Ondoku | What You Can Do, Commercial Use, and Prohibited Activities

Hello, and thank you for always using Ondoku.

Commercial use (business use) is permitted with Ondoku.

When using Ondoku for free, you must include a credit.
※ This is not required for paid members.
※ If you cannot provide credit (for example, for audio teaching materials or voice guidance), you must subscribe to a paid plan for the entire period during which you use the audio.
※ Even when you can provide credit, some activities are prohibited, and some uses are permitted only under the Business Plan.

By following the rules when using the service, you help ensure that Ondoku can continue operating. Thank you for your cooperation.

What does commercial use mean?

It refers to use for profit-making purposes.

Please note, however, that Ondoku has established prohibited activities.

Regardless of whether you are an individual or a corporation, any use intended to obtain monetary or other benefits, directly or indirectly, constitutes commercial use.

This article explains what you can and cannot do with Ondoku.

The examples of use below are only examples and are not exhaustive. In addition, if we deem it necessary, we may amend these terms at any time without notifying users.

What you can do with Ondoku.

Examples of commercial use and use by educational and research institutions.

When using Ondoku for free, you must include a credit. The credit must be placed somewhere visible to users.
※ This is not required for paid members.
※ If you cannot provide credit (for example, for audio teaching materials or voice guidance), you must subscribe to a paid plan for the entire period during which you use the audio.
※ Even when you can provide credit, some activities are prohibited, and some uses are permitted only under the Business Plan.

1. Using it for narration in videos on your own YouTube channel or similar platforms.
   Example: Create video narration using Ondoku audio and upload it to your own YouTube channel.
   Example: Upload videos using Ondoku audio to your own monetized YouTube channel.
   ※ If you use Ondoku audio for free and embed or use a YouTube video you created yourself (with credit in the description) somewhere else, such as on your company website, you must provide credit somewhere else, such as on your company website, where it will be visible to users.
   ※ If you create a YouTube video for someone else, this constitutes commissioned or contract work, and you will need the Business Plan.
2. Using it to submit an entry to a video contest.
   Example: Use Ondoku audio in a work submitted to a contest organized by an individual or corporation, and post it on the contest website.
   ※ This permits you to submit content as a work; it does not grant the organizer the right to freely use works that contain Ondoku audio.
3. Using it in videos that earn revenue through Super Chat.
   Example: Receive tips for a video that uses Ondoku audio.
4. Using it on your own paid YouTube channel or similar platforms.
   Example: Earn revenue by having viewers subscribe to a paid video channel.
5. Personal use on a website, blog, or similar platform.
   Example: Use it to read blog content aloud.
   ※ Use an embed tag and provide credit.
6. Using it for affiliate marketing on websites, blogs, videos, and similar platforms.
   Example: Share content read aloud with Ondoku using an embed tag, where the content introduces a product listed on an affiliate website.
7. Use on a website or blog for personal learning.
   Example: Use Ondoku audio to read content aloud on a personal programming study website.
8. Use on websites, apps, and similar platforms that display affiliate links.
9. Use in smartphone apps intended to generate revenue.
   ※ If using it for free, credit must be displayed somewhere visible to users when the audio is played.
   This is not required under a paid plan.
10. Use at seminars or lectures intended to generate revenue.
    Example: Use audio in slides for a seminar or lecture.
    .※ If using it for free, credit must be displayed somewhere visible to users when the audio is played.
11. Use in operating events intended to generate revenue.
    Example: Use audio in an instruction video for an event.
    .※ If using it for free, credit must be displayed somewhere visible to users when the audio is played.
    A Business Plan is required for uses such as embedding audio in products, including robots.
12. Create teaching materials yourself using Ondoku audio and use them in your own seminars or classes.
    Example: Use Ondoku audio in a presentation.
    Example: Use it in online classes.
13. Use in internal training and video manuals.
14. Use on corporate websites, social media accounts operated by corporations, and similar platforms.
15. Use Ondoku audio in lectures or research presentations.
    Example: Give a lecture using Ondoku.
16. Use in audio for tests at schools and other educational institutions.
    Example: Use Ondoku audio for a listening test.
    For free use, credit must be provided on items such as:
    ・The question paper
    ・The answer key
    For example: “Listening audio: Ondoku,” “Audio: Ondoku,” or “Voice by Ondoku3.com.”
    For details, see >>Examples of how to provide credit when using Ondoku at educational institutions such as public schools and school corporations, explained with images
17. Use audio for school announcements.
    Example: Use it for an announcement that it is time to leave school.
    Free use is permitted only for school corporations and public schools. It may not be used outside the school.
    If using it for free, please do the following three things:
    ①　Display a credit on the SD card containing the audio or near the broadcasting equipment.
    ②　Post a notice in front of the broadcast room or staff room stating that announcements are made using Ondoku.
    (Create a notice and introduce Ondoku, for example by including a QR code.)
    ③　Inform faculty, staff, and students about the audio being used.
    For details, see >>Rules for using Ondoku for free in school announcements
18. Use Ondoku audio at schools, lectures, and similar events.
    Example: A student uses Ondoku for an event at school.
19. Use in student activities at school, such as clubs and circles.
    Example: Students use Ondoku audio to present a work created for a club activity.
20. Use audio for guidance or IVR at your company's offices, factories, and similar locations (paid plan required).
    Example: Automated answering service for missed calls.
    Example: Automated voice guidance.
    ※ If you cannot provide credit (for example, for voice guidance), you must subscribe to a paid plan for the entire period during which you use the audio.
    ※ A Business Plan is required for commissioned/contract work and use for sales purposes.
21. Use audio for guidance at your company's facilities (paid plan required).
    Example: Audio guides at art museums, museums, and similar venues.
    ※ If you cannot provide credit (for example, for voice guidance), you must subscribe to a paid plan for the entire period during which you use the audio.
22. Use for contract or commissioned work (Business Plan required).
    Example: Use audio while performing commissioned work.
    ※ A Business Plan is required for this type of use.
23. Use in work commissioned or outsourced to another party (Business Plan required).
    Example: Specify “Ondoku” as the audio to use when commissioning product development for your company to another party.
    ※ A Business Plan is required for this type of use.
24. Use in broadcast media (Business Plan required).
    Example: Use it as narration for a television program.
    Example: Use it to read comments on a radio program.
    ※ A Business Plan is required for this type of use.
25. Distribute or sell downloadable content using Ondoku audio (Business Plan required).
    Example: Distribute or sell content through platforms such as podcasts or Voicy (including free distribution).
26. Sell teaching materials and similar products using Ondoku audio (Business Plan required).
    Example: Sell teaching materials for a cram school.
27. Use audio in goods or products intended for commercial use, such as sale or lease (Business Plan required).
    Example: Add voice guidance functionality to a product developed by your company.
    Example: Use audio on CDs or DVDs.
    Example: Direct users to audio files via QR codes in manuals, books, supplements, and similar materials.
    ※ A Business Plan is required for this type of use.

