Onwa Terms of Use

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Effective date: 30 July 2026
Version: 1.0

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1. About these Terms of Use
Welcome to Onwa.
These Terms of Use explain how Onwa operates, what readers can expect from the service, and the responsibilities that come with participating in our book-circulation network.
Onwa is built around a simple belief: books were made to travel. We connect readers across the United Kingdom, helping physical books move from person to person, gathering new readers, places and stories along the way.
These Terms apply to people who register with Onwa, contribute books, join book queues, receive or send books, make circulation payments or otherwise participate in the Onwa service.

By registering or participating after being presented with and accepting these Terms, you agree to follow the rules set out below.

Please read them alongside our Privacy Policy.

2. Who operates Onwa?

Onwa is operated by David Harper, trading as Onwa.

Onwa is based in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.

Business operator: David Harper
Trading name: Onwa
General enquiries: hello@onwa.co.uk
Privacy enquiries: Privacy@onwa.co.uk

References to "Onwa", "we", "us" or "our" mean David Harper trading as Onwa.

3. About the Onwa service

Onwa is a physical book-circulation network connecting readers across the United Kingdom.

Readers can contribute books they have finished, request books from the Onwa Library and participate in the onward movement of books between readers.

Onwa currently operates as a limited readers' beta, with circulation and administration coordinated through our existing website, forms, communications and operational systems.

The service includes:

• registering and managing participating readers;

• reviewing and accepting book submissions;

• maintaining the Onwa Library;

• managing book requests and queues;

• coordinating book circulation and delivery;

• administering applicable circulation payments;

• maintaining Book Passports and journey histories; and

• supporting readers when problems arise.

Onwa is not a conventional bookshop, book-selling marketplace or commercial book-rental service.

We may refine how the service operates as the network develops. Where changes materially affect readers' rights or obligations, we will provide appropriate notice.

4. Who can participate?

Onwa's independent reader-circulation service is intended for people aged 16 or over.

To participate independently, you must:

• be at least 16 years old;

• provide accurate registration and contact information;

• normally be located within the United Kingdom;

• be legally entitled to contribute any books you submit;

• follow Onwa's circulation instructions; and

• act honestly and respectfully towards Onwa and other readers.

A parent or guardian may allow a younger person to read an Onwa book through the adult's reader account. The adult remains responsible for the book and all related communications, payments and circulation obligations.

Registration does not guarantee acceptance into the limited beta or immediate access to every book or service.

5. Contributing books to Onwa

By submitting a book to Onwa, you confirm that:

• you own the book or are otherwise legally entitled to give it away;

• the book is not borrowed from a library or another person;

• you are happy for the physical book to leave your possession and continue circulating;

• the information you provide about the book is accurate to the best of your knowledge;

• the book is in a reasonable condition for another person to read; and

• you have disclosed any significant damage or defects.

Onwa reserves the right to decline a submitted book if it is unsuitable for circulation, materially damaged, incorrectly described or otherwise inappropriate for the service.

Important: Books contributed to Onwa are intended to travel onward, not return automatically to their original contributor.

You should only contribute a book if you are comfortable allowing it to continue its journey between readers.

Once a book has been sent to another reader, the original contributor cannot require its return merely because they have changed their mind.

These Terms do not automatically make Onwa the legal owner of every contributed book. Legal ownership and any associated transfer rights remain subject to the applicable arrangements and law.

6. Receiving, reading and caring for an Onwa book

When you receive a book through Onwa, you agree to take reasonable care of it while it is in your possession and participate in the spirit of the book-circulation network.

This includes:

• confirming receipt when requested;

• keeping the book in reasonable condition;

• protecting it from avoidable damage;

• not deliberately removing or damaging its Book Passport;

• notifying Onwa if the book is lost, seriously damaged or cannot be circulated onward;

• responding to reasonable circulation communications; and

• following the agreed onward-circulation process when the book is requested by another reader.

