation No. 979/2016
Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1324/2024
Electronic Transaction Proclamation (as enacted)

2. Definitions

"E-book" means a digital literary, scientific, or artistic work as defined under Article 2(30) of Proclamation No. 410/2004.
"Author" means the person who has intellectually created the work, as defined in Article 2(2) of Proclamation No. 410/2004.
"Platform" means the Abay Repository digital publishing and distribution service.
"Personal Data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, as defined under Article 2 of Proclamation No. 1324/2024.
"Royalty" means a payment of any kind received as consideration for the use of copyright, as defined under Schedule 'D' of the Federal Income Tax Proclamation No. 979/2016.
"User" means any person who accesses, purchases, or downloads an e-book from the Platform.

3. Author Eligibility and Account Requirements

3.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to submit and publish e-books on the Platform.
You must have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract under Ethiopian law.
You must provide accurate and complete registration information.
You are solely responsible for all activities conducted through your account.

3.2 Author Warranties

By submitting an e-book, you warrant and represent that:

Originality and Ownership: You are the sole author or have obtained all necessary rights and permissions to publish the work.
Copyright Compliance: The work does not violate the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Proclamation No. 410/2004.
No Plagiarism: The work does not contain plagiarized content. All sources, quotations, and third-party materials are properly attributed.
Compliance with Laws: The work complies with all applicable Ethiopian laws and regulations.

4. Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 Author Ownership and Moral Rights

You retain all intellectual property rights and copyright to your work. Under Ethiopian law, you hold both economic and moral rights as defined in Proclamation No. 410/2004.

Economic Rights: The economic rights in the e-book shall belong to you during your lifetime and to your heirs or legatees for fifty (50) years from the date of your death.

Moral Rights: As the author, you have the following inalienable moral rights under Article 8 of Proclamation No. 410/2004:

Right to Paternity: The right to claim authorship of the work.
Right to Integrity: The right to object to any distortion, mutilation, or alteration of the work.
Right to Publish: The exclusive right to decide whether and when the work should be released.
Right to Withdraw: The right to withdraw or disavow the work under specific circumstances.

4.2 License Granted to Abay Repository

By submitting an e-book, you grant the Platform a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license to:

Reproduce, format, convert, and distribute the e-book in digital formats.
Make the e-book available for purchase, download, and reading on the Platform.
Use up to 10% of the e-book content for promotional and preview purposes.
Use the cover image, title, author name, and metadata for marketing and promotional purposes.
Sub-license the e-book to third-party distributors and partners.

4.3 Duration of License

The license granted to the Platform shall remain in effect for the duration of the copyright term, as provided under Proclamation No. 410/2004.

6. Pricing and Royalties

6.1 Pricing

You shall set the retail price for your e-book. The Platform reserves the right to recommend or adjust pricing to remain competitive.

6.2 Royalty Split

Standard Royalty Rate: 70% of Net Revenue to the Author, 30% to the Platform.

Net Revenue is defined as the gross sales price minus applicable taxes, transaction fees, and refunds.

6.3 Royalty Payments

Royalties shall be calculated monthly and paid within thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar month.
The minimum payout amount shall be as specified in the Publishing Agreement.
Payments shall be processed through designated third-party payment providers.

6.4 Tax Obligations

Author Responsibility: You are solely responsible for reporting and paying all taxes on royalties received.

Withholding Tax: Under Schedule 'D' of the Income Tax Proclamation, royalties paid to non-resident authors are subject to a 5% withholding tax.

7. Data Protection and Privacy

The Platform and all users shall comply with the Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1324/2024 ("PDPP").

Data Controller: The Platform acts as a Data Controller with respect to personal data collected from authors and users.
Data Processing Principles: Lawfulness, Consent, Purpose Limitation, Data Minimization, Accuracy, Storage Limitation, Integrity and Confidentiality.
Data Subject Rights: Right to be Informed, Right of Access, Right to Rectification, Right to Erasure, Right to Data Portability, Right to Object, Right to Restrict Processing.
Data Security: The Platform shall implement appropriate technical and organizational measures.
Data Breach Notification: The Platform shall notify the Ethiopian Communications Authority within 72 hours of detection.

10. Content Restrictions and Removal

10.1 Prohibited Content

Works that violate Ethiopian law or international law.
Works that infringe on third-party intellectual property rights.
Works that are defamatory, obscene, or offensive.
Works that promote violence, discrimination, hatred, or illegal activities.
Works that violate the privacy or publicity rights of others.
Works that violate the standards of the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Legal Penalties for Copyright Infringement:

Civil Remedies: Compensation for moral damage of not less than 100,000 Birr.

Criminal Sanctions: Intentional violation may result in rigorous imprisonment for 5-10 years and a fine of 25,000-50,000 Birr.

13. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

13.2 Dispute Resolution

Negotiation: The parties shall first attempt to resolve any dispute amicably.
Mediation: If negotiation fails, the parties shall attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation.
Arbitration: If mediation fails, the dispute shall be finally resolved through arbitration.
Courts: The courts of Addis Ababa shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and the Platform regarding the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and representations.

Last Updated: August 23, 2026

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