Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using The Understanding Engine Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference. If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 16 years old to use our Service. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 16 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement
• Your use of the Service will not violate any applicable law or regulation
• You are not prohibited from using the Service under the laws of your jurisdiction

3. Service Description

3.1 What We Provide

The Understanding Engine is a communication platform that provides:

• AI-assisted conversation facilitation and mediation
• Tools for breaking down complex issues into manageable sub-issues
• Communication coaching and suggestions
• Action item generation and tracking
• Progress monitoring and analytics
• Solo and collaborative conversation modes

3.2 Service Availability

We strive to provide continuous service availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time with or without notice. We are not liable for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Service.

4. User Accounts

4.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of our Service, you must create an account. You agree to:

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

4.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. We recommend using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication when available.

5. User Conduct and Responsibilities

5.1 Acceptable Use

When using our Service, you agree to:

• Use the Service only for lawful purposes
• Respect the rights and dignity of other users
• Provide honest and accurate information in conversations
• Follow community guidelines and terms of use
• Report any abuse or violations to our support team

5.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Use the Service for illegal activities or to facilitate illegal activities
• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or abuse other users
• Share content that is defamatory, discriminatory, or hateful
• Impersonate others or misrepresent your identity
• Share personal information of others without consent
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service or other users' accounts
• Distribute malware, viruses, or harmful code
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Service
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract source code
• Use the Service to compete with us or develop competing products

6. Content and Intellectual Property

6.1 Your Content

You retain ownership of all content you create, share, or upload to the Service ("User Content"). By using the Service, you grant us a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:

• Store, process, and transmit your User Content to provide the Service
• Use anonymized and aggregated data for research and service improvement
• Display your User Content to other participants in your conversations

6.2 Our Intellectual Property

The Service, including all software, algorithms, designs, text, graphics, and trademarks, is owned by The Understanding Engine, LLC and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

6.3 AI-Generated Content

Content generated by our AI system (suggestions, summaries, action items) is provided to help facilitate communication. While you may use this content, we retain ownership of the underlying AI technology and algorithms.

7. Subscriptions and Payments

7.1 Free and Paid Plans

We offer both free and paid subscription plans. Paid features may include:

• Unlimited conversations and participants
• Advanced AI features and analytics
• Priority customer support
• Extended data retention
• Additional integrations and export options

7.2 Billing and Payments

• Payment Processing: Payments are processed by Stripe, a third-party payment processor
• Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled before the renewal date
• Price Changes: We may change subscription prices with 30 days' notice
• Taxes: You are responsible for applicable taxes based on your location
• Currency: All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise specified

7.3 Cancellation and Refunds

• You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings
• Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period
• We offer pro-rated refunds for annual subscriptions canceled within 30 days
• No refunds are provided for partial months of service
• Free trial periods may be terminated immediately upon cancellation

8. Not Professional Services

8.1 Limitations

• Not Therapy: Our Service is not therapy, counseling, or mental health treatment
• Not Legal Advice: We do not provide legal advice or representation
• Not Medical Care: We do not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice
• Emergency Situations: Do not use our Service for crisis intervention or emergency situations

8.2 Professional Consultation

If you need professional services, we strongly encourage you to consult with qualified professionals such as:

• Licensed therapists or counselors for mental health concerns
• Attorneys for legal matters
• Medical professionals for health-related issues
• Financial advisors for financial planning

9. Privacy and Data Protection

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

10. Termination

10.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Using the account deletion feature in your settings
• Contacting our support team
• Canceling your subscription (for paid accounts)

10.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if:

• You violate these Terms or our policies
• You engage in harmful or illegal conduct
• Your account has been inactive for an extended period
• We are required to do so by law
• We discontinue the Service

10.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the Service will be immediately revoked
• Your account data will be deleted according to our Privacy Policy
• You remain liable for any outstanding fees
• Sections of these Terms that should survive termination will remain in effect

11. Disclaimers

11.1 Service "As Is"

THE SERVICE IS 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, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

11.2 No Guarantee of Results

WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT:

• The Service will meet your specific needs or expectations
• Communication will improve or conflicts will be resolved
• The Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• AI suggestions will be accurate or appropriate for your situation
• Technical issues or bugs will be corrected

12. Limitation of Liability

12.1 Limitation of Damages

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE UNDERSTANDING ENGINE, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

• INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
• LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES
• DAMAGES RESULTING FROM COMMUNICATION FAILURES OR RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
• DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIRD-PARTY ACTIONS OR DECISIONS
• DAMAGES EXCEEDING THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM

12.2 Jurisdictional Limitations

Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation of liability for incidental or consequential damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Understanding Engine and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your use of the Service
• Your User Content
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Any decisions made based on information from the Service

14. International Use

14.1 Global Access

The Service is available internationally, but laws vary by jurisdiction. By using the Service from outside the United States, you acknowledge that:

• You are responsible for compliance with local laws
• Your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States
• These Terms are governed by US law
• Some features may not be available in all jurisdictions

14.2 Export Compliance

The Service may be subject to US export control laws. You agree not to export, re-export, or transfer the Service to any prohibited country, entity, or person.

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Informal Resolution

Before pursuing formal legal action, we encourage you to contact us at legal@theunderstandingengine.com to discuss and potentially resolve any disputes informally.

15.2 Binding Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Service will be resolved through binding arbitration rather than in court, except for:

• Small claims court disputes
• Intellectual property disputes
• Injunctive relief requests

15.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree to resolve disputes individually and waive the right to participate in class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration.

16. Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date
• We will provide notice via email or through the Service
• Changes take effect 30 days after notice (or immediately for legal/safety reasons)
• Your continued use constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms
• If you don't agree to changes, you may terminate your account

17. General Provisions

17.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado and the United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

17.3 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and The Understanding Engine regarding the Service.

17.4 Assignment

We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets. You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our consent.

17.5 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

18. Contact Information