Reasonable reading time

Onwa is designed to keep books moving between readers, allowing as many people as possible to enjoy them.

We recognise that everyone reads at a different pace. Reading time may depend on the length of the book, personal commitments and individual circumstances.

For this reason, Onwa does not impose a fixed reading deadline.

However, by participating in the network, readers agree to make reasonable efforts to enjoy their books within an appropriate period and to avoid unnecessarily holding books that other readers are waiting to receive.

Where you have finished a book, are no longer actively reading it, or do not expect to continue reading it for an extended period, we ask that you let Onwa know so its onward journey can be arranged where appropriate.

Our 50-day check-in

Where another reader is waiting in the queue, Onwa may send a polite check-in once you have held a book for approximately 50 days.

This is a friendly reminder, not an instruction to stop reading or an automatic requirement to return or dispatch the book.

Its purpose is to:

• check that you are still enjoying the book;

• establish whether you have finished reading;

• understand whether you need additional time; and

• help plan the book's onward journey for readers waiting in the queue.

If you are still reading, simply let us know. We understand that some books take longer than others.

We ask readers to respond to reasonable check-ins and communicate any circumstances that may cause a significant delay.

Where a book remains inactive for an extended period and other readers are waiting, Onwa may contact the current reader to discuss suitable arrangements for continuing its circulation.

Keeping books moving

The Onwa model relies on readers recognising that each circulating book forms part of a shared reading experience.

We therefore ask that readers:

• avoid retaining books indefinitely without a genuine intention to read them;

• notify Onwa when they have finished with a book;

• cooperate with reasonable onward-circulation arrangements;

• communicate openly if they need additional time; and

• consider other readers who may be waiting for the same book.

Readers should not knowingly sell, discard or transfer an actively circulating Onwa book outside the agreed circulation process without first contacting Onwa.

We recognise that books are physical objects and that ordinary wear may occur through reasonable reading and handling.

If your circumstances change or you can no longer participate, please contact Onwa so that suitable arrangements can be discussed.

Our approach is based on fairness, communication and reasonable consideration for fellow readers, rather than strict reading deadlines.

7. Book requests and queues

Books in the Onwa Library may be requested by more than one reader.

Where demand exists, Onwa manages a queue to coordinate who should receive a book next.

By joining a queue, you acknowledge that:

• joining a queue does not guarantee that you will receive the book;

• the expected waiting period may change;

• availability depends on the current reader and the book's condition and circumstances;

• a book may become unavailable because of loss, damage, withdrawal or operational difficulties; and

• Onwa may need to make reasonable adjustments to resolve genuine circulation problems.

When a book becomes available, Onwa may contact you with an opportunity to receive it.

Any acceptance deadline will be communicated as part of that offer.

If you no longer wish to receive a book, please inform Onwa as soon as reasonably possible.

Onwa will manage queues fairly and in accordance with the circulation arrangements communicated to readers.

8. Circulation fees and payments

Onwa currently charges a £2.50 circulation fee per applicable book journey.

This is a charge associated with arranging the circulation service. It is not a purchase price for the physical book.

Where a circulation fee applies:

• the amount will be communicated before payment is requested;

• payment is normally required after an offer has been accepted and before dispatch is authorised;

• payments are processed securely through Stripe;

• Onwa does not intentionally store full payment-card details; and

• payment confirmation is used to progress the relevant book journey.

You will not be required to make a payment without being informed of the applicable charge.

Payment does not guarantee a particular dispatch date or that unexpected delivery problems cannot occur.

If a payment has been made but a journey cannot proceed, Onwa will review the circumstances and provide any refund or other remedy required by applicable consumer law.

Any future changes to circulation charges will be communicated before they apply to a new transaction.

9. Sending books and delivery arrangements

Books normally move directly between participating readers using the delivery arrangements coordinated by Onwa.