Please note that you must apply through the Ondoku contact form when selling products or services that include audio created with Ondoku.

Creating and providing audio on behalf of a third party is NOT permitted.

Regardless of whether you are an individual or a corporation, you are not permitted to create and provide audio on behalf of a third party using your own account.
※ This restriction does not apply if you use the Business Plan.

【Prohibited activities】

1. Creating and providing audio on behalf of someone else, based on content they requested.
   
   Example: Read aloud text that a friend asked you to read.
   ※ Your friend must create their own account.
   
   Example: Wanting to use Ondoku for in-house voice announcements for a company that commissioned or contracted you.
   Wanting to use Ondoku for narration on a commissioned or contract project.
2. Other activities equivalent to those listed above.

Business Plan

Features of the Business Plan

With the Business Plan, you can create and provide audio on behalf of a third party.
It also allows you to embed audio in products and use it in broadcast media.

This plan is for sole proprietors and corporations.

The Business Plan includes the following:

• License valid for one year
• Audio created during the license period may continue to be used without credit after the license period ends
• May be used for commissioned and contract work
• May be used in broadcast media such as television and radio
• May be used in goods and products intended for sale, lease, or other commercial purposes

Pricing

• 2.4 million characters per year → ¥120,000
• 5.4 million characters per year → ¥240,000
• 12 million characters per year → ¥360,000

Learn more about the Business Plan here
→https://ondoku3.com/post/about-business-plan/

Purchase here →https://ondoku3.com/pricing/business/

If you would like an annual contract paid by bank transfer, please contact us by following steps 1, 2, and 3.

1. Register for a free Ondoku account
2. You can issue an invoice from Ondoku Settings by selecting “Payments → Annual bank transfer payment.”
3. Check the invoice details and transfer the amount due to the specified account.
   ※ Invoices can only be issued when the site is displayed in Japanese.
   ※ The customer is responsible for bank transfer fees.

Your plan will generally be activated within 24 hours after we confirm receipt of your transfer.
※ Bank transfer is available only on the Japanese-language page.

After your plan is activated, you can download a receipt from Invoice issuance history.

Prohibited activities.

