Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to CollabMatch ("Platform," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of CollabMatch's website, services, and applications (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Services. We encourage you to read these Terms carefully before using CollabMatch.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and CollabMatch. Your continued use of the Services following any modifications to these Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes.

2. User Eligibility and Account Requirements

2.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 13 years of age to use CollabMatch. If you are between 13 and 18 years of age (or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction), you may only use the Services with the consent of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by these Terms.

2.2 Account Registration

To access certain features of the Services, you must register for an account. When registering, you agree to:

Provide accurate, current, and complete information
Maintain and promptly update your account information
Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or use

2.3 Account Types

CollabMatch offers different account types including Creator accounts and Brand accounts. You agree to use the appropriate account type for your intended use of the platform.

3. Acceptable Use Policy

3.1 Permitted Uses

You may use CollabMatch to:

Create and maintain a creator or brand profile
Search for and connect with other creators or brands
Send and receive collaboration proposals
Communicate with other users about potential collaborations
Share your portfolio and content for collaboration purposes
Access analytics and insights about your collaborations

3.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

Use the Services for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws
Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely represent your affiliation
Harass, abuse, threaten, or intimidate other users
Upload or share content that is defamatory, obscene, or otherwise objectionable
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to other accounts or systems
Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without our written permission
Interfere with or disrupt the Services or connected networks
Circumvent any access controls or usage limits

4. Content Ownership and Licensing

4.1 Your Content

You retain full ownership of all content you submit, post, or display on or through the Services ("User Content"). By submitting User Content, you grant CollabMatch a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform your User Content in connection with the Services and CollabMatch's business operations.

4.2 License Scope

This license allows us to:

Display your profile and content to other users
Promote your profile in search results and recommendations
Feature your content in marketing materials (with your consent)
Create thumbnails and previews of your content
Store and backup your content on our servers

4.3 Content Removal

You may remove your User Content at any time. Upon removal, the license granted to us will terminate, except that we may retain archived copies for legal compliance and backup purposes.

5. Collaboration Guidelines and Responsibilities

5.1 Collaboration Agreements

CollabMatch facilitates connections between creators and brands but is not a party to any collaboration agreements you enter into with other users. You are solely responsible for:

Negotiating the terms of any collaboration
Fulfilling your obligations under any collaboration agreement
Ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations
Proper disclosure of sponsored content as required by law

5.2 Professional Conduct

When engaging with other users, you agree to:

Communicate honestly and transparently
Respond to collaboration inquiries in a timely manner
Honor commitments made to collaboration partners
Provide accurate information about your audience and capabilities
Resolve disputes professionally and in good faith

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 CollabMatch Property

The Services, including all content, features, and functionality (including but not limited to information, software, text, displays, images, graphics, video, and audio, and the design, selection, and arrangement thereof), are owned by CollabMatch, its licensors, or other providers of such material and are protected by copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

6.2 Trademarks

The CollabMatch name, logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of CollabMatch or its affiliates. You may not use such marks without our prior written permission.

6.3 Feedback

Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you submit about the Services become our property, and we may use such feedback without any obligation to you.

7. User-Generated Content Policy

7.1 Content Standards

All User Content must comply with these content standards:

Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
Must not contain false, misleading, or deceptive information
Must not contain viruses or other harmful code
Must not violate the privacy or publicity rights of others
Must comply with all applicable laws and regulations

7.2 Content Moderation

We reserve the right to review, edit, or remove any User Content that violates these Terms or that we find objectionable, without prior notice. However, we are not obligated to monitor all User Content.

7.3 DMCA Compliance

We respect intellectual property rights and will respond to valid DMCA takedown notices. If you believe your work has been infringed, please contact us at legal@collabmatch.io with the required information.

8. Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account termination:

8.1 Harassment and Abuse

Threatening, stalking, or intimidating other users
Sending unwanted or repetitive messages
Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics
Doxxing or sharing personal information without consent

8.2 Spam and Manipulation

Mass messaging with unsolicited promotional content
Creating fake accounts or profiles
Artificially inflating engagement metrics
Using deceptive practices to gain followers or connections

8.3 Fraud and Illegal Activity

Misrepresenting your identity, credentials, or capabilities
Engaging in financial fraud or money laundering
Promoting illegal products, services, or activities
Violating export controls or sanctions laws

8.4 Illegal Content

Child sexual abuse material (immediately reported to authorities)
Content promoting terrorism or violence
Content facilitating human trafficking
Revenge pornography or non-consensual intimate images

9. Account Suspension and Termination

9.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using the account deletion feature in your settings. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease.

9.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Services at any time, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach these Terms. Grounds for termination include but are not limited to:

Violation of these Terms or any applicable policies
Engaging in prohibited activities
Extended periods of inactivity
Failure to pay applicable fees
Request by law enforcement or government agencies

9.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, all licenses and rights granted to you under these Terms will immediately terminate. We may delete your account information and User Content, though we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

10.1 Service Disclaimer

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND COURSE OF DEALING.

10.2 No Guarantee

We do not guarantee that:

The Services will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
Any defects or errors will be corrected
The Services will meet your specific requirements
You will find suitable collaboration partners
Collaborations will be successful or profitable

10.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, COLLABMATCH AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES.

10.4 Maximum Liability

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from or relating to these Terms or the Services shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amount you paid us in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or (b) one hundred dollars ($100).

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CollabMatch and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in any way connected with:

Your access to or use of the Services
Your violation of these Terms
Your User Content
Your violation of any third-party rights
Any collaboration agreements you enter into with other users

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution, you agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting us at legal@collabmatch.io. We will attempt to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days.

12.2 Arbitration Agreement

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be conducted in the English language and the arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding.

12.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

12.4 Exceptions

Notwithstanding the above, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights.

13. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice through the Services or by other means. Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms.

We encourage you to periodically review these Terms for the latest information about our practices. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when these Terms were last revised.

14. General Provisions

14.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

14.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

14.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

14.4 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and CollabMatch regarding the Services.

14.5 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.