Terms of Service

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

Last Updated: January 1, 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Lunar Shadow Project. By accessing or using our website (lunarshadowproject.org), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"), our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this site.

2. Description of Service

Lunar Shadow Project is an analytical and research publication dedicated to the unexplored lunar far side. We provide:

• Scientific journalism and research articles on lunar geology, missions, and planetary science
• Educational resources, scientific databases, and research material catalogs
• Information about lunar exploration missions and international space programs
• Expert analysis and commentary on lunar science topics
• Contact and collaboration opportunities with our research team

Services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind.

3. Use License and Restrictions

3.1 Permitted Use

Subject to compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• Access and view website content for personal, educational, or research purposes
• Download and print individual pages for non-commercial use
• Share links to our content through social media and other platforms
• Cite our research with proper attribution

3.2 Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Republish, redistribute, or commercially exploit website content without written permission
• Modify, copy, or create derivative works from our content
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access or collect data without authorization
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to website systems, accounts, or networks
• Transmit malware, viruses, or harmful code
• Engage in activities that disrupt website functionality or other users' access
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Remove copyright notices, trademarks, or attribution information

4. Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 Ownership

All content on this website—including text, graphics, logos, images, articles, data compilations, software, and design elements—is the property of Lunar Shadow Project or its content suppliers and is protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

4.2 Attribution and Citation

When citing or referencing our content, you must:

• Provide clear attribution to Lunar Shadow Project as the source
• Include the article title, author(s) if specified, and publication date
• Include a hyperlink to the original content when used in digital formats
• Comply with academic citation standards for scholarly use

Example Citation: "Geological Secrets of the Lunar Far Side." Lunar Shadow Project, January 15, 2025. https://lunarshadowproject.org/blog-article-farside-geology-analysis.html

4.3 Third-Party Content

Our website contains links to external resources, databases, and publications owned by third parties. We do not claim ownership of this linked content. Users must comply with the terms and conditions of those third-party sites.

5. User-Generated Content

5.1 Submissions

When you submit content to us (through contact forms, comments, or other means), you grant Lunar Shadow Project a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and distribute such content for operational and promotional purposes.

5.2 Content Standards

You agree that any content you submit:

• Will not violate intellectual property rights of others
• Will not contain defamatory, offensive, or illegal material
• Will not include personal information of others without consent
• Will comply with applicable laws and regulations

6. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of our website is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using our services, you consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of information as described in the Privacy Policy.

7. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website contains links to third-party websites, databases, and services that are not owned or controlled by Lunar Shadow Project. We are not responsible for:

• Content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party websites
• Accuracy or reliability of information on external sites
• Availability or functionality of linked resources
• Transactions or interactions you have with third parties

Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their terms and conditions.

8. Google AdSense and Advertising

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. By using our site, you acknowledge that:

• Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits
• You can opt out of personalized advertising through Google Ads Settings
• We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of advertisements displayed
• Clicking on advertisements is at your own risk

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• This website and all content are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied
• We do not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content
• We disclaim all warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• Lunar Shadow Project, its directors, employees, partners, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• This includes damages for lost profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities arising from your use of or inability to use the website
• Our total liability for any claims related to the website shall not exceed €100 or the amount you paid us (if any), whichever is less
• Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion of certain warranties or limitation of liability; in such cases, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lunar Shadow Project and its officers, directors, employees, partners, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of third parties
• Your use or misuse of the website
• Content you submit or transmit through the website

12. Modifications to Service and Terms

12.1 Service Changes

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the website at any time without notice. We shall not be liable to you or any third party for such modifications, suspensions, or discontinuations.

12.2 Terms Updates

We may update these Terms periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be notified through:

• A notice on our homepage
• Email notification to registered users (if applicable)

Your continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

13. Account Termination

We reserve the right to:

• Refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time
• Terminate or suspend access to the website for violations of these Terms
• Remove content that violates these Terms or applicable laws
• Take appropriate legal action for violations

You may discontinue use of the website at any time. Termination does not affect obligations accrued before termination.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Germany, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms or use of the website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Berlin, Germany.

For users located in the European Union, applicable EU consumer protection laws shall also apply.

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating legal proceedings, parties agree to attempt informal resolution by contacting contact@lunarshadowproject.org with a detailed description of the dispute. We will attempt to resolve disputes amicably within 30 days.

15.2 Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, disputes may be resolved through binding arbitration in Berlin, Germany, conducted in English, in accordance with German arbitration rules. Arbitration decisions are final and binding.

15.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that disputes will be resolved individually and not as part of any class, consolidated, or representative action.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Invalid provisions shall be replaced with valid provisions that most closely match the intent of the original.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Lunar Shadow Project regarding use of the website, superseding any prior agreements or understandings.

18. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or notices regarding these Terms, please contact us:

Lunar Shadow Project
Invalidenstraße 42
10115 Berlin, Germany
Email: contact@lunarshadowproject.org
Phone: +49 30 5879 4312

19. Acknowledgment

BY USING THIS WEBSITE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE.