Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of terms
Welcome to Penpal-Gate's service. Your use of the Service is subject to these Terms of Service ("TOS"). Penpal-Gate reserves the right to update and change the TOS from time to time without notice or acceptance by you. The TOS will also be applicable to the use of the Service on a trial basis. By using the Service, you signify your irrevocable acceptance of this TOS, as amended by Penpal-Gate periodically.

2. Description of service
The Service is web-based and allows users that register for an account on the Service (an "Account Holder") to create and update an online profile on Penpal-Gate's Internet property. Once registered with the Service, each Account Holder receives his or her own Profile to post "Content" (as such term is defined in Section 7). Each Profile has limited disk space. The type and number of tools you may use depend on the type of account you have. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any new features that augment or enhance the current Service, including the release of new Penpal-Gate tools and resources, shall be subject to the TOS. In order to use the Service, you must obtain access to the World Wide Web, either directly or through devices that access web-based content, and pay any service fees associated with such access. In addition, you must provide all equipment necessary to make such connection to the World Wide Web, including a computer and modem or other access device. You also understand and agree that the service may include certain communications from Penpal-Gate, such as service announcements, administrative messages and the Penpal-Gate Newsletter, and that these communications are considered part of Penpal-Gate membership and you will not be able to opt out of receiving them. You agree not to access the Service by any means other than through the interfaces that are provided by Penpal-Gate for use in accessing the Service.

3. Registration
In order to use the Service, you must have a valid Penpal-Gate ID. To be an Account Holder with your own Profile, you must provide Penpal-Gate with your name, a valid email address and other information ("Registration Data"). As an Account Holder, you will choose a password and account designation for your Profile during the Service's registration process. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account, and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your password or account. You agree to (a) immediately notify Penpal-Gate in writing of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security, and (b) ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session. Penpal-Gate cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this Section 3. In consideration of use of the Service, you agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current and complete information about yourself as prompted by the Service's registration form, and (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Data to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, or Penpal-Gate has reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, Penpal-Gate has the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future use of the Service (or any portion thereof). Users under 13 years of age are prohibited from using the Service.

4. Cancellation and termination
If you cancel the Service, your cancellation will take effect immediately. After cancellation, you will no longer have access to your Profile and all information contained therein may be deleted by Penpal-Gate. Penpal-Gate accepts no liability for such deleted information or content.
You agree that Penpal-Gate, in its sole discretion, may terminate your password, and/or account, and remove and discard any Content within the Service (including, but not limited to your Profile if you are an Account Holder), for any reason, including and without limitation if Penpal-Gate believes that you have violated or acted inconsistently with the letter or spirit of the TOS. Any contracts, verbal or written or assumed, in conjunction with your deleted Profile (as applicable) and all its parts, at Penpal-Gate's discretion, will be terminated as well. Penpal-Gate may also in its sole discretion and at any time, discontinue providing the Service, or any part thereof, with or without notice. You agree that any termination of your access to the Service under any provision of this TOS may be effected without prior notice, and acknowledge and agree that Penpal-Gate may immediately deactivate or delete your Profile, as applicable, and all related information and files. Penpal-Gate reserves the right to bar any further access to such files or the Service. You agree that Penpal-Gate shall not be liable to you or any third-party for any termination of your access to the Service.

5. Penpal-Gate Privacy Policy
Registration Data and certain other information about you are subject to our Privacy Policy, the terms of which are incorporated into this TOS by reference. Personal data that may be shared on your Profile is at the discretion and responsibility of the Account Holder. The Account Holder selects for each profile created whether to share certain information with the public, or registered users only.

6. Access to third party services
Account Holders can import their personal contacts from third party services, such as external webmails or external social networks. The login process is done through Penpal-Gate structure ; please note that we do not store login information, including both logins and passwords whatsoever.

After logging into external services, Account Holders can select - among their contacts - to whom they wish to send invitations to join Penpal-Gate. Information related to these contacts are temporarily stored in our database until the end of the invitation process (which generally lasts a few minutes).

