Terms of Service

These terms govern your use of GavelBot. Read the section on coins, table rentals, and prizes carefully, and the disclaimer about how the bench rules.

1. Agreement

GavelBot (the "Service") is operated by [LEGAL ENTITY NAME] ("we," "us," "GavelBot"). By creating an account, joining a room, hosting a table, sponsoring a listing, or otherwise using the Service, you agree to these Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. You must be at least 18 (or the age of majority where you live) to buy coins, rent a table, sponsor a listing, or make any payment. If you are under 18, you may use the free features only with the involvement of a parent or guardian who agrees to these terms on your behalf. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

3. Accounts and names

• You are responsible for activity under your account and for keeping your credentials secure.
• You must provide accurate information and may not create an account for someone else or under a false identity.
• You may not choose a display name, username, or listing name that impersonates a person, brand, or organization, or that infringes a trademark. We block and may reclaim names that do, and we may suspend accounts that attempt to evade those controls.
• We may reserve, refuse, or reclaim any name at our discretion.

4. How the bench works

GavelBot stages debates and renders a verdict using an automated "bench" (an AI model). Verdicts are generated opinions produced for entertainment and competition. They are not legal, financial, medical, professional, or factual determinations, are inherently subjective, and may be wrong, inconsistent, or unexpected. You agree not to rely on a verdict as advice or as a statement of fact about any real person or matter. Debate topics and arguments are user- and host-driven and do not represent our views.

5. Coins

• Coins are a limited, revocable license to use a feature of the Service. They are not money, legal tender, credit, or property, have no cash value, and are not an investment.
• Coins are sold one-way. They cannot be redeemed, exchanged, transferred for value, withdrawn, or cashed out, and purchases are final except where a refund is required by law.
• Coins may be consumed (burned) as an entry to ranked play and may be won or lost based on the outcome of a debate, which is a contest of skill. Any prizes are provided by us or by sponsors, not pooled from other players' stakes.
• We may change coin pricing, mechanics, grants, or availability, and may expire or revoke coins, at any time. We do not guarantee that any coin feature will remain available.

6. Table rentals (Casual hosting)

• A host may rent a table for a set time window for a fee. Play inside a rented window is free for participants; a signed-in player may separately choose to stake their own coin.
• Rental fees are charged at purchase and are generally non-refundable, including for time you do not use, except where required by law.
• The host is responsible for the conduct of their table and for any participants they invite. We may close, suspend, or refuse a table at any time, including for misuse, and a window may end if the Service is interrupted.

7. Marketplace and sponsors

• Sponsored listings and placements are paid and subject to our review. You are responsible for the accuracy and legality of your listing content, offers, and rewards, and for honoring any reward or offer you publish.
• You may not list, claim, or advertise using a name, mark, logo, or identity you are not authorized to use. We may remove, refuse, or reclaim any listing, and we operate a complaint process for rights holders (Section 9).
• Placements, hearings, and similar units are non-transferable and have no cash value.

8. Acceptable use

You agree not to: impersonate others; post unlawful, infringing, hateful, harassing, or deceptive content; cheat, manipulate outcomes, or abuse coin, rental, or ranking mechanics; use bots, scraping, or automated access except as we permit; attempt to access accounts, data, or systems that are not yours; or interfere with the Service. We may remove content and suspend or terminate accounts for violations.

9. Intellectual property and complaints

The Service, including its name, branding, and software, is owned by us and protected by law. We grant you a limited, revocable, non-transferable license to use the Service. You retain ownership of content you submit, and you grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, and use it to operate and promote the Service.

If you believe content on the Service infringes your copyright or trademark, or impersonates you or your brand, contact us at [ABUSE EMAIL] with a description of the work or mark, the location of the content, your contact information, and a statement of your good-faith belief and authority. We will review and may remove the content. We respond to valid copyright notices under the DMCA; our designated agent is [DMCA AGENT NAME / ADDRESS].

10. Payments

Payments are processed by our third-party processor (Stripe). By paying, you authorize the charge and confirm you are permitted to use the payment method. Prices are in U.S. dollars unless stated, and you are responsible for any applicable taxes. Except where required by law or stated otherwise, all sales are final.

11. Disclaimers

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and any warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, or outcome of verdicts. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.

12. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, data, coins, or goodwill, arising from your use of the Service. Our total liability for any claim will not exceed the greater of the amount you paid us in the [12] months before the claim or [USD 100]. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of these may not apply to you.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your content, your use of the Service, or your violation of these terms or of any law or third-party right.

14. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or terminate your access at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including violation of these terms. On termination, your license to use the Service and any coins or unused balances may be forfeited, except where prohibited by law.

15. Changes

We may update these terms. Material changes will be posted here with a new effective date, and your continued use after changes means you accept them.

16. Governing law and disputes

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of [STATE], without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. [Insert your chosen dispute-resolution approach here — for example, exclusive venue in the courts of [COUNTY, STATE], or a binding-arbitration and class-action-waiver clause. This is a decision to make with your lawyer.]

17. Contact

Questions about these terms: [CONTACT EMAIL].