Terms & Conditions
The CT Beacon
Owned and Operated by Stonington Media LLC
Effective Date: April 1, 2026
Website: https://thectbeacon.com
1. Acceptance of Terms
Welcome to The CT Beacon, an independent regional digital publication covering events, entertainment, arts, culture, food, and community life in southeastern Connecticut and southwestern Rhode Island.
The CT Beacon is owned and operated by Stonington Media LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”).
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of The CT Beacon website, newsletters, event calendar, editorial content, and related digital services.
By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
If you do not agree with these Terms, please discontinue using our services.
2. About The CT Beacon
The CT Beacon provides editorial coverage, event listings, community information, recommendations, and guides designed to help readers discover activities and experiences throughout our coverage area.
Our publications may include original articles, photographs, AI-generated illustrations, event announcements, newsletters, promotional graphics, and links to third-party websites.
We maintain independent editorial control over the selection, presentation, and publication of our content.
We reserve the right to edit, update, correct, or remove material at our discretion, subject to applicable law and contractual obligations.
3. Editorial Accuracy and Information
We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate, timely, and useful information.
However, event dates, times, locations, admission prices, schedules, availability, and other details may change without notice.
Readers are encouraged to verify important information directly with event organizers, venues, or other appropriate sources before making travel arrangements, purchasing tickets, or attending an event.
The CT Beacon does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information supplied by third parties.
Editorial opinions and recommendations reflect the views of their respective authors.
4. Event Listings and Calendar Information
The CT Beacon publishes information about independently organized events throughout southeastern Connecticut and southwestern Rhode Island.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, The CT Beacon and Stonington Media LLC are not the organizers, operators, sponsors, or hosts of events appearing in our publication.
We do not control event operations, cancellations, weather-related decisions, admission requirements, accessibility arrangements, parking, ticket availability, or refund policies.
Event organizers and venues are responsible for the events they conduct and the information they provide.
Attendance at any listed event is voluntary and subject to the organizer’s rules and policies.
To the extent permitted by law, Stonington Media LLC is not responsible for losses or expenses arising from cancellations, schedule changes, inaccurate third-party information, or experiences at independently operated events.
5. AI-Generated Images and Editorial Illustrations
The CT Beacon creates and publishes original editorial imagery, including illustrations and graphics produced or assisted by artificial intelligence technologies.
We do not use conventional stock photography as part of our standard editorial image-production process.
Our visual content may include AI-generated images, digitally modified photographs, composite illustrations, and other original creative works developed for editorial or promotional purposes.
These images are intended to illustrate the subject, theme, atmosphere, or general character of an event or article.
Artistic Representation
AI-generated and digitally created images are artistic representations. They should not be interpreted as documentary photographs or exact depictions of actual events, people, performers, venues, or activities.
An illustration may depict fictional individuals, imagined settings, representative activities, or visual elements inspired by the subject of an article.
The appearance of an individual, location, object, or activity in an illustration does not establish that the person or feature will be present at the advertised event.
Where appropriate, The CT Beacon may include the following disclosure:
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.
AI Image Creation and Editorial Control
The CT Beacon may use artificial intelligence systems and digital editing tools to create, modify, enhance, or combine visual elements.
We exercise editorial discretion over the selection and presentation of these images.
We endeavor to avoid using AI-generated imagery in ways that intentionally misrepresent material facts about events or falsely attribute actions or statements to identifiable individuals.
Intellectual Property
AI-generated images may be subject to different copyright protections depending on applicable law and the extent of human creative authorship involved.
Stonington Media LLC retains all rights it lawfully holds in its original editorial designs, human-authored creative contributions, graphic compositions, branding, and other protectable materials.
Publication of an AI-generated image does not imply that Stonington Media LLC owns exclusive copyright in elements that are not eligible for copyright protection.
Nothing in these Terms restricts lawful uses of material that is in the public domain or otherwise available for use under applicable law.
6. Photographs and Images Submitted by Event Organizers
Event organizers, venues, businesses, performers, and other parties may submit photographs, illustrations, posters, logos, graphics, or other visual materials for consideration by The CT Beacon.
By submitting visual materials, the submitting party represents and warrants that it is the lawful owner of the submitted materials, holds all rights necessary to authorize the uses described below, and has full legal authority to grant those rights to Stonington Media LLC.
Submitted materials must be original works owned by the submitting party or otherwise fully controlled by that party through valid ownership or rights arrangements sufficient to grant the required permissions.
Ownership and Authorization Requirements
By submitting images or other visual materials, the submitting party represents and warrants that:
- The submitted materials are wholly owned by the submitting party, or the submitting party holds legally sufficient rights to authorize all uses described in these Terms.
- The materials do not infringe another person’s copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other legal rights.
- Any required permissions, releases, licenses, or authorizations have been obtained from photographers, artists, performers, models, property owners, or other relevant rights holders.
- The submitting party has the authority to grant Stonington Media LLC permission to reproduce, publish, edit, distribute, and promote the submitted materials.
- The submitting party has not provided materials subject to restrictions that would prevent their use on The CT Beacon website, in its newsletters, or in related promotional communications.
- The submitting party will notify The CT Beacon promptly if it discovers a rights issue affecting previously submitted materials.
Submitting an image found on the internet, copied from social media, or obtained from another organization does not establish ownership or permission to authorize its use.
Event organizers are responsible for confirming that any photographer, designer, or other creator has granted the rights necessary for the intended publication.
License Granted to Stonington Media LLC
By submitting visual materials, the submitting party grants Stonington Media LLC a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:
- Reproduce and publish the materials on The CT Beacon website.
- Include the materials in The CT Beacon’s email newsletters.
- Use the materials in social media posts promoting relevant editorial coverage or events.
- Display the materials in event listings, editorial articles, guides, and related publication features.
- Resize, crop, format, compress, and make reasonable editorial adjustments to the materials.
- Create promotional layouts or graphics incorporating the submitted materials.
- Store and archive the materials as part of the publication’s editorial records.
- Permit service providers to reproduce or distribute the materials as necessary to carry out these authorized uses.
This license applies to the promotion and coverage of the submitted event and related editorial content.
The submitting party retains ownership of its materials.
Stonington Media LLC does not acquire ownership of submitted photographs or artwork merely because those materials are published.
The license continues for previously published and archived content unless otherwise required by law or agreed in writing.
Editorial Modification
The CT Beacon may crop, resize, color-correct, format, or otherwise make reasonable editorial modifications to submitted images.
We may also combine submitted materials with text, graphic elements, or other design features to create editorial layouts and promotional graphics.
Material alterations that substantially change the meaning of a submitted photograph or falsely portray an identifiable individual are not authorized merely by this provision.
Responsibility for Rights Claims
The submitting party is responsible for obtaining the rights and permissions necessary to authorize the uses described in these Terms.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the submitting party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Stonington Media LLC, its owners, employees, and authorized representatives against third-party claims, damages, liabilities, and reasonable legal expenses arising from a material breach of the submitting party’s ownership or authorization warranties.
This provision does not apply to claims arising solely from Stonington Media LLC’s unauthorized use or alteration of the materials beyond the rights granted.
The CT Beacon reserves the right to decline, remove, or replace submitted images if questions arise concerning ownership, permissions, authenticity, or suitability.
7. Editorial Image Selection and Replacement
Submission of a photograph, poster, or other image does not guarantee its publication.
The CT Beacon retains final editorial authority over the selection and presentation of images accompanying its articles and event listings.
We may choose to publish a submitted photograph, create an original illustration, use an AI-generated image, or publish an event listing without an image.
We may replace previously published imagery when necessary for editorial, technical, legal, or aesthetic reasons.
Event organizers do not acquire editorial approval rights merely by submitting materials for consideration.
Any separate written agreement concerning image usage or approval will take precedence over conflicting provisions in this section.
8. Copyright Complaints and Image Removal Requests
The CT Beacon respects the intellectual property rights of photographers, artists, event organizers, and other creators.
If you believe that material published on our website infringes your copyright or other legal rights, please contact:
Include:
- Identification of the material in question.
- The URL where it appears.
- A description of the rights you believe have been infringed.
- Your contact information.
- Documentation or other information reasonably supporting your claim.
We will review good-faith complaints and take appropriate action, which may include requesting additional information, correcting attribution, replacing an image, or removing material.
This process does not replace any formal notice-and-takedown procedures required by applicable law.
9. Newsletter Subscriptions
The CT Beacon provides a free weekly email newsletter featuring local events, entertainment, community information, and editorial recommendations.
By voluntarily subscribing, you authorize us to send the communications described at the point of signup.
Subscriptions may be collected through our website, MailerLite forms, Facebook and Instagram advertisements, and other authorized signup methods.
We use MailerLite and authorized automation services to manage subscriber information and distribute newsletters.
You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link included in our marketing emails.
We reserve the right to modify newsletter content, publication frequency, and delivery schedules.
For information about subscriber data, please review our Privacy Policy.
10. Intellectual Property and Original Content
Except where otherwise indicated, original articles, editorial copy, branding, logos, human-authored graphics, photographs, and other protectable creative materials published by The CT Beacon are owned by Stonington Media LLC or used with authorization.
These materials are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.
Readers may share links to our articles and event listings for personal, noncommercial purposes.
Reproduction, republication, redistribution, or commercial exploitation of substantial portions of our protectable content requires prior written authorization unless permitted by law.
Third-party materials remain the property of their respective owners.
Nothing in these Terms restricts lawful quotation, fair use, public-domain use, or other applicable legal exceptions.
11. Reader Comments and Community Participation
Visitors may submit comments, questions, feedback, and other content through our website.
You agree not to submit material that:
- Violates applicable law.