7. Ownership of website account and security
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and Profile, and you are fully responsible for all activities that occur under the account and any other actions taken in connection with the Profile. You agree to immediately notify Penpal-Gate in writing of any unauthorized uses of the account or any other breaches of security. Penpal-Gate cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage from your failure to comply with this security obligation. You acknowledge and agree that under no circumstances will Penpal-Gate be liable, in any way, for any acts or omissions by an Account Holder or a Guest, including any damages of any kind incurred as a result of such acts or omissions.

8. Content and conduct rules and obligations
You understand that all information, data, text, software, music, sound, photographs, graphics, video, messages, goods, products, services or other materials ("Content") are the sole responsibility of the person from which such Content originated. You, and not Penpal-Gate, are entirely responsible for all Content that you upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available via the Service. Penpal-Gate does not control the Content posted via the Service and, as such, does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such Content.
You understand that by using the Service, you may be exposed to Content that is offensive, indecent or objectionable. Under no circumstances will Penpal-Gate be liable in any way for any Content, including, but not limited to, for any errors or omissions in any Content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Content posted, transmitted or otherwise made available via the Service. You acknowledge that Penpal-Gate does not pre-screen Content, but that Penpal-Gate and its designees shall have the right (but not the obligation) in their sole discretion to refuse, move or delete any Content that is available via the Service. Without limiting the foregoing: Penpal-Gate and its designees shall have the right to remove any Content that violates the TOS or is otherwise objectionable at Penpal-Gate's sole discretion. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content. In this regard, you acknowledge that you may not rely on any Content created by Penpal-Gate or submitted to Penpal-Gate. You acknowledge and agree that Penpal-Gate may preserve Content and may also disclose Content if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to:

(a) comply with legal process;
(b) enforce the TOS;
(c) respond to claims that any Content violates the rights of third-parties; or
(d) protect the rights, property, or personal safety of Penpal-Gate, its users and the public.

You understand that the technical processing and transmission of the Service, including your Content, may involve

(a) transmissions over various networks; and
(b) changes to conform and adapt to technical requirements of connecting networks or devices. Should Content be found or reported to be in violation with, but not limited to, the following terms, it will be Penpal-Gate's sole discretion as to what action should be taken.

You agree that you will not:

(a) upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy (up to, but not excluding any address, email, phone number, or any other contact information without the written consent of the owner of such information), hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
(b) harm minors in any way;
(c) impersonate any person or entity, including, but not limited to, as an Penpal-Gate official, forum leader, guide or host, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
(d) forge headers or otherwise manipulate identifiers in order to disguise the origin of any Content transmitted through the Service;
(e) upload, post or otherwise transmit any Content that you do not have a right to transmit under any law or under contractual or fiduciary relationships (such as inside information, proprietary and confidential information learned or disclosed as part of employment relationships or under nondisclosure agreements);
(f) upload, post or otherwise transmit any Content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, rights of privacy or publicity, or other proprietary rights of any party;
(g) upload, post, or transmit unsolicited commercial email or "spam". This includes unethical marketing, advertising, or any other practice that is in any way connected with "spam", such as (a) sending mass email to recipients who haven't requested email from you or with a fake return address, (b) promoting a site with inappropriate links, titles, descriptions, or (c) promoting your site by posting multiple submissions in public forums that are identical;
(h) upload, post or otherwise transmit any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
(i) interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers or networks connected to the Service, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies or regulations of networks connected to the Service;
(j) intentionally or unintentionally violate any applicable local, state, national or international law, including, but not limited to, regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any rules of any national or other securities exchange, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ, and any regulations having the force of law;
(k) "stalk" or otherwise harass another;
(l) promote or provide instructional information about illegal activities, promote physical harm or injury against any group or individual, or promote any act of cruelty to animals. This may include, without limitation, providing instructions on how to assemble bombs, grenades and other weapons or incendiary devices;
(m) offer for sale or sell any item, good or service that (a) violates any applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation, (b) you do not have full power and authority under all relevant laws and regulations to offer and sell, including all necessary licenses and authorizations, or (c) Penpal-Gate determines, in its sole discretion, is inappropriate for sale through the Service provided by Penpal-Gate;
(n) use the Service as a forwarding service to another website;
(o) solicit passwords or personal identifying information for commercial or unlawful purposes from other users;
(p) exceed the scope of the Service that you have signed up for; for example, accessing and using the tools that you do not have a right to use, or deleting, adding to, or otherwise changing other people's comments or content;
(q) engage in commercial activities within Penpal-Gate or on behalf of Penpal-Gate without prior approval. This includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:i. Displaying a banner that is designed to profit you or any other business or organization; and ii. Displaying banners for services that provide cash or cash-equivalent prizes to users in exchange for hyperlinks to their web sites.
(r) obscure any advertisements from general view via HTML/CSS or any other means.
(s) make any automated use of the system.iii. If any user is reported to be in violation with the letter or spirit of these terms, Penpal-Gate retains the right to terminate such account at any time without further warning.

