Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to the Worldwide Martial Arts Association (WWMAA). These Terms of Service (Terms) govern your access to and use of WWMAA's website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the Services).

By creating an account, accessing, or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and WWMAA. Please read them carefully before using our Services.

2. User Accounts and Responsibilities

2.1 Account Creation

To access certain features, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
• Be responsible for all activities that occur under your account
• Be at least 13 years old (users under 18 require parental consent)

2.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
• All activities and transactions under your account
• Logging out at the end of each session
• Using strong, unique passwords

WWMAA will never ask for your password via email, phone, or unsolicited communication. If you receive such a request, report it to security@wwmaa.org immediately.

2.3 Account Verification

You must verify your email address to activate your account. Membership applications may require additional verification of your martial arts credentials and experience.

3. Membership Tiers and Benefits

WWMAA offers different membership tiers with varying benefits:

Membership benefits are subject to change. Members will be notified of material changes at least 30 days in advance.

4. Payment Terms and Billing

4.1 Subscription Billing

• Billing Cycles: All subscriptions are billed annually
• Auto-Renewal: Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless canceled
• Payment Methods: We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods via Stripe
• Billing Date: You will be charged on the same day each year
• Price Changes: We reserve the right to modify subscription prices with 30 days notice

4.2 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. We do not store your complete credit card information on our servers.

4.3 Failed Payments

If a payment fails:

• We will attempt to process the payment up to 3 times
• You will receive email notifications of failed payment attempts
• Your account may be downgraded or suspended after repeated failures
• You are responsible for any outstanding balances

4.4 Taxes

Prices shown do not include applicable taxes. You are responsible for paying all taxes, duties, and government-imposed fees associated with your subscription.

4.5 Event Fees

Some events may require separate registration fees. Event fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by WWMAA (see Section 5.3).

5. Refund and Cancellation Policy

5.1 Membership Cancellation

• You may cancel your subscription at any time from your account settings
• Cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period
• You will retain access to paid features until the end of the billing period
• No partial refunds are provided for unused time in the current billing period
• Annual subscriptions canceled mid-year are not eligible for prorated refunds

5.2 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

New subscribers (first-time purchasers only) are eligible for a full refund within 30 days of their initial subscription purchase if:

• This is your first paid subscription with WWMAA
• The request is made within 30 days of your initial payment
• You contact support@wwmaa.org to request the refund

This guarantee does not apply to renewals, upgrades from free to paid tiers, or additional purchases.

5.3 Event Cancellations

If you cancel your event registration:

• More than 14 days before event: Full refund minus 10% processing fee
• 7-14 days before event: 50% refund
• Less than 7 days before event: No refund

If WWMAA cancels an event:

• Full refund of event registration fees
• Option to transfer registration to a future event
• WWMAA is not responsible for travel, accommodation, or other related expenses

5.4 Refund Processing

Approved refunds are processed within 5-10 business days and returned to your original payment method. Contact support@wwmaa.org with refund inquiries.

6. Content Ownership and License

6.1 WWMAA Content

All content provided through our Services, including but not limited to videos, articles, images, logos, training materials, and software (WWMAA Content), is owned by WWMAA or our licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use WWMAA Content for your personal, non-commercial use only. You may not:

• Copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works
• Sell, rent, lease, or sublicense the content
• Download videos or training materials (except where explicitly permitted)
• Remove copyright or proprietary notices
• Use content for commercial purposes without written permission

6.2 User-Generated Content

You retain ownership of content you create and post on WWMAA (User Content), such as forum posts, comments, and feedback. However, by posting User Content, you grant WWMAA a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license to:

• Use, reproduce, modify, and display your content
• Distribute your content across our Services
• Create derivative works for promotional purposes
• Sublicense these rights to service providers

6.3 Content Representations

By posting User Content, you represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights to the content
• The content does not violate any third-party rights
• The content complies with these Terms and applicable laws
• WWMAA may use the content as described above

6.4 Content Removal

WWMAA reserves the right to remove any User Content that violates these Terms, infringes rights, or is otherwise objectionable, without notice.

