RIPPLE ETHICS
See our
Ripple Ethics page.
1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
Welcome to Ripple Effect.net, Inc.'s Rippling Service (the \"Service\"). Your use of the Service is subject to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). Ripple Effect.net reserves the right to update and change the TERMS from time to time without notice or acceptance by you. The TERMS will also be applicable to the use of the Service on a trial basis. By using the Service, you signify your irrevocable acceptance of this TERMS.
2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
The Service is web-based and allows users that register for an account on the Service (an "Account Holder") to create and update an online web site on Ripple Effect.net. Once registered with the Service, each Account Holder receives his or her own Web Site to receive and post "Ripples" (as such term is defined in Section 7). Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any new features that augment or enhance the current Service, including the release of new Ripple Effect.net tools and resources, shall be subject to the TERMS. In order to use the Service, you must obtain access to the World Wide Web, either directly or through devices that access web-based Ripples, and pay any service fees associated with such access. In addition, you must provide all equipment necessary to make such connection to the World Wide Web, including a computer and modem or other access device. You also understand and agree that the service may include certain communications from Ripple Effect.net, such as service announcements, administrative messages and the Ripple Effect.net Newsletter, and that these communications are considered part of Ripple Effect.net membership and you will be able to opt out of receiving them. You agree not to access the Service by any means other than through the interfaces that are provided by Ripple Effect.net for use in accessing the Service.
3. REGISTRATION
In order to use the Service, you must have a valid Ripple Effect.net ID. To be an Account Holder with your own web site, you must provide Ripple Effect.net with a valid email address and other information (\"Registration Data\"). As an Account Holder, you will choose a password and account designation for your web sites during the Service's registration process. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account, and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your password or account. You agree to (a) immediately notify Ripple Effect.net in writing of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security, and (b) ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session. Ripple Effect.net cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this Section 3. In consideration of use of the Service, you agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current and complete information about yourself as prompted by the Service's registration form, and (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Data to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, or Ripple Effect.net has reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, Ripple Effect.net has the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future use of the Service (or any portion thereof). Users under 13 years of age are prohibited from using the Service.
4. CANCELLATION AND TERMINATION
If you cancel the Service, your cancellation will take effect immediately. After cancellation, you will no longer have access to your Web site and all information contained therein may be deleted by Ripple Effect.net. Ripple Effect.net accepts no liability for such deleted information or Ripples.
You agree Ripple Effect.net, in its sole discretion, may terminate your password, and/or account, and remove and discard any Ripples within the Service (including, but not limited to your web site if you are an Account Holder), for any reason, including and without limitation, the lack of use, or if Ripple Effect.net believes that you have violated or acted inconsistently with the letter or spirit of the ETHICS or TERMS. Any contracts, verbal or written or assumed, in conjunction with your deleted web site (as applicable) and all its parts, at Ripple Effect.net's discretion, will be terminated as well. Ripple Effect.net may also in its sole discretion and at any time, discontinue providing the Service, or any part thereof, with or without notice. You agree that any termination of your access to the Service under any provision of this TERMS may be effected without prior notice, and acknowledge and agree that Ripple Effect.net may immediately deactivate or delete your web site, as applicable, and all related information and files. Ripple Effect.net reserves the right to bar any further access to such files or the Service. You agree that Ripple Effect.net shall not be liable to you or any third-party for any termination of your access to the Service.
4.1 REFUNDS
Our refund policy can be viewed
here.
5. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET PRIVACY POLICY
See our
Privacy page.
6. OWNERSHIP OF RIPPLING ACCOUNT AND SECURITY
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and web site, and you are fully responsible for all activities that occur under the account and any other actions taken in connection with the web site. You agree to immediately notify Ripple Effect.net in writing of any unauthorized uses of the account or any other breaches of security. Ripple Effect.net cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage from your failure to comply with this security obligation. You acknowledge and agree that under no circumstances will Ripple Effect.net be liable, in any way, for any acts or omissions by an Account Holder or a Guest, including any damages of any kind incurred as a result of such acts or omissions.
7. RIPPLES AND CONDUCT RULES AND OBLIGATIONS
You understand that all information, video, audio, and written information, or messages (“Ripples”), are the sole responsibility of the person from which such Ripples originated. You, and not Ripple Effect.net, are entirely responsible for all Ripples that you upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available via the Service. Ripple Effect.net does not control the Ripples posted via the Service and, as such, does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such Ripples.
You understand that by using the Service, you may be exposed to Ripples that are offensive, indecent or objectionable. Under no circumstances will Ripple Effect.net be liable in any way for any Ripples, including, but not limited to, for any errors or omissions in any Ripples, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Ripples posted, transmitted or otherwise made available via the Service. You acknowledge that Ripple Effect.net does not pre-screen Ripples, but that Ripple Effect.net and its designees shall have the right (but not the obligation) in their sole discretion to refuse, move or delete any Ripples that are available via the Service. Without limiting the foregoing, Ripple Effect.net and its designees shall have the right to remove any Ripples that violate the TERMS or is otherwise objectionable in Ripple Effect.net's sole discretion. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Ripples, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Ripples. In this regard, you acknowledge that you may not rely on any Ripples created by Ripple Effect.net or submitted to Ripple Effect.net. You acknowledge and agree that Ripple Effect.net may preserve Ripples and may also disclose Ripples if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (a) comply with legal process; (b) enforce the TERMS; (c) respond to claims that any Ripples violates the rights of third-parties; or (d) protect the rights, property, or personal safety of Ripple Effect.net, its users and the public.
You understand that the technical processing and transmission of the Service, including your Ripples, may involve (a) transmissions over various networks; and (b) changes to conform and adapt to technical requirements of connecting networks or devices.
Should Ripples be found or reported to be in violation with, but not limited to, the following terms, it will be in Ripple Effect.net's sole discretion as to what action should be taken.
You agree that you will not:
(a) upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available any Ripples that are unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy (up to, but not excluding any address, email, phone number, or any other contact information without the written consent of the owner of such information), hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
(b) harm minors in any way;
(c) impersonate any person or entity, including, but not limited to, a Ripple Effect.net official, forum leader, guide or host, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
(d) forge headers or otherwise manipulate identifiers in order to disguise the origin of any Ripples transmitted through the Service;
(e) upload, post or otherwise transmit any Ripples that you do not have a right to transmit under any law or under contractual or fiduciary relationships (such as inside information, proprietary and confidential information learned or disclosed as part of employment relationships or under nondisclosure agreements);
(f) upload, post or otherwise transmit any Ripples that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, rights of privacy or publicity, or other proprietary rights of any party;
(g) upload, post, or transmit unsolicited commercial email or \"spam\". This includes unethical marketing, advertising, or any other practice that is in any way connected with \"spam\", such as (a) sending mass email to recipients who haven't requested email from you or with a fake return address, (b) promoting a site with inappropriate links, titles, descriptions, or (c) promoting your site by posting multiple submissions in public forums that are identical;
(h) upload, post or otherwise transmit any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
(i) interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers or networks connected to the Service, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies or regulations of networks connected to the Service;
(j) intentionally or unintentionally violate any applicable local, state, national or international law, including, but not limited to, regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any rules of any national or other securities exchange, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ, and any regulations having the force of law;
(k) "stalk" or otherwise harass another;
(l) promote or provide instructional information about illegal activities, promote physical harm or injury against any group or individual, or promote any act of cruelty to animals. This may include, without limitation, providing instructions on how to assemble bombs, grenades and other weapons or incendiary devices;
(m) offer for sale or sell any item, good or service that (a) violates any applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation, (b) you do not have full power and authority under all relevant laws and regulations to offer and sell, including all necessary licenses and authorizations, or (c) Ripple Effect.net determines, in its sole discretion, is inappropriate for sale through the Service provided by Ripple Effect.net;
(n) use the Service as a forwarding service to another website;
(o) solicit passwords or personal identifying information for commercial or unlawful purposes from other users;
(p) exceed the scope of the Service that you have signed up for; for example, accessing and using the tools that you do not have a right to use, or deleting, adding to, or otherwise changing other peoples comments or Ripples;
(q) make any automated use of the system.
If any user is reported to be in violation with the letter or spirit of these terms, Ripple Effect.net retains the right to terminate such account at any time without further warning.
8. FEES/PAYMENT
Some of the features on the Service require payment of fees. If you elect to sign up for these features, you shall pay all applicable fees, as described on the Service in connection with such features selected by you. Ripple Effect.net, Inc. reserves the right to change its prices and at any time. You authorize Ripple Effect.net, Inc. directly or through third parties, to make any inquiries it considers necessary to validate your account and financial information.
All fees are exclusive of all taxes, levies, or duties imposed by taxing authorities, and you shall be responsible for payment of all such taxes, levies, or duties, excluding only United States (federal or state) taxes. You agree to pay for any such taxes that might be applicable to your use of the Service and payments made by you herein.
9. RESPONSIBILITY
You alone are responsible for the Content of your Ripples, and other content displayed on your internet properties, including internet pages provided by Ripple Effect.net. You assume all risks associated with Your Content, including anyone's reliance on its usefulness, completeness, or accuracy. You assume all risks, as well, associated with any disclosure you have made that make you personally identifiable. You warrant that all content you post, publish, or ripple is yours free and clear of legal encumbrances or contests of ownership. You agree that your content is not in any way sponsored by or endorsed by Ripple Effect.net.
You may expose yourself to liability if, for example, your content violates any third-party right, including any intellectual property rights, such as copyright, trademark, patent, or trade secret, or any right of publicity, property, moral or privacy right, or any other proprietary right; or if your content contains material that is false, defamatory, or intentionally misleading; contains material that is unlawful, including illegal hate speech or pornography; exploits or otherwise harms minors; or violates or advocates the violation of any law or regulation.
10. ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE
With respect to any additional software that may be made available by Ripple Effect.net in connection with the Service, if you elect to download or access such additional software or third party Content made available to through the Service, you understand that you may have to agree to additional terms and conditions before you use such software or third party Content.
You also agree that the use of any third party software or Content obtained through the Service does not transfer to you any rights, title or interest in or to the software or such Content, and that you will not use any Content made available to you through the software or the Service except as expressly authorized under that third party provider's terms of service or license. For greater certainty, by downloading software or Content made available through the Service, you are deemed to agree to the terms of service or license agreement posted on the Service, the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein for the benefit of such third party providers. If you do not agree to the terms of service or license agreement, do not download the software or Content.
11. INTERNATIONAL USE
Recognizing the global nature of the Internet, you agree to comply with all local rules regarding online conduct and acceptable Content. Specifically, you agree to comply with all applicable laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the United States or the country in which you reside.
12. RIPPLES SUBMITTED
Each Ripple is the property of Ripple Effect.net, and Ripple Effect.net hereby grants all Contributors ("Ripplers") and all Ripplers' social contacts, friends, followers, and others world-wide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to publish, distribute, and otherwise share Ripples. This license survives in perpetuity despite the status Rippler’s Ripple Effect.net membership.
13. ADVERTISERS
You understand and agree that the Service may include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for Ripple Effect.net to provide the Service. Your correspondence or business dealings with, or participation in promotions of, advertisers found on or through the Service, including payment and delivery of related goods or services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and such advertiser. You agree that Ripple Effect.net shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of any such dealings or as the result of the presence of such advertisers on the Service.
14. LINKS
The Service may provide, or third parties may provide, links to other World Wide Web sites or resources. Because Ripple Effect.net has no control over such sites and resources, you acknowledge and agree that Ripple Effect.net is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any Content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. You further acknowledge and agree that Ripple Effect.net shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such Content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource.
15. INDEMNITY
You agree to indemnify and hold Ripple Effect.net, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents, co-branders, contractors, or other partners, and employees, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of your Ripples, your use of the Service, your Guests activities, your connection to the Service, your violation of the TERMS, or your violation of any rights of another, whether you are a registered user or not. The user is solely responsible for his or her actions when using the Service, including, but not limited to, costs incurred for Internet access.
16. RESALE OF SERVICE
You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any portion of the Service, use of the Service, or access to the Service without the express written permission by Ripple Effect.net.
17. GENERAL PRACTICES REGARDING USE AND STORAGE
You acknowledge that Ripple Effect.net may establish general practices and limits concerning use of the Service and may modify such practices and limits from time to time without notice to you.
18. MODIFICATIONS TO SERVICE
Ripple Effect.net reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Service (or any part thereof) with or without notice at any time. You agree that Ripple Effect.net shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the Service.
19. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET'S PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
You acknowledge and agree that the Service and any necessary software used in connection with the Service ("Software") contains proprietary and confidential information that is protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws. You further acknowledge and agree that Content contained in sponsor advertisements or information presented to you through the Service or advertisers is protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents or other proprietary rights and laws. Except as expressly authorized by Ripple Effect.net or advertisers, you agree not to modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute or create derivative works based on the Service or the Software, in whole or in part.
Ripple Effect.net does not want to receive confidential or proprietary information from you through the Service or by email. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by an authorized Ripple Effect.net representative, any material, information or idea you transmit to Ripple Effect.net by any means may be disseminated or used by Ripple Effect.net or its affiliates without compensation or liability to you for any purpose whatsoever, including, but not limited to, developing, manufacturing and marketing products. However, this provision does not apply to Content (as defined herein), or to personal information that is subject to our Privacy Policy.
20. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT:
(a) YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET IS A FORUM FOR CLIENTS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS AND SHOPPERS. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR NOR DOES IT EXPRESSLY ENDORSE ANY CLIENT- OR CUSTOMER- OR OTHER USER- GENERATED CONTENT. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BUSINESS LOSS THAT MAY RESULT FROM CONTENT CONTRIBUTED BY A USER, AND REMINDS CLIENTS TO POLICE THEIR OWN FORUM(S) FOR VIOLATION OF RIPPLE ETHICS OR OF THEIR OWN STANDARDS. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET RELIES ON THE GOOD JUDGMENT OF ALL USERS TO REPORT INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT THAT IS IN VIOLATION OF RIPPLE ETHICS OR OF THESE TERMS REGARDLESS OF INTENT OF CONTRIBUTING USER. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
(b) RIPPLE EFFECT.NET WILL MAKE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE SERVICE, HOWEVER, RIPPLE EFFECT.NET IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE, LOSS OF DATA, CUSTOMER INFORMATION OR VENDOR DATA, REVENUE, OR OTHER HARM TO BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF DELAYS, MISDELIVERY OR NONDELIVERY OF INFORMATION, RESTRICTION OR LOSS OF ACCESS, BUGS OR OTHER ERRORS, UNAUTHORIZED USE DUE TO YOUR SHARING OF ACCESS TO THE SERVICE, OR OTHER INTERACTION WITH THE SERVICE. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING AND BACKING-UP YOUR DATA AND INFORMATION THAT MAY RESIDE ON THE SERVICE. RIPPLE EFFECT.NET DOES NOT WARRANT THAT (i) THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS, (ii) THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, (iii) THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICE WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE, (iv) THE QUALITY OF ANY PRODUCTS, SERVICES, INFORMATION, OR OTHER MATERIAL PURCHASED OR OBTAINED BY YOU THROUGH THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS, AND (V) ANY ERRORS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED.
(c) ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE SERVICE IS DONE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK AND THAT YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL.
(d) NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICE SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE TERMS.
21. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT RIPPLE EFFECT.NET SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF RIPPLE EFFECT.NET HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE; (ii) THE COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES RESULTING FROM ANY GOODS, DATA, INFORMATION OR SERVICES PURCHASED OR OBTAINED OR MESSAGES RECEIVED OR TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICE; (iii) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iv) STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICE; OR (v) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE SERVICE.
22. EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS
SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. ACCORDINGLY, SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OF SECTIONS 18 AND 19 MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
23. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS
The materials on the Service are provided with \"RESTRICTED RIGHTS.\" Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in applicable laws and regulations. Use of the materials by the U.S. Government constitutes acknowledgment of Ripple Effect.net's proprietary rights in them.
24. GENERAL
Notices to you may be made via either email or regular mail. The Service may also provide notices of changes to the TERMS or other matters by displaying notices or links to notices to you generally on the Service. The TERMS and the relationship between you and Ripple Effect.net shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You and Ripple Effect.net agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within Salt Lake County, Utah. The failure of Ripple Effect.net to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the TERMS shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. The TERMS constitutes the entire agreement between you and Ripple Effect.net and govern your use of the Service, superseding any prior agreements between you and Ripple Effect.net (including, but not limited to, any prior versions of the TERMS). You also may be subject to additional terms and conditions that may apply when you use affiliate or other Ripple Effect.net services, third-party Ripples or third-party software. If any provision of the TERMS or incorporated documents are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavor to give effect to the parties' intentions as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of the TERMS remain in full force and effect. You agree that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to use of the Service or the TERMS must be filed within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose or be forever barred. The section titles in the TERMS are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.
25. VIOLATIONS
If an inappropriate ripple is observed, please immediately click "report" and "yes" to unpublish it. Reported ripples will be reviewed, and may, at the sole discretion of Ripple Effect.net, be republished permanently. Please email us to report violations of the TERMS, ripples or other content.
Please
email us to report violations of the TERMS, ripples or other content.