Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Support Buying Black ("SBB," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the SBB Platform, including our website, mobile application, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform").

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

IMPORTANT: THESE TERMS CONTAIN A MANDATORY ARBITRATION PROVISION IN SECTION 20 THAT REQUIRES THE USE OF ARBITRATION TO RESOLVE DISPUTES, RATHER THAN JURY TRIALS OR CLASS ACTIONS.

2. Definitions

• "Account" means your registered user account on the Platform.
• "Content" means text, images, videos, audio, links, and any other materials posted, uploaded, or shared on the Platform.
• "DAO" means Decentralized Autonomous Organization, the governance structure of the SBB community.
• "Tokens" means the SBB governance tokens used for voting and platform benefits.
• "User," "you," "your" refers to any person or entity using the Platform.
• "Marketplace" means the e-commerce section where users can buy and sell goods and services.

3. Eligibility

3.1 Age Requirements

You must be at least 13 years old (or 16 in the EU) to use the Platform. If you are under 18, you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet these age requirements.

3.2 Prohibited Users

You may not use the Platform if:

• You are prohibited by law from using the Platform
• Your account was previously terminated for violation of these Terms
• You are located in a country subject to U.S. embargo
• You are on any U.S. Treasury Department list of prohibited or restricted parties

4. Account Registration and Security

4.1 Account Creation

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

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account

4.2 Account Types

The Platform offers different account types:

• Community Supporter: Standard user account
• Business Owner: Verified account for Black-owned businesses
• Community Organization: Verified account for qualifying organizations

Verification requirements apply for Business Owner and Community Organization accounts.

4.3 One Account Per User

You may only create one account. Multiple accounts or account sharing is prohibited, except for authorized business team members.

5. User Content

5.1 Your Content

You retain ownership of User Content you post on the Platform. By posting Content, you grant SBB a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform your Content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform.

5.2 Content Responsibilities

You are solely responsible for your User Content. You represent and warrant that:

• You own or have rights to post your Content
• Your Content does not violate these Terms or any laws
• Your Content does not infringe intellectual property rights
• Your Content does not contain malicious code or viruses

5.3 Content Standards

Your Content must not:

• Be illegal, fraudulent, or misleading
• Promote violence, discrimination, or hate speech
• Contain explicit sexual content or child exploitation
• Harass, bully, or threaten others
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Contain spam, malware, or phishing attempts
• Violate privacy or publicity rights
• Infringe trademarks, copyrights, or patents

6. Platform Rules and Conduct

6.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes. You will not:

System Integrity:

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems or data
• Interfere with Platform operation or infrastructure
• Circumvent security measures or access controls
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Platform
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without permission

Fraudulent Activity:

• Create fake accounts or impersonate others
• Engage in fraudulent transactions or scams
• Manipulate voting or governance mechanisms
• Participate in wash trading or market manipulation

Harmful Behavior:

• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
• Share illegal content or instructions for illegal activity
• Exploit or endanger minors
• Spread misinformation about health or safety

7. Marketplace Terms

7.1 Seller Responsibilities

If you sell on the Marketplace, you agree to:

• Provide accurate product descriptions and pricing
• Honor posted terms and fulfill orders promptly
• Handle shipping, returns, and customer service
• Comply with all applicable laws (tax, consumer protection, etc.)
• Disclose material product defects or limitations

7.2 Prohibited Items

You may not sell:

• Illegal or regulated items (weapons, drugs, counterfeit goods)
• Stolen or fraudulently obtained items
• Items that infringe intellectual property
• Adult content or services
• Medical devices or prescription medications

7.3 Payments and Fees

• Payments are processed securely through Stripe
• Sellers pay platform fees as disclosed at the time of sale
• SBB is not responsible for transaction disputes between buyers and sellers
• All sales are final unless seller offers returns

9. DAO Governance and Tokens

9.1 DAO Participation

The SBB DAO enables community governance through token-based voting. By participating in DAO governance, you understand:

• DAO decisions are binding on the community
• Voting is transparent and recorded on blockchain
• Token holdings determine voting power
• Proposals must meet quorum and majority thresholds

9.2 Token Rights and Limitations

SBB Tokens provide:

• Voting rights on governance proposals
• Access to certain platform features
• Staking rewards (subject to terms)
• Participation in treasury decisions

SBB Tokens are NOT:

• Securities or investment contracts
• Promises of profit or financial returns
• Ownership interests in SBB as an entity
• Redeemable for cash or guaranteed value

9.3 No Investment Advice

Nothing on the Platform constitutes investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. You should consult professionals before making decisions involving Tokens or cryptocurrency.

9.4 Smart Contract Risks

DAO operations use smart contracts. You understand:

• Smart contracts execute automatically and cannot be reversed
• Code vulnerabilities may exist despite audits
• Blockchain transactions are permanent
• SBB is not liable for smart contract failures or exploits

15. Disclaimers and Limitations

15.1 "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE"

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING:

• Merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
• Non-infringement
• Accuracy, reliability, or completeness
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation
• Security or freedom from viruses

15.2 Investment and Financial Risks

TOKENS AND CRYPTOCURRENCY INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT RISK. YOU MAY LOSE ALL VALUE. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT TOKEN VALUE, MARKET PERFORMANCE, OR INVESTMENT RETURNS.

15.3 Limitation of Liability

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

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill
• Service interruptions or data loss
• Third-party conduct or Content
• Unauthorized access or alterations

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) $100 OR (B) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO SBB IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM.

20. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

20.1 Informal Resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to contact us at legal@supportbuyingblack.com to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will attempt to resolve disputes in good faith within 60 days.

20.2 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules.

Arbitration Agreement:

• All disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall be resolved by arbitration
• Arbitration is individual, not class or collective action
• The arbitrator's decision is final and binding
• Each party pays their own attorneys' fees unless the arbitrator awards them

20.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND SBB AGREE THAT DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY. YOU WAIVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTIONS, CLASS ARBITRATIONS, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTIONS.

20.4 Opt-Out

You may opt out of arbitration by sending written notice to legal@supportbuyingblack.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms.

25. Contact Information

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

• Email: legal@supportbuyingblack.com
• Support: support@supportbuyingblack.com

Response Time: We aim to respond within 7 business days.