Terms of Service
The Idea Post ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website and services available at our domain (the "Service"). By accessing or using the Service, you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use personal information and is part of these Terms by reference.
The Service
The Idea Post is an online platform for inventors to create and share idea pages, receive feedback, and connect with community features we may offer. Features, pricing, and availability may change during early access and beyond. We may add, modify, or discontinue functionality with or without notice where permitted by law.
Eligibility and accounts
You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. If you are 13–17, you may use the Service only with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian. By permitting a minor to use the Service, that parent or legal guardian agrees to these Terms and is responsible for the minor's use of the Service. You are responsible for your account credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access.
User content
You retain ownership of content you submit ("User Content"). You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, reproduce, display, and distribute User Content as needed to operate, promote, and improve the Service, including public display when you publish an idea. You represent that you have the rights to grant this license and that your User Content does not violate law or third-party rights.
You are solely responsible for what you choose to post, including accuracy and legality. We may remove content or suspend access if we reasonably believe it violates these Terms, harms others, or creates legal or security risk.
Publication and public disclosure
Publishing an idea may make it visible to others (for example on a public idea page or feed, depending on how the Service is configured). Publicly sharing an invention can count as a public disclosure and may affect your ability to obtain or enforce patent rights in the United States and other countries.
- In the United States, you may have a limited time (often discussed as up to twelve months in some circumstances) to file a patent application after certain disclosures, depending on facts and law.
- Many countries do not offer the same grace periods as the U.S.; a public disclosure before filing can bar patent rights elsewhere.
The Idea Post, For Sale By Inventor, and their owners, employees, and agents do not provide legal advice. Nothing on the Service is a substitute for advice from a qualified patent professional. You are solely responsible for decisions about what to publish and when to seek protection.
An Idea Post is not a patent application or issued patent. Past performance of any professional services related to inventing does not guarantee future results; most new products do not succeed commercially.
Unpublishing and draft status
If you unpublish an idea, we will treat it according to the Service rules in effect at that time. Typically, unpublishing returns the idea to a non-public draft state. Idea credits associated with publishing are not refunded when you unpublish; credit rules shown in the product at the time of your action apply.
Credits and fees
Paid features, idea credits, and pricing are described in the Service. Fees are charged as disclosed at purchase. Taxes may apply. Unless stated otherwise, fees are non-refundable except where required by law or expressly stated in writing.
Prohibited conduct
You agree not to misuse the Service, including by: violating law; infringing intellectual property; distributing malware; harassing users; spamming; scraping or automated access without permission; attempting to bypass security; or impersonating others.
Third parties and For Sale By Inventor
The Service may reference or link to third parties (for example service providers or partners such as For Sale By Inventor). Their sites have their own terms and privacy practices. We do not control third-party services and are not responsible for their content or actions.
Disclaimers
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available." To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant uninterrupted or error-free operation.
Inventing and commercializing products involve substantial risk. We do not guarantee any particular outcome, feedback, partnership, or commercialization result from use of the Service.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Idea Post and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, data, or goodwill, arising from your use of the Service or User Content, including decisions to publish or withhold an idea. Our aggregate liability for claims relating to the Service is limited to the greater of (a) the amount you paid us for the Service in the twelve months before the claim or (b) fifty U.S. dollars, except where limitation is prohibited by law.
Indemnity
You will defend and indemnify us against claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your User Content, your use of the Service, or your violation of these Terms, except to the extent caused by our willful misconduct.
Termination
You may stop using the Service at any time. We may suspend or terminate access if you breach these Terms or if we cease operating the Service. Provisions that by nature should survive (including ownership, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and indemnity) will survive termination.
Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will post the revised Terms on this page and update the "Last updated" date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms, except where additional consent is required by law.
Contact
For questions about these Terms, contact us using the contact information we publish on the Service. For privacy-specific requests, see our Privacy Policy.