1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Oil Watch ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Service.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice on the Service or updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Geographic Scope and Eligibility (United States Only)

United States Only: The Service is intended exclusively for users located within the United States of America. By accessing or using the Service, you represent and warrant that you are physically located in the United States.

International Users: If you access the Service from outside the United States, you do so at your own risk and are solely responsible for compliance with local laws in your jurisdiction. Oil Watch LLC makes no representations or warranties that the Service is appropriate, available, or legal in any jurisdiction outside the United States.

Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your state of residence, whichever is greater) to create an account or use the Service. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement.

No International Compliance: Oil Watch LLC does not represent or warrant that the Service complies with the laws of any country outside the United States, including but not limited to the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the United Kingdom's data protection laws, or any other international privacy or consumer protection regulations.

3. Description of Service

Oil Watch is a community-driven platform that helps users discover restaurants based on their cooking oil practices. Users can browse restaurant information, submit new restaurants, and contribute oil audit information.

The Service is provided "as is" and we make no guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information displayed on the platform.

4. Platform Status and User Content Disclaimer

Oil Watch Is a Platform, Not a Publisher: Oil Watch operates as an interactive computer service that enables users to share information about restaurant cooking practices. Pursuant to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230), Oil Watch is not the publisher or speaker of any information provided by users of the Service.

User-Submitted Information: All restaurant listings, oil audit information, ratings, and related content displayed on the Service are submitted by individual users based on their own research, personal experience, and good-faith understanding. Oil Watch does not independently verify, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of any user-submitted information.

No Editorial Control: The presence of a restaurant listing on Oil Watch does not constitute an assertion, claim, or representation by Oil Watch about that restaurant's cooking practices. Oil Watch exercises limited editorial control solely for the purpose of removing content that violates these Terms, not to verify factual accuracy.

Reliance at Your Own Risk: Users and third parties (including restaurant owners) acknowledge that any reliance on user-submitted content is at their own risk. Oil Watch strongly encourages all parties to verify information directly with the restaurant in question.

5. User Accounts

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

Provide accurate and complete information
Maintain the security of your account credentials
Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion.

6. User-Generated Content

The Service allows you to submit restaurant information, including names, locations, and cooking oil details ("User Content"). By submitting User Content, you:

Grant Oil Watch a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, display, reproduce, modify, and distribute your User Content in connection with the Service
Represent that you have the right to submit such content and that it does not violate any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights
Confirm that the information you submit is accurate to the best of your knowledge and based on your own research or direct experience
Accept sole responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of your submissions
Understand that User Content may be reviewed, edited, or removed by our moderation team at any time
Acknowledge that your submissions may be disputed by restaurant owners or other parties and may be subject to removal or modification

Your Responsibility: You are solely responsible for the content you submit. Oil Watch does not verify or endorse user submissions and makes no representations about the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of User Content. If you submit false or misleading information that harms a restaurant's reputation, you may be held personally liable.

You retain ownership of your User Content, but acknowledge that it may remain on the platform even after account deletion to maintain the integrity of the community database.

7. Acceptable Use

You agree not to use the Service to:

Submit false, misleading, or inaccurate information
Harass, abuse, or harm other users or restaurant owners
Spam or submit duplicate content
Attempt to manipulate the reputation or ranking system
Interfere with the operation of the Service
Access the Service through automated means (bots, scrapers) without permission
Violate any applicable laws or regulations
Infringe on the intellectual property rights of others

8. Reputation System

The Service includes a gamification system where users earn reputation points for contributing to the platform. Reputation is earned through:

Submitting new restaurant listings
Contributing oil audit information

Reputation has no monetary value and cannot be exchanged, transferred, or redeemed for cash or other consideration. We reserve the right to modify the reputation system or reset reputation balances at any time.

9. Intellectual Property

The Service, including its original content (excluding User Content), features, and functionality, is owned by Oil Watch LLC and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of the Service without our prior written consent.

10. Disclaimers

No Medical or Dietary Advice: The information provided on the Service is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, dietary, or nutritional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary decisions.

Accuracy of Information: Restaurant information on the Service is primarily user-generated and may not be accurate, complete, or up-to-date. Restaurants may change their cooking practices at any time. We encourage you to verify information directly with restaurants.

Verification Disclaimer: Oil Watch's verification status does not guarantee that a restaurant is free from seed oils. Restaurant practices may change without notice, and verification is based on user-submitted information at a specific point in time. Oil Watch is not liable for any damages or harm resulting from a verified restaurant using seed oils or other cooking practices that differ from what is displayed on the platform.

As-Is Basis: 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, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OIL WATCH LLC AND ITS OPERATORS, MEMBERS, MANAGERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

Your use or inability to use the Service
Any information obtained from the Service
Unauthorized access to or alteration of your data
Any other matter relating to the Service

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Oil Watch LLC, its members, managers, operators, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and court costs) arising out of or related to:

Your use of the Service
Your User Content, including any claims that your submissions are inaccurate, defamatory, or otherwise harmful to third parties
Any claim by a restaurant, business, or individual that your submissions damaged their reputation or caused economic harm
Your violation of these Terms
Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations
Any dispute between you and a third party arising from your use of the Service

This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination of your account and your use of the Service.

13. Restaurant Dispute and Takedown Process

For Restaurant Owners and Managers: If you believe that information about your restaurant on Oil Watch is inaccurate, misleading, or harmful, you may submit a dispute request. We take such requests seriously and will review them in good faith.

How to Submit a Dispute: Send an email to admin@oilwatch.app with the subject line "Restaurant Dispute Request" and include the following information:

Your name and your role at the restaurant (owner, manager, etc.)
Restaurant name and address as listed on Oil Watch
Specific information you believe is inaccurate
Correct information and supporting documentation (menus, supplier invoices, ingredient lists, photos, etc.)
Your contact information for follow-up

Review Process: Upon receiving a valid dispute request, we will:

Acknowledge receipt of your request within 5 business days
Review the disputed information and any supporting documentation provided
Make a determination within 14 business days of receiving complete information
At our discretion, update, remove, or retain the listing based on our review

No Guarantee of Removal: Submitting a dispute does not guarantee that information will be removed or modified. We will evaluate each request on its merits and may request additional documentation or verification.

14. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach these Terms.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. All provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

15. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, United States of America, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

You agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Service shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of New York, and you hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

16. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, with the arbitration to take place in New York, New York.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in the state or federal courts located in New York, New York to protect its intellectual property rights or confidential information.

17. Severability

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

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Oil Watch LLC regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements.

19. Contact Us

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

Company: Oil Watch LLC

Email: admin@oilwatch.app

Website: oilwatch.app