1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, registering for, or using Zilker Network in any manner ("the Platform," "we," "us," or "our"), you ("User," "you") agree to be unconditionally bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"), our Privacy Policy, and our Legal Disclaimer, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. If you do not agree to every provision of these Terms, you must immediately stop using the Platform. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement. Your continued use of the Platform at any time constitutes your ongoing acceptance of the then-current Terms.

2. Eligibility

Zilker Network is available exclusively to currently enrolled students holding an active institutional email address from the University of Texas at Austin (@my.utexas.edu) or Austin Community College (@g.austincc.edu). By registering, you represent and warrant that: (a) you are currently enrolled at one of these institutions; (b) you are at least 18 years of age; (c) you have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement; and (d) your use of the Platform will not violate any applicable law or regulation. Any misrepresentation of eligibility is grounds for immediate permanent removal and may be reported to your institution. We reserve the right to expand or restrict eligibility at any time without notice.

3. Prohibited Use — Academic Integrity

Zilker Network is strictly a student collaboration and networking platform. It is not a platform for academic dishonesty. You agree not to use the Platform to:

• Solicit, offer, distribute, or exchange completed academic assignments, essays, lab reports, code submissions, or any work intended to be submitted as your own for academic credit
• Find, hire, or offer to act as someone who completes coursework, exams, quizzes, or other graded academic activities on behalf of another person
• Share, sell, reproduce, or distribute exam questions, answer keys, grading rubrics, or proprietary course materials in violation of your institution's academic integrity policy or applicable law
• Facilitate contract cheating, ghost-writing for academic submission, essay mills, or any other form of academic fraud

Violation of this section may, at our sole discretion, be reported to your academic institution and/or relevant authorities. Zilker Network expressly disclaims all liability for any academic disciplinary action, expulsion, degree revocation, or any other consequence arising from a user's conduct on or off the Platform, regardless of whether such conduct was facilitated through the Platform.

4. General Acceptable Use

You agree not to use the Platform to:

• Post, transmit, or share content that is unlawful, threatening, harassing, defamatory, libelous, discriminatory, hateful, obscene, or otherwise objectionable
• Impersonate any person or entity, including any student, faculty, staff member, or platform administrator
• Spam, advertise commercial products or services, or solicit users for purposes unrelated to legitimate student collaboration
• Probe, scan, test, or attack the Platform's infrastructure, security systems, databases, or other users' accounts
• Upload, transmit, or distribute malware, viruses, ransomware, or any code designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to any system
• Scrape, harvest, crawl, or systematically collect data from the Platform or about its users without our express written consent
• Post content that infringes on the intellectual property, privacy, or other rights of any third party
• Use the Platform to coordinate, facilitate, or promote any illegal activity
• Circumvent, disable, or otherwise interfere with security-related features of the Platform
• Access, tamper with, or use non-public areas of the Platform or our technical delivery systems

5. User-Generated Content and Section 230

You retain ownership of content you post to the Platform. By submitting content, you grant Zilker Network a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, sublicensable, perpetual license to store, display, reproduce, and distribute that content to other verified users of the Platform for the purpose of operating and improving the service.

You are solely, exclusively, and entirely responsible for all content you post, upload, transmit, or otherwise make available through the Platform. You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to post such content and that doing so does not violate any law or any third party's rights.

Zilker Network is an interactive computer service as defined under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230. Zilker Network does not create, author, co-author, review, verify, endorse, or assume any responsibility or liability for any user-generated content. We are not the publisher or speaker of any user-generated content. We reserve the right, but assume no obligation, to monitor, remove, or restrict any content at our sole discretion.

6. DMCA and Intellectual Property

Zilker Network respects intellectual property rights. If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, you may submit a takedown notice to [email protected] with the following information: (a) identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed; (b) identification of the infringing material and its location on the Platform; (c) your contact information; (d) a statement of good faith belief that the use is not authorized; (e) a statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorized to act; and (f) your physical or electronic signature. We will respond to valid notices in accordance with the DMCA.

7. No Guarantee of Accuracy, Quality, or Outcomes

Zilker Network makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, legality, or suitability of any content posted by users. All connections, collaborations, arrangements, projects, and outcomes facilitated through or arising from use of the Platform are entirely between the relevant users. Zilker Network is not a party to any such arrangement and bears absolutely no responsibility or liability for the quality, safety, legality, results, or consequences of any collaboration, transaction, agreement, or interaction arranged through or connected to the Platform.

