Terms of Services

Terms of Service

Welcome to House of Wisdom! These Terms of Service ("Terms", "Terms of Service") govern your access to and use of the House of Wisdom website, platform, services, and digital content (collectively, the "Service").

House of Wisdom is a pioneering digital online eBook platform dedicated to serving the Chin community worldwide. As a ministry of the Institute of Chin Studies, a research hub for The Chin College, we provide biblical, theological, and cultural resources to uplift and empower our community through literature and learning.

Last Updated: November 26, 2024

1. Acceptance of Terms

1.1 Agreement to Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using House of Wisdom, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

1.2 Age Requirements

You must be at least 13 years old to use our Service. If you are under 18, you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to use our Service.

1.3 Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending email notifications to registered users for significant changes

Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. User Accounts

2.1 Account Creation

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

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

2.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and password. House of Wisdom cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this security obligation.

2.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your account at any time, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent, illegal, or abusive behavior
• Non-payment of fees
• Request by law enforcement or government agencies

3. Membership and Subscriptions

3.1 Membership Plans

House of Wisdom offers several membership plans:

• Monthly Membership: Billed monthly, cancel anytime
• Yearly Membership: Billed annually with discounted rate
• Lifetime Membership: One-time payment for permanent access

3.2 Billing and Payments

By purchasing a membership, you agree that:

• All fees are quoted in US Dollars unless otherwise stated
• You authorize us to charge your payment method for all fees
• Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled
• You are responsible for all applicable taxes
• Prices are subject to change with 30 days notice

3.3 Free Trial

Some membership plans may offer a free trial period. By starting a free trial:

• You must provide valid payment information
• You will be automatically charged after the trial ends unless cancelled
• You can cancel anytime during the trial period without charge
• Free trials are limited to one per person/household

3.4 Cancellation and Refunds

Please refer to our Return Policy for detailed information about cancellations and refunds. Key points:

• Monthly memberships can be cancelled anytime
• Yearly memberships have a 14-day money-back guarantee
• Lifetime memberships have a 30-day money-back guarantee
• No prorated refunds for partial billing periods

4. Digital Content and Licenses

4.1 License Grant

When you purchase or access digital content through House of Wisdom, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• Access and view the content for personal, non-commercial use
• Download content to your personal devices (where applicable)
• Use content for educational and spiritual development

4.2 License Restrictions

You may NOT:

• Resell, redistribute, or share purchased content with others
• Remove copyright notices, watermarks, or digital rights management
• Copy, reproduce, or modify the content except for personal backup
• Use content for commercial purposes without written permission
• Share your account credentials to allow others to access content
• Upload content to file-sharing platforms or websites

4.3 Ownership

All digital content, including eBooks, articles, and resources, remain the property of House of Wisdom, the Institute of Chin Studies, or the respective copyright holders. Your purchase grants you a license to use the content, not ownership.

4.4 Device Limitations

Unless otherwise specified:

• You may access content on up to 5 devices simultaneously
• Content downloads may be limited based on your membership plan
• Streaming access requires an active internet connection

5. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

5.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use House of Wisdom in a manner consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. You are responsible for all activities conducted through your account.

5.2 Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to:

• Violate any local, state, national, or international law
• Infringe on intellectual property rights of House of Wisdom or others
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' accounts
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
• Use bots, scrapers, or automated tools without permission
• Impersonate another person or entity
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Post or transmit spam, advertising, or promotional content
• Collect or harvest personal data of other users
• Use the Service for fraudulent or illegal purposes

5.3 Content Standards

If you submit content (reviews, comments, feedback), you agree that it will:

• Not contain hate speech, discrimination, or offensive material
• Not include false, misleading, or defamatory statements
• Not violate privacy rights or contain personal information of others
• Be respectful of the Christian values and mission of House of Wisdom

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by House of Wisdom, the Institute of Chin Studies, and/or our licensors. This includes:

• Website design, layout, and graphics
• House of Wisdom logo and branding
• Software, code, and technology
• Digital content and publications
• Trademarks, service marks, and trade names

6.2 Copyright Protection

All content is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution is prohibited and may result in civil and criminal penalties.

6.3 User-Generated Content

When you submit content to House of Wisdom (reviews, comments, testimonials), you grant us:

• A worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display the content
• The right to modify, adapt, and create derivative works
• The right to use your name and likeness in connection with the content

You retain ownership of your submitted content and can request removal at any time.

