Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Bottlenecks Institute. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website, platform, and services (collectively, the "Service") operated by Bottlenecks Institute ("we," "our," or "us"), a non-profit organization.

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these terms, then you may not access the Service.

2. Our Mission and Purpose

Bottlenecks Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring barriers that shape our future and finding pathways to abundance, efficiency, and human flourishing. Our platform facilitates research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in service of this mission.

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of our Service, you may be required to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for safeguarding the password and for maintaining the confidentiality of your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security.

3.3 Account Approval

As a research-focused platform, we may require approval for new accounts to ensure alignment with our mission and maintain the quality of our community. We reserve the right to approve or deny account applications at our discretion.

4. Acceptable Use

4.1 Permitted Uses

You may use our Service to:

• Research and explore bottlenecks and solutions in various fields
• Contribute knowledge, insights, and research findings
• Collaborate with other researchers and practitioners
• Access educational and research materials
• Participate in discussions and community activities

4.2 Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Service:

• For any unlawful purpose or to solicit others to perform unlawful acts
• To violate any international, federal, provincial, or state regulations, rules, laws, or local ordinances
• To infringe upon or violate our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of others
• To harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, slander, disparage, intimidate, or discriminate
• To submit false or misleading information
• To upload or transmit viruses or any other type of malicious code
• To spam, phish, pharm, pretext, spider, crawl, or scrape
• For any obscene or immoral purpose
• To interfere with or circumvent the security features of the Service

5. Content and Intellectual Property

5.1 Your Content

You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in content you submit to our Service ("Your Content"). By submitting Your Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display Your Content in connection with our non-profit mission.

5.2 Our Content

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Bottlenecks Institute and are protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

5.3 Research and Academic Use

In line with our non-profit mission, much of the content on our platform is intended for research and educational purposes. We encourage proper attribution and citation when using materials from our platform in academic or research contexts.

6. Privacy and Data Use

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our Service. By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

As a non-profit organization, we may use your information to communicate with you about our research, initiatives, and opportunities to contribute to our mission. You can opt out of these communications at any time.

7. Community Guidelines

Our platform fosters a community of researchers, practitioners, and individuals interested in addressing bottlenecks. We expect all users to:

• Engage respectfully and constructively with other community members
• Provide accurate and well-sourced information
• Respect diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving
• Focus on our shared mission of identifying and addressing bottlenecks
• Report inappropriate behavior or content to our moderation team

8. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and bar access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, under our sole discretion, for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to a breach of the Terms.

If you wish to terminate your account, you may simply discontinue using the Service or contact us to request account deletion.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 Service Availability

The information on this Service is provided on an "as is" basis. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the Service or the information, content, materials, or products included on the Service.

9.2 Research and Educational Content

Content on our platform is for research and educational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of information. Users should verify information independently before making decisions based on our content.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Bottlenecks Institute, its directors, employees, partners, agents, suppliers, or affiliates be liable for any indirect, incidental, punitive, consequential, or special damages arising out of or related to your use of the Service.

10. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Bottlenecks Institute and its licensee and licensors, and their employees, contractors, agents, officers and directors, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees).

11. Governing Law

These Terms shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which Bottlenecks Institute is organized, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

12. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion.

By continuing to access or use our Service after any revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms.

13. Non-Profit Status

Bottlenecks Institute operates as a non-profit organization. Our primary goal is to advance knowledge and research in identifying and addressing bottlenecks, not to generate profit. Any revenue generated through our activities is reinvested in our mission and operations.

14. Contact Information

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

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be unenforceable or invalid, such provision will be changed and interpreted to accomplish the objectives of such provision to the greatest extent possible under applicable law and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.