Terms of Service

Last Updated: December 2024

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using Thinking in Public (“the Platform”, “our Service”), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

2. Description of Service

Thinking in Public is a collaborative platform that enables users to share ideas, thoughts, and creative works in various stages of development. Our service facilitates transparent intellectual development through community feedback, collaboration, and iterative improvement.

The Platform provides tools for:

• Sharing and developing ideas transparently
• Receiving community feedback and collaboration
• Tracking the evolution of thoughts and concepts
• Building intellectual communities around shared interests
• Connecting with other creators, researchers, and innovators

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of the Platform, you must register for an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for safeguarding the password and for maintaining the confidentiality of your account. You agree not to disclose your password to any third party and to take sole responsibility for any activities or actions under your account.

3.3 Account Termination

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or engage in harmful behavior.

4. User Content and Conduct

4.1 Content Ownership

You retain ownership of all intellectual property rights in the content you create and share on the Platform (“User Content”). By posting User Content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content solely for the purpose of operating and improving the Platform.

4.2 Content Standards

All User Content must comply with the following standards:

• Be respectful and constructive in nature
• Not contain harmful, offensive, or discriminatory material
• Not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others
• Not contain spam, promotional content, or misleading information
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

4.3 Prohibited Conduct

Users are prohibited from:

• Harassing, threatening, or intimidating other users
• Posting false, misleading, or defamatory content
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Platform
• Using the Platform for illegal activities
• Interfering with the proper functioning of the Platform
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Platform Rights

The Platform, including its design, functionality, and underlying technology, is owned by Thinking in Public and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

5.2 User Rights

Users retain full ownership of their original ideas and content. The collaborative nature of the Platform means that derivative works and improvements may be created through community interaction, with appropriate attribution maintained.

5.3 Respect for Third-Party Rights

Users must respect the intellectual property rights of others and may not post content that infringes on copyrights, trademarks, or other proprietary rights.

6. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.

7. Payment Terms

7.1 Free and Paid Services

The Platform offers both free and paid subscription tiers. Free accounts have access to basic features, while paid subscriptions unlock additional functionality and resources.

7.2 Billing and Refunds

Paid subscriptions are billed in advance on a monthly or annual basis. Refunds are available within 30 days of purchase for annual subscriptions, subject to our refund policy.

8. Prohibited Uses

You may not use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or to solicit others to perform unlawful acts. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Violating any local, state, national, or international law
• Transmitting or procuring the sending of advertising or promotional material without prior written consent
• Impersonating or attempting to impersonate another person or entity
• Engaging in any other conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone's use or enjoyment of the Platform

9. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and bar access to the Platform immediately, without prior notice or liability, under our sole discretion, for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to a breach of the Terms.

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform will cease immediately. If you wish to terminate your account, you may simply discontinue using the Platform or contact us for account deletion.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 Service Disclaimer

The Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the Platform or the information, content, materials, or products included therein.

10.2 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Thinking in Public excludes all liability for damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the Platform. This includes direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages.

11. Governing Law

These Terms shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be resolved in the courts of California.

12. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of significant changes by posting the new Terms on the Platform and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Platform after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: