Terms of Use

— Agreement to our legal terms

We operate the mobile application Collectiv (the “App”), as well as any other related products and services that refer or link to these legal terms (the “Legal Terms”) (collectively, the “Services”).

Collectiv is a news aggregator mobile app that curates and links to articles from independent and progressive news outlets. The app does not host or republish full article content — it links out to original publishers. Collectiv is reader-supported through voluntary donations and does not display advertising.

You can contact us by email at hello@collectiv.press.

These Legal Terms constitute a legally binding agreement made between you, whether personally or on behalf of an entity (“you”), and Nick Barber, concerning your access to and use of the Services. You agree that by accessing the Services, you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by all of these Legal Terms. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF THESE LEGAL TERMS, THEN YOU ARE EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED FROM USING THE SERVICES AND YOU MUST DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY.

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will post the revised Terms on this page and update the “Last Revised” date. For material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to provide notice through the app or our website prior to the changes taking effect. Your continued use of the app after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

The Services are intended for users who are at least 18 years old. Persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to use or register for the Services.

We recommend that you print a copy of these Legal Terms for your records.

01 Our Services

The information provided when using the Services is not intended for distribution to or use by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject us to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country. Accordingly, those persons who choose to access the Services from other locations do so on their own initiative and are solely responsible for compliance with local laws, if and to the extent local laws are applicable.

The Services are not tailored to comply with industry-specific regulations (HIPAA, FISMA, etc.), so if your interactions would be subjected to such laws, you may not use the Services. You may not use the Services in a way that would violate the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).

02 Intellectual Property Rights

Our intellectual property

We are the owner or the licensee of all intellectual property rights in the Services’ own design and functionality, including our source code, databases, functionality, software, app design, user interface, wordmark, logo, and original text and graphics we create (collectively, the “Content”), as well as the trademarks, service marks, and logos contained therein (the “Marks”).

Collectiv displays article images and other media sourced from the independent news outlets we link to and aggregate. That media is not our Content — it belongs to the originating outlets and is addressed separately under “THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES AND CONTENT” below. Nothing in this section should be read as us claiming ownership over outlet-sourced articles, images, or other third-party media displayed in the feed or on article detail pages.

Our Content and Marks are protected by copyright and trademark laws (and various other intellectual property rights and unfair competition laws) and treaties in the United States and around the world.

The Content and Marks are provided in or through the Services “AS IS” for your personal, non-commercial use only.

Your use of our Services

Subject to your compliance with these Legal Terms, including the “PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES” section below, we grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• access the Services; and
• download or print a copy of any portion of the Content to which you have properly gained access,

solely for your personal, non-commercial use.

Except as set out in this section or elsewhere in our Legal Terms, no part of the Services and no Content or Marks may be copied, reproduced, aggregated, republished, uploaded, posted, publicly displayed, encoded, translated, transmitted, distributed, sold, licensed, or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose whatsoever, without our express prior written permission.

If you wish to make any use of the Services, Content, or Marks other than as set out in this section, please address your request to hello@collectiv.press.

We reserve all rights not expressly granted to you in and to the Services, Content, and Marks. Any breach of these Intellectual Property Rights will constitute a material breach of our Legal Terms and your right to use our Services will terminate immediately.

Your submissions

Submissions: By directly sending us any question, comment, suggestion, idea, feedback, or other information about the Services (“Submissions”), you agree to assign to us all intellectual property rights in such Submission. You agree that we shall own this Submission and be entitled to its unrestricted use and dissemination for any lawful purpose, commercial or otherwise, without acknowledgment or compensation to you.

You are responsible for what you send us: By sending us Submissions you confirm that they are not illegal, harassing, hateful, harmful, defamatory, obscene, abusive, discriminatory, threatening, sexually explicit, false, or misleading; that you waive any moral rights to them to the extent permitted by law; that they are original to you or you have the necessary rights to submit them; and that they do not constitute confidential information. You are solely responsible for your Submissions and agree to reimburse us for any losses we may suffer because of your breach of this section, a third party’s intellectual property rights, or applicable law.

03 User Representations

By using the Services, you represent and warrant that: (1) you have the legal capacity and agree to comply with these Legal Terms; (2) you are not a minor in the jurisdiction in which you reside; (3) you will not access the Services through automated or non-human means, whether through a bot, script, or otherwise; (4) you will not use the Services for any illegal or unauthorized purpose; and (5) your use of the Services will not violate any applicable law or regulation.

If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current, or incomplete, we have the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future use of the Services.

04 User Registration

You may be required to register to use the Services. You agree to keep your password confidential and will be responsible for all use of your account and password. We reserve the right to remove, reclaim, or change a username you select if we determine, in our sole discretion, that such username is inappropriate, obscene, or otherwise objectionable.

