TERMS OF USE FOR YOUR WEBSITE

What are Terms of Use? Why are they important?

Terms of Use (“Terms”) are a set of legal terms defined by the owner of a website. They set forth the terms and conditions governing the activities of the website visitors on the said website and the relationship between the site visitors and the website owner.

Terms need to be defined according to the specific needs and nature of each website. Naturally, a website offering products to customers in e-commerce transactions requires Terms that are different than the Terms of a website only providing information.    

The Terms are an agreement between the website owner and the users of the website; they detail the policies and procedures conducted by the website; and in many ways, provide the website owner the ability to protect themselves from potential legal exposure.

In addition, in order to do certain things, there are legal obligations to notify the website users of such activities, and in many cases the Terms are the place to do so.

It is therefore very important and highly recommended for websites to have clear and comprehensive Terms that are adjusted and tailored to the specific website and its activities. 

Important: the explanations and information provided herein, are only general and high-level explanations, information and samples. You should not rely on this article as legal advice or as recommendations regarding what you should actually do.  It is highly recommended to have a professional assist you in creation of your Terms. Coping terms from other websites is not good practice and is likely to lead to legal and compliance exposures.

 

What are the main issues you need to cover in Terms?

Following is a list of issues that are typically dealt with in Terms of websites. Obviously, some of the issues may not be relevant to your website (e.g. refund policies are not relevant for a website that does not sell anything) and there may be terms required for your website that are not mentioned below. The following is only a limited, high-level outline and illustration of main issues typically dealt with in Terms of websites. 

 

1. Website Owner; the Offering; Binding of Terms.

 

As in every agreement, the Terms need to clearly state the owner of the website, what the website offers and the Terms being a binding agreement upon the users of the website. If the website is operated by a legal entity, it is important to state the full and precise name of such entity (and not the commercial name used for business activity). It is important to define what is offered on the website and to state that the Terms are a legal agreement controlling the use of the website by visitors and users of the services.

 

Sample: “This website is owned and operated by Senpai Project LLC. These Terms set forth the terms and conditions under which you may use our website and services as offered by us. This website offers visitors the chance to write and publish publicly to a certain extent comments on this page. Extent as in liberty to write and express your opinion but not allowed to break any rules. Those rules which you are not allowed to share on our website are hateful speech, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, racist, ignorant, bullying, and any type of harassment are all not allowed. We are in title to delete any harmful comments or post and ban you if we think it is harmful or go against any rules. By accessing or using the website of our service, you approve that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.”

 

1. Who can use your website and what the requirements are to create an account 

 

You need to define who is entitled and allowed to use the website and the services, and when relevant, what the requirements are for opening an account.

 

Sample: “In order to use our website and/or receive our services, you need to be at least 16 years of age, or of the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction, and possess the legal authority, right and freedom to enter into these Terms as a binding agreement. You are not allowed to use this website and/or receive services if doing so is prohibited in your country or under any applicable law or regulation applicable to you.”

 

1. Key Commercial Terms Offered to Customers

 

If the website includes sale of products and/or services, the Terms need to include the main commercial terms for purchasing or licensing of such services. For example, if the website offers subscriptions to a product or service, the Terms need to define the terms of such licensing, the payable fees, and terms of subscription renewal. If the website offers physical products or goods, the Terms need to define general supply terms (such as shipment, returns and product warranties).  

 

Sample: “When buying an item, you agree that: (i) you are responsible for reading the full item listing before making a commitment to buy it: (ii) you enter into a legally binding contract to purchase an item when you commit to buy an item and you complete the check-out payment process.”

“The prices we charge for using our services / for our products are listed on the website. We reserve the right to change our prices for products displayed at any time, and to correct pricing errors that may inadvertently occur. Additional information about pricing and sales tax is available on the payments page.”

“The fee for the services and any other charges you may incur in connection with your use of the service, such as taxes and possible transaction fees, will be charged on a monthly basis to your payment method.”

 

1. Return and Refund Policy

 

Online businesses selling products are required to present their product return policy and refund policy. This is important to comply with consumer protection regulations and it avoids claims by customers that are not satisfied with products they purchase. Please note that many website dealing with sale of physical goods establish a refund policy as a separate document. This includes more instructions and information on the procedures for returns and refunding. 

 

Sample: “For any undamaged product, simply return it with its included accessories and packaging along with the original receipt (or gift receipt) within 14 days of the date you receive the product, and we will exchange it or offer a refund based upon the original payment method. In addition, please note the following: (i) Products can be returned only in the country in which they were originally purchased; and (ii) the following products are not eligible for return: _Damaged_.”

 

 

1. Retention of Right to Change Offering

 

It is important to be able to change the offering on and/or through the website without being exposed to claims by the users of the website. Accordingly, Terms should include wording allowing the owner of the website to freely change the services and products offered on the website.  

Sample: “We may, without prior notice, change the services; stop providing the services or any features of the services we offer; or create limits for the services. We may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend access to the services without notice and liability for any reason, or for no reason.”

1. Warranties & Responsibility for Services and Products

 

Websites offering services or selling products usually define their responsibility in relation to the services or products they are offering. Such responsibilities typically include warranties granted by the website operator and should be in compliance with local consumer protection laws. It is recommended to verify such obligations with a professional.

