Community Journals offers a comprehensive service for distributing press releases, ensuring they meet specific standards and legal requirements. Users must confirm their right to issue the release and adhere to set guidelines. Non-compliant releases may not be distributed. Specific restrictions apply to material news about public companies, attribution, copyrighted content, defamatory statements, litigation-related releases, celebrity endorsements, stock tips, online gaming, and more. Additionally, users agree to indemnify Community Journals against any claims arising from breaches of these terms.
The service agreement outlines responsibilities, including accurate content submission, potential edits or retraction by Community Journals, and limitations on liability. All releases must include a clear source with contact details. Legal disputes are governed by New York state law, and certain press releases will carry a "No Follow" tag for search engines.
Eligibility and Content Standards
To qualify for distribution via the CJ Guaranteed service, press releases must meet strict eligibility criteria and content standards. This includes ensuring that the information pertains to non-material news items, such as avoiding earnings or dividend announcements for public companies. Each submission requires proper attribution, clearly identifying the entity responsible for the announcement rather than a third-party intermediary.
In addition to attribution, press releases must exclude defamatory, inflammatory, or potentially libelous content. The service prohibits distributing materials related to ongoing lawsuits or linking celebrities to products without explicit authorization. For financial content, publicly traded companies must include their stock ticker symbol in the correct format. Furthermore, references to competitors' stock symbols require prior written consent. Any mention of stock tips or recommendations necessitates membership in FINRA with a valid CID# or recognition as a national publisher. Online gaming-related releases are restricted unless they direct users to practice sites or involve brick-and-mortar establishments like casinos or slot machine manufacturers. These stringent standards ensure the integrity and reliability of all distributed content.
Service Agreement and Legal Considerations
Beyond content guidelines, the CJ Guaranteed service operates under a detailed service agreement outlining user responsibilities and Community Journals' obligations. Users bear responsibility for the accuracy and legality of submitted content, confirming compliance with applicable laws and regulations. They must secure necessary authorizations regarding individual data usage and refrain from submitting obscene, misleading, or infringing materials. Moreover, users commit to using the service for legitimate business purposes while adhering to all stated terms and conditions.
Community Journals reserves the right to reject, edit, or retract content at its discretion. While it strives for error-free operations, no guarantees exist regarding omissions, delays, or defects. In cases of errors, prompt corrections occur without additional charges, representing Community Journals' sole liability. Legal disputes fall under New York state jurisdiction, with agreements remaining enforceable even if some provisions become invalid. Additional considerations include marking paid press releases with a "No Follow" tag for search engine optimization purposes. By accepting the agreement, users affirm their authority to submit content and bind themselves to these comprehensive terms, ensuring smooth and lawful distribution processes.