Terms and Conditions

2. Description of Services

LiteStep provides software applications and related services, including but not limited to:

• Writers Studio — a macOS writing application with AI-assisted features, available in two editions (Direct and App Store)
• Quick Bill Reminder — an iOS/macOS bill management application
• LiteStep Theme — a Shopify theme
• MarkItUp — a macOS Markdown file manager
• Related websites, APIs, and web portals

3. Writers Studio — License Terms

3.1 Direct Edition ($79 Lifetime License)

The Writers Studio Direct edition is sold as a lifetime license with the following terms:

• Scope: A non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use Writers Studio version 1.x on up to three (3) Mac computers that you own or control.
• License Key: Your purchase includes a unique license key delivered by LemonSqueezy. You are responsible for keeping your license key secure.
• Activation: Each Mac must be activated at activate.litestep.com or through the in-app activation panel. You may deactivate a device at any time to free up an activation slot.
• Lifetime: "Lifetime" means the commercial life of the version 1.x product line. You are entitled to all updates within version 1.x at no additional cost. Major version upgrades (2.0+) may require a separate purchase.
• Perpetual Operation: The application runs fully offline. If our license server becomes permanently unavailable, the app will continue to function on already-activated devices.
• AI Features (BYOK): AI features require you to provide your own API keys from supported providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or a local Ollama instance). API usage is billed directly by your chosen provider. LiteStep does not charge for AI usage in the Direct edition.
• Delivery: Fulfilled digitally through LemonSqueezy. No physical goods are shipped.

3.2 App Store Edition (Free)

The Writers Studio App Store edition is distributed free of charge on the Mac App Store with the following terms:

• License: Subject to Apple's Standard End-User License Agreement (EULA) for apps obtained through the Mac App Store.
• Core Features: The rich text editor, manuscript organization, and export features are free and fully functional.
• AI Subscriptions: AI-assisted writing features are available through optional in-app subscriptions. Subscription tiers, pricing, and usage limits are displayed within the app.
• Cloud Proxy: AI requests in the App Store edition route through our encrypted cloud proxy. See our Privacy Policy for details on data handling.
• Payments: All purchases and subscriptions are processed by Apple. Billing inquiries should be directed to Apple Support.

4. AI Features Disclaimer

Writers Studio integrates with third-party AI services. By using AI features, you acknowledge and agree:

• AI-generated content is provided "as-is" without warranty of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any purpose.
• You are solely responsible for reviewing, editing, and publishing any AI-generated content. LiteStep is not liable for any consequences of using AI outputs.
• LiteStep does not claim ownership of AI-generated content. Ownership and usage rights are subject to the terms of service of the underlying AI provider.
• AI features depend on third-party provider availability and may be subject to changes in capability, pricing, or availability outside our control.
• You must comply with the acceptable use policies of your chosen AI provider.

5. Quick Bill Reminder App Terms

Quick Bill Reminder is available as a free download with optional premium features available through in-app purchases. By using the app, you agree to:

• Use the app for personal, non-commercial bill tracking purposes
• Not attempt to reverse engineer, modify, or create derivative works from the app
• Grant necessary permissions (notifications, calendar, email) for the app to function correctly
• Accept that bill data accuracy is your responsibility and the app provides tools for organization only

6. LiteStep Theme Terms

The LiteStep Theme for Shopify is available for purchase and use under the following terms:

• A single license is valid for one (1) Shopify store
• The theme may not be redistributed, resold, or shared
• Customization is permitted for your own store's use
• Support and updates are available as described on the product page

7. User Accounts and Registration

Some features of our website and applications may require registration. When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Maintain the security of your account credentials and license keys
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

8. Payment and Refund Policy

Purchases made directly through our website or LemonSqueezy:

• All prices are in USD unless otherwise stated
• Payment processing is handled securely by LemonSqueezy
• Writers Studio Direct edition: We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Contact [email protected] to request a refund within 30 days of purchase. Upon refund, your license key will be deactivated.

Purchases made through the Apple App Store or Mac App Store:

• Subject to Apple's refund policies
• Refund requests should be directed to Apple Support
• In-app subscription cancellations can be managed through your Apple account settings

9. Intellectual Property

All content, features, and functionality of our Services (including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, software, and the underlying code) are owned by LiteStep and are protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Your Content: You retain full ownership of all manuscripts, documents, and content you create using Writers Studio or any of our applications. We claim no rights to your creative work.

10. User-Generated Content

If you submit, post, or display content through our Services, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, and display such content solely for the purpose of providing and improving our Services. This does not apply to private manuscripts or documents created within our applications.

11. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

• Use the Services for any illegal purpose
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe upon the rights of others
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks
• Distribute malware or harmful code
• Interfere with the proper operation of the Services
• Share, redistribute, or resell license keys
• Circumvent license activation or verification mechanisms
• Scrape, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Services

12. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Services may contain links to or integrations with third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for the content, terms, or privacy practices of third-party services, including AI providers, payment processors, and cloud platforms. Your use of third-party services is subject to their respective terms.

13. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

14. Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL LITESTEP, ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE APPLICABLE SERVICE IN THE PRECEDING TWELVE (12) MONTHS.

15. Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to our Services at any time, without prior notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users or to us.

Writers Studio Direct edition: If your license is terminated for violation of these Terms, the application will enter read-only mode — you will retain full access to view and export your existing documents, but new features and AI functionality will be disabled. We will never hold your manuscripts hostage.

16. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

17. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Terms on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the new Terms.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us through our support page or email [email protected].