TNW Content Contributions – Terms and Conditions
The Next Web
Owned and operated by Cogneve, Inc.
Last updated: 2 May 2026
1. Introduction and Scope
These Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) govern the submission, review, publication, distribution, and use of content contributed to websites, mobile applications, newsletters, social channels, and other platforms operated by Cogneve, Inc., a Delaware corporation, doing business as The Next Web (“TNW”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).
By submitting any content to TNW, creating or accessing a contributor account, or otherwise providing materials to TNW, you (“You” or “Your”) enter into a legally binding agreement with TNW and agree to be bound by these Terms.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of these Terms, “Content” shall mean any information, data, text, articles, comments, images, graphics, audio, video, software, or other materials in any format or medium. “Content Contribution” shall mean any Content that You submit, upload, transmit, or otherwise provide to TNW. “Platform” shall mean TNW’s websites, including https://thenextweb.com, together with all associated systems, applications, distribution channels, and services. “Intellectual Property Rights” shall mean all rights in copyright, trademarks, service marks, database rights, design rights, trade secrets, moral rights, and all other proprietary rights worldwide.
3. Contributor Status and Acceptance
TNW retains the sole and absolute discretion to determine whether any individual or entity may act as a contributor. Submission of a Content Contribution does not guarantee publication or acceptance, and TNW shall have no obligation to publish, display, or distribute any Content Contribution. TNW may suspend, restrict, or terminate contributor access at any time, with or without notice, where it determines such action to be necessary for editorial, legal, operational, or reputational reasons.
4. Ownership and Representations
You shall retain ownership of any Content Contribution that You owned prior to submission, subject to the rights granted to TNW under these Terms. You represent and warrant that You are the sole owner of the Content Contribution or that You have obtained all necessary rights, licenses, permissions, and consents required to submit such Content and to grant the rights described herein. You further represent and warrant that the Content Contribution does not infringe, misappropriate, or violate any Intellectual Property Rights or other rights of any third party, including rights of privacy, publicity, or confidentiality.
5. License Grant
By submitting a Content Contribution, You grant to TNW and its affiliates, successors, assigns, licensees, and partners a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid, and sublicensable license to use, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, perform, adapt, modify, translate, create derivative works from, and otherwise exploit such Content Contribution, in whole or in part, in any format, medium, or technology now known or hereafter developed, for editorial, commercial, promotional, and archival purposes. Unless expressly agreed in writing, You shall not be entitled to any compensation in connection with such use.
6. Editorial Control
TNW shall retain full and exclusive editorial control over all Content Contributions. Without limitation, TNW may edit, revise, format, translate, adapt, combine with other content, or otherwise modify any Content Contribution. TNW may accept, reject, delay, remove, or unpublish any Content Contribution at its sole discretion and at any time, without liability. Nothing in these Terms shall be construed as granting You any right to require publication or continued availability of any Content Contribution.
7. Moral Rights and Attribution
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, You hereby waive any and all moral rights or similar rights in relation to any Content Contribution. TNW may publish Content Contributions with or without attribution and may determine, in its sole discretion, how and whether attribution is provided. Where such rights cannot be waived, You grant TNW an unconditional and irrevocable consent to exercise all such rights in a manner consistent with these Terms.
8. Republishing
You may republish a Content Contribution elsewhere no earlier than seven (7) days after its initial publication on the Platform, provided that such republication clearly attributes TNW as the original publisher and includes a functional link to the original TNW publication. Where technically feasible, a canonical reference shall be included.
9. Content Standards and Prohibited Content
You agree that no Content Contribution shall be unlawful, misleading, defamatory, obscene, abusive, or otherwise objectionable, nor shall it infringe any third-party rights. Content Contributions must not contain undisclosed promotional material, affiliate links, or sponsored content, nor may they include malware, tracking code, or any other harmful or deceptive elements. TNW reserves the right to remove or refuse any Content Contribution that it determines, in its sole discretion, to be non-compliant.
10. AI-Generated Content
You shall disclose to TNW any use of artificial intelligence or automated tools in the creation of a Content Contribution. You represent that any such Content has been reviewed and verified by a human and does not contain fabricated, misleading, or infringing material. TNW reserves the right to reject, label, or remove any Content Contribution involving AI-assisted generation.
11. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
You shall disclose any material relationship, including financial interests, employment, sponsorships, or affiliate arrangements, that may influence the Content Contribution. TNW may require additional disclosures or modify content to ensure compliance with applicable laws and editorial standards.
12. Third-Party Materials
You are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and licenses for any third-party materials included in a Content Contribution. TNW may remove any material where rights are unclear or disputed.
13. Notice and Takedown
TNW may remove or restrict access to any Content Contribution in response to claims of infringement or legal risk. You agree to cooperate with any investigation or request related to such claims. TNW may permanently remove content at its sole discretion.
14. TNW Intellectual Property
All rights in TNW trademarks, branding, platform design, and proprietary systems remain the exclusive property of TNW. You shall not use TNW’s trademarks or branding without prior written consent.
15. Contributor Accounts
Contributor accounts are personal, non-transferable, and subject to TNW control. You are responsible for all activity under Your account and must maintain its security. TNW may suspend or terminate access at any time.
16. Disclaimer of Services
The Platform and all related services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. TNW disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including those relating to availability, accuracy, or fitness for a particular purpose.
17. Confidentiality
You agree to maintain the confidentiality of any non-public information obtained through TNW. This obligation shall survive termination of the Agreement.
18. Privacy
TNW processes personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy available at https://thenextweb.com/privacy-statement. You shall comply with all applicable data protection laws when providing personal data.
19. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless TNW and its affiliates from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses arising from Your Content Contributions, Your breach of these Terms, or Your violation of any law or third-party rights.
20. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, TNW shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of profits or reputation. TNW’s total liability shall not exceed one hundred United States dollars (USD 100), unless otherwise required by law.
21. Termination
TNW may terminate or suspend access to the Platform or remove Content Contributions at any time. All licenses granted to TNW shall survive termination.
22. TNW Council
TNW Council constitutes a curated membership program operated by TNW for selected executives and industry participants. Membership is granted at TNW’s sole discretion for a defined term, typically twelve (12) months, and shall not automatically renew. Renewal is subject to TNW approval and payment of applicable fees.
Membership benefits, including editorial participation, visibility, and access to events or introductions, are provided at TNW’s discretion and are not guaranteed. TNW does not warrant any business outcomes, exposure, or opportunities arising from participation.
Content submitted by TNW Council members shall remain subject to TNW’s editorial standards and full editorial control. TNW reserves the right to reject, edit, delay, or remove any submission. Content originating from TNW Council shall be clearly identified or labeled in accordance with TNW’s editorial policies.
Members agree to act in good faith and not to misuse the network for unsolicited commercial activity or data extraction. All non-public interactions within TNW Council shall be treated as confidential.
TNW may suspend or terminate membership at any time where it determines that continued participation is not in the best interests of TNW or its network.
23. Changes to Terms
TNW reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Updated Terms shall take effect upon publication. Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
24. General
If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between You and TNW with respect to Content Contributions.
25. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Delaware.
26. Waiver of Class Actions and Jury Trial
To the fullest extent permitted by law, You agree that any claims shall be brought solely in Your individual capacity and not as part of any class or representative action. You further waive any right to a trial by jury.