terms of service

This document is a sample (example) and requires legal review before being applied to a live service.

Effective date: June 25, 2026

Article 1 (Purpose)

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern the rights, obligations, and responsibilities between Message in a Bottle ("Company") and its members in connection with the use of the location-based messaging service ("Service") provided by the Company.

Article 2 (Definitions)

1. "Service" means the location-based messaging service provided by the Company, through which a user may write and register a message at their location, and other users may discover, read, and reply to it near that location.
2. "Member" means a person who agrees to these Terms and enters into a service agreement with the Company.
3. "Bottle" means a message registered by a user at a specific location.
4. "Non-member" means a person who uses part of the Service (such as discovering and reading bottles) without registering as a member.

Article 3 (Effect and Amendment of the Terms)

1. These Terms take effect for all users who wish to use the Service.
2. The Company may amend these Terms within the scope that does not violate applicable laws. In the event of an amendment, the Company will announce the effective date and the reason for the change at least 7 days in advance.
3. For amendments unfavorable to members, the Company will provide notice at least 30 days in advance. If a member does not expressly object, the member is deemed to have agreed to the amendment.

Article 4 (Formation of the Service Agreement)

1. The service agreement is formed when a user agrees to these Terms, applies for membership, and the Company accepts the application.
2. The "read" functions of the Service (discovering and reading bottles) may be used without membership. However, the "write" functions (registering messages and replying) require membership registration and login.

Article 5 (Use of the Service)

1. The Company provides the following services to members:
   • Registration and discovery of location-based messages (bottles)
   • Reading and replying to messages
   • Other services determined by the Company
2. The Company may apply different daily limits on the number of messages registered depending on the service tier.

Article 6 (Obligations of Users)

1. Users must not engage in the following conduct:
   • Misappropriating another person's information
   • Registering messages that are obscene, violent, hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise contrary to public order and morals
   • Defaming others or infringing upon their rights
   • Transmitting commercial advertising information for profit
   • Interfering with the normal operation of the Service
2. If a user violates these Terms or applicable laws, the Company may restrict use of the Service or terminate the service agreement.

Article 7 (Management of Content)

1. If the Company determines that a message registered by a user violates these Terms or applicable laws, it may delete the message or restrict its visibility without prior notice.
2. The user who registers a message is responsible for that message.

Article 8 (Suspension of the Service)

The Company may temporarily suspend all or part of the Service in the event of unavoidable circumstances such as system maintenance, repair, replacement, or force majeure.

Article 9 (Disclaimer)

1. The Company is exempt from liability if it is unable to provide the Service due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond its control.
2. The Company has no obligation to intervene in disputes arising between users, or between a user and a third party, through the Service, and is not liable for any resulting damages.

Article 10 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction)

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Korea. In the event of a dispute relating to the use of the Service, the competent court under the Civil Procedure Act shall be the court of first instance.

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Contact: support@messageinabottle.example