8. Assumption of Risk

YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM AND ANY INTERACTIONS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER USERS ARE UNDERTAKEN ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. You acknowledge that: (a) Zilker Network does not verify the identity, credentials, skills, or representations of any user; (b) users may misrepresent themselves; (c) meeting or collaborating with strangers carries inherent risks; and (d) you assume full responsibility for your safety and the safety of your information in all interactions arising from Platform use. We strongly encourage you to exercise independent judgment and take appropriate precautions before sharing personal information, meeting other users, or entering into any collaborative arrangement.

9. Account Suspension and Termination

Zilker Network reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion and without prior notice, to suspend, restrict, mute, or permanently terminate any account at any time for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms, conduct deemed harmful to the Platform or its users, or any reason we deem sufficient. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform immediately ceases. No refund, compensation, or explanation is owed upon termination of any kind. Terminated users may not re-register without our express written permission. Termination does not limit any other remedies available to us.

10. Platform Changes, Availability, and Data Persistence

We may update, modify, restrict, suspend, or permanently discontinue any feature, aspect, or the entirety of the Platform at any time, with or without notice, for any reason. We make no guarantee of uptime, continuous availability, feature parity, or data persistence. You are solely responsible for maintaining your own copies of any content you post. We shall have no liability for any loss of content, data, or access arising from platform changes, outages, or discontinuation.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE," AND "WITH ALL FAULTS," WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ZILKER NETWORK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY; FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; NON-INFRINGEMENT; TITLE; ACCURACY; RELIABILITY; SECURITY; AVAILABILITY; UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION; OR THAT THE PLATFORM WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED FROM ZILKER NETWORK OR THROUGH THE PLATFORM SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THESE TERMS.

12. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ZILKER NETWORK, ITS FOUNDERS, OPERATORS, VOLUNTEERS, CONTRIBUTORS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LOSS OF DATA; LOSS OF REVENUE OR PROFITS; LOSS OF BUSINESS OR GOODWILL; HARM TO REPUTATION; PERSONAL INJURY; EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; OR ANY OTHER TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE LOSS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PLATFORM OR ANY CONTENT THEREON, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE).

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY OF ZILKER NETWORK TO YOU FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM EXCEED ZERO DOLLARS ($0.00 USD). THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE; ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS NO CONSIDERATION FROM WHICH DAMAGES COULD BE AWARDED. IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE PLATFORM OR THESE TERMS, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO DISCONTINUE USE OF THE PLATFORM.

13. Indemnification

You agree to fully indemnify, defend (at Zilker Network's option), and hold harmless Zilker Network and its founders, operators, volunteers, contributors, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising from or related to: (a) your access to or use of the Platform; (b) your violation of these Terms or any applicable law or regulation; (c) any content you post, upload, or transmit through the Platform; (d) your violation of any third party's rights, including intellectual property rights or privacy rights; (e) any misrepresentation you make; or (f) any transaction, collaboration, agreement, or interaction with another user arising from Platform use. This indemnification obligation survives termination of your account and these Terms.

14. Force Majeure

Zilker Network shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance arising from causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, government action, pandemics, cyberattacks, infrastructure failures by third-party providers, internet outages, power failures, or any other event outside our direct control ("Force Majeure Event"). The existence of a Force Majeure Event excuses our performance for the duration of such event and a reasonable period thereafter.

15. Dispute Resolution and Binding Arbitration

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising from or relating to these Terms, the Platform, or your use thereof ("Dispute") shall be resolved exclusively through final and binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, to the extent such rules do not conflict with these Terms. The arbitration shall be conducted in Travis County, Texas, or by video conference at the mutual election of the parties. The arbitrator shall have exclusive authority to resolve all Disputes, including those relating to the interpretation, applicability, or enforceability of these Terms or this arbitration clause.

CLASS ACTION WAIVER: YOU AND ZILKER NETWORK EACH WAIVE THE RIGHT TO BRING OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, CLASS ARBITRATION, PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION, OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. ALL DISPUTES MUST BE BROUGHT IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY ONLY.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm pending arbitration. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of state or federal courts located in Travis County, Texas for any such equitable relief.

16. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Subject to the arbitration clause above, you consent to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Travis County, Texas.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Legal Disclaimer, constitute the entire agreement between you and Zilker Network with respect to the Platform and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, or warranties, whether written or oral, regarding the same subject matter. No waiver of any term of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.

19. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. Your continued use of the Platform after any update constitutes your unconditional acceptance of the revised Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically. We will attempt to notify users of material changes by updating the effective date above.

20. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at [email protected].