Artist Revenue Split
Artists receive 85% of each sale. Piano.Center retains 15% to cover platform operations and payment processing.
1. Overview
Piano.Center uses an escrow payment system to ensure safe and secure transactions between Artists and Customers. This document explains how our escrow system works, including fees, payout timing, and dispute resolution.
When a Customer purchases a Digital Product, funds are held securely by our payment processor (Stripe) until the transaction is confirmed and the holding period has elapsed.
2. How Escrow Works
Our escrow process follows these steps:
2.1 Purchase
When a Customer completes a purchase, the full payment is collected and held securely by Stripe. The Customer receives immediate access to download their purchased Digital Products.
2.2 Holding Period
Funds are held for a 7-day period following the purchase. This period allows time for any issues to be identified, such as file problems or disputes.
2.3 Release to Artist
After the 7-day holding period, funds (minus the platform fee) are automatically released to the Artist's connected Stripe account. Standard Stripe payout timing then applies (typically 2-3 business days to reach the Artist's bank account).
3. Fee Structure
Piano.Center operates on a transparent 85/15 revenue split:
Artist Share: 85% - The Artist receives 85% of each sale price.
Platform Fee: 15% - Piano.Center retains 15% to cover platform operations, payment processing, and support services.
Note: Stripe's standard transaction fees (approximately 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) are included in the 15% platform fee. Artists always receive exactly 85% of their listed sale price.
4. Example Calculation
For a Digital Product sold at $20.00:
- Sale Price: $20.00
- Artist Receives: $17.00 (85%)
- Platform Fee: $3.00 (15%)
The $17.00 Artist share will be released to the Artist's Stripe account after the 7-day holding period.
5. Payout Timing
Understanding when you will receive your funds:
5.1 Holding Period
All purchases are subject to a 7-day holding period from the date of purchase. This period cannot be shortened.
5.2 Automatic Release
After the holding period, funds are automatically queued for release. There is no action required from the Artist.
5.3 Stripe Payout Schedule
Once funds are released to your Stripe account, Stripe processes payouts according to your configured payout schedule. The default is automatic daily payouts, with funds typically arriving in your bank account within 2-3 business days.
5.4 Minimum Payout
There is no minimum payout threshold. All earned funds are released after the holding period regardless of amount.
6. Stripe Connect Requirements
To receive payouts, Artists must complete Stripe Connect onboarding. This includes:
- Providing identity verification information
- Linking a bank account or debit card for payouts
- Accepting Stripe's Connected Account Agreement
Artists cannot receive payouts until Stripe Connect onboarding is complete. Funds will accumulate and be released once onboarding is finished.
7. Disputes and Refunds
Our approach to handling transaction issues:
7.1 Customer Disputes
Customers may raise a dispute within the 7-day holding period if they experience technical issues with their purchase (corrupted files, missing content, or files that don't match the description).
7.2 Dispute Resolution
When a dispute is raised, the holding period is extended while we investigate. We will contact both the Customer and Artist to resolve the issue. Resolution may include replacement files, partial refunds, or full refunds depending on the circumstances.
7.3 Refunds During Holding
If a refund is issued during the holding period, the full purchase amount is returned to the Customer. No funds are released to the Artist for refunded transactions.
7.4 Post-Release Disputes
If a dispute arises after funds have been released to the Artist, we will work with both parties to reach a fair resolution. In cases of valid disputes, Artists may be required to return funds.
7.5 Chargebacks
In the event of a credit card chargeback, the disputed amount will be deducted from future Artist payouts. Artists are responsible for chargeback fees imposed by Stripe for chargebacks resulting from their products or conduct.
8. Intellectual Property Disputes
If a third party claims that an Artist's content infringes their intellectual property rights:
- The disputed product may be removed from the platform pending investigation
- Pending payouts for the disputed product may be held
- Artists must respond to IP claims within 10 business days
- Valid claims may result in refunds to all purchasers, with costs deducted from Artist payouts
Artists are solely responsible for ensuring they have the right to sell the content they upload.
9. Account Standing and Reserves
Piano.Center reserves the right to implement additional safeguards based on account activity:
- New Artist accounts may have extended holding periods (up to 14 days) for their first 30 days
- Accounts with high dispute rates may have payouts delayed or suspended
- In cases of suspicious activity, we may hold payouts pending investigation
Maintaining good account standing (low dispute rate, quality content, responsive communication) ensures smooth payout processing.
10. Tax Information
Artists are responsible for reporting and paying taxes on their earnings. Piano.Center provides:
- Detailed earning reports in your Artist Dashboard
- 1099-K forms for US-based Artists who meet IRS thresholds
Consult with a tax professional regarding your obligations based on your location and earnings.
11. Changes to Escrow Terms
We may update these Escrow Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email and updated on this page. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when these terms were last revised. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance.
12. Questions
If you have questions about our escrow system, payouts, or these terms, please contact us at payments@piano.center or visit our Help Center.