When instructed to send a book, the sending reader agrees to:

• package it securely and appropriately;

• use the agreed postage method, label or QR code where supplied;

• send the correct book;

• dispatch it within the timeframe communicated or otherwise reasonably agreed;

• provide dispatch confirmation when requested; and

• inform Onwa promptly about any difficulty or delay.

Receiving readers should confirm delivery when requested and report any significant delivery problem promptly.

Delivery services are operated by third-party providers and may be affected by circumstances outside Onwa's reasonable control.

Onwa cannot guarantee that every delivery will arrive on a particular date. However, we will take reasonable steps to investigate reported delivery problems and meet our legal obligations.

Nothing in these Terms removes any statutory rights or remedies that a reader may have against Onwa in relation to its service.

10. Lost, delayed or damaged books

Despite reasonable care, books may occasionally be delayed, lost or damaged during circulation.

If a problem occurs, please contact Onwa promptly and explain:

• which book is affected;

• the nature of the problem;

• when it occurred or was discovered;

• any available tracking or delivery information; and

• any relevant photographs or supporting information.

Onwa may contact the relevant reader or delivery provider to investigate.

Readers are expected to cooperate honestly and provide reasonable assistance with an investigation.

Onwa will consider the available evidence, applicable carrier arrangements and the rights of the people involved.

Refunds, replacement arrangements and other remedies will be assessed according to the circumstances and applicable law.

No provision in these Terms excludes a consumer's statutory rights.

11. Cancellations, refunds and consumer rights

If you wish to withdraw a book request, cancel an accepted offer or raise a concern about a circulation payment, please contact Onwa as soon as possible.

The options available may depend on whether:

• the request is still in the queue;

• an offer has been accepted;

• payment has been made;

• the circulation service has begun; or

• the book has already been dispatched.

Where a statutory cancellation right applies to a distance service contract, Onwa will honour that right in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicable cancellation period, conditions and lawful charges for services already supplied will be explained where required.

If Onwa cannot provide a paid service, or the service is not performed with the reasonable care and skill required by law, readers may be entitled to an appropriate remedy.

These Terms do not limit rights provided by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 or other applicable consumer-protection legislation.

12. Book Passports and reader contributions

Onwa books may have a physical or digital Book Passport recording aspects of their circulation history.

Readers may be invited to contribute information such as:

• a first name or chosen reader name;

• a general location;

• a date;

• a book rating;

• a short written reflection or "One Word" contribution; or

• a photograph or other permitted contribution.

Participation in optional contributions is voluntary.

Physical Book Passports may travel with the book, meaning entries may be seen by future readers.

Please do not include private contact details, precise home addresses or sensitive personal information in a physical Book Passport.

You remain responsible for ensuring that your contributions are lawful, respectful and do not infringe another person's rights.

You retain rights in your own original contributions. Where you submit material for inclusion in Onwa's Library, Book Passports or reader-facing service, you grant Onwa a non-exclusive, royalty-free permission to store, reproduce and display that material as reasonably necessary to provide and maintain those features.

Separate consent or another appropriate legal basis will be obtained where required for optional promotional use of identifiable photographs or testimonials.

Onwa may remove contributions that are unlawful, inappropriate, misleading or incompatible with the service.

13. Onwa branding and intellectual property

The Onwa name, branding, logos, original website content, illustrations, designs, written materials and other original creative assets form part of the Onwa brand.

These materials are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws to the extent that Onwa owns or is authorised to enforce the relevant rights.

Except where permitted by law or authorised by the relevant rights holder, you must not:

• reproduce or distribute protected Onwa branding or original content without permission;

• present yourself or another organisation as officially associated with or endorsed by Onwa without authorisation;

• use Onwa's name or branding in a misleading or impersonating manner;

• copy substantial protected website materials for unauthorised commercial republication; or

• use Onwa's systems or content in a way that infringes applicable intellectual-property rights.

Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of Onwa's intellectual property to a reader.

Authors, publishers, photographers and other rights holders retain their respective rights in books, cover images and other third-party materials.

