Terms Of Service
Independent Fiction Alliance Terms of Use
The Effective Date of these Terms of Use is January 1, 2021.
These Terms of Use (“Terms”) apply to Independentfictionalliance.com and all other websites, applications, online services, and other interactive features or downloads that post a link to these Terms, whether accessed via computer, mobile device or otherwise (collectively, “Sites,” and individually, a “Site”). The Sites are owned or controlled by Independent Fiction Alliance, Inc. or one of its subsidiary or affiliated companies (collectively, “INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE“). IMPORTANT! PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THESE TERMS BEFORE USING THE SITES, AS THEY AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. You agree to these Terms by accessing or using the Sites. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ALL OF THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE THE SITES.
ARBITRATION NOTICE: Except for certain types of disputes described in the ARBITRATION section below, you and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE agree that disputes between you and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE will be resolved by binding, individual ARBITRATION and you waive your right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration. There may be times when we offer a special feature that has its own terms and conditions that apply in addition these Terms, including sales terms for any purchase you may make through the Sites. In those cases, the terms specific to the special feature control to the extent there is a conflict with these Terms. Please also review the terms of our Privacy Policy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- OWNERSHIP OF SITE CONTENT
- YOUR LICENSE TO USE SITE CONTENT ON OUR SITE
- SOCIAL DISTRIBUTION AND WIDGETS
- REPORTING COPYRIGHT AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY VIOLATIONS
- INFORMATION AND CONTENT YOU SUBMIT
- USER INTERACTIONS AND DISPUTES
- ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY: COMMUNITY USAGE RULES
- MEMBERSHIP, REGISTRATION & ACCESS CONTROLS
- PROMOTIONS
- THIRD PARTY LINKS, CONTENT AND APPLICATIONS
- LINKING POLICY
- MOBILE
- DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES WAIVER
- LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; WAIVER
- INDEMNIFICATION
- E-COMMERCE
- TERMINATION
- LOCATION OF SITES AND TERRITORIAL RESTRICTIONS
- ARBITRATION; GOVERNING LAW; COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS
- MISCELLANEOUS
- OUR RIGHT TO UPDATE THESE TERMS
OWNERSHIP OF SITE CONTENT
Unless otherwise explicitly specified, all materials that are included in or are otherwise a part of the Sites, including past, present and future versions, domain names, source and object code and the “look and feel” of the Sites (“Site Content“) are owned, controlled or licensed by INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE, its subsidiaries or affiliates, and are protected from unauthorized use, copying and dissemination by copyright, trademark, patent, and other laws, rules, regulations and treaties.
The Site Content may not be copied, reproduced, downloaded or distributed in any way, in whole or in part, except with the express permission of INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE as is expressly provided in these Terms. Any unauthorized use of the Site Content is prohibited.
YOUR LICENSE TO USE SITE CONTENT ON OUR SITES
You may visit our Sites without further permission from INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE grants you a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-commercial, revocable and non-transferable license to download, view and play the Site Content, except as may be specifically restricted by purchase or similar requirements. This license is subject to your full compliance with these Terms. When you download or use the Site Content, you must: (a) keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices; (b) make no modifications to the Site Content; and (c) not copy or adapt any object code associated with the Sites or reverse engineer, modify or attempt to discover any source code associated with the Sites, nor allow or assist any third party to do so (whether or not for your benefit). You also agree that you will not, including by use of any robot, scraper, or other data mining technology or process, frame, mask, extract data or other materials from, copy or distribute the Site Content (except as may be a result of standard search engine or Internet browser usage).
SOCIAL DISTRIBUTION AND WIDGETS
INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE may allow you – but only through express written permission –to engage in certain personal uses of Site Content that include the ability to share Site Content with others (“Social Distribution“). For example, a Site may allow you to send Site Content to friends, display Site Content on your personal web site or post Site Content on a third party web site. You understand that only INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE can make claims, promises or statements on behalf of INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE about its products and services and agree not to do so. You also agree that you will not imply that you and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE are affiliated in any way or that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE approves of your comments. We reserve the right to revoke our permission for Social Distribution at any time and for any reason and you agree to immediately cease Social Distribution upon notice of revocation and to comply with any terms we post in connection the Social Distribution of Site Content.
Similarly, a Site may provide content that you may choose to embed on your personal web page, third party web site or social networking site by pasting the HTML or other code provided by us (typically labeled as an embed code) (“Widgets”). Widgets are Site Content and subject to the limited, revocable license described above. We may discontinue providing the services necessary for the Widgets to operate or we may disable Widgets you have embedded at any time for any reason without any liability to you. You agree that our permission to you to use Widgets on your personal web page does not provide you (or any third party) with any intellectual property rights in or to the Widget or any Site Content made available via any Widget.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY SITES: Any Site Content made available in connection with your web page, social networking site, or otherwise, by our Widgets, third party widgets or otherwise is our exclusive property and no grant of any intellectual property rights is made by us. We retain the right to demand that you cease any use of our Site Content upon notice.
REPORTING COPYRIGHT AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY VIOLATIONS
You may not use a Site for any purpose or in any manner that infringes the rights of any third party. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE encourages you to report any content on a Site that you believe infringes your rights. Only the intellectual property rights owner or person authorized to act on behalf of the owner can report potentially infringing content. If you have a good faith belief that content on a Site infringes your copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights, please follow the procedures set forth below.
In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (the “DMCA”), INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE has a designated agent for receiving notices of copyright infringement and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE follows the notice and take down procedures of the DMCA. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s copyright agent the following information required by the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act of the DMCA, 17 U.S.C. 512: (a) a physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed; (b) identification of the copyright work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online site are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site; (c) identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material; (d) information reasonably sufficient to permit us to contact the complaining party; (e) a statement that the complaining party has a good-faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and (f) a statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
If you believe that any content on a Site violates your rights other than copyrights, please provide INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE with at least the following information: (a) a physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed; (b) identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material; (c) an explanation of what rights you own/have and why you believe the content infringes your rights sufficient for us to evaluate your complaint; and (d) accurate contact information for you.
Please send your notice of claims of copyright infringement on or regarding a Site or other complaint regarding alleged violation of rights to INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s copyright agent, who can be reached as follows:
Name: Copyright Agent
E-mail Address: copyrightagent@unclebpublications.com
NOTE: This contact information is for inquiries regarding potential copyright and other infringement only.
We have a policy of terminating the accounts of users who (in our reasonable discretion) are repeat infringers. It is often difficult to determine if your intellectual property rights have been violated or if the DMCA requirements have been met. We may request additional information before we remove any infringing material. If a dispute develops as to the correct owner of the rights in question, we reserve the right to remove your content along with that of the alleged infringer pending resolution of the matter.
INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE will provide you with notice if your materials have been removed based on a third party complaint of alleged infringement of the third party’s intellectual property rights.
INFORMATION AND CONTENT YOU SUBMIT
The Site may provide you the opportunity to post content publicly (“Community Forums”), including, without limitation, on “Discussion Boards” in connection with user reviews or a contest or promotion or through other interactive features on the Sites. The Community Forums allow users to post content (including, without limitation, photographs, writings, pictures, data, questions, comments, and suggestions) and exchange information, ideas and opinions, input data, send e-mails, answer questions, or otherwise communicate with INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE and Site users through the Sites (collectively, “User Content”).
Except as otherwise described in the posted Privacy Policy or other agreement on a Site where you provide your User Content, you agree that your User Content will be treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary and will not be returned.
You agree that you either: (i) own the rights to the User Content you submit and the right to grant all of the rights and licenses in these Terms; or (ii) you have all necessary rights and licenses from the owner(s) of these rights to enter into these Terms and grant INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE the license below. Upon INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s request, you will furnish INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE any documentation, substantiation or releases necessary to verify your compliance with these Terms.
INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE is not responsible for the substance of any User Content and such User Content does not necessarily reflect the views of INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE is under no obligation to monitor User Content but may do so in its sole discretion, and may remove or refuse to post any User Content for any reason in its sole discretion.
You also acknowledge that the Internet may be subject to breaches of security and should be aware that submissions of User Content or other information may not be secure, and you should consider this before submitting any information to INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE.
You remain the owner of your User Content, but you acknowledge that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE must have a license from you in order to accept your User Content. Accordingly, you grant to INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE an unrestricted, worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual, transferable and royalty-free license (but not obligation) to host, use, copy, distribute, display, perform, modify, translate, store or otherwise exploit all or any portion of your User Content for any purpose whatsoever in all formats, on or through any media, technology or device now known or hereafter developed.
