By Storm, LLC
Last Updated: June 25, 2025
By Storm, LLC (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you access or use our website, https://by-storm.com, its affiliates, or extensions (collectively, the “Site”), or any services provided through the Site (collectively, the “Service”). By using the Site or Service, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at info@by-storm.com.
1. Information We Collect
1.1. Personal Information
We may collect personally identifiable information from you when you: 
1.1.1. Register an account on the Site; 
1.1.2. Submit a project (e.g., screenplay, film, or other creative work) to a film festival, screenplay contest, or other event (“Event”) through the Service; 
1.1.3. Place an order or make a payment (e.g., service fees for submissions); 
1.1.4. Fill out a form, participate in a survey, or engage in other Site features; 
1.1.5. Contact our customer support team.
The personal information we may collect includes, but is not limited to:
Name
Email address
Mailing address
Phone number
Payment information (e.g., credit card details)
Other information you voluntarily provide, such as project details or survey responses.
1.2. Non-Personal Information
We may collect non-personally identifiable information, such as: 
1.2.1. Browser type, IP address, device type, operating system, and other technical information; 
1.2.2. Usage data, including pages visited, features used, and time spent on the Site; 
1.2.3. Aggregated data about user behavior, such as submission trends or Clout points earned.
1.3. Cookies and Similar Technologies
1.3.1. We use cookies and similar technologies (e.g., web beacons, pixel tags) to enhance your experience on the Site. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us:
Recognize your browser and remember your preferences;
Process submissions and track items in your cart;
Analyze Site usage to improve functionality. 
1.3.2. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may affect the functionality of certain Site features. You can still place orders by contacting customer support at info@by-storm.com.
2. How We Use Your Information
We may use the information we collect for the following purposes: 
2.1. Personalized Experience: To tailor your experience on the Site, such as displaying relevant Events or tracking your Clout points. 
2.2. Service Delivery: To process submissions, facilitate payments, and provide confirmations for Events. 
2.3. Communication: To send transactional emails (e.g., submission confirmations), newsletters, or updates about the Site, Service, or Events. 
2.4. Promotions and Contests: To administer Clout points, screenplay option agreements, surveys, or other promotional activities. 
2.5. Improvement: To analyze usage data and improve the Site, Service, customer support, and user experience. 
2.6. Third-Party Offers: To send emails from sponsors, advertisers, or Event organizers that we believe may be relevant to you, subject to your consent. 
2.7. Compliance and Safety: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms of Service, or protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, our users, or others.
3. How We Share Your Information
3.1. Third-Party Service Providers
3.1.1. We may share your information with trusted third parties who assist us in operating the Site, processing payments, or providing the Service (e.g., payment processors, hosting providers, or analytics services). 
3.1.2. These third parties are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only for the purposes we specify.
3.2. Event Organizers
3.2.1. When you submit Content to an Event through the Service, we share your submission details and relevant personal information (e.g., name, email) with the Event organizer to facilitate judging, awards, or other Event-related activities. 
3.2.2. Event organizers have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices.
3.3. Legal Compliance
3.3.1. We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to:
Comply with legal processes (e.g., subpoenas, court orders);
Enforce our Terms of Service or other policies;
Protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, our users, or the public.
3.4. Non-Personal Information
3.4.1. We may share aggregated or anonymized data (e.g., Site usage trends) with third parties for marketing, advertising, or research purposes.
3.5. Business Transfers
3.5.1. In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to this Privacy Policy.
4. Security of Your Information
4.1. We implement industry-standard security measures, such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, to protect your personal information during transmission and storage. 
4.2. Payment information is encrypted and processed through a secure payment gateway. We do not store sensitive payment details (e.g., credit card numbers) on our servers after a transaction is completed. 
4.3. While we strive to protect your information, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data, and you use the Service at your own risk.
5. Your Choices and Rights
5.1. Managing Your Information
5.1.1. You may update or correct your account information at any time by logging into your account and visiting the “Update Profile” section. 
5.1.2. To request the deletion of your personal information, please contact us at info@bystorm.com with details of the information you wish to have removed.
5.2. Opting Out of Communications
5.2.1. You may unsubscribe from promotional emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email or by contacting us at info@by-storm.com. 
5.2.2. You may continue to receive transactional emails (e.g., submission confirmations) necessary for the operation of the Service.
5.3. Cookies
5.3.1. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain Site features.
5.4. California Residents
5.4.1. Under the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA), California residents may request information about how their personal information is shared with third parties for direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, contact us at info@by-storm.com. 
5.4.2. We do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes without your consent.
6. Children’s Privacy
6.1. The Site and Service are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. 
6.2. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@by-storm.com to request its deletion. 
6.3. We comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other applicable laws regarding children’s privacy.
7. Third-Party Links
7.1. The Site may contain links to third-party websites or services, such as Event organizers or payment processors. These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices or content. 
7.2. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit through the Service.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
8.1. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time at our sole discretion. Changes will be posted on this page, and the “Last Updated” date will be revised accordingly. 
8.2. We may notify registered users of significant changes via email or a notice on the Site. 8.3. Your continued use of the Site or Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
9. International Users
9.1. The Site and Service are operated from the United States and are subject to U.S. laws. If you access the Service from outside the United States, you are responsible for complying with local laws.
9.2. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your information in the United States.
10. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Email: info@by-storm.com
11. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Georgia and the United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes arising from this Privacy Policy shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions in our Terms of Service, available at by-storm.com.