Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

Welcome to DevConnect Canada ("we," "our," or "us"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website located at devconnectcanada.com (the "Service") and your participation in our community events and programs.

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these terms, then you may not access the Service.

Description of Service

DevConnect Canada provides:

• A platform for the Toronto developer community to connect and share knowledge
• Educational content, tutorials, and resources for software developers
• Information about local tech events, meetups, and networking opportunities
• Job market insights and career development resources
• Community forums and discussion platforms
• Event organization and hosting services

User Accounts and Registration

Account Creation

To access certain features of the Service, you may be required to create an account. When creating an account, you must:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information to keep it accurate
• Maintain the security of your password
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

Eligibility

You must be at least 16 years old to use this Service. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

Community Guidelines

Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service in accordance with these community guidelines:

• Professional Conduct: Maintain professional and respectful behavior in all interactions
• Constructive Participation: Contribute positively to discussions and community activities
• Knowledge Sharing: Share knowledge and help others learn and grow
• Inclusive Environment: Support diversity and inclusion in the tech community
• Authentic Identity: Use your real name and accurate professional information

Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to use the Service to:

• Post harassing, abusive, defamatory, or discriminatory content
• Share spam, promotional content, or unsolicited advertisements
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights of others
• Share false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service or other users' accounts
• Distribute malware, viruses, or other harmful code
• Engage in any form of data scraping or automated data collection
• Impersonate another person or organization
• Post content that is illegal, obscene, or inappropriate

Content and Intellectual Property

Your Content

You retain ownership of any content you post to the Service ("User Content"). However, by posting content, you grant us:

• A worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute your content
• The right to display your content on the Service and in promotional materials
• Permission to allow other users to view, share, and interact with your content

Content Standards

All User Content must:

• Be accurate and not misleading
• Be relevant to the tech community and our platform's purpose
• Comply with applicable copyright and intellectual property laws
• Not contain personal information of others without consent
• Maintain professional standards appropriate for a business environment

Our Content

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by DevConnect Canada and are protected by Canadian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Events and Meetups

Event Participation

When participating in our events, you agree to:

• Follow all venue rules and local laws
• Respect other participants and maintain professional conduct
• Allow photography and recording for promotional purposes (unless you opt out)
• Provide accurate registration information
• Notify us of any accessibility requirements or concerns

Event Policies

• Registration: Accurate registration information is required for all events
• Cancellation: We reserve the right to cancel or modify events due to circumstances beyond our control
• No-Show Policy: Repeated no-shows may result in registration restrictions
• Code of Conduct: All participants must adhere to our community guidelines

Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which also governs your use of the Service, to understand our practices regarding the collection and use of your personal information.

Disclaimers and Warranties

Service Availability

The Service is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not warrant that:

• The Service will be available at all times or without interruption
• The Service will be free from errors, bugs, or security vulnerabilities
• The information provided through the Service is accurate or up-to-date
• Your use of the Service will meet your specific requirements

Third-Party Content

We are not responsible for:

• Content posted by community members
• Accuracy of job postings or career advice
• Third-party websites or services linked from our platform
• Outcomes from networking or business relationships formed through our community

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, DevConnect Canada shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
• Personal or professional damages arising from community interactions
• Technical failures or security breaches
• Reliance on information provided through the Service

Our total liability to you for any claim arising from or relating to these Terms or the Service shall not exceed $100 CAD.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless DevConnect Canada, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your User Content
• Your interactions with other community members
• Your participation in events or meetups

Termination

Termination by You

You may terminate your account and stop using the Service at any time by contacting us at contact@devconnectcanada.com.

Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice, for any reason, including:

• Violation of these Terms
• Inappropriate behavior at events or in the community
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Threats to the safety or security of other users
• Extended inactivity

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service will cease immediately
• We may delete your account and associated data
• Provisions regarding liability, indemnification, and intellectual property will survive

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ontario, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario, Canada.

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of material changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending email notification for significant changes
• Displaying a notice on the Service

Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be replaced with a valid provision that most closely matches the intent of the original.

Entire Agreement

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

Contact Information

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

Community Resources

For additional support and community guidelines:

• Community Guidelines: Detailed in our FAQ section
• Code of Conduct: Available at community events and on our website
• Support Contact: contact@devconnectcanada.com for general inquiries
• Report Issues: Use our contact form to report violations or concerns

Acknowledgment

By using DevConnect Canada's Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

Effective Date: These Terms are effective as of December 1, 2024.