Scribd, Inc. Global Terms of Use

MATERIAL
FIRST SEEN 2026-08-21 · VERSION 20260821_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20260819_rev01

What changed, in plain language

Scribd moved the governing law for its terms from California to New York, and moved the default arbitration location for non-U.S. residents outside the EU from San Francisco to New York. No other terms changed.

Changes that may affect you

Your disputes are now judged under New York law, not California lawMATERIAL
JURISDICTION

California has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the U.S., including rules that can void certain unfair contract clauses. Switching to New York law means those specific California protections may no longer back you up if you have a dispute with Scribd. New York law is not weak, but it is generally less consumer-friendly than California's on things like unfair contract terms and automatic renewals.

“these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York”
Non-U.S. users must now arbitrate in New York instead of San FranciscoMATERIAL
JURISDICTION

If you live outside the U.S. and the EU and you take Scribd to arbitration, you now have to do it in New York rather than San Francisco. For most people this is a lateral move — both are far away and expensive to reach — but it may be more or less convenient depending on where you live. The clause still lets you and Scribd agree on a different location, and small claims under $10,000 are usually handled on paperwork alone without you traveling anywhere.

“For non-U.S. residents outside the EU, the arbitration shall be held in New York, New York (unless otherwise agreed by the parties).”

What you can do — If you ever file a dispute, ask Scribd in writing to agree to a more convenient location — the terms allow it.

Changelog

  1. ± CHANGEDGoverning law switched from California to New York

    The law that decides how these terms are read and enforced is now New York state law instead of California state law. This applies to customers of the main company (not Scribd México or Scribd Netherlands, which keep their own local law).

    For the Company's customers, these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.

    For the Company's customers, these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.

  2. ± CHANGEDArbitration for non-U.S. users moves to New York

    If you live outside the U.S. (and outside the EU) and end up in arbitration with Scribd, the hearing now takes place in New York, New York instead of San Francisco, California. The law applied in that arbitration is also now New York law instead of California law. U.S. residents are unaffected — they still get a location within 100 miles of home.

    For non-U.S. residents outside the EU, the arbitration shall be held in San Francisco, California (unless otherwise agreed by the parties). The parties agree that California law shall apply consistent with the FAA

    For non-U.S. residents outside the EU, the arbitration shall be held in New York, New York (unless otherwise agreed by the parties). The parties agree that New York law shall apply consistent with the FAA

Full text changes — 20260819_rev01 to 20260821_rev01

COLOUR MARKS THE SEVERITY OF A FLAGGED CLAUSE · + AND − MARK ADDED AND REMOVED

163163## 15.0 Dispute Resolution.
164164
165165**PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE OR PARTICIPATE IN A LAWSUIT IN COURT.**
166166
167167### 15.1 Governing Law
168168
169For the Company's customers, these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law. For customers of Scribd México S.A. de C.V., these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Mexican States (México). For customers of Scribd Netherlands B.V., these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands.
169For the Company's customers, these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law. For customers of Scribd México S.A. de C.V., these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Mexican States (México). For customers of Scribd Netherlands B.V., these Terms will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands.
170170
171171### 15.2 Informal Dispute Resolution Procedure
172172
173173If a Dispute (as defined below) arises between Us, We are committed to working with You to try to reach a reasonable resolution. For any such Dispute, both parties acknowledge and agree that they will first use good faith efforts to settle the Dispute informally and directly through consultation and negotiations before initiating any formal dispute resolution proceeding in arbitration or otherwise. Such informal resolution requires first sending a written description of the dispute to the other party. For any Dispute You initiate, You agree to send the written description of the Dispute along with the email address associated with Your account, if applicable, to Scribd, Inc., 460 Bryant Street, Ste. 300, San Francisco, CA 94107, and to [legal@scribd.com](mailto:legal@scribd.com). The written description must be on an individual basis and provide, at minimum, the following information: Your name and contact information; a description of the nature or basis of the claim or dispute; the specific relief sought; and proof of Your relationship with Us. Unless the parties agree to extend the period for informal resolution, if the Dispute is not resolved within sixty (60) days after receipt of the written description of the Dispute, You and the Company agree to the further Dispute resolution provisions below.
174174
175175The informal dispute resolution procedure in this section 15.2 is a prerequisite and condition precedent to commencing any formal dispute resolution proceeding. The parties agree that any relevant limitations period and filing fees or other deadlines will be tolled while the parties engage in this informal dispute resolution procedure.
201201### 15.5 Arbitration Rules
202202
203203The arbitration will be administered by NAM and conducted before a single arbitrator in accordance with the rules of NAM, including, as applicable, NAM Comprehensive Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures, Fees For Disputes When One of the Parties is a Consumer and the Mass Filing Supplemental Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures in effect at the time any demand for arbitration is filed with NAM, excluding any rules or procedures governing or permitting class or representative actions. The applicable NAM rules and procedures are available at [www.namadr.com](http://www.namadr.com/) or by emailing National Arbitration and Mediation's Commercial Dept at [commercial@namadr.com](mailto:commercial@namadr.com).
204204
205205### 15.6 Arbitration Location and Procedure
206206
207For all U.S. residents, the arbitration shall be held (i) at a location determined under the applicable NAM rules and procedures that is reasonably convenient for You and is no more than 100 miles from Your home or place of business; or (ii) at another location You and we agree upon. For non-U.S. residents outside the EU, the arbitration shall be held in San Francisco, California (unless otherwise agreed by the parties). The parties agree that California law shall apply consistent with the FAA, that applicable statutes of limitations shall apply, and that claims of privilege recognized at law shall be honored. The arbitrator or arbitration body shall be empowered to grant whatever relief would be available in a court under law or in equity. The arbitrator has the right to impose sanctions in accordance with the NAM rules and procedures for any frivolous claims or submissions the arbitrator determines have not been filed in good faith, as well as for a party's failure to comply with the Informal Dispute Resolution Procedure contemplated by this Arbitration Agreement.
207For all U.S. residents, the arbitration shall be held (i) at a location determined under the applicable NAM rules and procedures that is reasonably convenient for You and is no more than 100 miles from Your home or place of business; or (ii) at another location You and we agree upon. For non-U.S. residents outside the EU, the arbitration shall be held in New York, New York (unless otherwise agreed by the parties). The parties agree that New York law shall apply consistent with the FAA, that applicable statutes of limitations shall apply, and that claims of privilege recognized at law shall be honored. The arbitrator or arbitration body shall be empowered to grant whatever relief would be available in a court under law or in equity. The arbitrator has the right to impose sanctions in accordance with the NAM rules and procedures for any frivolous claims or submissions the arbitrator determines have not been filed in good faith, as well as for a party's failure to comply with the Informal Dispute Resolution Procedure contemplated by this Arbitration Agreement.
208208
209209If the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000 and You do not seek injunctive or declaratory relief, then the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents You and the Company submit to the arbitrator, unless the arbitrator determines that a hearing is necessary, or the parties agree otherwise. If the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000 or seeks declaratory or injunctive relief, either party may request (or the arbitrator may determine) to hold a hearing, which shall be via videoconference or telephone conference unless the parties agree otherwise.
210210
211211Subject to the applicable NAM rules and procedures, the parties agree that the arbitrator will have the discretion to allow the filing of dispositive motions if they are likely to efficiently resolve or narrow issues in dispute. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, all arbitration proceedings will be confidential and closed to the public and any parties other than You and the Company (and each of the parties' authorized representatives and agents), and all records relating thereto will be permanently sealed, except as necessary to obtain court confirmation of the arbitration award (provided that the party seeking confirmation shall seek to file such records under seal to the extent permitted by law).
212212
213213### 15.7 Mass Arbitration