You further agree that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE is free to use any ideas or concepts contained in any User Content for any purposes whatsoever, including, without limitation, developing, manufacturing and marketing products and services; and creating informational articles, without any payment of any kind to you. You authorize INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE to publish your User Content in a searchable format that may be accessed by users of the Sites and the Internet. To the fullest extent permitted, you waive any moral rights you may have in any User Content you submit, even if such User Content is altered or changed in a manner not agreeable to you.
You acknowledge that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE may be working on or developing material similar or the same in nature to your User Content and that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE may have received similar or the same intellectual property rights from another party. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE owes you no obligation connected to your submissions unless you and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE enter a written agreement to that effect. Any discussion or negotiations between you and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE regarding your submissions does not constitute recognition of the novelty or originality of your User Content.
You agree that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE has no obligation to monitor or enforce your intellectual property rights to your User Content but has the right to protect and enforce its and its licensees’ rights to your User Content. You further acknowledge and agree that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE will not have any obligation to you with regard to User Content and that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE may or may not monitor, display or accept your User Content and may delete it at any time.
USER INTERACTIONS AND DISPUTES
You are solely responsible for your interaction with other users of the Sites, whether online or offline. We are not responsible or liable for the conduct of any user. We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to monitor or become involved in disputes between you and other users. Exercise common sense and your best judgment in your interactions with others, when you submit or post any personal or other information, and in all other online activities.
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY: COMMUNITY USAGE RULES
When you contribute, upload or otherwise provide User Content to the Sites, you agree to comply with the following Community Usage Rules (“Rules”):
- User Content must be yours. All User Content must be original with you, not copied from someone else’s work, and you must have all rights in the User Content; OR, all persons who contributed in any way or have any rights to your User Content or otherwise appear in the User Content have given you permission to upload and distribute the User Content on the Sites and elsewhere.
- No pictures or images of anyone but you and your friends and family. If you choose to upload photos to the Sites, link to embedded videos, or include other images of real people, make sure they are of you or of you and someone you know but only with their express permission to post it.
- Don’t upload third party materials. Your User Content should not contain any visible logos, phrases or trademarks or other third party materials. Do not use any User Content that belongs to other people and pass it off as your own. This includes any content that you might have found elsewhere on the Internet.
- No music. Your User Content may not contain any music unless the work and performance is original to you and/or you have all rights to the musical work (including any performances). No jingles, sampling or otherwise.
- Keep it relevant. Your User Content should relate to the content on the Sites and should be intended to add to the discussion and community on the Sites.
- Please follow codes of social decency. Express yourself with non-offensive individual self-expression. Be respectful of others’ opinions and comments so we can continue to build a community for everyone to enjoy. If you think your User Content might offend someone, chances are it probably will and it doesn’t belong on the Sites. Cursing, flaming, harassing, stalking, posting insulting comments, personal attacks, gossip or similar actions are prohibited. Your User Content may not threaten, abuse or harm others. Your User Content may not include any negative comments that are connected to race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or physical handicap or that are defamatory, slanderous, indecent, obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit.
- Do not use the Sites for commercial purposes. Your User Content may not advertise or promote a product or service except those provided on the Sites. You may not use your User Content to raise money for anyone or for a pyramid or other multi-tiered marketing scheme.
- Do not upload User Content that is inappropriate or illegal. Your User Content may not promote any illegal activity. If someone could go to jail for taking action suggested by your User Content, don’t upload or post it. If you do upload or post User Content that is illegal or in violation of applicable law, we reserve the right to take action that we deem appropriate, in our sole discretion, including reporting you to the proper governmental authorities.
- No violence. Your User Content may not promote violence or describe how to perform a violent act.
- Be honest and do not misrepresent yourself or your User Content. Do not impersonate any other person, user or company or upload or post User Content that you know is false, fraudulent, deceptive, inaccurate, misleading or that misrepresents your identity or affiliation with a person or company.
- Public forum. We hope that you will use the Community Forums to exchange information and content and have discussions with other members. However, please remember that the Community is a public forum and User Content that you post on the Community will be accessible and viewable by other users. Do not post personal information (e.g., full name, password, phone number, address, e-mail address or other personally identifiable information or contact information).
- Don’t share other people’s personal information. Your User Content may not reveal another person’s address, phone number, e-mail address, credit card number or any information that may be used to track, contact, or impersonate that individual or that is extremely personal in nature.
- Don’t damage the Sites or anyone’s computers. User Content may not contain viruses, Trojan horses, spyware or any other technologies that could impact the operation of the Sites or any computer system.
In cases where you feel threatened or believe someone else is in danger, you should contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.
MEMBERSHIP, REGISTRATION & ACCESS CONTROLS
Certain areas of the Sites may require registration or may otherwise ask or require you to provide information to participate. When you choose to provide information to a Site, you agree to provide only true, accurate, current and complete information.
If you register with us, you agree you will not sell or otherwise transfer your membership or any membership rights. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE reserves the right to terminate your account or otherwise deny you access in its sole discretion without notice.
You agree that you will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all telephone, computer hardware and other equipment needed to access and use the Sites. You also agree to comply with all rules, laws and regulations that are applicable to your use of the Sites, including, without limitation, those governing your transmission or use of any software or data.
PROMOTIONS
The Site may contain or offer sweepstakes or other promotions, which may be governed by a separate set of rules that describe the sweepstakes or promotion and may have eligibility requirements, such as certain age or geographic area restrictions. It is your responsibility to read those rules to determine whether or not your participation, registration or entry will be valid and to determine the sponsor’s requirements of you in connection with the applicable sweepstakes or promotion.
THIRD PARTY LINKS, CONTENT AND APPLICATIONS
There may be links from the Sites, or from communications you receive from the Sites, to third party web sites or online features, including third party stores selling or licensing INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE products. When you purchase INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE products or services through such a third party store, your billing relationship will be with the third party and additional terms imposed by the third party may apply to your purchase. The Site also may include third party content that we do not control, maintain or endorse.
Functionality on the Sites may also permit interactions between the Sites and a third party web site or online feature, including applications that connect the Sites or your profile on the Sites with a third party site (including, but not limited to, Facebook). For example, the Sites may include a button enabling you to indicate, on your social networking page, that you “like” a specific product on a Site, or a feature that lets you post to your social networking page a link to Site Content or the ability to share content from the Sites or your User Content posted on the Sites with a third party, which may be publicly posted on that third party’s web site. Using this functionality typically requires you to login to your account on the third party Site. We do not control any of these third party sites or any of their content. Accordingly, you expressly acknowledge that we make no representation or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, or existence of any advertising, products, or other materials on or available from third party sites or online features and any reliance placed by you on such materials is at your own risk. If you choose to use applications that connect a Site or your profile on a Site with a third party site, you acknowledge and agree that you are consenting to the information about your account being shared; and that your use of these third party applications may cause information about you to be publicly disclosed. YOUR CORRESPONDENCE AND BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH THIRD PARTIES FOUND THROUGH THE SITES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PAYMENT AND DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, AND ANY TERMS, CONDITIONS, WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY SUCH DEALINGS, ARE SOLELY BETWEEN YOU AND THE THIRD PARTY.
LINKING POLICY
INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE grants you the revocable permission to link to the Sites; provided, however, that any link to the Sites: (a) must not frame or create a browser or border environment around any of the content on the Sites or otherwise mirror any part of the Sites; (b) must not imply that INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE or the Sites is endorsing or sponsoring any third party or its products or services, unless INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE has given the third party prior written consent; (c) must not present false information about, or disparage, tarnish, or otherwise, in INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s sole opinion, harm INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE or its products or services; (d) must not use any INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE trademarks without the prior written permission from INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE; (e) must not contain content that could be construed as distasteful, offensive or controversial or otherwise objectionable (in INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s sole opinion); and (f) must be owned and controlled by you or the person or entity placing the link, or otherwise permit you to enable such link subject to these Terms. By linking to the Sites, you agree that you do and will continue to comply with the above linking requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Terms, INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE reserves the right to prohibit linking to the Sites for any reason in our sole and absolute discretion.
