Although the co-founded and Mark Cuban-funded audio app Fireside is yet to be publicly launched, it has already asked its limited creators for money. Email sent late last night to users and viewed by The Verge: CEO Falon Fatemi, co-founder and CEO of Fireside, stated that she and her team will accept investments throughout August from anyone interested.She writes that if you believe in our vision, then this is your chance. We did. (We did.Emails containing more information are forthcoming. They don't reveal the terms of the investment, how it will work or how much money the team hopes to raise. The email also makes a few other announcements about future plans for the app and its vision.Fatemi claims that the live chat app was incorrectly classified as social audioFatemi and Cuban will announce a partnership at next week's Podcast Movement conference. The Verge reported that Fireside offers live audio chats similar to Clubhouse, and users can record these conversations. Creators were told by the team that they would allow them to distribute files as RSS-based podcasts. The Libsyn partnership seems to be the best solution. Fatemi claims that users will be able, with just one click, to distribute their podcasts as an optional podcast.She also stated that the team had arranged a deal to give Rode users discounts on various audio hardware. No details were given.Fireside spokeswoman declined to comment. We have also reached out to Rode and Libsyn, and will update you if we hear back.The Fireside app was launched in closed beta on iOS last week. To get on the waiting list, users can sign up for the app with their email and phone number. Fatemi wrote in an email that the app was not like Clubhouse or Facebook Live Audio Rooms or Twitter Spaces.She writes that many of us were miscategorized as social audio in early media speculation. Many of you also stated that we are creating a new category. I'm not sure what exactly this new category is. Below is a teaser trailer that shows the app's focus on digital creators owning and securing their work.Podnews, a podcasting newsletter, pointed out last week that some terms in the app were not suitable for creators, despite Firesides ownership goals. Fireside and its associated parties can use your recordings, including your name, for commercial and noncommercial purposes (including creating NFTs), as well as to reproduce, distribute, license, and credit others in accordance to Firesides Terms of Service. This is without compensation or permission.Fireside appears to have ultimate ownership of any recordings made in the app. An arbitration clause is also included. While some of these details may be common, Fatemis' stated interest in releasing creators from binding ownership agreements makes them stand out.Fireside's public launch date is not yet known, which is arguably the most important detail that everyone wants to know.