9. Additional software
With respect to any additional software that may be made available by Penpal-Gate in connection with the Service, if you elect to download or access such additional software or third party Content made available through the Service, you understand that you may have to agree to additional terms and conditions before you use such software or third party Content.
You also agree that the use of any third party software or Content obtained through the Service does not transfer to you any rights, title or interest in or to the software or such Content, and that you will not use any Content made available to you through the software or the Service except as expressly authorized under that third party provider's terms of service or license. For greater certainty, by downloading software or Content made available through the Service, you are deemed to agree to the terms of service or license agreement posted on the Service, the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein for the benefit of such third party providers. If you do not agree to the terms of service or license agreement, do not download the software or Content.

10. International use
Recognizing the global nature of the Internet, you agree to comply with all local rules regarding online conduct and acceptable Content. Specifically, you agree to comply with all applicable laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the country in which you reside.

11. Content Submitted
Penpal-Gate does not claim ownership of the Content you place on your Penpal-Gate Profile. By submitting Content to Penpal-Gate for inclusion on your Penpal-Gate Profile, you grant Penpal-Gate a world-wide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, modify, adapt and publish the Content solely for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting your Profile on Penpal-Gate's Internet properties. This license exists only for as long as you continue to be a Penpal-Gate customer and shall be terminated at the time your Profile is terminated.

You acknowledge that Penpal-Gate does not pre-screen Content, but that Penpal-Gate and its designees shall have the right (but not the obligation) in their sole discretion to refuse or remove any Content that is available via the Service. Without limiting the foregoing, Penpal-Gate and its designees shall have the right to remove any Content that violates the TOS or is otherwise objectionable. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content.

12. Advertisers
You understand and agree that the Service may include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for Penpal-Gate to provide the Service. You also understand and agree that you will not obscure any advertisements from general view via HTML/CSS or any other means. By using the Service, you agree that Penpal-Gate has the right to run such advertisements with or without prior notice, and without recompense to you or any other user. The manner, mode and extent of advertising by Penpal-Gate on your Profile are subject to change at Penpal-Gate's discretion. Your correspondence or business dealings with, or participation in promotions of, advertisers found on or through the Service, including payment and delivery of related goods or services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and such advertiser. You agree that Penpal-Gate shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of any such dealings or as the result of the presence of such advertisers on the Service.

13. Links
The Service may provide, or third parties may provide, links to other World Wide Web sites or resources. Because Penpal-Gate has no control over such sites and resources, you acknowledge and agree that Penpal-Gate is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any Content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. You further acknowledge and agree that Penpal-Gate shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such Content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource.

14. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold Penpal-Gate, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents, co-branders or other partners, and employees, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of your Content, your use of the Service, your Guests activities, your connection to the Service, your violation of the TOS, or your violation of any rights of another, whether you are a registered user or not.

15. Resale of service
You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any portion of the Service, use of the Service, or access to the Service without the express written permission by Penpal-Gate.

16. General practices regarding use and storage
You acknowledge that Penpal-Gate may establish general practices and limits concerning use of the Service and may modify such practices and limits from time to time without notice to you.

17. Modifications to service
Penpal-Gate reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Service (or any part thereof) with or without notice at any time. You agree that Penpal-Gate shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the Service.

