An Important Message for Our BentBox Creator Community

Hello everyone,

We’ve seen your recent feedback and questions about our updated documentation requirements, and we want to take a moment to talk about it openly. We understand that changes to your workflow can be challenging, especially when you have a system that has worked for you for a long time.

Before you consider leaving BentBox or feel that we're making things unnecessarily difficult, we want to share the "why" behind these changes with full transparency.

This is a Must-Have, Not a "Nice-to-Have"

The new requirements for verifiable model release forms are not something we invented. They are an absolute, non-negotiable mandate from major payment processors like Visa and Mastercard.

In order for any online platform to process payments for digital content, we are required to comply with their strict, global standards for safety and consent. This is a fundamental rule of the road for operating a legitimate online marketplace.

Why Your Paper-Based System Isn't Enough Anymore

We know many of you have trusted your own paper-based release systems for years. You got the signature, you filed it away, and that was that. We respect the diligence you've put into your work. However, the industry has evolved, and financial partners now require a standardized, verifiable system that a simple "scribbled paper" in a filing cabinet can no longer meet.

Failure to comply isn't a small matter. If we cannot prove that our creators are meeting these standards, payment processors will simply stop their services for our entire platform. This would mean no one on BentBox would be able to get paid for their work. Complying with this protects your ability to earn, and it protects the entire community.

A Word of Caution About Other Platforms

We understand the temptation to look for platforms with fewer rules. If you find a platform that sells content but doesn't ask for verifiable model releases, we urge you to be extremely cautious.

Those platforms are likely operating outside of legal and financial regulations, which puts you and your content at significant legal risk. Even if they use cryptocurrencies for payments, the same compliance rules apply to crypto processors as well. There are no shortcuts when it comes to legal consent and financial compliance.

If you choose to post your content for free on other sites, that is your decision, but the responsibility for managing model consent falls entirely on you.

Our Goal is to Keep BentBox Safe and Sustainable

Our number one priority is the safety, security, and long-term success of the BentBox platform and its creators. These measures are essential to ensure we can continue to provide a reliable and secure marketplace for you to sell your photos and videos.

We ask that you please take a moment to assess the situation rationally. This change is necessary to protect everyone. We encourage you to begin making plans to adapt to the new system so you can continue selling your amazing content without interruption.

We are all in this together, and we thank you for your understanding and partnership in keeping our community safe and thriving.

Sincerely,
The BentBox Team