Contributor Guidelines

Last Updated: January 2026

These Contributor Guidelines set out the technical, legal, and quality standards required for submitting Content to the Color Space platform. They are designed to protect Contributors, customers, and Color Space. These Guidelines must be read together with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and the Contributor Agreement (where applicable). In the event of any conflict, those agreements prevail.

Failure to comply with these Guidelines may result in rejection of Content, suspension of submissions, withholding of earnings, or termination of your Contributor account.

1. Who Can Become a Contributor

You may apply to become a Contributor if:

• You are at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction);

• You own or control all rights to the Content you submit;

• You can enter into a legally binding agreement;

• You agree to comply with all Color Space policies and guidelines.

Color Space reserves the right to accept or reject any Contributor application at its sole discretion.

2. Ownership and Rights

• You retain copyright ownership of your Content.

• By submitting Content, you grant Color Space a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, reproduce, distribute, display, modify, market, and license your Content.

• You must not upload Content that infringes intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or contractual rights.

You are solely responsible for the legality of your Content.

3. Content Quality Standards

All submitted Content must be commercially viable, advertising-ready, and professionally produced.

3.1 Technical Requirements (Photography)

• High resolution, sharp focus, and correct exposure

• No excessive noise, compression artifacts, banding, or pixelation

• Accurate white balance and natural color grading

• No watermarks, borders, logos, timestamps, or signatures

• Proper cropping and composition suitable for commercial use

3.2 Artistic and Commercial Value

• Strong concept, storytelling, or clear commercial intent

• Authentic representation and contemporary relevance

• Avoid overly staged, cliché, or repetitive imagery

Color Space prioritizes Content that reflects diverse, real-world, and advertising-relevant scenarios, particularly within African and global contexts.

4. Prohibited Content

You may not submit Content that includes or depicts:

• Copyrighted material you do not own or control

• Trademarks, logos, brand names, or identifiable products

• Pornographic, sexually explicit, or fetish content

• Hate speech, harassment, or discriminatory content

• Illegal activities or unsafe behavior

• Misleading, defamatory, or deceptive subject matter

• AI-generated or AI-assisted Content unless explicitly permitted in writing

Color Space reserves the right to remove Content at any time.

5. Model and Property Releases

5.1 Model Releases

• A valid model release is required for any recognizable person

• Releases must be properly completed, signed, and dated

• Minors must have a release signed by a parent or legal guardian

5.2 Property Releases

• Required for privately owned property, interiors, and distinctive locations

• Required for identifiable artwork, architecture, or pets

You must upload releases where applicable. Color Space does not verify the legal sufficiency of releases.

6. Metadata Standards (Titles & Keywords)

Accurate metadata is essential for discoverability.

• Titles must be descriptive and factual

• Keywords must be relevant, accurate, and non-misleading

• Do not include brand names, trademarks, or spam keywords

• Do not include subjective claims (e.g., "best", "perfect", "guaranteed")

Misleading or keyword-stuffed metadata may result in rejection or account penalties.

7. Editorial vs Commercial Content

• Clearly mark Content intended for Editorial Use Only

• Editorial Content must depict real events or public interest topics

• Editorial Content must not be staged or digitally manipulated beyond basic corrections

Misclassification may result in rejection or removal.

8. Review and Approval Process

• All Content is subject to manual and/or automated review

• Submission does not guarantee acceptance

• Rejected Content may not be resubmitted unless corrected

• Review outcomes are final and not subject to appeal

Color Space does not provide individualized feedback on every rejection.

9. Royalties and Payments

• Contributors earn 60% of net revenue from licensed downloads

• Color Space retains 40% as a platform and distribution fee

• Earnings are calculated per successful license transaction

• Payment thresholds, schedules, and methods are determined by Color Space

Color Space may withhold payments in cases of suspected fraud, rights disputes, or policy violations.

10. Account Conduct and Enforcement

Contributors must not:

• Upload content they do not own

• Attempt to manipulate downloads or earnings

• Create multiple accounts without permission

• Circumvent review or platform safeguards

Violations may result in content takedown, forfeiture of earnings, suspension, or permanent account termination.

11. Taxes and Legal Compliance

You are solely responsible for:

• Declaring and paying applicable taxes

• Providing accurate tax and payout information

• Complying with local and international laws

Color Space may report earnings where required by law.

12. Changes to These Guidelines

Color Space may update these Contributor Guidelines at any time. Continued submission of Content constitutes acceptance of the updated Guidelines.

13. Contact

For Contributor-related questions, contact:

Color Space
Email: info@colorspace.co.za

By submitting Content to Color Space, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with these Contributor Guidelines.