18. Penpal-Gate's proprietary rights
You acknowledge and agree that the Service and any necessary software used in connection with the Service ("Software") contains proprietary and confidential information that is protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws. You further acknowledge and agree that Content contained in sponsor advertisements or information presented to you through the Service or advertisers is protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents or other proprietary rights and laws. Except as expressly authorized by Penpal-Gate or advertisers, you agree not to modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute or create derivative works based on the Service or the Software, in whole or in part.
Penpal-Gate does not want to receive confidential or proprietary information from you through the Service or by email. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by an authorized Penpal-Gate representative, any material, information or idea you transmit to Penpal-Gate by any means may be disseminated or used by Penpal-Gate or its affiliates without compensation or liability to you for any purpose whatsoever, including, but not limited to, developing, manufacturing and marketing products. However, this provision does not apply to Content (as defined herein), or to personal information that is subject to our Privacy Policy.

19. Disclaimer of warranties
You expressly understand and agree that:

(a) your use of the service is at your sole risk. The service is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, Penpal-Gate expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringemenT.
(b) Penpal-Gate is not responsible for any damage, loss of data, customer information or vendor data, revenue, or other harm to business arising out of delays, misdelivery or nondelivery of information, restriction or loss of access, bugs or other errors, unauthorized use due to your sharing of access to the service, or other interaction with the service. you are responsible for maintaining and backing-up your data and information that may reside on the service. Penpal-Gate does not warrant that
(I) the service will meet your specific requirements,(II) the service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free,(III) the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will be accurate or reliable,(iv) the quality of any products, services, information, or other material purchased or obtained by you through the service will meet your expectations, and (v) any errors in the software will be corrected.
(c) any material downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of the service is done at your own discretion and risk and you will be solely responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from the download of any such material.
(d) no advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained through or from the service shall create any warranty not expressly stated in the tos.

20. Limitation of liability
You expressly understand and agree that Penpal-Gate shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses (even if Penpal-Gate has been advised of the possibility of such damages), resulting from:

(I) the use or the inability to use the service;
(II) the cost of procurement of substitute goods and services resulting from any goods, data, information or services purchased or obtained or messages received or transactions entered into through or from the service;
(III) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data;
(IV) statements or conduct of any third party on the service; or
(V) any other matter relating to the service.

21. Exclusions and limitations
SOme jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages. Accordingly, some of the above limitations of sections 18 and 19 may not apply to you.

22. Notice and procedure for making claims of copyright or intellectual property infringement (and DMCA)
Penpal-Gate respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our users to do the same. Penpal-Gate may, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, disable and/or terminate the accounts of users who may be repeat infringers. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, or your intellectual property rights have been otherwise violated, please provide Penpal-Gate's Copyright Agent (as defined below) the following information:
an electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright or other intellectual property interest;
a description of the copyrighted work or other intellectual property that you claim has been infringed;
a description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on our web site;
your address, telephone number, and email address;
a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright or intellectual property owner or authorized to act on the copyright or intellectual property owner's behalf.
Penpal-Gate's Copyright Agent for notice of claims of copyright or other intellectual property infringement can be reached as follows:
Contact form

23. Member Disputes
Member Disputes. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other Penpal-Gate members. Penpal-Gate reserves the right, but has no obligation, to monitor disputes between you and other Members.

24. General
Notices to you may be made via either email or regular mail. The Service may also provide notices of changes to the TOS or other matters by displaying notices or links to notices to you generally on the Service. The TOS and the relationship between you and Penpal-Gate shall be governed by the laws of Utah (USA) without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You and Penpal-Gate agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within Utah. The failure of Penpal-Gate to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the TOS shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. The TOS constitutes the entire agreement between you and Penpal-Gate and govern your use of the Service, superseding any prior agreements between you and Penpal-Gate (including, but not limited to, any prior versions of the TOS). You also may be subject to additional terms and conditions that may apply when you use affiliate or other Penpal-Gate services, third-party content or third-party software. If any provision of the TOS or incorporated documents are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavor to give effect to the parties' intentions as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of the TOS remain in full force and effect. You agree that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to use of the Service or the TOS must be filed within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose or be forever barred. The section titles in the TOS are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

25. Violations
Please report any violations of the TOS to us via our contact form or an administrator's profile page.