Overview
As your Merchant of Record, Polar must ensure compliance with payment processor requirements, legal regulations, and our commitment to a safe, ethical platform. This policy outlines what products and services can be sold through Polar.
General Principles
Allowed
Polar is designed for selling:
- Digital products and software
- Software licenses and subscriptions
- Developer tools and services
- SaaS products
- Digital content (ebooks, courses, templates)
- Access to repositories and code
- Discord access and memberships
- File downloads
- API access
- Professional services related to software
Focus
Polar is optimized for:
- Open source maintainers
- Independent developers
- Software creators
- Technical creators
- Developer tools companies
- SaaS businesses
Prohibited Products and Services
The following are not allowed on Polar:
Illegal or Regulated Products
- Illegal goods or services
- Drugs, narcotics, or drug paraphernalia
- Tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Weapons, ammunition, explosives
- Prescription medications
- Unlicensed financial services
- Unlicensed gambling or lottery services
- Pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing
Harmful or Dangerous Content
- Malware, viruses, or harmful software
- Hacking tools for malicious purposes
- Exploit kits or vulnerability scanners (for malicious use)
- DDoS services or botnets
- Services that facilitate illegal activity
- Content that promotes violence or terrorism
- Content that promotes self-harm
Intellectual Property Violations
- Pirated or stolen software
- Cracked licenses or key generators
- Copyrighted content without authorization
- Trademark infringements
- Counterfeits or replicas
- Unauthorized reproductions
Adult Content
- Pornographic material
- Adult entertainment services
- Escort services
- Dating services with adult content
Deceptive Practices
- Fake reviews or testimonials
- Misleading product claims
- Bait and switch offerings
- Artificially inflated pricing
- Fake scarcity or urgency
- Products that don’t deliver as described
Financial Services
- Cryptocurrency mining services
- Investment advice (unless properly licensed)
- Get-rich-quick schemes
- Binary options trading
- Payday loans
- Debt collection services
High-Risk Products
- Products with high chargeback rates
- Products that routinely result in disputes
- Services with unpredictable delivery
- Goods that may not arrive as described
Stripe’s Prohibited Businesses
As we use Stripe for payment processing, we must also comply with Stripe’s Prohibited and Restricted Businesses list. This includes additional categories not listed above.
Violating Stripe’s prohibited businesses policy may result in immediate account suspension.
Product Requirements
Digital Products
All digital products must:
- Deliver as Described: Match marketing materials and descriptions
- Function Properly: Work as advertised without critical bugs
- Be Legal: Comply with applicable laws and regulations
- Respect Copyright: Not infringe on intellectual property
- Be Safe: Not contain malware, viruses, or security threats
Software products must:
- Include clear documentation
- Specify system requirements
- Provide reasonable support
- Disclose limitations and bugs
- Follow security best practices
- Not be used for malicious purposes
Subscriptions
Subscription products must:
- Clearly state billing frequency
- Describe what’s included
- Offer reasonable cancellation terms
- Deliver consistent value
- Honor refund policies
Seller Obligations
Product Accuracy
- Accurate Descriptions: Clearly describe what customers receive
- Honest Marketing: Don’t exaggerate or misrepresent features
- Clear Pricing: Display all costs upfront
- Delivery Timeline: Set realistic delivery expectations
Customer Service
- Respond Promptly: Reply to customer inquiries within 48 hours
- Resolve Issues: Work to resolve disputes fairly
- Honor Refunds: Follow your stated refund policy
- Maintain Quality: Ensure consistent product quality
Legal Compliance
- Follow Laws: Comply with applicable local and international laws
- Respect Copyright: Only sell products you have rights to
- Privacy Laws: Handle customer data per GDPR and other regulations
- Export Controls: Don’t sell to sanctioned countries or entities
Reporting Violations
How to Report
If you encounter a product or seller that violates this policy:
- Email: [email protected]
- Include: Links, screenshots, and description of violation
- Confidential: Reports are kept confidential
- Review: We review all reports within 48 hours
What Happens Next
- Investigation: We review the reported content
- Action: If violation confirmed, we take appropriate action
- Notification: Reporter notified of outcome (if appropriate)
Enforcement
Review Process
Polar may review accounts and products:
- During automated reviews
- In response to reports
- During routine audits
- Based on transaction patterns
- Following customer complaints
Warning
For first-time or minor violations:
- Email notification sent
- Specific violation explained
- Correction timeline provided
- Account monitored for compliance
Suspension
For serious or repeated violations:
- Account temporarily suspended
- Payouts held pending investigation
- Products removed from platform
- Opportunity to appeal provided
Termination
For severe or unresolved violations:
- Account permanently terminated
- Access to platform revoked
- Final payout processed (minus any disputes)
- No reinstatement possible
Appeals Process
If Your Account is Suspended
- Review Email: Read the suspension notification carefully
- Gather Evidence: Compile documentation proving compliance
- Submit Appeal: Email [email protected] with:
- Account details
- Explanation of circumstances
- Evidence of compliance
- Corrective actions taken
- Wait for Review: We respond within 5 business days
Appeal Outcomes
- Approved: Account reinstated, guidance provided
- Approved with Conditions: Specific requirements to meet
- Denied: Suspension upheld, explanation provided
Special Cases
Open Source Projects
Open source maintainers can sell:
- Premium support
- Commercial licenses
- Priority bug fixes
- Feature requests
- Documentation
- Training
As long as these don’t violate core principles.
Educational Content
Educational products are welcome:
- Programming courses
- Technical tutorials
- Documentation
- Training materials
- Workshops and webinars
Must deliver educational value and not be misleading.
Beta or Early Access
Beta products are acceptable if:
- Clearly labeled as beta
- Bugs and limitations disclosed
- Price reflects early state
- Regular updates provided
- Support is available
Professional Services
Software-related services allowed:
- Consulting
- Code reviews
- Pair programming
- Architecture design
- Technical advisory
Must be delivered as agreed and within reasonable timeframe.
Policy Updates
Changes to This Policy
Polar may update this policy:
- To comply with new regulations
- Based on platform evolution
- In response to emerging issues
- Following partner requirements (e.g., Stripe)
Notification
When policy changes:
- Email Notice: Sent to all active sellers
- Effective Date: Minimum 30 days notice
- Continued Use: Constitutes acceptance
- Right to Discontinue: You may close account before changes take effect
Questions About Acceptable Use
Before You Start Selling
Unsure if your product is allowed?
- Review this policy carefully
- Check Stripe’s restricted businesses
- Email [email protected] with:
- Product description
- Target market
- How it works
- Any concerns
Gray Areas
Some products may fall in gray areas:
- Security research tools
- Penetration testing services
- Controversial but legal content
- High-risk product categories
Contact us before listing to avoid issues.
Next Steps