When using this service, users must not engage in any of the following activities:

1. Using Ondoku with a free account for products or services where credit cannot be provided.
2. After using Ondoku with a paid account, switching to a free account and continuing to use the audio without credit.
3. After using Ondoku with a paid account for products or services where credit cannot be provided, switching to a free account and continuing to use the audio.
4. Using disposable email addresses.
5. One person creating multiple free accounts.
6. Lending your account to a third party or engaging in similar activities.
7. Infringing on a third party's copyright.
8. Causing harm to our company or a third party.
9. Using audio files under a plan that is not appropriate for the intended use.
10. Embedding audio in products, using it in broadcast media or commissioned work, or using it in items for sale under any plan other than the Business Plan.
11. Infringing on the property, reputation, privacy, or other rights of our company or a third party.
12. Misleading others into believing that a voice created with Ondoku is your own work.
    Example: Making statements or taking actions that lead others to believe you created audio with Ondoku entirely by yourself.
13. Selling or distributing works or products that primarily feature Ondoku audio.
    ※ This refers to cases where the majority of the value of the work or product is derived from the audio.
    This includes services, applications, and content that depend on Ondoku audio.
    Example: Collections of lines or greetings, and other audio materials.
14. Impersonating a third party.
15. Engaging in activities that may interfere with the operation of this website.
16. Unauthorized access to servers or other computers belonging to our company.
17. Altering information that may be used through this service or providing inaccurate information.
18. Using the service for content that violates public order and morals, such as adult, violent, discriminatory, or defamatory content.
19. Using the service for religious activities or related activities; using it to criticize specific individuals or organizations; or using it in a way that significantly damages the image of this service.
20. Engaging in activities that violate laws and regulations.
21. Other activities that our company deems inappropriate.

If a user engages in any of the prohibited activities listed in the preceding paragraph, the user will assume all liability, including liability for damages to users or third parties harmed by the prohibited activity, and will release our company from any such liability, regardless of whether the user acted intentionally or negligently. Our company shall bear no liability whatsoever for any damage, loss, expense, or other costs arising from such prohibited activity (including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, lost profits, and attorney's fees), whether or not they were foreseeable. This exclusion applies to all forms of liability, including contractual and tort liability, as well as liability based on any other legal theory.

If our company incurs damage, loss, expenses, or other costs (including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, lost profits, and attorney's fees) as a result of a user engaging in any of the prohibited activities listed in Paragraph 1 of this Article (including cases where a third party seeks to hold our company liable for damages), the user must compensate and indemnify our company for these costs.

If our company determines that an activity falls under the prohibited activities listed in Paragraph 1 of this Article, or determines for any other reason that action is necessary, our company may, without prior notice and regardless of whether the user acted intentionally or negligently, take measures to prevent or mitigate damage caused by the prohibited activity or any other measures our company deems appropriate (including disclosing information about the user in response to a request for disclosure from a person claiming that the user has infringed their rights). Even if these measures cause any damage, loss, expenses, or other costs to the user or a third party (including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, lost profits, and attorney's fees), whether or not they were foreseeable, our company shall bear no liability whatsoever. This exclusion applies to all forms of liability, including contractual and tort liability, as well as liability based on any other legal theory.

When using Ondoku, please be sure to also review the Ondoku Terms of Use.

If you have any questions or concerns about using the service, please feel free to contact us.

Inquiries about plans and how to use the service

“I’d like to know which plan I can use for my particular use case! I’d like to confirm.”

If so, please fill out the items below and contact us.

Ondoku: Contact us

Subject: Inquiry about commercial use

Which plan will you use?

1. Free
2. Free or a paid monthly plan
3. Paid monthly plan
4. Business Plan
5. Other (please specify)

Can you provide credit?

1. Yes
2. No

Who will create the audio with Ondoku?

1. Me/my company
2. An outsourced provider/a third party/a subsidiary

Who will listen to the audio? (Select all that apply)

1. Me
2. YouTube viewers
3. In-house staff
4. App users
5. The general public
6. Other (please specify)

Will the audio be used for commissioned, contracted, or requested work?

1. Yes
2. No

Will it be sold?

1. Paid sale/distribution
2. Free distribution
3. It will not be sold or distributed
4. Other (please specify)

What devices or software will use the audio? (Select all that apply)

• Computer/smartphone
• Embedded device
• CD/DVD player
• Other (please specify)

How will it be distributed or delivered? (Select all that apply)

1. YouTube
2. Smartphone app
3. Computer software
4. CD/DVD
5. Downloadable content
6. Presentation
7. Broadcast media such as television (Tver) or radio
8. None
9. Other (please specify)

Will it be embedded in a device or product?

1. Yes
2. No

How do you plan to use it? (Please be as specific as possible.)

Examples

1. I plan to use it in PowerPoint slides for internal company training. I plan to put it on DVD for internal sharing and archiving. I cannot provide credit. May I use it for free? If I need a paid plan, can I use the Basic Plan for ¥980 per month?
2. I would like to use it for character voices in a smartphone app I am developing myself. I plan to provide credit in the CV section. Can I use it for free?
3. Can I use it for free if I provide credit on the device casing?

Ondoku: Contact us