Submission Terms

1. Why Digitalising Tapes Matters

Magnetic tapes do not last forever. VHS and camcorder tapes naturally deteriorate over time, lose quality and can eventually become unplayable.

VHS first entered the consumer market in the 1970s. Many early tapes are now around 50 years old, meaning they may already be beyond the expected useful life of magnetic tape, even when stored carefully.

Proper long-term storage conditions are difficult to maintain in normal homes. Heat, humidity, dust, mould, repeated playback and mechanical wear can all affect tape condition.

TapeStories exists to help preserve real moments before they are lost forever. These tapes are more than recordings. They are fragments of human history.

2. Free Archive Submission — What Happens Next

1. You complete the submission form.
2. You read and accept these Submission Terms.
3. If accepted, TapeStories provides the address for sending tapes.
4. You send the tapes at your own cost.
5. TapeStories digitises accepted tapes free of charge.
6. You receive a private download link, available for 30 days.
7. Original tapes are not returned and may be recycled or disposed of after digitisation.
8. TapeStories may use, edit, archive, publish and monetise selected content.

3. Important Terms for Free Archive Submission

By choosing Free Archive Submission, you confirm and agree that:

• You own the tapes or have the right to submit them.
• The physical tapes become the property of TapeStories once received.
• TapeStories may digitise, preserve, edit, archive, publish, share and use selected footage for storytelling, social media, documentary, promotional, educational and commercial purposes.
• Your digital recording will be made available to you free of charge through a private download link for 30 days.
• You are responsible for sending tapes to TapeStories at your own cost.
• Original tapes will not be returned.
• Tapes may be recycled or disposed of after digitisation.
• TapeStories may contact you for more information about people, places, dates and stories behind the footage.

4. Private Digitalisation — Paid

By choosing Private Digitalisation, you confirm that:

• Your footage remains private and will not be published by TapeStories.
• TapeStories will contact you first to confirm tape type, number of tapes, pricing and payment details.
• Payment must be made before tapes are sent.
• You are responsible for postage costs unless agreed otherwise.
• Return of tapes can be agreed separately before sending.
• TapeStories will only begin work after payment and confirmation of instructions.

5. Copyright and Restricted Content

Some tapes may contain copyrighted material such as television recordings, films, recorded movies, commercial music, broadcasts or other third-party material.

TapeStories may digitise such content for private preservation where lawful and appropriate, but will not knowingly publish copyrighted material where publication would infringe copyright or third-party rights.

TapeStories may decline, edit, blur, mute, remove or refuse to publish footage where there are copyright, privacy, safeguarding, reputational, offensive content or legal concerns.

6. Tape Condition and No Guarantee

Old tapes may be damaged, degraded, incomplete, blank, mouldy, snapped, corrupted or unplayable. TapeStories cannot guarantee successful recovery, restoration, quality improvement or publication.

7. Contact

Email: contacts@tapestories.com