- Infringes intellectual property or privacy rights.
- Contains unlawful threats, harassment, or discriminatory abuse.
- Includes spam, malicious links, or deceptive promotions.
- Impersonates another individual or organization.
- Discloses another person’s private information without authorization.
We reserve the right to moderate, edit for presentation, reject, or remove submissions when reasonably necessary.
Submitting a comment does not guarantee publication.
You remain responsible for the content you submit.
12. Event Submissions and Editorial Consideration
Event organizers and community members may submit event descriptions, schedules, announcements, and promotional information for editorial consideration.
By submitting information, you represent that it is accurate to the best of your knowledge and that you have the authority to provide it.
You grant Stonington Media LLC permission to edit, format, reproduce, publish, and distribute submitted event information in connection with The CT Beacon’s editorial coverage and related promotions.
Submission does not guarantee publication or inclusion in our newsletter.
We reserve the right to select, edit, prioritize, or decline submissions according to our editorial judgment.
Visual materials submitted with an event are additionally governed by Sections 6 through 8 of these Terms.
13. Advertising and Sponsored Content
The CT Beacon may publish advertising, sponsored articles, promotional placements, and other paid content.
Sponsored material may be identified through appropriate disclosures.
The presence of an advertisement does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of an advertiser or its products and services.
Advertisers are responsible for ensuring their promotional claims and submitted materials comply with applicable law and do not infringe third-party rights.
Separate advertising agreements may govern placement, pricing, scheduling, cancellations, and additional rights or obligations.
The CT Beacon retains editorial standards and may decline advertising that conflicts with those standards, subject to contractual obligations.
14. External Websites and Third-Party Services
The CT Beacon may link to event organizers, ticket providers, venues, restaurants, businesses, and other third-party websites.
These websites operate independently and may have their own terms, privacy policies, prices, and business practices.
We do not control or guarantee their content, availability, security, or performance.
Transactions conducted through external websites are between visitors and the applicable third-party providers.
15. Tickets, Reservations, and Refunds
Unless expressly stated otherwise, The CT Beacon does not sell tickets, administer event reservations, or process event refunds.
Event organizers, venues, and ticketing providers establish their own admission, cancellation, and refund policies.
Questions concerning tickets, reservations, or refunds should be directed to the responsible provider.
16. Donations and Voluntary Contributions
Readers may support The CT Beacon through voluntary financial contributions.
Contributions may be processed through independent payment providers.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, contributions support the operations of The CT Beacon and Stonington Media LLC.
Stonington Media LLC is a for-profit business. Contributions are not represented as tax-deductible charitable donations.
Recurring contributions, cancellation procedures, and refund policies are governed by the terms disclosed through the applicable payment service or contribution page.
Contributions do not confer ownership rights, editorial authority, or guaranteed access to particular services.
17. Acceptable Website Use
Visitors agree to use The CT Beacon lawfully and without interfering with the website’s operation.
Prohibited conduct includes unauthorized access attempts, distribution of malicious software, fraudulent submissions, unlawful use of published materials, and activities that compromise website security.
We may restrict access or take other appropriate measures in response to violations.
18. Privacy and Personal Information
Our collection and use of personal information are described in our Privacy Policy:
The policy addresses newsletter subscriptions, MailerLite, website analytics, contact forms, cookies, and other relevant services.
19. Website Availability
We strive to maintain reliable access to our website, event calendar, and newsletters.
However, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service or error-free operation.
We may modify, suspend, or discontinue features or services when reasonably necessary.
Temporary interruptions may occur because of maintenance, hosting problems, third-party services, or other circumstances beyond our control.
20. Disclaimer of Warranties
The CT Beacon’s content and services are provided for general informational and entertainment purposes.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, they are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties concerning uninterrupted operation, completeness, accuracy, or fitness for a particular purpose.
Nothing in these Terms excludes legal protections or warranties that cannot lawfully be excluded.
21. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Stonington Media LLC and its owners, employees, contractors, and representatives will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of The CT Beacon or reliance on its content.
This includes, where legally permissible, losses associated with inaccurate third-party event information, independently operated activities, external websites, or technical interruptions.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.
22. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except where applicable law requires otherwise.
Any legal proceedings arising from these Terms will be subject to the jurisdiction of courts authorized to hear such matters, consistent with applicable law.
23. Changes to These Terms
We may revise these Terms periodically to reflect changes in our publication, services, technology, or legal obligations.
Updated Terms will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Changes will apply prospectively where required by law. Additional notice or consent will be provided when legally necessary.
24. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms, event submissions, image permissions, copyright concerns, advertising, or other matters, please contact:
The CT Beacon
Stonington Media LLC
292 S Frontage Rd
#1016
New London, CT 06320
Phone: 860.415.6112
Email: hello@thectbeacon.com
Website: https://thectbeacon.com
© 2026 Stonington Media LLC. All rights reserved.