1. Overview
This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") defines the permitted and prohibited uses of the SellStein platform. This AUP is part of our Terms of Service and applies to all users, merchants, and any person accessing the Service.
SellStein is committed to supporting lawful businesses across all legal industries. We do not discriminate based on product category, industry vertical, or perceived "risk level" as long as your business complies with applicable laws. However, we do require all merchants to adhere to this AUP.
2. Permitted Use
You may use the Service to operate any lawful business, including but not limited to:
- Physical and digital product sales
- Service-based businesses
- Subscription and membership businesses
- Dropshipping and print-on-demand
- Legal age-restricted products (where you comply with all applicable age verification and regulatory requirements)
- CBD, hemp, and other legal cannabis-derived products (where legal in your jurisdiction)
- Legal supplements, nutraceuticals, and wellness products
- Any other lawful product or service category
You are responsible for ensuring your products and business activities comply with all applicable laws in every jurisdiction where you operate and sell.
3. Absolutely Prohibited Content and Activities
The following are strictly prohibited on the SellStein platform, without exception:
3.1. Illegal Products and Services
- Products or services that are illegal under applicable federal, state, or local law
- Controlled substances, illegal narcotics, or drug paraphernalia designed for illegal use
- Stolen goods, counterfeit currency, or government-issued documents
- Weapons of mass destruction or explosive devices
3.2. Exploitation and Abuse
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or any content exploiting minors
- Non-consensual intimate imagery ("revenge porn")
- Human trafficking, forced labor, or exploitation
- Content promoting violence against individuals or groups based on protected characteristics
3.3. Fraud and Deception
- Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, or multi-level marketing scams
- Phishing, social engineering, or identity theft
- Counterfeit goods or unauthorized replicas of trademarked products
- Deceptive pricing, bait-and-switch tactics, or false advertising
- Money laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions evasion
3.4. Technical Abuse
- Transmitting malware, viruses, ransomware, or other harmful code
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Service or other accounts
- DDoS attacks, port scanning, or vulnerability scanning against our infrastructure
- Circumventing rate limits, authentication, or security controls
- Automated scraping, crawling, or data extraction beyond documented API limits
3.5. Spam and Abuse
- Bulk unsolicited emails, messages, or communications
- Fake reviews, ratings manipulation, or astroturfing
- Creating multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions or bans
4. Restricted Activities (Requiring Compliance)
The following activities are permitted only when you maintain full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. You are solely responsible for ensuring compliance:
- Age-restricted products: Tobacco, vaping, alcohol, or other age-restricted items require robust age verification at point of sale
- Regulated health products: Supplements, medical devices, or health claims require compliance with FDA, EU MDR, or equivalent regulations
- Firearms and ammunition: Where legal, must comply with all licensing, background check, and shipping restrictions
- Financial products: Cryptocurrency, forex, or investment products require applicable financial licenses and regulatory compliance
- Gambling and contests: Must comply with all gaming regulations in applicable jurisdictions
5. Intellectual Property
You must not use the Service to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. This includes:
- Selling counterfeit or pirated goods
- Using copyrighted images, text, or media without proper authorization
- Infringing on trademarks, patents, or trade secrets
- Distributing unauthorized copies of software, music, video, or other protected works
If you believe your intellectual property is being infringed, see our DMCA Policy and Trademark Policy.
6. Merchant Obligations
As a merchant on SellStein, you are required to:
- Accurately describe your products and services, including material facts, ingredients, and limitations
- Honor your stated pricing, shipping, return, and refund policies
- Fulfill orders in a timely manner and communicate proactively with customers about delays
- Respond to customer complaints and disputes in good faith
- Maintain appropriate business licenses and permits for your operations
- Collect and remit all applicable taxes, duties, and fees
- Comply with applicable consumer protection laws, including right of withdrawal and cooling-off periods
- Display required legal information (privacy policy, contact details, terms) on your storefront
7. Enforcement
We enforce this AUP through a graduated response system:
- Warning: For first-time or minor violations, we will notify you and request corrective action within a reasonable timeframe
- Content Removal: We may remove specific content that violates this AUP
- Feature Restriction: We may temporarily restrict certain features or capabilities
- Account Suspension: For serious or repeated violations, we may suspend your account pending investigation
- Account Termination: For severe violations (Section 3), we may terminate your account immediately and without prior notice
We will endeavor to provide notice and opportunity to cure before taking enforcement action, except where immediate action is required to protect the safety of users, comply with law, or prevent ongoing harm.
8. Reporting Violations
If you believe a merchant or user is violating this AUP, please report it to abuse@sellstein.com with:
- The URL or identifier of the offending content or store
- A description of the violation
- Any supporting evidence
We review all reports and take appropriate action. Reporters will receive acknowledgment within 48 hours.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this AUP from time to time. Material changes will be communicated at least 30 days in advance. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.
10. Contact
For questions about this Acceptable Use Policy: