Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using BookEnds ("Service"), operated by Paul M. Backus ("we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

2. Description of Service

BookEnds is an AI-powered platform that allows users to create alternative endings to their favorite books. The Service includes:

• User account creation and management
• AI-powered story generation tools
• Story creation, editing, and sharing features
• User profiles and social features
• Reading and discovering alternative book endings

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Creation

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

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information to keep it accurate and current
• Maintain the security of your password and account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• Be responsible for all activities that occur under your account

3.2 Account Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. Users under 18 should have parental consent to use the Service.

3.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at our discretion, particularly for violations of these Terms. You may delete your account at any time through the Data Deletion page.

4. User Content

4.1 Your Content Rights

You retain all rights to the content you create on BookEnds ("User Content"). By posting User Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display your content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Service.

4.2 Content Ownership and Copyright

BookEnds respects intellectual property rights. When creating alternative endings:

• Original book content and characters may be protected by copyright
• Your alternative endings are transformative works and may be protected under fair use
• You are responsible for ensuring your content does not infringe on third-party rights
• We may remove content that violates intellectual property rights

4.3 Content Restrictions

You agree not to post User Content that:

• Violates any law or regulation
• Infringes on intellectual property rights
• Contains hate speech, harassment, or bullying
• Is sexually explicit or pornographic
• Promotes violence or illegal activities
• Contains spam, malware, or phishing attempts
• Impersonates another person or entity

5. Intellectual Property

5.1 BookEnds Platform

The BookEnds platform, including its code, design, features, and branding, is proprietary and confidential information owned by Paul M. Backus. All rights reserved.

5.2 Prohibited Uses

You may not:

• Copy, modify, or create derivative works of the Service
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Service
• Use automated tools to access or scrape the Service
• Remove or alter any copyright notices or proprietary markings
• Use the Service to build a competing product

6. AI-Generated Content

BookEnds uses AI models (via OpenRouter) to assist in story generation. You acknowledge that:

• AI-generated content may not always be accurate or appropriate
• You are responsible for reviewing and editing AI-generated content before publishing
• We do not guarantee the quality, accuracy, or originality of AI-generated content
• AI-generated content should be used as a creative tool, not a replacement for human creativity

7. Privacy

Your use of the Service is subject to our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

8. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

8.1 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 WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

8.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PAUL M. BACKUS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES.

8.3 User Responsibility

You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users and any content you post. We do not screen users or monitor all User Content, and we are not responsible for the conduct of any user.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Paul M. Backus and BookEnds from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use of the Service
• Your User Content
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights

10. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by posting the updated Terms on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

11. Modifications to Service

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service (or any part thereof) at any time with or without notice. We shall not be liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Service.

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association's rules.

13. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

14. Contact Information

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

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://bookends.backus.agency