05 Prohibited Activities

You may not access or use the Services for any purpose other than that for which we make the Services available. As a user of the Services, you agree not to:

• Systematically retrieve data or content from the Services to create or compile a collection, compilation, database, or directory without written permission from us.
• Trick, defraud, or mislead us or other users, especially in any attempt to learn sensitive account information such as passwords.
• Circumvent, disable, or otherwise interfere with security-related features of the Services.
• Disparage, tarnish, or otherwise harm, in our opinion, us and/or the Services.
• Use any information obtained from the Services to harass, abuse, or harm another person.
• Make improper use of our support services or submit false reports of abuse or misconduct.
• Use the Services in a manner inconsistent with any applicable laws or regulations.
• Engage in unauthorized framing of or linking to the Services.
• Upload or transmit viruses, Trojan horses, or other material that interferes with any party’s use of the Services.
• Engage in any automated use of the system, such as scripts, bots, data mining, or similar data gathering tools.
• Delete the copyright or other proprietary rights notice from any Content.
• Attempt to impersonate another user or person.
• Upload or transmit any material that acts as a passive or active information collection mechanism (e.g., spyware, web bugs, tracking pixels).
• Interfere with, disrupt, or create an undue burden on the Services or connected networks.
• Harass, intimidate, or threaten our employees or agents.
• Attempt to bypass any measures designed to prevent or restrict access to the Services.
• Copy or adapt the Services’ software.
• Decipher, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer any software comprising the Services, except as permitted by applicable law.
• Use, launch, or distribute any automated system (spider, robot, scraper, offline reader) that accesses the Services, except standard search engine or browser usage.
• Make any unauthorized use of the Services, including collecting user data for unsolicited communications.
• Use the Services as part of any effort to compete with us, or for any revenue-generating endeavor not endorsed by us.

06 User Generated Contributions

The Services do not currently offer users the ability to submit or post content. If we introduce such functionality in the future, this section will be updated accordingly, and any content you submit will be governed by the Legal Terms in effect at that time.

07 Services Management

We reserve the right, but not the obligation, to: (1) monitor the Services for violations of these Legal Terms; (2) take appropriate legal action against anyone who, in our sole discretion, violates the law or these Legal Terms; (3) refuse, restrict, or disable access to any content, in our sole discretion; (4) remove content that is excessive in size or burdensome to our systems; and (5) otherwise manage the Services to protect our rights and property and facilitate proper functioning.

08 Mobile Application License

Use License

If you access the Services via the App, we grant you a revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited right to install and use the App on wireless devices you own or control, strictly in accordance with these Legal Terms. You shall not: (1) decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or decrypt the App except as permitted by applicable law; (2) modify, adapt, or create derivative works from the App; (3) violate applicable laws in connection with your use of the App; (4) remove or obscure any proprietary notice on the App; (5) use the App for any revenue-generating purpose for which it is not designed; (6) make the App available over a network for use by multiple devices simultaneously; (7) create a competitive product or service; (8) use the App to send automated queries or unsolicited commercial email; or (9) use our proprietary information or interfaces to build competing applications or devices.

Apple Devices

The following terms apply when you access the Services via the App obtained from the Apple App Store: (1) the license granted is limited to a non-transferable license to use the App on an Apple iOS device in accordance with Apple’s terms of service; (2) we, not Apple, are responsible for providing maintenance and support for the App, and Apple has no obligation to furnish any such services; (3) in the event of any failure of the App to conform to an applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple may refund the purchase price (if any); (4) you represent that you are not located in a country subject to a US government embargo or designated as “terrorist supporting,” and are not on any US government list of prohibited or restricted parties; (5) you must comply with applicable third-party terms of agreement when using the App; and (6) Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of this mobile application license and may enforce it against you.

09 Third-Party Websites and Content

The Services link to and display material from other websites (“Third-Party Websites”) as well as articles, photographs, text, and other content belonging to or originating from third parties (“Third-Party Content”) — this is the core function of Collectiv as a news aggregator, and includes the article images and outlet-sourced media shown in the feed and on article detail pages. Such Third-Party Websites and Third-Party Content are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, appropriateness, or completeness by us, and we are not responsible for any Third-Party Websites accessed through the Services or any Third-Party Content, including the content, accuracy, offensiveness, opinions, reliability, or privacy practices of the outlets we link to. All Third-Party Content, including images, remains the property of its respective owner; our display of it does not transfer any ownership or rights to us. Inclusion of or linking to any Third-Party Website does not imply approval or endorsement by us. If you leave the Services to access a Third-Party Website, you do so at your own risk, and these Legal Terms no longer govern. You should review the applicable terms and privacy policies of any outlet or website you navigate to from the Services.

10 Privacy Policy

We care about data privacy and security. Please review our Privacy Policy: https://collectiv.press/privacy. By using the Services, you agree to be bound by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Legal Terms. The Services are hosted in the United States. If you access the Services from any other region with laws governing personal data collection, use, or disclosure that differ from applicable laws in the United States, then through your continued use of the Services you are transferring your data to the United States and consent to it being processed there.

11 Term and Termination

These Legal Terms remain in full force and effect while you use the Services. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THESE LEGAL TERMS, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO, IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION AND WITHOUT NOTICE OR LIABILITY, DENY ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICES TO ANY PERSON FOR ANY REASON, INCLUDING BREACH OF ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, OR COVENANT CONTAINED IN THESE LEGAL TERMS OR OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW.

