Smashwords TERMS OF SERVICE (Updated March 10, 2026)

 

https://www.smashwords.com/about/tos

1. Smashwords Overview

By utilizing the services of Smashwords, you agree that you and your designated agents, if any (personal assistants as well as any automated spiders, bots, and AI agents operating on your behalf), agree to abide by this Agreement. Without limiting other remedies we may have, violations of these Terms may lead to account suspension, reversed purchases, reporting to law enforcement, litigation or other technical and legal steps necessary to protect Smashwords and its other users. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the service.

2. General Smashwords Matters

2d. DRM-free ebooks. The books at Smashwords do not include digital rights management (DRM) copy protection; this means you can enjoy Smashwords books on any epub-compatible e-reading device or app now or in the future. With DRM copy protection absent from all Smashwords books, authors and publishers who provided these books are trusting you, the Smashwords customer, to honor their copyright and respect their intellectual property. Don’t betray the trust. Customers may make copies of a purchased book for their own personal enjoyment, but it is illegal and a violation of these Terms to copy books for sharing with others.

4. Legal Matters and other Important Stuff

4a. AI training notice. Smashwords expressly forbids scanning, scraping, and analysis of the Site and any book contents for AI training purposes, whether books are purchased or free.

4c. Redistribution of books, free books, and sample works: All books and book samples at Smashwords are the copyrighted material of the publisher. Redistribution of purchased and downloaded books is expressly forbidden. Third parties are not authorized to download, host, replicate, resell, rent, or otherwise redistribute any Smashwords books, listings metadata, or artwork without obtaining prior written consent from Smashwords. Directory services and affiliate marketers may only reproduce the metadata found on each book's book page (cover image, book description, price, etc.) within apps and websites provided all hyperlinks direct users to only the Smashwords book page of the title in question, and provided users are not charged for access to these directory listings, and are not required to register their personal information to gain access to these listings.

4d. User Conduct. Smashwords and its users work together to keep Smashwords a safe and comfortable place to explore and enjoy books. While using the Site, services and/or Works, Users agree they will not: