Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using AlteredVault ("the Service"), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

2. Description of Service

AlteredVault is a platform for collectors and artists to share their own altered Magic: The Gathering cards and artist proofs. The Service allows users to upload, organize, and display their collections, as well as interact with other users.

3. User Accounts

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

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

4. User Content

You retain ownership of any content you upload to the Service ("User Content"). By uploading User Content, you grant AlteredVault a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use your content for the following purposes:

• Store, archive, and maintain digital copies of your User Content on our servers and backup systems
• Display, distribute, and make available your User Content on the Service and through our platform
• Use your User Content for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and improving the Service
• Create derivative works such as thumbnails, previews, and optimized versions necessary for platform functionality
• Allow other users to view, share, and interact with your User Content as part of the Service's functionality
• Use your User Content in analytics and research to improve the Service and user experience
• Feature your cards in homepage showcases and promotional materials for the Service itself (e.g., "Featured Collections", social media posts about the platform)

License Duration: This license continues while your content is on the Service. When you delete your User Content or account, we will make reasonable efforts to remove it from active systems within a reasonable timeframe. Archived or backup copies may be retained passively for legal compliance purposes, including but not limited to responding to legal requests, protecting our rights, and ensuring service integrity.

You are solely responsible for your User Content and represent that you have all necessary rights to upload and share such content, including any rights required to grant us the license described above.

Ownership and Authorization: By uploading cards to your collection, you represent and warrant that:

• You are the owner of the original physical card, OR
• You have obtained explicit permission from the owner of the original physical card to upload and display it on the Service

Prohibited Uploads: You may not upload cards to your collection that belong to others and claim them as your own. Uploading cards that you do not own or have permission to display may result in immediate termination of your account.

5. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Service to:

• Upload content that infringes on intellectual property rights of others
• Upload content that is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, or discriminatory
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers connected to the Service
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Service
• Use automated systems to access the Service without permission

6. Transactions and Bidding

AlteredVault serves solely as a platform to connect users. We do not facilitate, process, or guarantee any transactions, bids, or sales between users. All transactions are conducted entirely at the discretion and responsibility of the users involved.

No Commission: AlteredVault does not charge commissions, fees, or take any percentage from transactions between users. Any financial arrangements are made directly between the parties involved.

No Verification: AlteredVault does not verify, authenticate, or guarantee the authenticity, condition, or ownership of any cards listed on the Service. Users are solely responsible for verifying these details before entering into any transaction.

User Responsibility: All sales, purchases, bids, and related communications are the sole responsibility of the users involved. AlteredVault is not a party to any transaction and assumes no liability for disputes, fraud, misrepresentation, or any issues arising from transactions between users.

By using the Service, you acknowledge that you understand and agree that any transactions you engage in are at your own risk, and you release AlteredVault from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from such transactions.

7. Intellectual Property

Magic: The Gathering Trademark: Magic: The Gathering is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Wizards of the Coast.

Card Images and Artwork: The card designs, artwork, and visual elements depicted in Magic: The Gathering cards are the intellectual property of Wizards of the Coast LLC and/or their respective artists. When you upload photographs of Magic: The Gathering cards to the Service, you are uploading your own photographic work, but the underlying card designs and artwork remain the property of their respective rights holders.

Fair Use and Platform Use: AlteredVault operates as a platform for collectors to showcase their personal collections. We believe that users' display of their own card collections, including altered cards and artist proofs, falls under fair use principles for personal, non-commercial, educational, and transformative purposes. However, we do not claim ownership of or rights to the underlying Magic: The Gathering card designs, artwork, or trademarks.

User Responsibility: By uploading card images, you represent that you own or have permission to photograph the physical cards depicted, and that your use of such images on the Service does not infringe upon the rights of Wizards of the Coast or any third party. You understand that AlteredVault relies on users' good faith compliance with intellectual property laws.

DMCA and Takedown: AlteredVault respects intellectual property rights and expects users to do the same. If you believe your intellectual property has been infringed, or if Wizards of the Coast requests removal of content, please contact us at info@alteredvault.com with a detailed description and we will respond promptly in accordance with applicable law.

No Commercial Use of Card Designs: AlteredVault does not use Magic: The Gathering card designs, artwork, or trademarks for commercial purposes beyond operating the platform itself. We do not sell, license, or otherwise commercialize the card designs or artwork displayed by users.

8. Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice, for any breach of these Terms of Service. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, AlteredVault 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.

11. Changes to Terms

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

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at info@alteredvault.com.