MOBILE
The Site may offer features and services that are available to you via your mobile device. These features and services may include, without limitation, the ability to upload content to the Sites, receive messages from the Sites, download applications to your mobile phone or access Site features (collectively, the “Mobile Features”). We may charge for Mobile Features and these charges will be disclosed prior to completion of registration for the Mobile Feature. Also, standard messaging, data and other fees may be charged by your carrier. Carrier fees and charges will appear on your mobile bill or be deducted from your pre-paid balance. Your carrier may prohibit or restrict certain Mobile Features and certain Mobile Features may be incompatible with your carrier or mobile device. Contact your carrier with questions regarding these issues. You agree that the Mobile Features for which you are registered may send communications to your mobile device regarding INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE. Further, we may collect information related to your use of the Mobile Features. If you have registered for Mobile Features, you agree to notify INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE of any changes to your mobile number and update your account(s) on the Sites to reflect this change. Instructions regarding how to opt-out of Mobile Features will be disclosed in connection with Mobile Features. Typically, you will text a keyword (e.g., “STOP”) to the applicable shortcode for the Mobile Feature. In all cases, if you reply STOP to any text message received, you will opt-out from receiving those text messages.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES WAIVER
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE SITES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE SITE CONTENT, AND ANY PRODUCTS SOLD OR LICENSED BY INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE THROUGH THE SITE, ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS”, “AS AVAILABLE” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS” BASIS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY APPLICABLE LAW, INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE AND ITS PARENT COMPANIES, AFFILIATED ENTITIES, VENDORS AND THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH OF THEM (COLLECTIVELY, THE “INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES”) MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OR ENDORSEMENTS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO: (A) THE SITES AND THE SITE CONTENT; (B) PRODUCTS SOLD OR LICENSED BY INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE THROUGH THE SITE; (C) USER CONTENT; AND/OR (D) SECURITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION TO INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE OR VIA THE SITE. IN ADDITION, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, TITLE, CUSTOM, TRADE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND FREEDOM FROM COMPUTER VIRUS.
THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES DO NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE SITES WILL BE ERROR-FREE OR UNINTERRUPTED; THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED; OR THAT THE SITES OR THE SERVER THAT MAKES THE SITES AVAILABLE IS FREE FROM ANY HARMFUL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, VIRUSES. THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES DO NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES THAT THE INFORMATION (INCLUDING ANY INSTRUCTIONS) ON THE SITES ARE ACCURATE, COMPLETE, OR USEFUL. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR USE OF THE SITES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES DO NOT WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF A SITE IS LAWFUL IN ANY PARTICULAR JURISDICTION, AND THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM SUCH WARRANTIES.
BY ACCESSING OR USING A SITE YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOUR ACTIVITIES ARE LAWFUL IN EVERY JURISDICTION WHERE YOU ACCESS OR USE THE SITE.
THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES DO NOT ENDORSE USER CONTENT OR COLLABORATIVE CONTENT AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR USER CONTENT OR COLLABORATIVE CONTENT.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; WAIVER
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE FOR INDIRECT, ECONOMIC, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGES RELATED TO: (A) THE SITES OR THE SITE CONTENT; (B) USER CONTENT; (C) YOUR USE OF, INABILITY TO USE, OR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SITE; (D) ACTION TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTIGATION BY THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES REGARDING YOUR USE OF THE SITE; (E) ACTION TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH COPYRIGHT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERS; (F) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE SITE’S TECHNICAL OPERATION; OR (G) ANY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM EVENTS BEYOND OUR REASONABLE CONTROL, SUCH AS DAMAGES TO ANY USER’S COMPUTER, MOBILE DEVICE, OR OTHER EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGE FROM ANY SECURITY BREACH OR FROM ANY VIRUS, BUGS, TAMPERING, FRAUD, ERROR, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DEFECT, DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER LINE OR NETWORK FAILURE OR ANY OTHER TECHNICAL OR OTHER MALFUNCTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF GOODWILL, LOSS OF DATA, WORK STOPPAGE, ACCURACY OF RESULTS, OR COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, EVEN IF FORESEEABLE OR EVEN IF THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. HOWEVER, IN NO EVENT WILL THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR CAUSES OR ACTION EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU, IF ANY, TO INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE FOR A PRODUCT ORDERED THROUGH THE SITES OR, IN THE EVENT THERE HAS BEEN NO AMOUNTS PAID BY YOU, THE AMOUNT OF TEN UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($10.00). THE PRIOR LIMITATION ON DAMAGES IS NOT INTENDED TO LIMIT THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES’ OBLIGATION TO PAY PREVAILING PARTY COSTS OR FEES IF RECOVERABLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW. THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION WILL NOT LIMIT OR EXCLUDE THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES’ LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES, OR FOR THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES’ GROSS NEGLIGENCE, FRAUD OR INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL, MALICIOUS OR RECKLESS MISCONDUCT.
