Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of These Terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the OchaBox website (ochabox.ca) and the OchaBox mobile application (together, the "Service").

By accessing or using OchaBox, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by the OchaBox Privacy Policy available at https://ochabox.ca/privacy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

2. About OchaBox

OchaBox is a tea tasting and research-oriented platform that allows users to record tasting notes, upload photos, and track tea preferences.

OchaBox is incorporated in Ontario, Canada, and is intended for personal or professional use.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use OchaBox.

By using the Service, you confirm that you meet this requirement and that you are legally capable of agreeing to these Terms.

4. Accounts and Authentication

• OchaBox uses passwordless authentication via one-time passcodes (OTP) sent to your email address.
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of access to your email account.
• You must not share or misuse access credentials.
• You are responsible for all activity that occurs through your account, including any access resulting from use of your email address.
• We may suspend or restrict access if we reasonably believe there has been misuse, fraud, or unauthorized access.

5. User Content

a) Content you submit

You may submit content including:

• Tea tasting notes, ratings, and preferences
• Photos related to tastings
• Profile information such as avatars or display names

You retain ownership of your content.

b) License to OchaBox

By submitting content, you grant OchaBox a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, host, display, reproduce, and use your content solely for:

• Operating and maintaining the Service
• Improving features and functionality
• Conducting analysis and research using aggregated or anonymized data

This license ends when your content is deleted, except where the content has been anonymized or aggregated.

OchaBox does not guarantee that all content will be reviewed or moderated, and users remain responsible for the content they submit.

6. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for unlawful or misleading purposes
• Upload content you do not have the right to share
• Upload abusive, harmful, or inappropriate content
• Interfere with or attempt to compromise the security or operation of the Service
• Scrape, reverse engineer, or misuse the Service

We may use automated systems to review uploaded content, including photos, for safety, moderation, and compliance with these Terms. Content that violates these Terms may be blocked, removed, or restricted without notice.

We may remove content or suspend accounts that violate these Terms.

7. Research Use and Collaboration

OchaBox includes a research component.

• User-generated tasting data may be analyzed in aggregated or anonymized form
• Research outputs do not identify individual users
• Personal information is not sold or used for advertising

Research Collaboration Notice

OchaBox may collaborate with academic researchers, research institutions, or industry partners interested in tea tasting trends and analysis.

Any research collaboration is subject to the following principles:

• Only aggregated or anonymized data may be used
• Individual users are not identifiable
• Personal information is not shared without appropriate safeguards and, where required, consent
• Research use must be consistent with these Terms and the Privacy Policy

Researchers or institutions interested in collaboration must contact OchaBox directly. OchaBox may approve or decline research requests at its discretion.

8. Intellectual Property

The Service, including its software, design, branding, and content (excluding user content), is owned by OchaBox or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, or exploit any part of the Service without permission, except as permitted by law.

9. Availability, Changes, and Fees

The Service is provided on an "as available" basis.

Features and functionality may change, be modified, or be discontinued at any time, with or without notice.

OchaBox may introduce optional paid features or subscription plans in the future. Any applicable fees will be clearly disclosed before they apply, and no charges will be imposed without your consent.

Paid subscriptions are billed through the Apple App Store or Google Play and are subject to their terms. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel in your store account settings. Refund requests are handled by the applicable store under its policies.

10. Account Deletion and Termination

You may stop using OchaBox at any time.

You may request deletion of your account by contacting delete@ochabox.ca.

We may suspend or terminate access if you violate these Terms or if continued access poses legal or security risks.

11. Disclaimers

OchaBox is provided "as is" and "as available."

The Service is intended for informational and research purposes only and does not provide professional, medical, or commercial advice.

To the extent permitted by law, OchaBox disclaims all warranties, express or implied.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, OchaBox is not liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Loss of data, profits, or business opportunities
• Damages arising from use of or inability to use the Service

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles.

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The most current version will always be available on https://ochabox.ca/terms, with the effective date updated.

Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact:

OchaBox
Email: contact@ochabox.ca