6.4 Copyright Complaints

If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please contact us at:

• Email: copyright@howisdom.org
• Include: Description of copyrighted work, location of infringing material, your contact information, and a statement of good faith belief

7. Privacy and Data Protection

7.1 Privacy Policy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. Please review our Privacy Policy carefully.

7.2 Data Collection and Use

By using our Service, you consent to:

• Collection of personal information as described in our Privacy Policy
• Use of cookies and tracking technologies
• Processing of payment information by third-party processors
• Communications from House of Wisdom (with opt-out options)

7.3 Data Security

While we implement reasonable security measures, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You acknowledge that:

• Internet transmission is not completely secure
• You use the Service at your own risk
• You are responsible for maintaining your account security

8. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

8.1 "As Is" and "As Available"

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 or fitness for a particular purpose
• Non-infringement of third-party rights
• Accuracy, reliability, or completeness of content
• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• Security of data transmission

8.2 No Liability for Content

House of Wisdom is not responsible for:

• The accuracy or reliability of third-party content
• Theological interpretations or doctrinal positions expressed in content
• Decisions made based on information from our Service
• User-generated content or reviews

8.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, House of Wisdom, the Institute of Chin Studies, and our affiliates shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or use
• Business interruption or loss of opportunity
• Damages arising from use or inability to use the Service

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to House of Wisdom in the 12 months preceding the claim.

8.4 Third-Party Services

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for:

• Content, privacy practices, or availability of third-party sites
• Transactions or interactions with third parties
• Damages arising from use of third-party services

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless House of Wisdom, the Institute of Chin Studies, The Chin College, and our officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms of Service
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations
• Your use or misuse of the Service
• Your user-generated content
• Unauthorized use of your account

10. Dispute Resolution

10.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a dispute with House of Wisdom, please contact us first at support@howisdom.org. We will work with you in good faith to resolve the issue informally.

10.2 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Your Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict of law provisions.

10.3 Arbitration

If we cannot resolve a dispute informally, you agree that any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service will be resolved through binding arbitration, except for:

• Claims for intellectual property infringement
• Small claims court matters
• Injunctive or equitable relief

10.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree to resolve disputes with House of Wisdom on an individual basis. You waive your right to participate in class actions, class arbitrations, or representative actions.

11. Termination

11.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Using the account deletion option in your settings
• Contacting our support team at support@howisdom.org

11.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice, if:

• You breach these Terms of Service
• Your conduct poses legal risk to House of Wisdom
• You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
• Required by law or regulatory authority
• We cease operations or discontinue the Service

11.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to access and use the Service immediately ceases
• You lose access to purchased content and membership benefits
• We may delete your account and data (subject to legal requirements)
• Provisions that by their nature should survive (e.g., indemnification, liability limitations) will continue

12. General Provisions

12.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Return Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and House of Wisdom regarding the Service.

12.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

12.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of House of Wisdom.

12.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

12.5 Force Majeure

House of Wisdom shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including:

• Natural disasters
• War, terrorism, or civil unrest
• Government actions or regulations
• Internet service provider failures
• Pandemics or public health emergencies

12.6 Language

These Terms are written in English. Any translations are provided for convenience only. In case of conflict, the English version shall prevail.

12.7 Headings

Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these Terms.

13. Our Mission and Values

13.1 About House of Wisdom

House of Wisdom is more than just an eBook platform. We are:

• A ministry dedicated to serving the Chin community worldwide
• Part of the Institute of Chin Studies, supporting The Chin College
• Committed to preserving Chin culture and language
• Focused on providing biblical, theological, and cultural resources
• Building a global community rooted in wisdom and love

13.2 Our Values

In using our Service, we hope you will join us in upholding:

• Faith: Nurturing spiritual growth through quality Christian resources
• Culture: Preserving and celebrating Chin heritage
• Education: Promoting lifelong learning and intellectual development
• Community: Fostering connection among Chin people worldwide
• Integrity: Operating with honesty, transparency, and accountability

14. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

15. Acknowledgment

By using House of Wisdom, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood these Terms of Service
• You agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy
• You are legally able to enter into this agreement
• You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• You understand the digital nature of our products and services

Last Updated: November 26, 2024

Effective Date: November 26, 2024