 

Sample: “When we receive a valid warranty claim for a product purchased from us, we will either repair the relevant defect or replace the product. If we are unable to repair or replace the product within a reasonable time, customer will be entitled to a full refund upon the prompt return of the product to us. We will pay for shipment of repaired or replaced products to customer and customer will be responsible for return shipment of the product to us.”

 

1. Ownership of Intellectual Property, Copyrights and Logos

 

In order to protect the rights of the website owner in its content, materials and products, it is important to include wording retaining all rights and emphasizing that the visitors and the customers of the website are not granted any such rights. 

Sample: “The Service and all materials therein or transferred thereby, including, without limitation, software, images, text, graphics, logos, patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, photographs, audio, videos, music and all Intellectual Property Rights related thereto, are the exclusive property of [>>Name of website owner<<]. Except as explicitly provided herein, nothing in these Terms shall be deemed to create a license in or under any such Intellectual Property Rights, and you agree not to sell, license, rent, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, adapt, edit or create derivative works thereof.”

 

1. Right to Suspend or Cancel User Account

 

Websites need to be able to avoid misuse of the website by users and/or avoid exposure as a result of illegal activity conducted on the website (or by using a service or product offered by the website). Accordingly, websites offering subscription services or online services (such as SAAS) usually retain the ability to suspend or cancel the ability of a user or customer to use the website or the services.  

 

Sample: “We may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend your access to the service without notice and liability for any reason, including if in our sole determination you violate any provision of these Terms or any applicable law or regulations”.

 

1. Indemnification

 

Websites need to have the ability to seek indemnification form users and customers that cause the website or its owners damages. The indemnity obligation is usually addressed in the Terms.   The indemnification obligations need to be adjusted and be made fit to the potential exposure of each website according to its specific activities. 

 

Sample: “You agree to indemnify and hold Senpai Project LLC harmless from any demands, loss, liability, claims or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), made against them by any third party due to or arising out of or in connection with your use of the website or any of the services offered on the website.

 

1. Limitation of Liability

 

It is important to limit and fence the potential liability that the website owner may face as result of its business activities. Such limitations must be in compliance with local applicable laws (which may limit the ability to reduce liability). It is common to limit the maximum liability by a maximum liability amount.

Sample: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Senpai Project LLC, be liable for any indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including without limitation damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to the use of, or inability to use, the service.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Senpai Project LLC assumes no liability or responsibility for any (i) errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies of content; (ii) personal injury or property damage, of any nature whatsoever, resulting from your access to or use of our service; and (iii) any unauthorized access to or use of our secure servers and/or any and all personal information stored therein.”

 

1. Right to change and modify Terms

 

In order to be able to change the Terms without requirement to receive the consent and approval of the Users, it is recommended to retain the ability to change or modify the Terms at the website Owner’s will.  

Sample: “We reserves the right to modify these terms from time-to-time at our sole discretion.  Therefore, you should review these page periodically. When we change the Terms in a material manner, we will notify you that material changes have been made to the Terms. Your continued use of the Website or our service after any such change constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms or any future version of the Terms, do not use or access (or continue to access) the website or the service”.

1. Promotional emails and content

In many countries there is a need to receive the consent of users in order to be able to send them promotional messages. The form of such consent and the legal requirements vary from country to country and therefore it is recommended to receive legal assistance on this subject.  

Sample: “You agree to receive from time to time promotional messages and materials from us, by mail, email or any other contact form you may provide us with (including your phone number for calls or text messages). If you wish not to receive such promotional materials or notices – please just notify us at any time.”

1. Preference of Law and Dispute Resolution

 

It is important to define the laws and regulations under which the website and the business activities are acting. It is common to define the location of the courts that shall have jurisdiction over disputes between the website owner and any customer or user. Some Terms include provisions enforcing arbitration procedures as the sole dispute resolution mechanism. It is also possible to waive certain legal proceedings (such as a jury trial or class actions).

 

Sample:  “These Terms, the rights and remedies provided hereunder, and any and all claims and disputes related hereto and/or to the services, shall be governed by, construed under and enforced in all respects solely and exclusively in accordance with the internal substantive laws of USA / New York, without respect to its conflict of laws principles. Any and all such claims and disputes shall be brought in, and you hereby consent to them being decided exclusively by, a court of competent jurisdiction located in [60 Centre St, New York, NY 10007] The application of the United Nations Convention of Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is hereby expressly excluded”.

 

1. Customer Support Details & Contact Info.

Terms are expected to have contact information enabling users and customers to receive customer support services and to correspond with the website and its operators. 

1. Provisions Recommended for Websites with User Communities.

Wix offers its users the ability to create communities for the users of their websites, in order to interact with such users in a better way. 

If your website includes a user community, we recommend that the website Terms clarify that all users that join a community have a public profile that is publicly visible (to other visitors to the website), and that their public activity (such as posts they write and their comments) will be visible to other visitors of the website.

It is important to explain, that a user of the website can always opt-out and exit the community, and upon doing so, such user’s profile will not be publicly visible. Naturally, in such event the user will not be able to use the community features (e.g. liking, commenting or writing posts).

 

• It is recommended to state the effective date of the Terms of Use and update it every time there is a material change to the terms. This will enable you to keep track of what your Terms of Service reads at any given time.

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