1. Introduction

Welcome to shotokan-world.com ("the Website", "we", "our", "us"), operated by a Shotokan Karate organization based in Greece.

By accessing or using this Website, you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, you must not use the Website.

2. Purpose of the Website

The Website provides a public directory of Shotokan karate dojos and instructors worldwide, allowing users to:

• Submit dojo and instructor listings
• Display affiliations and ranks
• Connect with the global Shotokan community

We act as a platform provider, not as a certifying authority.

3. User Accounts

To access certain features, users must register an account. Users agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Keep login credentials secure
• Be responsible for all activity under their account

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

4. User Submissions and Listings

Users may submit listings including:

• Personal names
• Karate ranks and titles
• Dojo details and addresses
• Affiliations and associations
• Photos and contact information

4.1 Responsibility for Content

You are solely responsible for the content you submit. By submitting content, you confirm that:

• The information is accurate and not misleading
• You have the right to publish it
• You have obtained consent from any third parties included

5. Public Nature of the Directory

The Website is a public platform. By submitting a listing, you acknowledge that:

• Your data may be publicly visible worldwide
• Search engines may index your listing
• Contact details (email, phone) are optional and only displayed if you choose to make them visible

6. Moderation and Approval

All submissions are subject to review and approval by moderators. We reserve the right to approve, reject, or remove any listing, and to edit formatting for consistency without altering meaning. We may remove content that is:

• False or misleading
• Offensive or inappropriate
• Infringing on rights
• Irrelevant to Shotokan karate

We are not obligated to publish or maintain any listing.

7. Prohibited Use

Users agree not to:

• Submit false or fraudulent information
• Impersonate another person or organization
• Upload content without proper authorization
• Use the platform for spam or unsolicited advertising
• Attempt to hack, disrupt, or misuse the Website
• Scrape or extract data without permission

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Website Content

All Website content (excluding user submissions) is owned by us or our licensors and protected by intellectual property laws.

8.2 User Content License

By submitting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, publish, reproduce, and distribute your content in connection with the Website. You retain ownership of your content.

9. Editing and Deletion

Users can edit their listings or delete their listings and accounts at any time. We may retain limited data where required by law or for legitimate purposes.

10. Donations

The Website may accept voluntary donations via third-party providers (e.g. PayPal, Stripe). Donations are voluntary and non-refundable. Payment processing is handled by third parties and we are not responsible for payment provider services.

11. Disclaimer

The Website is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee the accuracy of listings, authenticity of ranks or affiliations, or uninterrupted availability. We are not responsible for actions or claims of listed individuals or dojos, or any reliance placed on the information.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, reputation, or business, or issues arising from user-generated content.

13. Third-Party Services

The Website may use or link to third-party services (e.g. Google Analytics, PayPal, Stripe). We are not responsible for their content, services, or data handling practices.

14. Termination

We may suspend or terminate access to the Website at any time if these Terms are violated or if required for legal or security reasons.

15. Related Policies

Use of the Website is also governed by the following policies, which form part of these Terms:

• Privacy Policy — how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.
• Cookie Policy — how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies.
• Content Policy — standards for submitted content and the takedown process.

16. Changes to the Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

17. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by applicable European Union law. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Greece.

18. Contact

For any questions regarding these Terms, please use our contact page.