STEPIN Virtual Goods Policy
Last Updated: 2023-12-13
1 Purpose
STEPIN (“Platform” or “App") is a social and gaming application developed by Sidewalk Entertainment Inc. ("Company", “We” or “Us”), and the Company operates the service website (stepin.ai) and related services. This Virtual Goods Policy (“Policy”) sets forth the definitions, rules and guidelines relevant to the virtual goods (including but not limited to energy, services, functions and assets etc.) within the Platform, the user accounts in which virtual goods and particular virtual goods are stored, and the rules for using virtual goods.
For residents of the Republic of Korea, please refer to Virtual Goods Policy – Republic of Korea.
2 Effectiveness and Modifications of the Policy
This Policy shall come into effect upon its publication on the Website or in the App, or upon being sent to users via email. The Company reserves the right to amend this Policy at any time due to reasonable judgment or logical reasons. In the event of any changes to this Policy, the Company will notify all users of the revised content and effective date through the Platform or Website.
Any matters or topics that are specified in this Policy will be subject to relevant laws and regulations of the Republic of Korea, the STEPIN End User License Agreement (“EULA”), Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, Operational Policy and other policies or guidelines established by the Company.
3 Glossary of Terms
Below are the definitions of the terms used in this Policy:
1.
“You” and “User” refers to an individual or party who has met has agreed to the Company’s policies and granted access to the Platform.
2.
“Device" indicates the mobile device, tablet, laptop, PC, TV, or other devices used to access the Platform.
3.
“App Marketplace” is an online platform which users can access to download the App and make in-app purchases on, examples include Google Play Store and Apple App Store etc.
4.
“In-app Purchase” and “In-app Payment” indicate the action of making a purchase through the App.
5.
"Play" refers to the action of using energy to launch a game of “Practice” or “Challenge” on the Platform.
6.
"Energy" indicates an item which can be purchased on the Platform or provided to users through promotions and/or other methods and can be used for the Play and Boost functions.
7.
“Item” refers to the virtual goods, including energy, services, functions, and any other virtual products or services, that can be used within the Platform.
8.
"Paid items" refer to items offered by the Company that are obtained by making a payment.
9.
"Free items" refer to items that can be acquired without making a payment, including items obtained through participation in events, contests, or promotions hosted by the Company while using the Platform.
10.
"Boost" indicates the app feature of supporting or promoting content or profiles of other users, with the use of energy.
11.
"Charging" is the action of converting cash into "Energy" through payment methods provided by the Company and App Marketplaces.
12.
“Minor-age User” indicates a user who is under the age of 18 (or the legal age in the relevant jurisdiction – refer to EULA Section 7.1, Clause 5).
4 Purchase of Paid Items
1.
Paid items can be purchased through in-app payment, and the purchase history can be confirmed through the connected App Marketplace.
2.
When making an in-app purchase, the payment will be executed with the payment method registered in the device’s App Marketplace account, regardless of which user account is logged into the App.
3.
You must ensure that no third parties can improperly access and use Your payment method by setting up and maintaining your password of your device and app marketplace account. Moreover, the Company takes additional measures to prevent unauthorized access and use of in-app payments by implementing authentication procedures, modules, libraries and other measures in accordance with the “Mobile Content Payment Guidelines for App Markets” established by the Korea Communications Commission.
4.
The Company shall not be held liable for any third-party in-app purchases resulting from the user's failure to employ password protection features on their device or app marketplace account, or in cases where password exposure occurs due to the user's own negligence. However, in instances where the cause of such purchases is attributed to the Company's negligence or intentional actions, we shall take responsibility as outlined in our policies and guidelines.
5.
You are responsible for paying all fees and taxes incurred on your account or any account registered to you.
6.
You must accurately and promptly settle the in-app payments in compliance with the regulations, policies, and procedures of the respective App Marketplace, and be aware that payment limits may be applied based on the applicable payment method.
7.
Items can be purchased at a price and unit determined by the Company’s internal regulations, and the Company reserves the exclusive right to control, regulate, modify, or remove the item prices, the quantity available for purchase, and the total quantity limit which can be held in an account etc., at any time.
8.
You can purchase paid items according to the payment policies of the related App Marketplace operator on the device being used to access the Platform. However, the payment limit may vary depending on the policies of the App Marketplace operators.
9.
Users are fully responsible for inputting and managing the personal information used for in-app purchases, except in cases where such responsibility is separately designated in relevant laws, the Company's terms and conditions, or other applicable regulations.
10.
Minor-age users must receive the consent of their legal guardians when making in-app purchases.
5 Authorization of Payment for Paid Items
1.
The Company reserves the right to reject a payment request or cancel a previously authorized payment in the following circumstances:
(i) When the payment of purchase is not made, or the identity of the payer cannot be verified;
(ii) When the payment method is utilized in a way that breaches legal requirements;
(iii) When compulsory information required for and/or related to the payment process incorrectly filled out or missing;
(iv) If a user processes a payment that is not registered in the user’s name or without the consent of the payment account’s owner;
(v) Other situations in which the payment cannot be authorized or restricted due to the user’s fault or responsibility.
2.
In the circumstances below, the Company may restrict approval for payment requests, and may withhold approval until the reason for the restriction is resolved.
(i) If it is determined that the App service cannot be provided completely or smoothly owing to the lack or insufficiency of the Platform’s equipment and capabilities.
(ii) In case of a failure or disruption of the Platform’s services.
6 Use and Deduction of Paid Items
1.
Payment for paid items shall be made in accordance with the fees established by this Platform, and users may review their transaction history through the linked App Marketplace.
2.
When paid items are purchased, the items that were first added to the account will be used first. In addition, Paid items are consumed before Free items in all circumstances.
3.
When withdrawal of purchase is requested for paid items, refunds will be processed in the reverse order of purchase.
4.
Paid items can be used for 3 years from the date of purchase and will expire after 3 years from the date of purchase.
5.
No interest income is generated from the remaining balance of paid items.
6.
If items are damaged, deleted or become defective due to a serious flaw of the Platform, users have the right to receive compensation through restoration or recharge of the relevant items.
7 Refund Policy
1.
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT ALL PURCHASES OF VIRTUAL GOODS MADE THROUGH THE PLATFORM ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
2.
NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES OF ANY UNUSED VIRTUAL GOODS ARE PERMITTED ONCE THE PURCHASE HAS BEEN MADE.
3.
You also consent that the Company has no obligation to provide a refund for any reason.
4.
If your account is suspended or terminated due to your voluntary withdrawal of membership or your breach of these Terms, you may lose any virtual goods that you may own, and you will not be entitled to any compensation or refund for the loss.
5.
The Company reserves the right to exercise its discretion in issuing refunds, credits, or discounts as it deems appropriate. However, in the event that a refund, credit, or discount is issued, the Company is not required to provide the same or similar refund in the future.
8 Overpayment
1.
In the event of an overpayment, it is the Company’s standard practice to refund the overpayment amount through the same payment method that the user used to make the purchase. However, if the Company is unable to make the refund using the same payment method due to circumstances, such as the policies of relevant companies or other unavoidable circumstances, the Company will notify the user and proceed with the refund using another method. If the overpayment was caused by the user's fault without the Company's intent or negligence, the user shall bear any additional costs incurred by the refund within reasonable parameters.
2.
The Platform’s in-app payment is set up in compliance with the policies of App Marketplace operators. In case an overpayment occurs during the payment process, the user shall request for a refund through the Company or the corresponding App Marketplace. However, if the refund can be handled by the Company under the App Marketplace’s policy, we may do so.
3.
Any Telecom charges, such as data, internet or call charges etc., incurred by downloading or accessing the Platform may not be eligible for a refund.
4.
Refunds will be executed in compliance with the Company’s policies and policies of the corresponding App Marketplace operator corresponding to the device used to access the Platform.
5.
In order to facilitate the refund process for an overpayment, the Company reserves the right to contact the user via the information provided by the user and may request additional information necessary for the refund.
9 Protection of Personal Information
The Company strives to protect the personal information of all users in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The protection and use of your personal information is subject to the relevant laws and the Company's Privacy Policy.
10 For Residents of Japan
This section only applies if you are a resident of Japan.
10.1 Display Based on the Payment Services Act
Issuer of prepaid payment instrument | Sidewalk Entertainment Inc. |
Amount payable, etc. | There is no maximum limit. |
Validity Period and Expiry | Please refer to STEPIN Terms & Conditions. |
Contact Information | 1004 R&D Tower, 396 World Cup buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea stepin.cs@sidewalkplay.com |
Location of use | ‘STEPIN’ app distributed and owned by Sidewalk Entertainment Inc. |
Usage notes | Only those who have agreed to STEPIN Terms & Conditions can purchase Energy. Except required by applicable law, Energies are non-refundable. Please check the Virtual Goods Policy for additional details. |
Method to check the unused balance | Unused balance can be checked after logging into the STEPIN app. |
Issuance Guarantee Deposit for Prepaid Payment Methods | In compliance with the Payment Services Act, the Company protects the assets entrusted by users by depositing an amount equal to or greater than half (not necessarily the full balance) of the unused funds on specific reference dates, which occur annually at the end of March and the end of September.
This practice applies to all prepaid payment methods issued by our company. Should our company encounter insolvency or similar situations, users who possess prepaid payment methods from our company hold the right to receive preferential settlement. This right pertains to claims associated with those prepaid payment methods and is facilitated through the issuance guarantee deposit mentioned above.
As per the Payment Services Act, the Company is not presently engaged in the preservation of security deposits for issuance. This is due to the fact that the unused balance on the base date, which includes the unused balance at the two annual reference dates (the end of March and the end of September), does not surpass the base amount set forth by Cabinet Order. The specified base amount is 10 million yen, as outlined in Article 6 of the Order for Enforcement of the Payment Services Act. |
Policy Regarding Prepaid Payment Instruments | For losses (including losses incurred by persons other than users) resulting from the unauthorized use of prepaid payment instruments issued by the Company and transactions carried out by individuals without proper authorization and against the user's intent, the Company will not be liable unless required by applicable law, or unless the loss is caused by the Company's intentional or gross negligence.
For inquiries regarding unauthorized use, please contact us using the contact information provided above. |
Terms of Use | Please check here for the terms of use. |
10.2 Notations Based on The Act on Specified Commercial Transactions
Distributor Name | Sidewalk Entertainment Inc. |
Location | 1004 R&D Tower, 396 World Cup buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea |
Contact Information | |
Name of Representative | Kibong Kook |
Selling Price | Please refer to the product purchase screen in STEPIN. |
Costs in Additional to the Selling Price | Users are responsible for internet connection charges, communication charges, and any other fees associated with downloading, accessing, using, and viewing the app, as well as any taxes incurred in any purchases. |
Payment method | STEPIN’s virtual goods must be purchased using one of the in-app payment methods offered by the respective App Marketplaces listed below:
• Apple Pay (credit card registered in the user's Apple account and other payment methods specified by Apple Inc.)
• Google (credit card registered in the user's Google account and other payment methods recognized by Google Inc.) |
Product Delivery Time | Unless otherwise specified by the Company, the purchased product is provided and can be used immediately upon payment completion. |
Refunds and Cancellations of Purchase | No refunds or exchanges for any unused virtual goods are permitted once a purchase is made. All purchases of virtual goods made through the app are final and non-refundable unless otherwise required by applicable law. |