Last Updated: January 29, 2026
Welcome to Deocracy Institute. These Terms and Conditions (“Terms,” “Master Terms”) govern your use of our website located at https://deocracy.org (the “Site”), our software, and any related services (collectively, the “Services”) operated by Deocracy Institute (“we,” “us,” or “our”).
By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the terms, you may not access the Services.
1. Nature of Our Services
Deocracy Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to open-source software development and information dissemination. Please be aware of the following distinctions regarding our content:
- Open Source Software: Our software is generally distributed under specific open-source licenses (e.g., MIT, GNU GPL, Apache). The usage of that source code is governed by the specific license file included in the code repository. These Terms govern the use of this website and the services hosted here.
- AI-Generated Content: Portions of the blog posts, articles, and code snippets on this Site are generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). While we strive for accuracy, AI models can produce hallucinations, errors, or outdated information.
2. Accounts and Membership
If you create an account, apply for a scholarship, or sign a petition, you guarantee that the information you provide is accurate and complete. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and password.
We reserve the right to terminate accounts, refuse service, or cancel orders at our sole discretion if you violate these Terms.
3. Donations and Payments
As a non-profit, we rely on donations and merchandise sales.
- Refunds: Unless otherwise required by law, donations and payments for digital goods are non-refundable.
- Tax Deductibility: While we are a non-profit entity, tax laws vary by jurisdiction. We make no representations regarding the tax deductibility of your donation. Please consult a tax professional.
- Payment Processing: We use third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). We do not store your full credit card details.
4. Artificial Intelligence Disclaimer
Important Warning: Content on this website, including technical documentation and blog posts, may be drafted or assisted by Generative AI.
- No Professional Advice: The content provided is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or professional coding advice.
- Verification Required: You should verify any code, instructions, or facts provided by our AI-generated content before using them in a production environment or critical system. We accept no liability for damage caused by reliance on AI-generated instructions.
5. Intellectual Property
Our Content: The Deocracy Institute logo, site design, text, graphics, and the arrangement thereof are the property of Deocracy Institute and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
User Content: If you post comments, code, or submit feedback:
- You retain ownership of your content.
- By posting, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display your content in connection with our Services (e.g., displaying your petition signature or scholarship entry).
6. Prohibited Uses
You agree not to use the Services to:
- Violate any applicable national or international law.
- Transmit spam, chain letters, or other unsolicited solicitations.
- Attempt to interfere with, compromise the system integrity or security, or decipher any transmissions to or from the servers running the Services.
- Upload invalid data, viruses, worms, or other software agents.
- Collect or harvest any personally identifiable information, including account names, from the Services.
- Harass, abuse, or harm another person or group, particularly within our community forums or collaboration tools.
7. Third-Party Links
Our Service may contain links to third-party web sites or services that are not owned or controlled by Deocracy Institute. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party web sites or services.
8. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS.
DEOCRACY INSTITUTE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE SITE WILL BE SECURE, UNINTERRUPTED, OR ERROR-FREE.
9. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL DEOCRACY INSTITUTE, ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM (A) YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICES; (B) ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICES; OR (C) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR CONTENT.
10. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Deocracy Institute and its licensee and licensors, and their employees, contractors, agents, officers, and directors, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees), resulting from your use and access of the Service, or a breach of these Terms.
11. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Vermont, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.
12. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:
Deocracy Institute
1 Lawson Ln STE 200D PMB 147
Burlington, VT 05401
Email: admin@deocracy.org