GLOBAL INK ALLIANCE
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Terms of Service

Effective Date: 1 May 2026 Last Updated: 27 May 2026

1. Welcome to GIA

These Terms of Service ("Terms") form a binding agreement between you and Global Ink Alliance Ltd ("GIA", "we", "us", "our"), a company registered in England and Wales under company number 17173898, with registered office at Suite RA01, 195-197 Wood Street, London, E17 3NU, United Kingdom.

The Terms govern your use of the GIA mobile application, our websites (getgia.app, globalinkalliance.com, learn.getgia.app), and any related services (collectively, the "Services").

By creating an account, signing in, or using the Services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

In plain English: This is the legal contract between you and GIA. By using GIA, you accept these rules. We've kept legalese minimal and added plain-English explainers throughout.

2. The Most Important Thing You Need to Understand

GIA is a platform, not a party to the deals between users.

We provide infrastructure for tattoo professionals, studios, festivals, and clients to find each other, communicate, and document their conversations. We do not:

If you arrange a tattoo, a guest spot, a studio residency, a festival booking, or any other deal through GIA, you are dealing directly with the other person. GIA is the place where the conversation happened — it is not the seller, the buyer, the employer, or the guarantor.

Section 3 explains what this means in practice. Read it carefully — it is the most important section in these Terms.

3. No Insurance, No Guarantee

GIA does not insure, indemnify, or compensate you for any harm, loss, dispute, injury, fraud, or unmet expectation arising from your interactions with other users.

By way of example and not limitation:

You agree that you will not pursue claims against GIA arising from the conduct of other users, except to the extent we have caused you harm directly through our own gross negligence or wilful misconduct, or where applicable mandatory consumer law gives you a stronger right.

In plain English: GIA is like a bulletin board. If two strangers meet on a bulletin board and one of them rips off the other, the bulletin board is not who pays. Take it up with that person, and if it's serious, with the police. GIA is not your insurance.

4. Eligibility — You Must Be 18+

You must be 18 years of age or older to use the Services. There are no exceptions. This applies to every role: artist, studio owner, client, festival organizer.

By creating an account, you represent and warrant that:

If you misrepresent your age, we will terminate your account immediately upon learning of it. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has registered, contact privacy@globalinkalliance.com — we will delete the account within 30 days.

We may operate in restricted jurisdictions where local law forbids certain content or services. We may block, restrict, or geo-fence features as required.

5. Your Account

5.1 Registration

You register by providing your phone number, email address, name, role, and country. You must use accurate information and update it when it changes.

5.2 Roles

You may hold one or more of the following roles:

Multiple roles may be linked to a single account; however, separate verification and contact information may be required for each role.

5.3 Verification

GIA verifies certain channels you provide:

A "✓ verified" badge means we have confirmed the channel works and is yours at the time of verification. It does not mean we have validated:

We do not collect government ID, passports, training certificates, work videos, or selfies. Verification is intentionally light. See our Verification Policy for details.

5.4 Security

You are responsible for keeping your account secure. Do not share your account credentials. Notify us immediately at privacy@globalinkalliance.com if you suspect unauthorized access.

5.5 Accuracy

Provide truthful information about yourself and your work. False, misleading, or impersonated profiles violate these Terms and will be removed.

6. Acceptable Use

You agree to follow our Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") and Community Guidelines. Highlights:

You will not:

We may remove content, suspend accounts, or refuse service for any breach. Severe or repeated breaches lead to permanent termination.

7. Subscriptions, Payments, and Refunds

7.1 Free Tier

Most of the Services are free. Beta-testing studios and artists may receive promotional access for an extended period as agreed individually.

7.2 Paid Tiers (When Available)

When introduced, paid features may include:

Prices, billing cycles, and trial conditions will be disclosed at the point of purchase.

7.3 In-App Purchases

Subscriptions and digital content purchased through the iOS or Android app are handled by Apple App Store or Google Play. Their billing terms apply, including their refund and cancellation policies. To cancel an in-app subscription, use your device's subscription settings.

