FlatGrad Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using FlatGrad ("the Platform," "Service," "we," "us," or "our"), you ("User," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"), our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use our Platform.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old, or 13 with verifiable parental/guardian consent, to use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent that you have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement and will comply with all applicable laws.

3. Description of Services

FlatGrad is a student-to-student marketplace platform connecting verified students for buying, selling, and trading items, housing, and tickets. We provide the platform technology only.

FlatGrad is an independent student marketplace and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison or any other educational institution. FlatGrad is neither an official university service nor does it represent the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The reference to @wisc.edu email verification is used solely to verify that users are members of the university community and does not imply any affiliation or endorsement.

FlatGrad is NOT:

• The buyer or seller in any transaction
• A landlord, property manager, or housing provider
• A ticket broker or reseller
• A payment processor
• Responsible for inspecting, verifying, or guaranteeing any listings, items, housing, or tickets
• Responsible for verifying that sellers own or have rights to sell items
• A party to any contracts between users

All transactions are directly between buyers and sellers. Users assume full responsibility and risk for all interactions, transactions, and offline meetings.

4. Service Availability

We strive to provide continuous availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service. Outages, delays, or disruptions may occur without prior notice.

5. Account Registration and Security

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to maintain the security of your login credentials. You are fully responsible for activity under your account. Report unauthorized use immediately.

6. One Account Policy

Each individual may maintain only one account unless expressly permitted by FlatGrad in writing.

7. Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms, illegal activity, harmful conduct, fraud, or prolonged inactivity. You may close your account at any time, subject to data retention obligations.

8. Prohibited Content & Activity

The following are strictly prohibited and may result in account termination:

• Illegal goods – Drugs, weapons, explosives, or any items prohibited by law.
• Stolen property – Items known to be stolen or obtained illegally.
• Counterfeit goods – Fake branded items, fraudulent merchandise.
• Fraud & scams – Misrepresentation, fake listings, bait-and-switch tactics.
• Fake IDs – Offering, requesting, or distributing fraudulent identification.
• Adult content – Explicit, sexual, or adult-oriented material.
• Dangerous items – Items designed to harm, explosives, hazardous materials.
• Academic dishonesty – Selling essays, homework, test answers, or cheating services.
• Harassment & threats – Stalking, harassment, hate speech, threats, bullying.
• Discrimination – Content based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability.
• Spam & malicious activity – Phishing, malware, bots, data scraping.
• Impersonation – Pretending to be another person or entity.
• Copyright & trademark infringement – Violating intellectual property rights.
• Platform interference – Hacking, disruption, unauthorized access.

9. User-Generated Content & License

When you post content (listings, photos, descriptions, messages), you retain ownership but grant FlatGrad a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, display, and distribute your content solely to operate, improve, and maintain the Platform. You represent that you own or control all rights to posted content and that such content does not infringe third-party rights.

FlatGrad may remove any content at its sole discretion for any reason, including suspected illegal activity or policy violations.

10. Intellectual Property Rights

All FlatGrad content, design, branding, trademarks, and intellectual property are owned or licensed by FlatGrad and protected by copyright, trademark, and other applicable laws. Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive, revocable license to access and use the Platform for personal, non-commercial purposes only.

Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of FlatGrad intellectual property is prohibited.

11. Copyright & DMCA

FlatGrad respects intellectual property rights. If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, submit a DMCA notice to team@flatgrad.com with:

• Identification of the copyrighted work
• Description of the infringing content and its location on the Platform
• Your contact information and statement of good faith belief
• Your signature and certification under penalty of perjury

Repeat copyright infringers may have their accounts terminated.

12. Safe Transactions & Offline Meetings

FlatGrad does not conduct background checks on users. Meeting other users is at your own risk. We strongly recommend:

• Meeting in public, well-lit, safe locations (never alone)
• Informing a trusted friend or family member of meeting details
• Verifying the seller's identity and legitimacy before meeting
• Inspecting items thoroughly before payment
• Never wiring money or sending prepayment to unknown parties
• Trusting your instincts—if something seems wrong, walk away

FlatGrad Liability Disclaimer: FlatGrad disclaims all liability for offline interactions, disputes, fraud, harm, theft, injury, or any incidents occurring outside the Platform. Users assume full risk for all in-person transactions.

13. Housing Listings Disclaimer

FlatGrad Does Not Verify Housing: FlatGrad does NOT verify:

• Property ownership or landlord authority
• Lease terms, conditions, or validity
• Whether subleasing or subletting is permitted under any lease
• Compliance with local housing laws, zoning, or occupancy limits
• Property condition, habitability, safety, or code compliance
• Fair housing law compliance

Users are solely responsible for: (a) verifying the legitimacy of the landlord or property manager; (b) reviewing all lease agreements and subleasing permissions; (c) verifying that the housing listing complies with local laws and the underlying lease agreement; and (d) conducting inspections and due diligence before committing to housing.

14. Ticket Listings Disclaimer

FlatGrad Does Not Verify Tickets: FlatGrad does NOT verify:

• Ticket authenticity or validity
• Ticket ownership or proof of prior purchase
• Eligibility for transfer or resale
• Venue resale policies or restrictions
• Face value or maximum resale price compliance

Users are solely responsible for: (a) verifying ticket authenticity before purchase; (b) complying with all applicable venue resale policies and legal restrictions; (c) ensuring they have the legal right to resell tickets; and (d) understanding and following all applicable laws governing ticket resale in their jurisdiction.

