Terms of Service for Patch

When new users register on a Patch website, they agree to Patch's Terms of Service. We're aware that not a lot of people take the time to read everything, but please take a moment to review our Acceptable Use Policy:

Communities thrive when people care about each other, and as such, Patch expects all of its users to be respectful of others. If you notice any violation of this Acceptable Use Policy or other unacceptable behavior by any user, please report it to support@patch.com.

You are solely responsible for the content that you post on the Service or transmit to other users. By using the Service, you agree that you will not hold Patch responsible or liable for any Content from other users that you access on the Service.

While we encourage people to be honest and post what’s on their mind, there are some types of Content that we simply can’t allow on Patch. We’ll go over some of the prohibited items below, but these are merely examples and the list is not intended to be exhaustive.

We understand that everyone has different opinions, but Patch will make the sole determination as to whether Content is acceptable for the Service. (Someone has to be in charge, right?) Without limitation, you agree that you will not post or transmit to other users anything that contains Content that:

• Is defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane or offensive;
• Infringes or violates another party's intellectual property rights (such as music, videos, photos or other materials for which you do not have written authority from the owner of such materials to post on the Service);
• Violates any party’s right of publicity or right of privacy;
• Is threatening, harassing or that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual;
• Promotes or encourages violence;
• Is inaccurate, false or misleading in any way;
• Is illegal or promotes any illegal activities;
• Promotes illegal or unauthorized copying of another person's copyrighted work or links to them or providing information to circumvent security measures;
• Contains “masked” profanity (e.g., F@&#)
• Contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment; or
• Contains any advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation.

Instead of trying to memorize all that, you might boil it down to three main policies: “Keep it clean,” “Don’t try to trick people,” and “Treat others as you’d like to be treated.” Easy, right?

We do our best to keep tabs on what is posted on the site, however Patch is under no obligation to screen or monitor Content, but may review Content from time to time at its sole discretion to determine compliance with this Acceptable Use Policy. Patch will make all determinations as to what Content is appropriate at its sole discretion. We may include, edit or remove any Content at any time without notice.

Variety is the spice of digital life, so understand that when using the Service, you will be exposed to Content from a variety of sources and that Patch is not responsible for the accuracy, usefulness, safety, or intellectual property rights of or relating to such Content. And just like when you visit any Internet site, by using Patch you acknowledge that you may be exposed to Content that is inaccurate, offensive, indecent or objectionable. If you object to this possibility, you should not use the Service.

In keeping with our “Don’t trick anyone” request, you may not use spiders, robots, data mining techniques or other automated devices or programs to catalog, download or otherwise reproduce, store or distribute content available on the Service. Further, you may not use any such automated means to manipulate the Service or attempt to exceed the limited authorization and access granted to you under these Terms of Use. You may not resell use of, or access to, the Service to any third party.