Please read these Terms of Service (the "Agreement") carefully. Your use of the Sites (as defined below) constitutes your consent to this Agreement.
This Agreement is between you and the nonprofit organization Our Wave ("Our Wave" or "we" or "us") concerning your use of (including any access to) the Our Wave websites including www.ourwave.org, community.ourwave.org, and our Partner Communities (together with any materials and services available therein, and successor site(s) thereto, and including any and all versions optimized for desktop, mobile or tablet users, the "Sites"). This Agreement hereby incorporates by this reference any additional terms and conditions posted by Our Wave through the Sites, or otherwise made available to you by Our Wave.
BY USING THE SITE, YOU AFFIRM THAT YOU ARE OF LEGAL AGE TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
1. Changes
We may change this Agreement from time to time by notifying you of such changes by any reasonable means, including by posting a revised Agreement through the Sites. Any such changes will not apply to any dispute between you and us arising prior to the date on which we posted the revised Agreement incorporating such changes, or otherwise notified you of such changes.
Your use of the Sites following any changes to this Agreement will constitute your acceptance of such changes. The "Updated" legend above indicates when this Agreement was last changed. We may, at any time and without liability, modify or discontinue all or part of the Sites (including access to the Sites via any third-party links); charge, modify, or waive any fees required to use the Site; or offer opportunities to some or all Sites users.
2. Information Submitted Through the Sites
Your submission of information through the Sites is governed by Our Wave’s Privacy Policy, which can be found at ourwave.org/privacy. You represent and warrant that any information you provide in connection with the Sites is and will remain accurate and complete, and that you will maintain and update such information as needed.
3. Jurisdictional Issues
The Sites are controlled or operated (or both) from the United States, and are not intended to subject Our Wave to any non-U.S. jurisdiction or law. The Sites may not be appropriate or available for use in some non-U.S. jurisdictions. Any use of the Sites is at your own risk, and you must comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in doing so. We may limit the Sites' availability at any time, in whole or in part, to any person, geographic area or jurisdiction that we choose.
4. Rules of Conduct
In connection with the Sites, you must not:
- Post, transmit or otherwise make available through or in connection with the Sites any materials that are or may be: (a) threatening, harassing, degrading, hateful or intimidating, or otherwise fail to respect the rights and dignity of others; (b) defamatory, libelous, fraudulent or otherwise tortious; (c) obscene, indecent, pornographic or otherwise objectionable, unless as is fair and accurate to your story submission; or (d) protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, right of publicity or privacy or any other proprietary right, without the express prior written consent of the applicable owner.
- Post, transmit or otherwise make available through or in connection with the Sites any virus, worm, Trojan horse, Easter egg, time bomb, spyware or other computer code, file or program that is or is potentially harmful or invasive or intended to damage or hijack the operation of, or to monitor the use of, any hardware, software or equipment.
- Use the Sites for any commercial purpose, or for any purpose that is fraudulent or otherwise tortious or unlawful.
- Harvest or collect information about users of the Sites.
- Interfere with or disrupt the operation of the Sites or the servers or networks used to make the Sites available, including by hacking or defacing any portion of the Sites; or violate any requirement, procedure or policy of such servers or networks.
- Restrict or inhibit any other person from using the Sites.
- Reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, create derivative works of, sell, rent, lease, loan, timeshare, distribute, or otherwise exploit any portion of (or any use of) the Sites except as expressly authorized herein, without Our Wave's express prior written consent.
- Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any portion of the Sites, except where such restriction is expressly prohibited by applicable law.
- Remove any copyright, trademark or other proprietary rights notice from the Sites.
- Frame or mirror any portion of the Sites, or otherwise incorporate any portion of the Sites into any product or service, without Our Wave's express prior written consent.
- Systematically download and store any Site content.
- Use any robot, spider, site search or retrieval application or other manual or automatic device to retrieve, index, "scrape", "data mine" or otherwise gather Site content, or reproduce or circumvent the navigational structure or presentation of the Sites, without Our Wave's express prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to compliance with any instructions posted in the robots.txt file located in the Site's root directory, Our Wave grants to the operators of public search engines permission to use spiders to copy materials from the Sites for the sole purpose of (and solely to the extent necessary for) creating publicly available, searchable indices of such materials, but not caches or archives of such materials. Our Wave reserves the right to revoke such permission either generally or in specific cases, at any time and without notice.
- You are responsible for obtaining, maintaining and paying for all hardware and all telecommunications and other services needed to use the Sites.
5. Submission
Site users may submit certain materials through or in connection with the Sites, (each, a "Submission"), which may be linked to a user’s email. Please be aware that if you forget or lose your linking email, we may not be able to provide you with access to such Submissions.
6. License
Because you retain ownership of your Submissions, we may need certain rights in order to use certain of your Submissions. Accordingly, for each Submission, you hereby grant to us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid-up, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable and fully sublicensable (through multiple tiers) license, without additional consideration to you or any third party, unless certain rights are explicitly denied by you in the Submission process, to reproduce, distribute, analyze and otherwise use such Submission in any format or media now known or later developed. For clarity, this license does not modify Our Wave's Privacy Policy, which governs Our Wave's use and disclosure of personal information in Submissions.
In addition, if you provide to us any ideas, proposals, suggestions or other materials ("Feedback"), whether related to the Sites or otherwise, such Feedback will be deemed a Submission, and you hereby acknowledge and agree that such Feedback is not confidential, and that your provision of such Feedback is gratuitous, unsolicited and without restriction, and does not place Our Wave under any fiduciary or other obligation.
You represent and warrant that you have all rights necessary to grant the licenses granted in this Section 7, and that your Submissions, and your provision thereof through and in connection with the Site, are complete and accurate, and are not fraudulent, tortious or otherwise in violation of any applicable law or any right of any third party. You further irrevocably waive any "moral rights" or other rights with respect to attribution of authorship or integrity of materials regarding each Submission that you may have under any applicable law under any legal theory.
7. Monitoring & Pre-Processing
We may (but have no obligation to) monitor, evaluate or remove Submissions before or after they appear on the Sites, or analyze your access to or use of the Sites. This includes actively redacting information from Submissions. For clarity, our rights under this Section 8 do not modify Our Wave's Privacy Policy, which governs Our Wave's use and disclosure of personal information in Submissions.
8. Our Wave's Proprietary Rights
We and our suppliers own the Sites, which are protected by proprietary rights and laws.
Our trade names, trademarks and service marks include “Our Wave” and any associated logos. All trade names, trademarks, service marks and logos on the Sites not owned by us are the property of their respective owners. You may not use our trade names, trademarks, service marks, or logos in connection with any product or service that is not ours, or in any manner that is likely to cause confusion. Nothing contained on the Site should be construed as granting any right to use any trade names, trademarks, service marks, or logos without the express prior written consent of the owner.
9. Your Limited Rights
Subject to your compliance with this Agreement, and solely for so long as you are permitted by Our Wave to use the Sites, you may view one (1) copy of any portion of the Sites to which we provide you access hereunder, on any single device, solely for your personal, non-commercial use.
10. Third Party Materials; Links
Certain Site functionality may make available access to information, products, services and other materials made available by third parties, including Submissions ("Third Party Materials"), or allow for the routing or transmission of such Third Party Materials, including via links. By using such functionality, you are directing us to access, route and transmit to you the applicable Third Party Materials.
We neither control nor endorse, nor are we responsible for, any Third Party Materials, including the accuracy, validity, timeliness, completeness, reliability, integrity, quality, legality, usefulness or safety of Third Party Materials, or any intellectual property rights therein. Certain Third Party Materials may, among other things, be inaccurate, misleading or deceptive. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation or warranty by Our Wave with respect to any Third Party Materials. We have no obligation to monitor Third Party Materials, and we may block or disable access to any Third Party Materials (in whole or part) through the Sites at any time. In addition, the availability of any Third Party Materials through the Sites does not imply our endorsement of, or our affiliation with, any provider of such Third Party Materials, nor does such availability create any legal relationship between you and any such provider.
YOUR USE OF THIRD PARTY MATERIALS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND IS SUBJECT TO ANY ADDITIONAL TERMS, CONDITIONS AND POLICIES APPLICABLE TO SUCH THIRD PARTY MATERIALS (SUCH AS TERMS OF SERVICE OR PRIVACY POLICIES OF THE PROVIDERS OF SUCH THIRD PARTY MATERIALS).
11. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
THE SITES AND ANY THIRD PARTY MATERIALS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY. OUR WAVE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SITES AND ANY THIRD PARTY MATERIALS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND TITLE. ALL DISCLAIMERS OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING IN THIS SECTION AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS AGREEMENT) ARE MADE ON BEHALF OF BOTH OUR WAVE AND ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS (COLLECTIVELY, THE "AFFILIATED ENTITIES"), AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
While we try to maintain the timeliness, integrity and security of the Sites, we do not guarantee that the Sites are or will remain updated, complete, correct, or secure, or that access to the Sites will be uninterrupted. The Sites may include inaccuracies, errors and materials that violate or conflict with this Agreement. Additionally, third parties may make unauthorized alterations to the Sites. If you become aware of any such alteration, contact us at [email protected] with a description of such alteration and its location on the Sites.
12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
OUR WAVE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, UNDER ANY CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER THEORY, INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, USE OR DATA, LOSS OF OTHER INTANGIBLES, LOSS OF SECURITY OF SUBMISSIONS (INCLUDING UNAUTHORIZED INTERCEPTION BY THIRD PARTIES OF ANY SUBMISSIONS), EVEN IF ADVISED IN ADVANCE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, OUR WAVE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITES OR FROM ANY THIRD PARTY MATERIALS. YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SITES OR ANY THIRD PARTY MATERIALS IS TO STOP USING THE SITES. THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF OUR WAVE FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES AND CAUSES OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE THE GREATER OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT, IF ANY, PAID BY YOU TO OUR WAVE TO USE THE SITE, AND AN AMOUNT OF $5.00. ALL LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING IN THIS SECTION AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS AGREEMENT) ARE MADE ON BEHALF OF BOTH OUR WAVE AND THE AFFILIATED ENTITIES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
Applicable law may not allow for limitations on certain implied warranties, or exclusions or limitations of certain damages; solely to the extent that such law applies to you, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions or limitations may not apply to you, and you may have certain additional rights.