If we terminate or suspend your access for any reason, you are prohibited from registering a new account under your name, a fake name, or a third party’s name. We reserve the right to take appropriate legal action, including civil, criminal, and injunctive redress.

12 Modifications and Interruptions

We reserve the right to change, modify, or remove the contents of the Services at any time or for any reason at our sole discretion without notice. We have no obligation to update any information on the Services and will not be liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuance of the Services.

We cannot guarantee the Services will be available at all times and may experience interruptions, delays, or errors due to maintenance or technical issues. You agree that we have no liability for any loss, damage, or inconvenience caused by your inability to access the Services during any downtime.

13 Governing Law

These Legal Terms and your use of the Services are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, applicable to agreements made and entirely performed within Washington, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

14 Dispute Resolution

Informal Negotiations

To expedite resolution and control the cost of any dispute, controversy, or claim related to these Legal Terms (a “Dispute”), the parties agree to first attempt to negotiate any Dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days before initiating arbitration. Informal negotiations commence upon written notice from one party to the other.

Binding Arbitration

If the parties are unable to resolve a Dispute through informal negotiations, the Dispute will be finally and exclusively resolved by binding arbitration. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WITHOUT THIS PROVISION, YOU WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE IN COURT AND HAVE A JURY TRIAL. The arbitration will be commenced and conducted under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), and where appropriate, the AAA’s Supplementary Procedures for Consumer Related Disputes, both available at adr.org. If arbitration costs are determined by the arbitrator to be excessive, we will pay all arbitration fees and expenses. Arbitration may be conducted in person, by document submission, by phone, or online, and will take place in King County, Washington, except where otherwise required by applicable AAA rules or law.

If for any reason a Dispute proceeds in court rather than arbitration, it will be commenced in the state and federal courts located in King County, Washington, and the parties consent to and waive all defenses of lack of personal jurisdiction and forum non conveniens with respect to venue in those courts.

In no event shall any Dispute be commenced more than two (2) years after the cause of action arose.

Restrictions

Any arbitration is limited to the Dispute between the parties individually. No arbitration shall be joined with any other proceeding, brought on a class-action basis, or brought in a representative capacity on behalf of the general public or any other persons.

Exceptions to Informal Negotiations and Arbitration

The following Disputes are not subject to the above provisions: (a) any Dispute seeking to enforce or protect, or concerning the validity of, intellectual property rights; (b) any Dispute related to allegations of theft, piracy, invasion of privacy, or unauthorized use; and (c) any claim for injunctive relief.

15 Corrections

There may be information on the Services that contains typographical errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. We reserve the right to correct any errors and to change or update information on the Services at any time, without prior notice.

16 Disclaimer

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE BASIS. YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE MAKE NO WARRANTIES ABOUT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE SERVICES’ CONTENT, INCLUDING THIRD-PARTY ARTICLES OR WEBSITES LINKED FROM THE SERVICES, AND WILL ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR INACCURACIES IN THAT CONTENT, PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OUR SERVERS OR ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION STORED THEREIN, INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION, OR BUGS/VIRUSES TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE SERVICES BY ANY THIRD PARTY.

17 Limitations of Liability

IN NO EVENT WILL WE OR OUR DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFIT, LOST REVENUE, OR LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER WILL AT ALL TIMES BE LIMITED TO $100.00 USD. CERTAIN US STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY TO YOU, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY, AND YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.

18 Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold us harmless, including our subsidiaries, affiliates, and respective officers, agents, partners, and employees, from any loss, damage, liability, claim, or demand, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of: (1) your use of the Services; (2) breach of these Legal Terms; (3) any breach of your representations and warranties; (4) your violation of the rights of a third party, including intellectual property rights; or (5) any overt harmful act toward another user of the Services. We reserve the right, at your expense, to assume exclusive defense and control of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us, and you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claims.

19 User Data

We will maintain certain data that you transmit to the Services for the purpose of managing performance, as well as data relating to your use of the Services. Although we perform regular backups, you are solely responsible for all data you transmit or that relates to your activity on the Services. We have no liability to you for any loss or corruption of such data.

20 Electronic Communications, Transactions, and Signatures

Visiting the Services, sending us emails, and completing online forms constitute electronic communications. You consent to receive electronic communications, and agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. You agree to the use of electronic signatures, contracts, orders, and other records, and waive any rights under any law requiring an original signature or non-electronic record retention.

21 California Users and Residents

If any complaint with us is not satisfactorily resolved, you can contact the Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs in writing at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, California 95834, or by telephone at (800) 952-5210 or (916) 445-1254.

22 Miscellaneous

These Legal Terms and any policies or operating rules posted by us constitute the entire agreement and understanding between you and us. Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision shall not operate as a waiver of that right or provision. We may assign any or all of our rights and obligations to others at any time. We are not responsible for any loss, damage, delay, or failure to act caused by any cause beyond our reasonable control. If any provision is determined to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision is deemed severable and does not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. There is no joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship created between you and us as a result of these Legal Terms. You agree that these Legal Terms will not be construed against us by virtue of having drafted them.

23 Contact Us

In order to resolve a complaint regarding the Services or to receive further information regarding use of the Services, please contact us at: