Rules and Regulations
Effective Date: January 2025
OLLiN is a platform created by iOLLiN, INC. (herein “OLLiN”) is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation through crowdfunding and community engagement. To ensure a safe, transparent, and compliant environment, all users, projects, and transactions must adhere to the following rules and regulations.
1. Project Creation
- Purpose: Projects must aim to create tangible or intangible value, including products, services, ideas, events, or experiences. All projects must have a clear objective and a definitive end goal.
- Compliance: All projects must comply with applicable local, national, and international laws, including anti-money laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and sanctions regulations.
- Prohibited Activities: Projects must not include activities that are illegal, unregulated, or violate sanctions as outlined in Section 5 of this document.
2. User Verification and KYC
- Mandatory Verification: Any user intending to collect funds must complete the KYC process facilitated by our compliance partners (e.g., Stripe, Persona). This includes verifying identity, residency, and sanctions screening.
- Restrictions for Fund Collection:
- Users who fail KYC verification are prohibited from collecting or accessing funds.
- Suspicious users may face further investigation by OLLiN’s Trust & Safety Team and possible escalation to regulatory authorities.
- Ongoing Monitoring: User accounts and activities will be subject to periodic reviews to ensure compliance with AML and sanctions requirements. Changes in circumstances (e.g., flagged activity) may trigger additional verification.
3. Transparency and Accountability
- Honest Representation: Users must present truthful and accurate information about projects. Misleading claims, false representations, or unsubstantiated promises are strictly prohibited.
- Financial Accountability: Creators must provide detailed and transparent financial information, including how funds will be used. Misuse of funds is grounds for immediate suspension and potential legal action.
- Project Updates: Creators must regularly update supporters on project progress, including delays, pivots, or issues impacting delivery.
4. Fundraising Limitations
- Charity Projects: Projects may not raise funds solely for charitable purposes. Nonprofits are permitted to launch projects if funds directly support a specific initiative.
- Permissible Campaigns: Nonprofits may launch projects if funds directly support a specific initiative. A specific initiative must have:
- Clear, Defined Goal: A precise objective outlining the intended outcome.
- Specific Budget: A detailed financial plan indicating how funds will be allocated.
- Measurable Outcomes: Criteria to assess the success of the initiative.
Examples of Acceptable Projects:
- “Raising $50,000 to build a computer lab at Phoenix Elementary.”
- “Creating 1,000 emergency shelter kits for disaster response.”
Examples of Prohibited Projects:
- “Supporting our ongoing charitable work.”
- “Helping the homeless community.”
The key is that supporters must clearly understand how their contributions will be utilized.
Equity and Investment Prohibitions:
Projects cannot offer equity, revenue sharing, or financial returns.Donation Restrictions:
Transactions involving anonymous or high-risk donation patterns will be flagged for further review.
5. Prohibited Project Campaigns, Activities and Content
OLLiN prohibits the following activities, behaviors, and content in all projects, campaigns, and user interactions to ensure compliance with legal regulations, promote a safe community, and maintain the integrity of the platform.
Illegal Activities
- Projects or campaigns involving activities that violate local, national, or international laws or regulations.
- Activities that promote or encourage criminal behavior, including but not limited to fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, human trafficking, and the sale or distribution of counterfeit goods.
Sanctions Violations
- Transactions or campaigns involving individuals, entities, or jurisdictions subject to economic sanctions, trade restrictions, or embargoes imposed by:
- The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
- The European Union.
- The United Nations Security Council.
- Other relevant regulatory bodies.
High-Risk or Regulated Industries
- Health and Medical Claims: Campaigns making health-related claims without verified scientific backing or appropriate regulatory approvals (e.g., FDA approval in the U.S.).
- Gambling, Raffles, and Lotteries: Projects involving games of chance, gambling, betting, sweepstakes, raffles, or lotteries, including those disguised as fundraising mechanisms.
- Financial Services:
- Campaigns promoting lending, investment schemes, cryptocurrency trading, insurance products, or other financial services that require regulatory compliance or licensing.
- Pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, or multi-level marketing (MLM) programs.
- Sales of Restricted Goods:
- Alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products, unless explicitly permitted by jurisdictional law and regulatory approval.
- Controlled substances, recreational drugs, drug paraphernalia, or prescription medications.
- Weapons, including firearms, ammunition, explosives, or related accessories.
- Hazardous materials, including chemicals or substances subject to regulatory controls.
- Adult or Sexually Explicit Material: Content promoting pornography, sexually explicit material, or escort services.
- Surveillance Equipment: Projects involving the sale or distribution of hidden cameras, spyware, hacking tools, or other equipment that invades privacy or facilitates unauthorized surveillance.
- Live Animals: Campaigns involving the sale, adoption, or breeding of live animals.
Offensive and Harmful Content
- Hate Speech: Material that promotes hate, discrimination, or intolerance based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics.
- Violence: Projects promoting violence, abuse, or threats against individuals or groups.
- Graphic Content: Depictions of gore, violence, or other explicit material intended to shock or disturb viewers.
- Misinformation and Deceptive Practices:
- False claims or deceptive marketing practices, including exaggerated promises of returns or benefits.
- Projects spreading misinformation or conspiracy theories without verifiable evidence.
Unverified or Emerging Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Campaigns involving AI or other emerging technologies must:
- Disclose their intended applications and limitations.
- Avoid misleading claims about capabilities or benefits.
- Comply with applicable ethical and legal standards.
- High-Risk Technologies: Prohibition of technologies with potential misuse, such as facial recognition, autonomous weaponry, or unapproved biotech advancements.
Intellectual Property Violations
- Campaigns using content that infringes upon trademarks, copyrights, patents, or other intellectual property rights.
- Unauthorized use of brand logos, names, or media belonging to third parties.
Spam and Misuse of Platform
- Spam or Fraudulent Activity: Repeated posting of unsolicited messages, fraudulent campaigns, or irrelevant content intended to deceive or exploit users.
- Fake Identities: Misrepresentation of identity, qualifications, or affiliations in project campaigns.
- Irrelevant or Non-Actionable Campaigns: Projects with no clear purpose, value, or deliverables, or campaigns created solely for personal financial gain without a valid cause.
Ethical and Moral Standards
- Cultural Appropriation: Projects that exploit or misrepresent cultural symbols, practices, or traditions without respect or proper context.
- Harmful Challenges or Pranks: Campaigns encouraging dangerous stunts, challenges, or pranks that could result in injury or harm.
- Exploitation: Projects exploiting vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or underserved communities, for financial gain.
Prohibited Financial Activities
- Projects requiring users to transfer funds outside the platform for any reason, including to bypass platform fees.
- Fundraising for debt relief, personal expenses unrelated to emergencies, or any cause without transparency about its legitimacy.
Enforcement and Reporting
- OLLiN reserves the right to:
- Review, suspend, or terminate projects or accounts that violate these rules.
- Collaborate with legal authorities when necessary.
- Monitor and investigate user activity for compliance.
- Users are encouraged to report suspicious or non-compliant content directly through OLLiN’s reporting mechanisms.
Updates to Prohibited Activities
- This policy may be updated periodically to align with evolving legal standards, industry norms, and community feedback.
6. Rewards and Benefits for Supporters
To ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and operational standards, the following section outlines the guidelines for rewards offered by Project Creators to Supporters and Donors in exchange for their contributions on the OLLiN platform. This policy ensures transparency, fairness, and alignment with OLLiN’s values and the terms outlined in this document.
General Guidelines for Rewards
- Permissible Rewards:
Project Creators may offer a variety of rewards to supporters as a token of appreciation for their donations, provided they:- Do not violate the terms outlined in Section 5 (“Prohibited Activities and Content”).
- Comply with applicable local, national, and international laws.
- Align with OLLiN’s mission of fostering ethical and purpose-driven projects.
- Custom Rewards:
Creators are encouraged to offer unique and creative rewards relevant to their project, including but not limited to:- Exclusive Experiences: Access to events, behind-the-scenes updates, or participation in project milestones.
- Merchandise: Physical items such as branded apparel, artwork, or limited-edition products.
- Digital Content: E-books, digital downloads, exclusive videos, or memberships.
- Acknowledgments: Public recognition, naming opportunities, or personalized thank-you messages.
- Pre-Orders: Early access to products or services developed as part of the project.
- Transparency:
All rewards must be clearly described, with accurate delivery timelines and any limitations or conditions explicitly stated in the project description.
Restrictions on Rewards
To ensure compliance with OLLiN’s policies and legal standards, the following types of rewards are strictly prohibited:
- Illegal or Regulated Items: Rewards that violate Section 5, including alcohol, drugs, weapons, or other restricted goods.
- Financial Instruments: Cash, cryptocurrency, shares, or securities.
- Gambling or Lotteries: Raffles, sweepstakes, or any games of chance.
- Offensive or Inappropriate Content: Material promoting hate, discrimination, explicit content, or violence.
- Unverifiable Claims: Rewards involving unverifiable benefits, such as medical treatments or guarantees of financial returns.
Fulfillment Obligations
- Creator Responsibility:
Project Creators are solely responsible for fulfilling promised rewards to supporters. This includes ensuring:- Accurate descriptions and timelines for delivery.
- Adherence to quality standards promised in the project details.
- Resolution of any disputes regarding rewards with supporters.
- Delays or Non-Delivery:
In cases of unexpected delays or inability to deliver, Creators must:- Notify supporters promptly with an explanation and revised timelines.
- Offer alternative rewards or refunds when feasible.
Donations Without Rewards
- Optional Participation:
Supporters have the option to contribute to a project without receiving rewards. Such donations are purely voluntary and must be clearly distinguished from contributions tied to specific rewards. - Charitable Contributions:
Projects raising funds for charitable causes must comply with applicable nonprofit regulations, including tax laws, and must clearly disclose if contributions are tax-deductible.
Examples of Compliant Rewards
To guide Project Creators, here are examples of rewards that align with OLLiN’s policies:
- For Creative Projects:
- Digital copies of a completed film or book.
- Special credits or recognition in the final product.
- For Technology Projects:
- Early access to beta versions of an app or software.
- Limited-edition merchandise related to the product.
- For Community Projects:
- Tickets to an opening event or community gathering.
- Personal acknowledgments, such as naming a park bench or donor wall.
Prohibited Practices in Reward Campaigns
To maintain platform integrity, the following practices are prohibited:
- Misrepresentation:
Rewards that are falsely advertised or do not match their descriptions. - Excessive Pricing:
Rewards priced significantly above their market value to manipulate fundraising totals. - Third-Party Rewards:
Offering rewards provided by unrelated parties without clear authorization or appropriate licensing.
Legal and Compliance Obligations
- Taxation and Regulatory Compliance:
Project Creators are responsible for understanding and adhering to any tax or legal obligations arising from the rewards they offer. This may include:- Collecting and remitting sales taxes for physical rewards.
- Providing tax documentation to supporters where applicable.
- Intellectual Property:
Rewards must not infringe upon third-party intellectual property rights. Creators must secure permissions or licenses for any copyrighted material used in rewards.
Platform Enforcement
OLLiN reserves the right to:
- Review, approve, or reject rewards during the project review process.
- Suspend or terminate projects found in violation of these policies.
- Investigate and take appropriate action against campaigns involving unfulfilled rewards or fraudulent practices.
Updates to Reward Policies
This section may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal standards, industry practices, and community feedback. Creators are encouraged to review this policy regularly to ensure compliance.
7. User Conduct and Compliance
- Respectful Engagement: Users must engage professionally and respectfully. Harassment, abusive language, or discrimination is prohibited.
- Compliance Oversight: Users are required to cooperate with OLLiN’s Trust & Safety Team in investigations related to flagged activities or projects.
- Data Accuracy: Users must keep account details current. Inaccurate or outdated information may result in account suspension.
8. Sanctions and AML Enforcement
- Screening: All users are screened against global sanctions lists, including OFAC, FATF, and other recognized authorities. Users identified on these lists are prohibited from accessing the Platform.
- Transaction Monitoring: OLLiN monitors all transactions for suspicious activity, including:
- High-value contributions.
- Unusual funding patterns.
- Activity originating from high-risk jurisdictions.
- Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR): OLLiN complies with legal obligations to file SARs with relevant authorities, including FinCEN.
9. Environmental Responsibility
OLLiN encourages environmentally responsible practices:
- Projects should minimize their environmental footprint.
- Our platform offsets its footprint through OLLiN’s Carbon Offset Program.
10. Intellectual Property and Legal Compliance
- Intellectual Property Protection: Projects must respect copyright, trademarks, and other proprietary rights. Misuse of intellectual property will result in removal and possible legal action.
- Compliance with Financial Laws: All financial transactions must comply with AML, KYC, and tax laws.
11. Violations and Enforcement
- Policy Violations: Users found violating these rules may face:
- Account suspension or termination.
- Forfeiture of funds.
- Legal or regulatory action.
- Appeals: Users may appeal decisions by submitting a written request to OLLiN’s Trust & Safety Team within 10 business days of receiving notification.
12. Contact Information
For questions or concerns regarding these Rules and Regulations, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Compliance: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
iOLLiN, Inc.
9436 W. Lake Mead Blvd, Suite 5 #1146
Las Vegas, NV 89134