Free trials, introductory offers, promotional offers, and offer codes redeemed through Apple App Store or Google Play are governed by the applicable store's rules. If a trial converts into a paid subscription, the store payment sheet or subscription page will disclose the trial length, renewal price, billing period, and how to cancel before the first charge.

7.4 Web Purchases

Paid courses and digital content purchased on learn.getgia.app or other GIA websites are processed by Stripe. See our Refund Policy for our 14-day cooling-off rules under EU consumer law and the conditions under which they apply.

7.5 Promotional and Gifted Web Trials

We may offer promotional or gifted trial subscriptions through Stripe, including extended trials for launch testers, ambassadors, studios, artists, PMU/beauty professionals, festivals, or championship partners.

For a Stripe trial:

If you do not provide a payment method, the Stripe trial subscription is not activated. A manually granted admin subscription is different: it may expire automatically and does not create future automatic billing.

7.6 Auto-Renewal and Cancellation

Subscriptions auto-renew at the end of each billing cycle unless cancelled before the renewal date. We will send a renewal reminder where required by your local law.

Cancellation stops future renewals. Unless the relevant store or Stripe states otherwise, cancelling does not automatically refund the current paid period; access usually continues until the end of the current billing period or trial period.

You can manage or cancel subscriptions as follows:

8. The AI Sketch Feature

GIA's AI Sketch lets you describe a tattoo idea in words and receive an AI-generated image to inspire your design. The technology is provided by our sub-processor Replicate Inc. (United States).

8.1 You Own Your Output

Subject to Replicate's underlying model terms, you own the prompts you write and the images generated for you. You may use them commercially, including as inspiration for an actual tattoo.

8.2 AI Disclosure

Generated images are clearly labelled as AI-made (a small "AI" indicator), in compliance with the EU AI Act.

8.3 Originality Is Your Responsibility

The AI model is trained on third-party data we do not control. It may produce outputs that resemble existing works. Before tattooing an AI-generated design, you are responsible for confirming it does not infringe anyone else's copyright. GIA assumes no liability for any such infringement.

8.4 Limits on Use

You will not use AI Sketch to generate:

We may withhold generations that violate these limits or our AUP.

8.5 Free Tier vs Paid Tier

Free tier (3 generations per day):

Paid tier (PRO):

The AI label remains in image metadata regardless of tier, in compliance with the EU AI Act (Article 50). This metadata is machine-readable (PNG tEXt chunk + EXIF ImageDescription) and discloses that the image is AI-generated, the model used, and the date of generation. You agree not to strip or alter this metadata.

8.6 Underlying Model Licensing

We use third-party AI models accessed via Replicate Inc. We select models with commercial-friendly licences (Apache 2.0, CreativeML Open RAIL-M with commercial allowance, or proprietary models offered for commercial use through Replicate's API). We do not generate paid-tier output using non-commercial research models. If a model's licence terms change, we will switch providers and notify you in our changelog.

9. The Migration Module

The Migration module connects users with independent third-party immigration agents and lawyers (e.g. talent visas, tourist visas).

GIA is not an immigration adviser. GIA is not registered with the UK Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and does not provide immigration advice of any kind.

We only:

You retain a separate, direct relationship with the agent or lawyer you choose. Any advice they provide is theirs, not ours.

10. Health and Aftercare

The Aftercare feature provides general reminders and educational content about caring for fresh tattoos. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for a qualified health professional.

If you experience any signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, fever, severe pain, allergic reaction), stop using the reminders and seek medical care immediately.

We do not collect symptoms, photographs of healing skin, or any clinical history. The full disclaimer is in our Health & Aftercare Disclaimer.

11. Educator Independence

Tattoo masters who appear on GIA's learn.getgia.app platform — whether through promotional or revenue-share arrangements — are independent contractors, not employees, agents, or partners of GIA.

GIA does not control:

You engage with their content at your own discretion. Disputes arising from a master's content (other than copyright takedowns under DMCA) are between you and the master.

The full terms of the master ↔ GIA relationship are in the Educator Content License Agreement.

12. The Blacklist Archive

GIA hosts a public Blacklist archive containing user reports about unkept commitments in the tattoo industry.

12.1 What the Archive Is

The archive is a record of what users wrote to each other in chats — quoted verbatim with timestamps, supported by screenshots or chat references.

12.2 What the Archive Is Not

GIA does not:

12.3 Rules of Publication

We apply six rules to every entry:

  1. Verbatim only — entries quote dialogue, never paraphrase or interpret
  2. Source preserved — every entry has a screenshot or chat reference
  3. No editorial control — GIA does not write, rewrite, or characterize entries
  4. Right of reply — anyone named may publish their version of the same conversation alongside the entry
  5. Removal by mutual agreement — if both parties confirm in chat that the matter is resolved, the entry is removed within 24 hours
  6. Three-year archival — an entry without new corroborating reports for 3 years moves to an internal-only archive

12.4 Lawful Basis

The archive operates under our legitimate interest in maintaining safety in the tattoo industry, balanced against the rights of named individuals through the right of reply and removal mechanisms.

12.5 Caveat Emptor for Job Listings

If a profile or advertisement discloses a condition (for example, "shared accommodation, no private window"), users who proceed are deemed to have accepted that condition. Disputes about conditions disclosed at the time of the deal are between users.

13. Scam Warning — Be Careful With Money

GIA offers messaging and reputation tools. GIA does not process payments between artists and clients, between studios and artists, or between any users and any other users. All money flows directly between the parties using their own banking, payment apps, or cash.

Therefore:

If you suspect fraud, report it via the in-app report tool and to your local authorities.

14. The Shop / Marketplace

The GIA Shop lists physical tattoo supplies (machines, needles, inks, aftercare products) and digital goods (presets, courses).

14.1 GIA's Role

GIA acts as a marketplace intermediary between independent vendors and buyers. For most physical goods, GIA does not stock, ship, or warrant the products — vendors do.

14.2 Product Safety

Vendors are responsible for ensuring their products comply with applicable safety and labelling regulations (e.g. CE marking in the EU, REACH compliance for inks). GIA expects vendors to declare compliance and reserves the right to remove non-compliant listings.

14.3 Returns

Returns and refunds for physical goods are governed by the vendor's policy and applicable consumer law. EU/UK consumers retain their 14-day cooling-off right for distance sales of physical goods, except for goods exempt by law (e.g. items unsealed for hygienic reasons, custom-made items).

14.4 Digital Goods Sold Directly by GIA

Where GIA itself sells a digital product (e.g. a GIA-branded preset pack, a GIA-produced course), the Refund Policy applies.

15. Festivals (FEST)

Festival profiles are operated by independent festival organizers. GIA hosts their listings; we do not run their events. Disputes about ticket purchases, accommodation, schedules, or on-site experience are between you and the festival organizer.

16. Promoted, Sponsored, and Boosted Content

Some profiles in the Network feed are promoted because their owners paid for higher visibility. These profiles are clearly labelled with a "📌 Promoted" or "🚀 Boosted" indicator.

Promotion does not affect the truthfulness of profile data or the verification standards we apply. Promotion is disclosed in compliance with the EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the US FTC Endorsement Guides.

17. Your Content (User-Generated Content)

17.1 You Keep Ownership

You retain ownership of all content you upload, including portfolio photographs, posts, comments, ads, AI prompt history, and chat messages.

17.2 You Grant Us a Licence

By uploading content to GIA, you grant GIA a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable licence to host, display, distribute, reproduce, format, translate, and promote that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Services. This licence ends when you delete the content or your account, except for:

17.3 Photographs Including Other People

When you upload images that depict other people, you confirm at upload that you have obtained any necessary consents from the people depicted. If a depicted person contacts us to remove their image, we will act within 30 days.

17.4 Tattoo Authorship and Copyright

In the UK, EU, and US the artist who created a tattoo is generally the author for copyright purposes. By uploading a photo of a tattoo you confirm that:

GIA disclaims all liability for disputes arising from tattoo authorship.

