Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to OTTAWASEARCH ("we," "our," or "us"). By accessing or using our website at OTTAWASEARCH.CA (the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and OTTAWASEARCH. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, and your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Description of Service

OTTAWASEARCH is a local business directory service for the Ottawa and National Capital Region. Our Service provides:

• A searchable directory of local businesses organized by category and area
• Business information including contact details, hours, services, and customer reviews
• Tools for business owners to claim and manage their listings
• Search functionality to help users discover local businesses
• User accounts for business owners and administrators

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Registration

To claim a business listing or access certain features, you may need to create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

3.2 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time if:

• You violate these Terms or any applicable laws
• You provide false, inaccurate, or misleading information
• Your account is inactive for an extended period
• We determine, in our sole discretion, that continuing to provide Service creates risk for us or other users

4. Business Listings

4.1 Claiming a Business

Business owners may claim their listing by providing verification of ownership. By claiming a business listing, you represent and warrant that:

• You are the owner, authorized representative, or have explicit permission to manage the business
• All information you provide is accurate and truthful
• You have the right to use any photos, logos, or content you upload
• Your business complies with all applicable local, provincial, and federal laws

4.2 Listing Content

You are solely responsible for the content you provide in your business listing. You agree not to post content that:

• Is false, misleading, or deceptive
• Violates intellectual property rights of others
• Contains offensive, discriminatory, or illegal material
• Promotes illegal activities or violates any laws
• Contains malware, viruses, or malicious code
• Infringes on privacy rights or contains personal information of others without consent

4.3 Unclaimed Listings

We may create business listings based on publicly available information. Unclaimed listings may contain basic information such as business name, address, phone number, and hours. Business owners can claim these listings to gain full control and add additional information.

4.4 Listing Modification and Removal

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or remove any business listing that:

• Violates these Terms or our content policies
• Contains inaccurate or misleading information
• Is the subject of valid legal complaints
• Violates intellectual property rights
• Is duplicate or spam

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Our Content

The Service, including its design, layout, text, graphics, logos, and code, is owned by OTTAWASEARCH and protected by Canadian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

5.2 User-Generated Content

By submitting content to the Service (including business information, photos, descriptions, and reviews), you grant OTTAWASEARCH a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, and transferable license to:

• Use, reproduce, modify, adapt, and publish the content
• Display and distribute the content on our Service
• Create derivative works based on the content
• Sublicense these rights to third parties

You retain ownership of your content but grant us these rights to operate and promote the Service.

5.3 Trademarks

OTTAWASEARCH, our logo, and other marks are trademarks owned by us. Business names and logos displayed in listings are the property of their respective owners. You may not use any trademarks without prior written permission from the trademark owner.

6. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in any way that could harm us or other users. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:

• Scraping and Data Mining: Using automated tools to collect data from the Service without permission
• Spam and Abuse: Creating fake listings, posting spam, or engaging in abusive behavior
• Security Violations: Attempting to breach security, access unauthorized areas, or introduce malware
• Impersonation: Falsely claiming to represent a business or individual
• Interference: Disrupting or interfering with the Service or servers
• Illegal Activities: Using the Service to promote or engage in illegal activities
• Manipulation: Posting fake reviews or manipulating ratings
• Harassment: Harassing, threatening, or defaming other users or businesses

7. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites and services, including business websites and social media profiles. We do not control and are not responsible for:

• The content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party sites
• Products or services offered by third parties
• The accuracy or reliability of information on third-party sites
• Any damages or losses resulting from your use of third-party services

Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their terms and conditions.

8. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

8.1 Service "As Is"

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties regarding accuracy, reliability, or completeness of information
• Warranties of uninterrupted or error-free service
• Warranties that the Service is secure or free of viruses

8.2 Information Accuracy

We strive to provide accurate business information, but we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information on the Service. Business information may be outdated or incorrect. Users should verify information directly with businesses before relying on it.

8.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OTTAWASEARCH AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Personal injury or property damage resulting from your use of the Service
• Unauthorized access to or alteration of your data
• Actions or inactions of third parties, including other users or businesses

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED $100 CAD OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

8.4 No Business Endorsement

Inclusion of a business in our directory does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or warranty by OTTAWASEARCH. We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of businesses listed on the Service.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless OTTAWASEARCH and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or related to:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Content you submit to the Service
• Your business activities or operations

10. Privacy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using the Service, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

View our Privacy Policy

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles.

11.2 Jurisdiction

You agree that any legal action or proceeding arising from or related to these Terms or the Service shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts and waive any objection to venue.

11.3 Informal Resolution

Before filing a legal claim, you agree to attempt to resolve the dispute informally by contacting us. We will attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiations.

12. Changes to the Service

We reserve the right to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service (or any part thereof) at any time
• Change features, functionality, or content
• Impose limits on certain features or restrict access to parts of the Service
• Update these Terms as needed to reflect changes in the Service or legal requirements

We are not liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Service.

13. General Provisions

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and OTTAWASEARCH regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

13.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

13.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

13.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms at any time without notice.

13.5 Survival

Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including disclaimers, limitations of liability, and indemnification) shall survive the termination of these Terms.

14. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or disputes regarding these Terms, please contact us through our website contact form.