15. Transactions & General Disclaimer

User-to-User Only: All transactions are directly between buyers and sellers. FlatGrad is not a party to any sale, purchase, lease, or exchange. Users assume complete responsibility for:

• Verifying item condition, authenticity, and legality before purchase
• Verifying housing and ticket legitimacy as described above
• Negotiating terms with the other party
• Payment methods and security
• Dispute resolution and refunds

No Guarantees: FlatGrad does not guarantee fulfillment, quality, condition, title, or legality of any item or listing. FlatGrad does not process payments and will not mediate disputes.

30. Third-Party Services & Links

FlatGrad may link to or integrate with third-party services (payment processors, authentication providers, etc.). Use of third-party services is subject to their terms, policies, and privacy practices. FlatGrad is not responsible for third-party conduct, data handling, or security practices.

16. Fraud Investigations & Law Enforcement

FlatGrad may investigate suspected fraud, abuse, policy violations, scams, illegal activity, or other harmful conduct. FlatGrad may:

• Suspend or terminate accounts pending investigation
• Remove listings, messages, profiles, or other content
• Preserve information relevant to the investigation
• Cooperate with law enforcement and respond to legal process
• Take legal action against users who violate these Terms or applicable law

Users consent to FlatGrad investigating suspected violations and sharing information with law enforcement when legally required.

17. Emergency Content Removal

FlatGrad may remove, disable, or restrict access to any listing, message, profile, or account without prior notice when reasonably necessary to:

• Protect the safety or security of users
• Prevent or stop fraud, abuse, or illegal activity
• Comply with legal obligations or court orders
• Enforce these Terms and Community Guidelines
• Protect the integrity and functionality of the Platform

18. Electronic Communications & Consent

By creating an account, you consent to receive electronic communications from FlatGrad, including:

• Account security and verification notices
• Transaction and listing confirmations
• Legal notices and policy updates
• Safety alerts and fraud warnings
• Service announcements and changes

Marketing communications will only be sent where permitted by law, and you may opt out of non-transactional communications where applicable.

19. Professional Advice Disclaimer

NO PROFESSIONAL ADVICE: FlatGrad does not provide legal, financial, tax, housing, investment, medical, or other professional advice. Information on the Platform is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional guidance. Always consult with qualified professionals (lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, etc.) before making important decisions regarding transactions, housing, or investments.

20. Disclaimers of Liability

The FlatGrad Platform is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties, express or implied. FlatGrad disclaims all warranties including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and uninterrupted/error-free access.

21. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, FlatGrad, its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, data, goodwill, or business opportunities, arising from your use of or inability to use the Platform. FlatGrad's total liability shall not exceed the greater of: (a) one hundred U.S. dollars ($100), or (b) the amount you paid FlatGrad in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

22. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless FlatGrad, its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, and licensors from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any law or third-party rights; or (d) your interactions with other users.

23. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Except where prohibited by law, any dispute arising under these Terms shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. Arbitration shall be conducted in Madison, Wisconsin, or virtually at your option.

• You waive the right to jury trial.
• You waive the right to bring claims as a class action.
• Arbitration decisions are final and binding.
• Arbitration costs are shared as per AAA rules.

24. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin and applicable federal law, without regard to conflict of laws. Subject to arbitration requirements, courts located in Madison, Wisconsin shall have exclusive jurisdiction for claims not arbitrated.

25. Modifications to These Terms

FlatGrad may revise these Terms at any time. Material changes will be posted with at least 30 days' notice. Continued use of the Platform after updates constitutes acceptance of revised Terms.

26. Severability & Non-Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. FlatGrad's failure to enforce any right or provision shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

27. Force Majeure

FlatGrad shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by events beyond reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, wars, government actions, internet or telecommunications failures, or power outages.

28. Account Suspension & Termination

FlatGrad reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account immediately, without notice or refund, for: (a) violation of these Terms or Community Guidelines; (b) illegal activity; (c) fraud or scams; (d) harassment or abuse; (e) repeated policy violations; or (f) prolonged inactivity.

29. Entire Agreement

These Terms, the Privacy Policy, and Community Guidelines constitute the entire agreement between you and FlatGrad regarding Platform use and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

25. Privacy & Data Protection

Your use of FlatGrad is governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information in accordance with applicable law. By using the Platform, you consent to data collection, use, and sharing as described in our Privacy Policy.

31. Future Paid Features

FlatGrad may introduce optional paid features (listing boosts, premium tools, etc.) in the future. Such features will have separate payment terms provided at purchase. Users are responsible for applicable fees and taxes.

32. Export & Sanctions Compliance

You may not use the Platform if you are located in a country subject to comprehensive U.S. trade sanctions, or if you are on any U.S. government restricted party list. You agree to comply with all export control and sanctions laws.

33. Contact & Legal Notices

For legal notices, complaints, or inquiries (other than DMCA notices), contact:

FlatGrad
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Email: team@flatgrad.com
Subject Line: Legal Notice

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