Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using the Checkers website and application (the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use this Service.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes are effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use constitutes acceptance of modified Terms.

2. Description of Service

Checkers is an online board game platform that allows users to:

• Play checkers against AI opponents
• Play with other users (if multiplayer enabled)
• Host private games
• Track game history and statistics
• Access leaderboards and social features

This Service is provided on an "as-is" basis. We do not guarantee 24/7 uptime or uninterrupted access.

3. User Eligibility and Accounts

3.1 Age Requirements

You must be at least 13 years old (or the age of digital consent in your jurisdiction) to use this Service.

By using this Service, you represent and warrant that:

• You are the required minimum age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
• You will comply with all applicable laws

3.2 Account Responsibility

If you create an account:

• You are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of your password
• You are responsible for all activities under your account
• You must notify us immediately of unauthorized access
• You agree not to share your account with others
• We are not liable for unauthorized access due to your negligence

3.3 Account Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account if you:

• Violate these Terms
• Engage in abusive, harassing, or illegal behavior
• Attempt to circumvent security measures
• Engage in cheating or unfair play
• Violate intellectual property rights

4. Game Rules and Fair Play

4.1 Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use automated tools, bots, or cheating software
• Exploit bugs or vulnerabilities for advantage
• Engage in harassment, hate speech, or threats
• Share account credentials
• Attempt to access other users' accounts
• Disrupt game servers or service

4.2 Cheat Detection and Consequences

We use automated systems to detect suspicious play patterns. Violations may result in:

• Warnings for first offenses
• Suspension of 7-30 days for repeated violations
• Permanent ban for severe or repeated cheating
• Forfeiture of ratings and rankings

Appeal Process: Email help@checkers.page with evidence for review. We will respond within 48-72 hours.

4.3 Game Integrity

We reserve the right to:

• Void games with suspected cheating
• Adjust rankings if necessary
• Implement additional anti-cheat measures
• Modify game rules to maintain balance

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Our Content

We own or license all content on this Service, including:

• Game graphics, design, and interface
• Code, algorithms, and game engine
• Text, images, sounds, and animations
• Trademarks and logos
• Game rules and mechanics

You may not:

• Reproduce or redistribute our content
• Create derivative works without permission
• Reverse-engineer or decompile code
• Remove copyright or trademark notices
• Use content for commercial purposes

5.2 User-Generated Content

If you submit content (messages, game data, feedback):

• You grant us a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use it
• We may use it for marketing, analytics, or service improvement
• You retain ownership but waive the right to revoke the license
• You represent that your content does not violate anyone's rights

6. Limitation of Liability

6.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

This Service is provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis without warranties.

We make no guarantees:

• That the Service is error-free or uninterrupted
• That bugs or vulnerabilities will not exist
• That data will not be lost or corrupted
• That the Service meets your needs
• That we will fix issues within any timeframe

6.2 Limitation of Damages

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for:

• Direct damages such as lost money, lost data, or lost games
• Indirect damages such as lost profits, lost opportunities, or lost wages
• Consequential damages resulting from your use of the Service
• Punitive damages

Our total liability is limited to fees you paid us in the last 12 months, or $0 if you paid nothing.

6.3 Exceptions to Limitation

This limitation does not apply to:

• Death or bodily injury
• Fraud or willful misconduct
• Violations of law that cannot be limited
• Liabilities that cannot be limited under applicable law

7. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Checkers and its employees from any claims, damages, or costs (including attorney fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms
• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of any law
• Your infringement of third-party rights
• Your user-generated content

8. Third-Party Services and Links

This Service may use or link to third-party services, including:

• ipapi.co (geolocation)
• Google Analytics (analytics)
• Tailwind CSS CDN (styling)
• Other services

We are not responsible for:

• Third-party service availability or reliability
• Third-party privacy practices
• Data breaches at third parties
• Third-party terms or policies

Review third-party privacy policies and terms before using their services.

9. Prohibited Activities

You agree not to engage in the following activities:

Violations may result in account suspension or permanent ban without refund.

10. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of this Service is governed by our Privacy Policy. By using this Service, you consent to our data practices, including:

• Collection of IP address for geolocation
• Google Analytics tracking
• Storage of game data and account information
• Potential data sharing with service providers

11. Service Availability and Maintenance

We provide this Service on a best-effort basis:

• We do not guarantee 24/7 availability
• We may take the Service offline for updates (notice when possible)
• Technical failures, security incidents, or emergencies may cause downtime without notice
• We do not provide refunds or credits for downtime

We are not liable for loss or inconvenience from unavailability.

12. Payment Terms (If Applicable)

12.1 Pricing

• Prices are in USD (or local currency) and exclude taxes
• We may change prices with 30 days' notice
• All fees are non-refundable unless required by law

12.2 Refund Policy

• Refunds are not available except where required by applicable law
• Disputes must be filed within 30 days of purchase
• Chargebacks may result in account termination

12.3 Billing and Cancellation

• Subscriptions auto-renew unless you cancel before the renewal date
• Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle
• You can cancel anytime in your account settings or by contacting support

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Informal Resolution

Before legal action, contact us at help@checkers.page.

Provide the following information:

• Description of the dispute
• Account username or email
• Dates and relevant details
• Desired resolution

We will respond within 30 days.

13.2 Binding Arbitration

If disputes cannot be resolved informally, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration:

• Single arbitrator selected by mutual agreement
• Location: United States or online
• Rules: AAA Arbitration Rules
• Cost: We pay arbitrator fees; you pay your own attorney fees
• Relief: Arbitrator may award any relief available in court

Exceptions to Arbitration:

• Small claims court (if eligible in your jurisdiction)
• Intellectual property disputes
• Injunctive relief for security breaches

13.3 Governing Law

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

14. Suspension and Termination

14.1 Termination by Us

We may terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms or any law
• Engage in abusive or illegal behavior
• Cheat or manipulate rankings
• Harass other users
• Attempt to access unauthorized areas

14.2 Consequences of Termination

• Your account is deleted
• Your game data is removed
• Rankings and statistics are voided
• No refunds are issued
• You may be permanently banned

14.3 Termination by You

You may delete your account anytime:

1. Go to Settings, then Account
2. Click Delete Account
3. Confirm deletion

Deletion is permanent and irreversible.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, that provision is severed, and the remaining Terms remain in full force.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Checkers regarding your use of the Service.

No other statements, agreements, or representations are binding unless in writing and signed by both parties.

17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, email help@checkers.page.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Changes take effect immediately upon posting.

Material changes (such as new restrictions or new fees) will be announced via:

• Email notification to registered users
• Prominent notice on the website
• In-app notification

Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

19. Rights and Responsibilities Summary