Royalty & Payout Policy

This Royalty & Payout Policy outlines the calculation, processing, and distribution of royalties collected by DoorBeen on behalf of artists. By distributing your music through DoorBeen, you agree to the terms described in this policy.

1. Net Receipts Definition

Royalties due to artists are calculated based on Net Receipts received by DoorBeen. Net Receipts are defined as the actual amounts received by DoorBeen from Music Platforms and/or our music distribution infrastructure partner for streams and digital sales of your Tracks, less:

• Applicable government taxes and statutory levies (including GST or international withholding taxes).
• Payment processing, banking, exchange rate conversions, or distribution service fees.
• Compulsory mechanical royalty fees (if applicable to cover versions or specific cover distribution requirements).
• Any costs, chargebacks, adjustments, or penalties incurred due to fraudulent streaming activity, copyright claims, or technical reformatting caused by the artist.

The royalty split (70%, 85%, or 100% depending on the artist's chosen subscription plan) is applied strictly to Net Receipts as defined above, not to the gross DSP revenue reported by platforms before deductions.

2. Payout Mechanism & Cycles

Artists can monitor and request withdrawals of their royalty balance under the following guidelines:

• Direct Bank Transfers only: Royalty payouts are made exclusively via direct bank transfer (NEFT/IMPS) to the registered bank account details provided by you in your account settings. DoorBeen does not process payouts through Cashfree Payments or other external payment gateways.
• Minimum Payout Threshold: You may request a payout once your accumulated royalty balance reaches a minimum of ₹500 (Five Hundred Indian Rupees).
• Payout Cycle: Payout requests are processed on a monthly cycle. Approved withdrawals will be disbursed into your bank account within 7 working days.
• Bank Transaction Fees: Any transaction charges or bank transfer fees levied by financial institutions for processing your NEFT/IMPS payout will be borne by the artist and deducted directly from the disbursed payout amount.

3. Dormant Balance Policy

If your DoorBeen account remains inactive for 2 consecutive years (defined as no logins, no new releases submitted, and no payout requests made) and you have a positive balance:

• DoorBeen reserves the right to declare the balance dormant.
• Before reclaiming any balance, DoorBeen shall send multiple email notices to your registered email address at 90 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to the reclaim date.
• If you do not log in, reactivate your account, or claim the balance within the notice period, the remaining balance will be forfeited and reclaimed by DoorBeen as a dormant account maintenance fee.

4. Payment Dispute Window

Artists are responsible for reviewing their monthly statements. Any disputes, errors, or questions regarding statements, calculations, or payments must be raised in writing to contact@doorbeen.io within 1 year from the date the disputed statement or payout was issued. After 1 year, statements and payments shall be deemed final, binding, and uncontestable.

5. Fraud & Streaming Manipulation

Streaming manipulation, artificial stream generation (using bot nets, loop services, click farms, or deceptive play generators), and copyright fraud are strictly prohibited. In alignment with DSP policies:

• DoorBeen reserves the right to freeze, withhold, or forfeit Net Receipts attributable to Tracks flagged for fraudulent activity.
• We will recoup and return any fraudulent stream earnings to DSPs as required.
• Severe or repeated instances of streaming manipulation will lead to immediate account termination and forfeiture of all balances under the Terms of Service.

6. Withholding Pending Disputes

In the event of a copyright infringement claim, DMCA notice, or ownership dispute regarding any Track:

• Royalties for that specific Track will be calculated and accumulated only up to the date the dispute notice was received.
• Subsequent and past royalties for the disputed Track will be withheld (frozen) pending a resolution between the disputing parties.
• Accumulated royalties will be paid out to the rightful owner once written proof of dispute resolution is received by DoorBeen, without interest.

7. Tax Treatment (TDS)

Royalty payouts are subject to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under the Income Tax Act, 1961 of India. As outlined in Section 3.5 of the Terms of Service, DoorBeen will deduct applicable TDS (under Section 194-O, 194J, or other provisions) from your payouts and will issue Form 16A TDS certificates as required by law.

8. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This Royalty & Payout Policy incorporates the dispute resolution, governing law, and arbitration clauses set out in Section 9 of the DoorBeen Terms of Service by reference. Any legal disputes arising from this policy shall be governed by the laws of India and subject to arbitration in Jorhat, Assam, India.