YOU AGREE THAT IN THE EVENT YOU INCUR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES OR INJURIES THAT ARISE OUT OF INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’S ACTS OR OMISSIONS, THE DAMAGES, IF ANY, CAUSED TO YOU ARE NOT IRREPARABLE OR SUFFICIENT TO ENTITLE YOU TO AN INJUNCTION PREVENTING ANY EXPLOITATION OF ANY WEB SITE, BOOK, PROPERTY, PRODUCT, PROGRAM, SERVICE, OR OTHER AUDIO/VISUAL CONTENT OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES, AND YOU WILL HAVE NO RIGHTS TO ENJOIN OR RESTRAIN THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, ADVERTISING, EXHIBITION OR EXPLOITATION OF ANY WEB SITE, PROPERTY, PRODUCT, SERVICE, OR OTHER SITE CONTENT OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE PARTIES.
BY ACCESSING THE SITE, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAY BE WAIVING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS THAT ARE AT THIS TIME UNKNOWN OR UNSUSPECTED, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH WAIVER, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE, THE BENEFITS OF SECTION 1542 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF CALIFORNIA, AND ANY SIMILAR LAW OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”
INDEMNIFICATION
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold the INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE Parties harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, costs, investigations, liabilities, judgments, settlements and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, that directly or indirectly arise from or are otherwise directly or indirectly related to: (a) your User Content; (b) your use of the Sites or activities in connection with the Sites; (c) your breach or anticipatory breach of these Terms; (d) your violation of any laws, rules, regulations, codes, statutes, ordinances or orders of any governmental and quasi-governmental authorities, including, without limitation, all regulatory, administrative and legislative authorities; (e) information or material transmitted through your computer, even if not submitted by you, that infringes, violates or misappropriates any copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent, publicity, privacy or other right of any person or defames any person; (f) any misrepresentation made by you; or (g) the INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE Parties’ use of your information as permitted under these Terms, the Privacy Policy, or any other written agreement between you and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE. You will cooperate as fully required by the INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE Parties in the defense of any claim. The INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE Parties reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, and you will not in any event settle any claim without the prior written consent of a duly authorized employee of the INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE Parties.
E-COMMERCE
The Sites may offer products or services for sale or license and your transaction may be subject to additional sales terms and policies. You agree to pay all applicable fees and any applicable taxes. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE may automatically charge and withhold the applicable sales tax for orders. Otherwise, you are solely responsible for all sales taxes, or other taxes, on orders shipped to you.
Sometimes the Sites may offer products or services for sale or license via an in-app or similar purchase where the transaction is facilitated by the operator of a third party platform hosting the Site. In such cases, your billing relationship will be with the third-party vendor and additional terms and conditions imposed by the vendor may apply. These Terms will continue to apply to your access to and use of the purchased product or service, except where these Terms conflict with terms imposed by the third-party vendor.
In the event a product is listed at an incorrect price or with incorrect information due to typographical error or error received from its suppliers, INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE shall have the right, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, to refuse or cancel any orders placed for product listed at the incorrect price. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE shall have the right to refuse or cancel any such orders whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.
Your receipt of an electronic or other form of order confirmation does not signify INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s acceptance of your order, nor does it constitute confirmation of INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s offer to sell. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE reserves the right at any time after receipt of your order to accept or decline your order for any reason. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE reserves the right at any time after receipt of your order, without prior notice to you, to supply less than the quantity you ordered of any item. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE may require additional verifications or information before accepting any order.
TERMINATION
INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE reserves the right to terminate your access to and use of the Sites in its sole discretion, without notice and liability, including, without limitation, if INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE believes your conduct violates these Terms. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE also reserves the right to investigate suspected violations of these Terms, including, without limitation, any violation arising from any e-mails you send to the Sites or INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE. Any violation of these Terms may be referred to law enforcement authorities.
LOCATION OF SITES AND TERRITORIAL RESTRICTIONS
INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE controls and operates the Sites from offices located in the United States and makes no representations or warranties that the information, products or services contained on the Sites are appropriate for use or access in other locations. The information provided on the Sites are not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country. Anyone using or accessing the Sites from outside the United States does so on their own initiative and is responsible for compliance with United States’ and local laws regarding online conduct and acceptable content, if and to the extent such laws are applicable. We reserve the right to limit the availability of the Sites or any portion of the Sites, to any person, geographic area, or jurisdiction, at any time and in our sole discretion, and to limit the quantities of any content, program, product, service or other feature that we provide.
