1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
Welcome to ShipScope! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the ShipScope platform, website, and all related services (collectively, the "Services") provided by ShipScope Private Limited ("ShipScope," "we," "us," or "our").
By accessing or using our Services, creating an account, or making a purchase, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Services.
2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
ShipScope is an e-learning platform specializing in commercial shipping education. Our Services include:
- Online Courses: Video-based courses on commercial shipping topics
- Course Materials: Downloadable resources, study materials, and reference links
- Certificates: ShipScope-branded certificates upon course completion
- Paid Consultations: One-on-one appointment-based advisory services
- Newsletter: Educational content and industry updates
- User Accounts: Personal learning dashboards and progress tracking
3. ELIGIBILITY AND ACCOUNT REGISTRATION
3.1 Age Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to create an account and use our Services independently. Users under 18 may use our Services with parental consent and supervision.
3.2 Account Creation
To access our courses and services, you must:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
- Maintain and update your account information
- Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
- Be responsible for all activities under your account
- Create only one account per person
3.3 Account Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. ShipScope is not liable for any loss or damage arising from unauthorized use of your account.
4. COURSE ENROLLMENT AND ACCESS
4.1 Course Purchase
- Course enrollment requires payment of the specified fee
- Payment must be completed before course access is granted
- Prices are displayed in USD for international customers and INR for Indian customers, excluding applicable taxes
- Course prices may change without notice for future enrollments
4.2 Course Access
- Upon successful payment, you receive immediate access to course content
- Course access is provided on a one-time purchase basis
- You retain access to purchased courses indefinitely unless these Terms are violated
- Course content may be updated or modified without notice
4.3 Course Completion
- Course completion is tracked through our learning management system
- Certificates are issued upon completion of all required course components
- Certificates are ShipScope-branded and do not represent academic credit
- No external accreditation is implied or guaranteed
5. PAYMENT TERMS
5.1 Payment Methods
We accept payments through our approved payment processors:
- Indian customers: Razorpay (INR payments)
- International customers: PayPal and Stripe (USD payments)
Your payment information is processed securely by these third-party providers.
5.2 Pricing
- Course prices are listed in USD for international customers and INR for Indian customers
- All prices are displayed excluding applicable taxes
- Indian customers can pay in INR through Razorpay; international customers pay in USD through PayPal and Stripe
- They can select the pricelist toggle under the page SHOP
- Prices are subject to change without notice
- Any price changes will not affect already purchased courses
- Special offers and discounts may have additional terms
5.3 Payment Processing
- Payment is due immediately upon course enrollment
- Failed payments may result in loss of course access
- You are responsible for any payment processing fees imposed by your bank or payment method
6. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
Please refer to our separate Cancellation and Refund Policy document for complete details regarding our no-refund policy for courses and consultations.
7. COOKIE POLICY
7.1 What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better user experience and analyze how our platform is used.
7.2 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality (login, course access, payment processing)
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our platform (Google Analytics)
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences for future visits
- Performance Cookies: Monitor platform performance and loading times
7.3 Managing Cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect your ability to use some features of our platform. Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for platform functionality.
7.4 Third-Party Cookies
Our payment processors (Razorpay, PayPal, Stripe) and analytics services may set their own cookies. These are governed by their respective privacy policies.
8. ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
8.1 Platform Purpose
ShipScope is designed exclusively for professional education in commercial shipping. All use must align with this educational purpose.
8.2 Prohibited Activities
You are strictly prohibited from:
Account Misuse:
- Creating multiple accounts for the same person
- Sharing account credentials with others
- Using someone else's account
- Providing false information during registration
Content Violations:
- Recording, copying, or redistributing course videos
- Sharing course materials outside the platform
- Uploading course content to external platforms
- Creating derivative works from our content
- Reverse engineering our educational materials
Platform Abuse:
- Attempting to hack or breach our security
- Using automated tools to access content
- Overloading our servers with excessive requests
- Interfering with other users' experience
- Posting spam, promotional content, or irrelevant materials
Legal Violations:
- Using our platform for illegal activities
- Violating intellectual property rights
- Harassment or inappropriate communication
- Fraud or misrepresentation
8.3 Academic Integrity
- Complete all assessments independently
- Do not share quiz answers or solutions
- Report suspected academic misconduct
- Use course content only for personal learning
8.4 Commercial Use Restrictions
Our courses are for individual professional development only. Commercial training, resale, or business use requires explicit written permission from ShipScope.
9. CONTENT USAGE GUIDELINES
9.1 Course Content Ownership
All course content including videos, materials, presentations, and documents are the exclusive property of ShipScope Private Limited and are protected by copyright law.