If you would like to use Onwa's original materials for a legitimate purpose, please contact hello@onwa.co.uk.

14. Acceptable use and reader conduct

Onwa depends on readers acting honestly, responsibly and respectfully.

You must not:

• deliberately misrepresent a book or its condition;

• submit books you are not entitled to give away;

• misuse book queues, payments or circulation processes;

• deliberately damage, misappropriate or interfere with circulating books;

• harass, threaten or abuse another reader;

• misuse another person's personal information;

• submit unlawful or infringing content;

• impersonate another person or Onwa representative;

• attempt to gain unauthorised access to Onwa systems; or

• use the service for fraud or other unlawful activity.

Onwa may investigate credible reports of misuse and take reasonable, proportionate action to protect readers, circulating books and the operation of the service.

15. Suspending or ending participation

Onwa may restrict, suspend or end a reader's participation where there is a legitimate reason, including serious or repeated breaches of these Terms, fraud, misuse or conduct that puts other readers at risk.

Any action will be proportionate to the circumstances.

Where practical and appropriate, we will explain the concern and provide an opportunity to respond.

Readers may also ask to leave Onwa by contacting us.

Ending participation does not automatically remove responsibilities connected to books already in your possession or unresolved transactions.

Onwa will work with affected readers to establish suitable arrangements for outstanding book journeys, payments, complaints and other legitimate obligations.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with the Onwa Privacy Notice.

16. Service availability and limitations

Onwa is currently operating as an early-stage, manually coordinated book-circulation service.

While we aim to provide a reliable and enjoyable experience, we cannot guarantee:

• continuous website availability;

• a particular number or selection of books;

• that every book request will be fulfilled;

• an exact waiting time;

• that every book will remain available indefinitely; or

• uninterrupted operation of third-party services.

We will provide the service with reasonable care and skill and take reasonable steps to address problems within our control.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or liability that cannot legally be excluded under consumer-protection law.

17. Privacy and personal information

Onwa processes personal information in accordance with its Privacy Notice.

This includes information used to:

• manage reader registrations;

• coordinate book queues;

• arrange deliveries;

• process payments;

• maintain circulation histories;

• communicate with readers; and

• investigate legitimate operational concerns.

Onwa does not sell readers' personal information.

Our full Privacy Notice is available at:

https://www.onwa.co.uk/privacy-policy

If you have a question about your personal information, please contact Privacy@onwa.co.uk.

18. Complaints and resolving disputes

We want readers to have a positive experience with Onwa.

If something goes wrong, please contact us so that we can investigate and seek a fair resolution.

General enquiries and service complaints: hello@onwa.co.uk

Data-protection complaints: Privacy@onwa.co.uk

Please provide enough information for us to understand the issue, including any relevant book details, journey information, payment references or supporting evidence.

We will review complaints reasonably and communicate the outcome without undue delay.

Nothing in these Terms prevents a reader from exercising statutory rights, seeking independent advice or referring an eligible complaint to an appropriate regulatory body or court.

19. Changes to these Terms

Onwa may update these Terms where necessary to reflect:

• changes to the service;

• improvements to circulation arrangements;

• new operational requirements;

• changes in applicable law; or

• legitimate security and reader-protection needs.

The current version will be published on the Onwa website with its effective date.

Where changes materially affect existing reader rights or obligations, we will provide appropriate notice and obtain agreement where required.

Changes will not retrospectively remove rights or alter completed transactions where doing so would be unlawful or unfair.

20. Governing law and contacting Onwa

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory consumer protections that apply to readers elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Nothing in these Terms prevents consumers from exercising rights to bring proceedings in courts available to them under applicable law.

If you have a question about these Terms of Use, the Onwa website or our book-circulation service, please contact:

David Harper
Trading as Onwa
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Email: hello@onwa.co.uk

For questions about personal information, please contact Privacy@onwa.co.uk.

Further information is available in our: Privacy Notice, and Disclaimer.

2026 Onwa. All rights reserved.
 

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