Software related to or made available by the Sites may be subject to United States export controls. Thus, no software from the Sites may be downloaded, exported or re-exported: (a) into (or to a national or resident of) Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria or any other country to which the United States has embargoed goods; or (b) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Commerce Department’s Table of Deny Orders. By downloading any software related to this Site, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of, any such country or on any such list.
ARBITRATION; GOVERNING LAW; COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS
These Terms and all claims arising from or related to your use of the Sites will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, except Indiana’s conflict of law rules. Any dispute you have with INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE should be submitted to INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s Legal Department within thirty days of the event giving rise to the dispute. The Legal Department can be contacted via postal mail at Independent Fiction Alliance, Inc., Attn: Legal Dept., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, Indiana, NY 10020. Please allow thirty days for INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE to address your complaint prior to filing arbitration as set forth below.
Except for disputes relating to the infringement of your or our intellectual property (such as trademarks, trade dress, copyright and patents) or where INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE is seeking a preliminary injunction (“Excluded Disputes”), you agree that all disputes between you and INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE (whether or not such dispute involves a third party) with regard to these Terms or your use of the Sites, will be resolved by binding, individual arbitration and you hereby expressly waive trial by jury. As an alternative, you may bring your claim in your local “small claims” court, if permitted by that small claims court’s rules. Neither you nor INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE will participate in a class action or class-wide arbitration for any claims covered by this agreement. This dispute resolution provision will be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and, where consistent, Indiana law.
Any such arbitration shall be administered by the JAMS Mediation, Arbitration and ADR Services (“JAMS”) in accordance with its then governing rules and procedures applicable to consumer arbitrations, including the JAMS Streamlined/Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and the JAMS Consumer Arbitration Minimum Standards (the “JAMS Rules”). Contact information for JAMS, as well as copies of the JAMS Rules and applicable forms, are available at http://www.jamsadr.com. You and we agree that, under JAMS Rule 6(e), any arbitration between us shall be consolidated with any other arbitration(s) submitted to JAMS if and only if the arbitrations involve: (a) the same legal causes of action; (b) common issues of fact and law; and (c) the same counsel. However, class arbitrations are not permitted. Payment of the fees will be determined by the JAMS Rules and fee schedule in place at the time.
Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction. Any provision of applicable law notwithstanding, the arbitrators will not have authority to award punitive or exemplary damages. You agree that any action at law or in equity relating to the arbitration provision of these Terms or the Excluded Disputes will be filed only in the state or federal courts located in Indiana, NY and you hereby consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action.
MISCELLANEOUS
The failure of INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE to act with respect to a breach of these Terms by you or others does not constitute a waiver and will not limit INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s rights with respect to such breach or any subsequent breaches. No waiver by INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE of any of these Terms will be of any force or effect unless made in writing and signed by a duly authorized officer of INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE. Neither the course of conduct between the parties nor trade practice will act to modify these Terms. INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE may assign its rights and duties under these Terms to any party at any time without any notice to you. Terms may not be assigned by you without INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE’s prior written consent. If any provision of these Terms are found to be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision will be deemed severable from these Terms and will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. The Section titles are inserted only as a matter of convenience and have no legal or contractual effect. You agree that these Terms will not be construed against INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE by virtue of INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE having drafted them. No amendment to or modification of these Terms, or action, or delay, will be binding unless in writing and signed by INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE. Provisions of these Terms that would logically survive termination shall survive the termination of these Terms for any reason (including without limitation, Disclaimer of Warranties Waiver, Limitation of Liability; Waiver and Arbitration).
OUR RIGHT TO UPDATE THESE TERMS
INDEPENDENT FICTION ALLIANCE reserves the right to modify or add to these Terms at any time without prior notice (“Updated Terms”). You agree that we may notify you of the Updated Terms by posting them on the Sites so that they are accessible via a link on the homepage or otherwise, and that your use of a Site after we have posted the Updated Terms (or engaging in such other conduct as we may reasonably specify) constitutes your agreement to the Updated Terms. Therefore, you should review these Terms before using a Site. The Updated Terms will be effective as of the time of posting, or such later date as may be specified in the Updated Terms, and will apply to your use of a Site from that point forward.