18. Copyright Infringement (DMCA)

GIA respects intellectual property. We respond to valid takedown notices under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, and the EU Copyright Directive.

Our DMCA Designated Agent is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office:

Procedure: see AUP / DMCA Policy.

We terminate accounts of repeat infringers in line with our DMCA Policy.

19. Termination and Suspension

19.1 You May Leave Anytime

Delete your account in Settings → Delete Account. We act on the request immediately. Backups are purged within 90 days. Your username may become available to other users after deletion.

19.2 We May Suspend or Terminate

We may suspend or terminate your access if:

We will notify you and give you a chance to appeal where reasonably possible.

19.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Services ends. Sections that by their nature survive termination (Sections 3, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) continue to apply.

20. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Services are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE". To the maximum extent permitted by law:

This Section does not limit any rights you have under your country's mandatory consumer protection laws.

21. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for: death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be limited under English law.

If you are an EU/UK consumer, this Section does not affect your statutory rights.

22. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless GIA, its directors, employees, and affiliates from any claim arising from:

This Section does not apply to claims caused by GIA's wilful misconduct or gross negligence, nor where indemnification is restricted by mandatory consumer law.

23. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules.

Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except that:

If you are a consumer in the EU, you may use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

24. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do:

If you reject the update, you may delete your account before the effective date.

25. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for failure to perform due to events beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, sanctions, internet outages, third-party service failures, government action, pandemic, or labour disputes, provided the affected party gives reasonable notice.

26. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. The unenforceable provision will be replaced by an enforceable one as close as possible to the original intent.

26a. Community Discussion Chat

The Blacklist section of the Service includes an open Community Chat. Verified users (100% complete profile) may post messages about their personal experience with other users (studios, artists, festivals, clients).

You acknowledge and agree that:

  1. GIA is not the author of Community Chat content. Posts are user-generated. We do not endorse, verify, or fact-check the truthfulness of any specific claim.

  2. GIA acts as a hosting platform. We rely on user reports plus automated content filters (including the OpenAI Moderation API) to remove violating content.

  3. You are responsible for what you post. You agree to comply with our Community Guidelines and Acceptable Use Policy. Defamation, hate speech, harassment, and false criminal accusations are prohibited.

  4. Right to reply. If you are mentioned in the Community Chat, you will be notified and may respond in the same thread.

  5. Removal of content and ban. We may remove any content at our discretion, with or without notice, for violations of our policies. We may permanently or temporarily ban users from the Community Chat without refund of any subscription fees.

  6. Liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, GIA Ltd is not liable for damages resulting from user-generated content in the Community Chat, including without limitation damages arising from defamation, false statements, or third-party claims based on Community Chat posts.

  7. Cooperation with authorities. In response to a valid legal request (court order, law enforcement subpoena), we may disclose user identity, IP address, and Community Chat post history. See our Privacy Policy.

  8. DMCA / Copyright. Copyright complaints regarding Community Chat content follow the same process as the rest of the platform — see Acceptable Use Policy.

By posting in the Community Chat, you confirm that you have personally worked with or know the subject of your post firsthand, and that your post is your own opinion based on your real experience.

27. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, Refund Policy, and any other linked policies, form the entire agreement between you and GIA regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements.

28. Contact

Global Ink Alliance Ltd Suite RA01, 195-197 Wood Street London, E17 3NU, United Kingdom

General: hello@globalinkalliance.com Privacy: privacy@globalinkalliance.com Legal / DMCA: privacy@globalinkalliance.com

Document prepared for Global Ink Alliance Ltd. Version 1.0 — 1 May 2026

Global Ink Alliance Ltd · Registered in England and Wales · Company No 17173898
Suite RA01, 195-197 Wood Street, London, E17 3NU, United Kingdom
Privacy: privacy@globalinkalliance.com · Support: hello@globalinkalliance.com

Privacy Terms Cookies EULA Refund AUP & DMCA Community Health Verification DPA