9.2 Permitted Uses
You may:
- Stream course videos within your account
- Download provided supplementary materials for personal reference
- Print materials for personal study purposes
- Take notes based on course content for personal use
9.3 Strictly Prohibited Uses
You may NOT:
- Download, record, or capture course videos
- Share login credentials to provide others access
- Distribute course materials in any format
- Upload content to public or private sharing platforms
- Use content for training others without permission
- Create competing courses using our content
- Translate or adapt content without authorization
- Remove or modify copyright notices
9.4 Enforcement
Violations of these guidelines will result in:
- Immediate account termination
- Legal action for copyright infringement
- No refund of paid fees
- Permanent ban from ShipScope services
9.5 Reporting Violations
If you discover unauthorized use of ShipScope content, please report it immediately to contact@shipscope.org.
10. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
10.1 ShipScope Content
All course content, videos, materials, graphics, software, and other content provided by ShipScope are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. This includes:
- Video lectures and presentations
- Course materials and documents
- Website design and functionality
- ShipScope branding and logos
10.2 License to Use
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use our course content for personal, non-commercial educational purposes only. You may:
- View course videos for personal learning
- Download provided materials for personal reference
- Print materials for personal study
10.3 Restrictions
You may NOT:
- Share, distribute, or resell course content
- Upload content to public platforms or file-sharing sites
- Create derivative works from our content
- Remove copyright or proprietary notices
- Use content for commercial purposes without written permission
10.4 User-Generated Content
By posting comments, questions, or other content on our platform, you grant ShipScope a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute such content for platform operation and improvement.
11. CONSULTATION SERVICES
11.1 Appointment Booking
- Consultation appointments are booked through our scheduling system
- Payment is required at the time of booking
- Appointments are subject to availability
- Confirmation will be sent via email
11.2 Consultation Terms
- Consultations are provided by ShipScope founder Akash Pise FICS
- Sessions are conducted via video conference or phone
- Duration and scope are as specified during booking
- Advice provided is educational and not professional advisory services
11.3 Rescheduling Policy
- Rescheduling is available subject to availability
- No cancellations or refunds will be processed once booked
- Contact us at contact@shipscope.org for rescheduling requests
12. CERTIFICATES AND CREDENTIALS
12.1 Certificate Issuance
- Certificates are issued upon successful completion of course requirements
- Certificates are digital and downloadable from your account
- Certificates bear the ShipScope branding and signature
12.2 Certificate Limitations
- Certificates do not represent academic credit
- No university or professional accreditation is implied
- Certificates are for personal/professional development purposes
- ShipScope certificates are not substitutes for formal qualifications
12.3 Certificate Integrity
- Sharing or falsifying certificates is prohibited
- ShipScope reserves the right to revoke certificates for Terms violations
- Certificate verification may be available upon request
13. PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION
Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using our Services, you consent to our Privacy Policy.
14. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
14.1 Payment Processors
We use third-party payment processors (Razorpay, PayPal, Stripe) to handle transactions. These services have their own terms and privacy policies that apply to your use.
14.2 External Links
Our platform may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third-party sites.
14.3 Third-Party Content
Some course materials may reference or include third-party content. Such content is the property of its respective owners.
15. DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS
15.1 Educational Purpose
Our courses are provided for educational purposes only. Content should not be considered as professional advice for specific business or legal decisions.
15.2 No Employment Guarantee
Course completion does not guarantee employment, career advancement, or specific outcomes in the shipping industry.
15.3 Content Accuracy
While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that all content is current, complete, or error-free. Industry practices and regulations may change.
15.4 Service Availability
We aim to provide continuous service, but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. Maintenance, technical issues, or other factors may temporarily affect availability.
16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:
16.1 No Consequential Damages
ShipScope shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, including lost profits, business interruption, or loss of data.
16.2 Liability Cap
Our total liability for any claims related to our Services shall not exceed the amount you paid to ShipScope in the 12 months preceding the claim.
16.3 Service Basis
Our Services are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
17. INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless ShipScope, its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:
- Your use of our Services
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any third-party rights
- Any content you submit to our platform
18. TERMINATION
18.1 Termination by You
You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at contact@shipscope.org. Please note that termination does not entitle you to any refunds as all purchases are final.
18.2 Termination by ShipScope
We may suspend or terminate your access for:
- Violation of these Terms
- Fraudulent or illegal activity
- Non-payment of fees
- Abuse of our platform or staff
18.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination:
- Your access to courses and platform will be revoked
- Downloaded materials may be retained for personal use
- Obligations regarding intellectual property and confidentiality survive
19. UPDATES TO TERMS
19.1 Modifications
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website.
19.2 Notification
We will notify users of significant changes via:
- Email notification
- Platform announcement
- Website notice
19.3 Continued Use
Your continued use of our Services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
20. CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about these Terms or our Services, please contact us:
Email: contact@shipscope.org
Response Time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 5-7 business days.
21. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cancellation and Refund Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ShipScope regarding the use of our Services.