13. Indemnity
Except to the extent prohibited under applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Our Wave and the Affiliated Entities, and their respective successors and assigns, from and against all claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, losses, costs, expenses and fees (including attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to (a) your use of, or activities in connection with, the Sites (including all Submissions); and (b) any violation or alleged violation of this Agreement by you.
14. Termination
This Agreement is effective until terminated. Our Wave may terminate or suspend your use of the Sites at any time and without prior notice, including if Our Wave believes that you have violated or acted inconsistently with the letter or spirit of this Agreement. Upon any such termination or suspension, your right to use the Sites will immediately cease, and Our Wave may, without liability to you or any third party, immediately deactivate or delete all associated materials, without any obligation to provide any further access to such materials. Sections 2-8 and 10-19 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.
15. Governing Law; Arbitration
The terms of this Agreement are governed by the laws of the United States (including federal arbitration law) and the State of North Carolina, U.S.A., without regard to its principles of conflicts of law, and regardless of your location. EXCEPT FOR DISPUTES THAT QUALIFY FOR SMALL CLAIMS COURT, ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ASPECT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND OUR WAVE, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTE, FRAUD, MISREPRESENTATION OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, WILL BE RESOLVED THROUGH FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION BEFORE A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR INSTEAD OF IN A COURT BY A JUDGE OR JURY AND YOU AGREE THAT OUR WAVE AND YOU ARE EACH WAIVING THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY A JURY. YOU AGREE THAT ANY ARBITRATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS; CLASS ARBITRATIONS AND CLASS ACTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED AND YOU ARE AGREEING TO GIVE UP THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION. The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, as amended by this Agreement. The Consumer Arbitration Rules are available online at https://www.adr.org. The arbitrator will conduct hearings, if any, by teleconference or videoconference, rather than by personal appearances, unless the arbitrator determines upon request by you or by us that an in-person hearing is appropriate. Any in-person appearances will be held at a location which is reasonably convenient to both parties with due consideration of their ability to travel and other pertinent circumstances. If the parties are unable to agree on a location, such determination should be made by the AAA or by the arbitrator. The arbitrator's decision will follow the terms of this Agreement and will be final and binding. The arbitrator will have authority to award temporary, interim or permanent injunctive relief or relief providing for specific performance of this Agreement, but only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by the individual claim before the arbitrator. The award rendered by the arbitrator may be confirmed and enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will preclude you from bringing issues to the attention of federal, state or local agencies and, if the law allows, they can seek relief against us for you.
16. Filtering
We hereby notify you that parental control protections (such as computer hardware, software or filtering services) are commercially available that may assist you in limiting access to material that is harmful to minors.
17. Information or Complaints
If you have a question or complaint regarding the Site, please send an email to [email protected]. Please note that email communications will not necessarily be secure; accordingly you should not include credit card information or other sensitive information in your email correspondence with us.
18. Copyright Infringement Claims
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (the "DMCA") provides recourse for copyright owners who believe that material appearing on the Internet infringes their rights under U.S. copyright law. If you believe in good faith that materials available on the Site infringe your copyright, you (or your agent) may send to Our Wave a written notice by mail or email, requesting that Our Wave remove such material or block access to it. If you believe in good faith that someone has wrongly filed a notice of copyright infringement against you, the DMCA permits you to send to Our Wave a counter-notice. Notices and counter-notices must meet the then-current statutory requirements imposed by the DMCA. See http://www.copyright.gov for details.
19. Miscellaneous
This Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, create any partnership, joint venture, employer-employee, agency or franchisor-franchisee relationship between you and Our Wave. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, that provision will be deemed severable from this Agreement and will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. You may not assign, transfer or sublicense any or all of your rights or obligations under this Agreement without our express prior written consent. We may assign, transfer or sublicense any or all of our rights or obligations under this Agreement without restriction. No waiver by either party of any breach or default under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or subsequent breach or default. Any heading, caption or section title contained herein is for convenience only, and in no way defines or explains any section or provision. All terms defined in the singular shall have the same meanings when used in the plural, where appropriate and unless otherwise specified. Any use of the term "including" or variations thereof in this Agreement shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "without limitation." This Agreement, including any terms and conditions incorporated herein, is the entire agreement between you and Our Wave relating to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous written or oral agreements or understandings between you and Our Wave relating to such subject matter. Notices to you (including notices of changes to this Agreement) may be made via posting to the Sites or by email (including in each case via links), or by regular mail. Without limitation, a printed version of this Agreement and of any notice given in electronic form shall be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to this Agreement to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form. Our Wave will not be responsible for any failure to fulfill any obligation due to any cause beyond its control.
For more information, contact us: [email protected]
Updated February 14, 2025
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