Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms & Modifications

These Terms govern your use of the GothicEngland.com website and all content, information, and services provided therein. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify, amend, or replace these Terms at any time. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will indicate the most recent revision. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for changes. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of any changes constitutes your acceptance of those changes. If you are using the Site on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

2. Description of Service & Intellectual Property

2.1 The Service. GothicEngland.com provides an online platform featuring articles, photographic archives, historical analyses, interactive maps, scholarly resources, community forums, and related media focused on English Gothic Heritage, spanning from the early medieval period to the Gothic Revival.

2.2 Ownership and Copyright. All content presented on the Site, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, software, and the overall "look and feel" of the Site, is the exclusive property of GothicEngland.com, its licensors, or its content providers and is protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws. The compilation of all content on this Site is our exclusive property.

2.3 Limited License. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and make personal, non-commercial use of the Site and its content. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of the Site or its contents; any derivative use of the Site or its contents; any downloading or copying of account information for the benefit of another party; or any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools.

2.4 Trademarks. "Gothic England," "GothicEngland.com," "English Gothic Heritage," and all related logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of GothicEngland.com or its affiliates or licensors. You must not use such marks without our prior written permission.

3. User Accounts, Conduct, and Responsibilities

3.1 Account Creation. Certain features of the Site may require you to register for an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information to keep it accurate. You are responsible for safeguarding your password and for all activities that occur under your account.

3.2 Acceptable Use. You agree not to use the Site to:

• Violate any applicable national or international law or regulation.
• Infringe upon the intellectual property or other rights of any third party.
• Engage in any harassing, threatening, intimidating, predatory, or stalking behavior.
• Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or any other destructive code.
• Use the Site to send unsolicited or unauthorized advertising or promotional material.
• Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state your affiliation with a person or entity.
• Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Site.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site or related systems.

3.3 User Responsibility. You are solely responsible for your conduct and any data, text, files, information, images, or other materials ("User Content") you submit, post, or display on or via the Service.

4. User-Generated Content & Licensing

4.1 Your Content. By submitting, posting, or displaying User Content on the Site (e.g., in forums, comment sections, or photo galleries), you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform that User Content in connection with the Service and our business, including for promotion and redistribution of part or all of the Site.

4.2 Representations. You represent and warrant that you own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to publish the User Content you submit and to grant us the license above. You further represent that your User Content does not violate any third-party right, including copyright, trademark, privacy, or publicity rights.

4.3 Content Moderation. We do not pre-screen User Content but reserve the right (but not the obligation) to monitor, edit, refuse, or remove any User Content at our sole discretion. We are not responsible for any User Content posted by you or any third party.

5. Privacy & Data Protection (GDPR Compliance)

5.1 Commitment to Privacy. We are committed to protecting your personal data. Our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information are governed by our separate Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review it carefully.

5.2 GDPR Compliance Statement. For users located in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom, we process personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK GDPR.

5.3 Lawful Bases for Processing. We process your personal data on the following lawful bases: (a) your consent (e.g., for newsletters); (b) the performance of a contract with you (e.g., providing account services); (c) compliance with a legal obligation; and (d) our legitimate interests (e.g., site security, analytics, and improving our Service), provided such interests are not overridden by your rights.

5.4 Your Data Subject Rights. Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data we hold.
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): Request deletion of your data under certain conditions.
• Restriction of Processing: Request we limit how we use your data.
• Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in our Privacy Policy. We will respond within one month.

5.5 Data Transfers. Our servers are located within the UK/EEA. If we transfer data outside the UK/EEA, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

5.6 Data Protection Officer. You can contact our designated data protection contact at: privacy@gothicengland.com.

6. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

6.1 "As Is" Service. THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE.

6.2 Historical & Academic Content. The historical, architectural, and scholarly information provided on the Site is for educational and general interest purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or absolute accuracy of this information. It should not be considered professional academic or architectural advice.

6.3 Limitation of Liability. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL GOTHICENGLAND.COM, ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM (I) YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE; (II) ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICE; (III) ANY CONTENT OBTAINED FROM THE SERVICE; AND (IV) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR CONTENT.

6.4 Cap on Liability. OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF ONE HUNDRED BRITISH POUNDS (GBP £100) OR THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID US IN THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS.

7. Third-Party Links & Services

The Site may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by GothicEngland.com. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services. You acknowledge and agree that we 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 the use of any such content, goods, or services available on or through any such websites or services.

8. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately. All provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

9. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

9.1 Governing Law. These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

9.2 Dispute Resolution. We prefer to resolve disputes amicably. If a dispute arises, you agree to first contact us at legal@gothicengland.com to attempt to resolve the issue informally. If we cannot resolve the dispute within sixty (60) days, you agree that any legal action or proceeding shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in England and Wales, and you hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

10. Miscellaneous Provisions

10.1 Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements.

10.2 Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the other provisions will remain in full force and effect.

10.3 Waiver. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

10.4 Assignment. We may assign or transfer our rights and obligations under these Terms without your consent. You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent.

10.5 Contact Information. For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at: terms@gothicengland.com.