Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Web Standards Commission website and services (collectively, the "Services"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you must discontinue use of our Services immediately.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Services following any modifications constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.

2. Nature of Organization and Services

2.1 Independent Private Organization

The Web Standards Commission is a private, independent advisory organization. WSC:

• Is NOT a government agency, department, or instrumentality of any governmental body
• Is NOT an official regulatory authority or enforcement agency
• Is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government entity
• Has NO legal, regulatory, or enforcement authority or powers
• Does NOT issue legally binding orders, requirements, or mandates

2.2 Informational and Advisory Services

All information, assessments, reports, audits, recommendations, notices, and other materials provided through WSC Services are:

• Provided for informational and educational purposes only
• Based on generally accepted web standards and accessibility guidelines
• Intended to assist organizations in improving web accessibility and standards compliance
• Advisory in nature and not legally binding or authoritative
• Subject to interpretation and may not reflect the most current legal standards or requirements

3. Disclaimers and Limitations

3.1 No Legal Advice

WSC DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. Nothing contained in our Services, including but not limited to assessments, reports, recommendations, articles, guidelines, or communications, constitutes legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely on any information from WSC as a substitute for consultation with qualified legal counsel licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

For matters requiring legal advice regarding accessibility compliance, ADA requirements, Section 508 obligations, or any other legal matters, you must consult with a licensed attorney who specializes in the relevant area of law.

3.2 No Guarantee of Compliance

WSC makes no guarantee, warranty, or representation that:

• Following our recommendations will result in legal compliance with ADA, Section 508, WCAG, or any other laws or standards
• Our assessments are complete, accurate, or reflect all potential accessibility issues
• Addressing issues identified by WSC will prevent legal liability or regulatory action
• Our information reflects the most current legal interpretations or requirements

3.3 Not a Legal Determination

Any assessments, audits, or reports provided by WSC do NOT constitute:

• A legal determination of compliance or non-compliance with any law or regulation
• An official certification, accreditation, or approval of accessibility compliance
• Evidence admissible in legal proceedings without proper authentication and expert testimony
• A substitute for formal legal compliance audits conducted by qualified professionals

3.4 Third-Party Content and Links

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services. WSC is not responsible for the content, accuracy, availability, or practices of any third-party sites. Inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by WSC.

4. User Responsibilities

4.1 Accurate Information

When submitting reports, inquiries, or other information through our Services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update information to keep it accurate and current
• Not impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Not submit false, misleading, or fraudulent reports

4.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Use the Services for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks
• Interfere with or disrupt the Services or servers
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Harvest or collect information about other users without consent
• Use automated systems to access the Services without authorization
• Misrepresent WSC as a government agency or official authority

5. Intellectual Property Rights

All content, materials, features, and functionality available through the Services, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, software, and compilation thereof (collectively, "Content"), are the property of Web Standards Commission or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may access and use the Content for personal, non-commercial informational purposes only. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any Content without our express written permission.

6. Privacy and Data Collection

Your use of the Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

7. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

WSC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from:

• Your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Services
• Any conduct or content of any third party on the Services
• Any content obtained from the Services
• Unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content
• Reliance on information, recommendations, or assessments provided through the Services
• Any legal action, regulatory proceeding, or liability arising from accessibility issues

In no event shall WSC's total liability to you for all damages, losses, and causes of action exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) or the amount you have paid to WSC in the past twelve months, whichever is greater.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE.

WSC makes no warranty that:

• The Services will meet your requirements or expectations
• The Services will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
• The results obtained from use of the Services will be accurate or reliable
• Any errors in the Services will be corrected

9. Indemnification

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

• Your use of or access to the Services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Services

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association's rules, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm.

11. 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. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

12. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and WSC regarding the use of the Services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: