Terms of Service

By accessing or using Academic Formats, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you may not use our service. These Terms apply to the free version of the add-in and will be supplemented by additional terms for any future premium features.

Academic Formats is a free Microsoft Word add-in that analyzes documents for compliance with APA 7th Edition formatting standards. The service provides automated checking of: • **Document Setup**: Margins, fonts, line spacing, paragraph indents, page numbers • **Title Page**: Title formatting, author names, affiliation, course info, instructor, due date • **Abstract Page**: Structure, word count (120-250), keywords (3-5), indentation • **References**: Alphabetical order, hanging indents, double spacing, individual entry validation (books, journal articles, web sources) **Current Limitations**: The free version validates only basic APA 7th Edition student paper requirements. It does NOT: • Generate references automatically • Format in-text citations • Support all reference types (e.g., conference papers, reports, YouTube videos) • Check for plagiarism or content quality • Support Chicago, MLA, or other citation styles Premium features (coming soon) will expand these capabilities. **Accuracy Disclaimer**: Our service is provided as-is and is intended to assist users in identifying potential formatting issues. It does not guarantee complete accuracy or compliance. Always verify with your institution's specific requirements.

**Free License**: We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use Academic Formats free version for personal, academic, or educational purposes. **You May**: • Use the add-in for checking your own academic documents • Recommend the add-in to students, colleagues, or peers • Use it on multiple devices with your Microsoft account **You May NOT**: • Modify, reverse engineer, decompile, or create derivative works of the add-in • Use the service for commercial purposes without written permission • Use the service for any illegal or unauthorized purpose • Attempt to interfere with, disrupt, or damage the service or servers • Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the service without authorization • Resell, redistribute, or sublicense the service • Remove, obscure, or alter any proprietary notices (copyright, trademarks) **Premium Features**: Future premium features will be subject to additional license terms and payment requirements.

**Use at Your Own Risk**: While we strive to provide accurate APA 7th Edition compliance checking, Academic Formats is an assistive tool, not a substitute for your own review: • **Not Infallible**: The service may not detect all formatting issues or may flag false positives • **Interpretation Varies**: APA standards may be interpreted differently by institutions, journals, or instructors • **Your Responsibility**: You are solely responsible for verifying compliance with your institution's specific requirements before submission • **No Guarantees**: We make no guarantees about grades, acceptance, or publication outcomes • **No Liability**: We are not responsible for any academic, professional, or financial consequences resulting from reliance on our service **Beta/Experimental Features**: Some features may be labeled as 'beta' or 'experimental.' These may have reduced accuracy or stability.

**Our IP**: All content, features, software, algorithms, UI/UX design, text, graphics, logos, icons, and other elements of Academic Formats are owned by Academic Formats or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, patent, and other intellectual property laws. **Your Content**: Your documents and content remain YOUR property. We: • Do NOT claim ownership of documents you analyze • Do NOT access, store, or view your document content • Process documents locally on your device only **Feedback**: If you provide feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the service, we may use them to improve Academic Formats without compensation or attribution to you.

You are responsible for: • **Account Security**: Maintaining the security of your Microsoft account and any future Academic Formats account • **Compliance Verification**: Ensuring your documents comply with your institution's specific requirements (we provide general APA 7th guidance only) • **Document Review**: Manually reviewing all compliance checks before submitting your work • **Legal Use**: Using the service in accordance with applicable laws and regulations • **Appropriate Content**: Not using the service to check documents containing illegal, harmful, or offensive content • **System Requirements**: Ensuring your device meets Microsoft Word requirements and has internet for initial add-in installation (analysis works offline) • **Backup**: Maintaining backups of your documents (we are not responsible for document loss)

**By Us**: We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to Academic Formats at any time, with or without notice, for: • Violation of these Terms • Conduct harmful to other users, us, or third parties • Abuse of the service (e.g., excessive automated requests) • Legal or regulatory requirements • Any other reason at our sole discretion **By You**: You may stop using the service at any time by uninstalling the add-in from Microsoft Word. **Effect of Termination**: Upon termination: • Your license to use the service ends immediately • We may delete any contact information we have (unless legally required to retain) • Provisions that should survive (disclaimers, limitations of liability) remain in effect

**AS-IS SERVICE**: Academic Formats is provided 'AS IS' and 'AS AVAILABLE' without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to: • **No Warranty of Accuracy**: We do not warrant that the service will correctly identify all formatting issues or that its suggestions are error-free • **No Warranty of Availability**: We do not warrant uninterrupted or error-free operation • **No Warranty of Fitness**: We do not warrant the service is fit for any particular purpose (including passing courses or publication acceptance) • **No Warranty of Security**: We do not warrant the service is free of viruses, malware, or other harmful components • **No Warranty of Compatibility**: We do not warrant compatibility with all versions of Microsoft Word or all operating systems **JURISDICTIONAL VARIATIONS**: Some jurisdictions do not allow disclaimer of implied warranties, so some of the above may not apply to you. You may have additional rights under local consumer protection laws.

**MAXIMUM LIABILITY**: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Academic Formats' total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the service shall not exceed $100 USD or the amount you paid us in the past 12 months (whichever is greater). For the free version, this means $100 USD. **NO CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES**: Academic Formats shall NOT be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to: • Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities • Loss of data or documents (maintain backups!) • Lost grades, failed courses, or academic penalties • Rejected manuscripts or publications • Damage to reputation or goodwill • Cost of substitute services • Any other intangible losses This applies whether claims are based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other legal theory, even if we've been advised of the possibility of such damages. **JURISDICTIONAL VARIATIONS**: Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability for consequential damages, so this may not fully apply to you.

**Your Obligation to Indemnify Us**: You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Academic Formats, its owners, officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all: • Claims, lawsuits, or legal proceedings • Liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) Arising out of or related to: • Your use or misuse of the service • Your violation of these Terms • Your violation of any third-party rights (including intellectual property rights or privacy rights) • Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations • Any content you submit through the service (e.g., in support requests) **Process**: We reserve the right to assume exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate with our defense.

**Governing Law**: These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [YOUR JURISDICTION], without regard to its conflict of law provisions. **Dispute Resolution**: 1. **Informal Resolution**: Before filing any legal claim, you agree to contact us at support@academicformats.com to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. 2. **Arbitration** (if required by your jurisdiction): If informal resolution fails, disputes may be subject to binding arbitration as required by applicable law. 3. **Jurisdiction**: Any legal action must be brought in the courts located in [YOUR JURISDICTION], and you consent to personal jurisdiction there. **Class Action Waiver**: To the extent permitted by law, you agree to bring claims against us only in your individual capacity and not as part of any class or representative action. **Note**: This section will be finalized with specific jurisdiction details before public launch.

**Right to Modify**: We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes: • **Notice**: We will post the new Terms on this page and update the 'Last Updated' date • **Material Changes**: For material changes that affect your rights, we will provide at least 30 days' notice via: - Email (if we have your email address) - In-app notification in the add-in - Prominent notice on our website • **Your Options**: If you disagree with the changes, you may stop using the service. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. • **Premium Features**: Introduction of premium features will require separate acceptance of additional terms and pricing.

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at: **Email**: support@academicformats.com **Legal Inquiries**: support@academicformats.com **Website**: academicformats.com For privacy-related questions, see our Privacy Policy or email privacy@academicformats.com.