7. Prohibited Conduct

When using WWMAA Services, you agree NOT to:

7.1 Illegal Activities

• Violate any local, state, national, or international law
• Infringe on intellectual property rights of others
• Engage in fraud, money laundering, or other financial crimes
• Share or promote illegal content

7.2 Harmful Behavior

• Harass, bully, threaten, or intimidate other users
• Post hateful, discriminatory, or offensive content
• Share explicit, violent, or disturbing content
• Impersonate others or misrepresent your identity
• Dox or share others private information without consent

7.3 Platform Abuse

• Spam, send unsolicited messages, or engage in excessive self-promotion
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without permission
• Attempt to hack, disrupt, or compromise our systems
• Reverse engineer or decompile our software
• Circumvent security measures or access restrictions
• Create multiple accounts to evade restrictions

7.4 Commercial Misuse

• Use Services for unauthorized commercial purposes
• Sell or transfer your account to others
• Share login credentials with multiple users
• Redistribute WWMAA content without permission

7.5 Consequences

Violation of these rules may result in:

• Warning or content removal
• Temporary or permanent account suspension
• Termination without refund
• Legal action if necessary

8. Service Availability and Maintenance

8.1 Uptime Commitment

We strive to maintain 99.9% uptime for our Services. However, we do not guarantee uninterrupted access and are not liable for downtime caused by:

• Scheduled maintenance (announced in advance when possible)
• Emergency maintenance or security updates
• Third-party service failures (hosting, CDN, payment processors)
• Internet connectivity issues beyond our control
• Force majeure events (natural disasters, government actions, etc.)

8.2 Service Modifications

WWMAA reserves the right to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any feature or service
• Change system requirements or supported platforms
• Update software and APIs
• Remove or limit access to content

We will provide reasonable notice of material changes, but are not required to maintain any particular feature indefinitely.

8.3 Beta Features

We may offer beta or experimental features. These are provided as-is without warranties and may be changed or discontinued at any time.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 No Warranty

WWMAA SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties of accuracy, reliability, or completeness
• Warranties that services will be uninterrupted or error-free
• Warranties regarding security or freedom from viruses

9.2 Training and Safety Disclaimer

MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING INVOLVES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND CARRIES INHERENT RISKS:

• Consult a physician before beginning any training program
• WWMAA is not responsible for injuries during training
• Follow all safety guidelines and use appropriate protective equipment
• Training content is for educational purposes only
• Always train under qualified supervision when learning new techniques

9.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WWMAA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill
• Service interruptions or data loss
• Actions of other users or third parties
• Unauthorized access to your account or data

IN NO EVENT SHALL WWMAA'S TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO WWMAA IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR $100, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

9.4 Basis of the Bargain

These limitations reflect the allocation of risk between you and WWMAA. Our pricing reflects these limitations, and we would not provide Services without them.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless WWMAA, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the Services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of third parties
• Your User Content
• Any negligent or wrongful conduct

This indemnification obligation survives termination of your account and these Terms.

11. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

11.1 Informal Resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to contact us at legal@wwmaa.org to seek an informal resolution. We will attempt to resolve disputes amicably within 60 days.

11.2 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration rather than in court, except where prohibited by law. Arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules.

• Arbitration will be held in [State], United States
• The arbitrator's decision is final and binding
• Each party pays its own costs and attorneys fees unless the arbitrator decides otherwise
• Class actions and jury trials are waived

11.3 Exceptions to Arbitration

Either party may seek relief in small claims court for disputes within that court's jurisdiction. WWMAA may also seek injunctive relief in court to protect intellectual property rights.

11.4 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of [State], United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Federal law governs intellectual property and arbitration matters.

11.5 Venue

For any disputes not subject to arbitration, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of state and federal courts located in [County], [State], United States.

12. Account Termination

12.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Canceling your subscription from account settings
• Contacting support@wwmaa.org to request account deletion

Upon account deletion, you will lose access to all content, data, and membership benefits. Some information may be retained as described in our Privacy Policy.

12.2 Termination by WWMAA

WWMAA may suspend or terminate your account immediately, without notice or refund, if:

• You violate these Terms or our policies
• You engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• You abuse or harm other users
• Your account has been inactive for over 2 years
• Required by law or legal process
• We decide to discontinue Services (with reasonable notice)

12.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to access Services immediately ceases
• Sections 6-11 of these Terms survive termination
• Outstanding payment obligations remain due
• WWMAA may delete your data (backup copies may persist)

13. Changes to These Terms

WWMAA may modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the Last Updated date at the top
• Increment the version number
• Notify you via email for material changes
• Display a prominent notice on our website
• Require acceptance on your next login (for material changes)

Your continued use of Services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using our Services and cancel your account.

Material changes take effect 30 days after notice (or immediately for legal/security reasons). Non-material changes take effect immediately upon posting.

14. Contact Information

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