Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to PodAlpha. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the PodAlpha website, services, and applications (collectively, the "Service") provided by PodAlpha ("we," "us," or "our").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

IMPORTANT: These Terms contain an arbitration clause and class action waiver (Section 14), which affect your legal rights. Please read them carefully.

2. Description of Service

PodAlpha is a content curation platform that:

• Aggregates video content from interview-based YouTube channels
• Generates AI-powered summaries and insights from podcast and interview content
• Distributes curated content summaries via email (hourly, daily, or weekly)
• Provides search and filtering capabilities for video content
• Offers both Free and Pro subscription tiers with different feature access

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time, with or without notice.

3. Account Registration and Eligibility

3.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use our Service. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and that all information you provide is accurate and complete.

3.2 Account Creation

To access certain features of the Service, you must create an account by providing:

• A valid email address
• Your name (optional)
• Authentication via email verification (OTP) or Google OAuth

3.3 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account information.

4. Subscription Plans and Pricing

4.1 Free Tier

Our Free tier includes:

• Full access to historical content summaries (older than 2 weeks)
• "Need-to-Know" highlights for latest content (less than 2 weeks old)
• Customizable email notifications (hourly, daily, or weekly)

4.2 Pro Subscription

Our Pro tier ($20/month) includes:

• Everything in Free tier
• Full instant access to all latest content summaries
• Bullish, bearish, and non-consensus views and ideas for every video
• Time-stamped, chronological breakdown of content
• Full summaries in hourly email notifications (optional)

4.3 Pricing

Pro subscriptions are billed monthly at $20.00 USD per month. We reserve the right to change our pricing with 30 days' notice to existing subscribers. Price changes will not affect your current billing period.

4.4 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe, our third-party payment processor. We do not store your credit card information. By providing payment information, you agree to Stripe's terms and conditions.

5. Automatic Renewal Terms (California Law Compliance)

5.1 Auto-Renewal

When you subscribe to PodAlpha Pro:

• Your subscription will automatically renew each month on the same day you initially subscribed
• You will be charged $20.00 USD per month until you cancel
• Your payment method on file will be automatically charged on each renewal date
• You will receive an email receipt after each successful payment

5.2 Cancellation

You may cancel your Pro subscription at any time by:

• Visiting your subscription page at podalpha.tech/subscription
• Clicking "Manage Billing" to access the Stripe Customer Portal
• Following the cancellation instructions in the portal
• Contacting us at jeff@podalpha.tech

Important: If you cancel, you will retain Pro access until the end of your current billing period. You will not be charged again, and your subscription will not renew.

5.3 Acknowledgment

By subscribing to Pro, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood these automatic renewal terms
• You consent to automatic monthly charges until you cancel
• You can cancel at any time before the next renewal date
• You will receive access to the cancellation mechanism through your account

6. Refund Policy

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you are not satisfied with PodAlpha Pro, you may request a full refund within 14 days of your initial subscription or renewal payment.

To request a refund:

• Email jeff@podalpha.tech with your account email and reason for refund
• Refunds are processed within 5-10 business days
• After 14 days, all payments are final and non-refundable
• Refunds are issued to the original payment method

We reserve the right to refuse refunds if we detect abuse of this policy (e.g., repeated subscription and refund cycles).

7. User Conduct and Acceptable Use

You agree NOT to:

• Use the Service for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• Violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including copyright laws)
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' accounts
• Transmit any viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Service without permission
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Collect or harvest any information from other users
• Share, resell, or redistribute our content summaries without authorization
• Create multiple accounts to abuse free trials or promotional offers

Violation of these terms may result in immediate termination of your account and legal action.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Our Content

All content on PodAlpha, including but not limited to:

• AI-generated summaries and insights
• Website design, layout, and user interface
• Text, graphics, logos, and trademarks
• Software code and functionality

...is owned by PodAlpha or our licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

8.2 Your License to Use

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• Access and use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use
• View and read content summaries provided to you
• Download content for offline reading (for Pro subscribers)

You may NOT reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works, publicly display, or commercially exploit our content without our express written permission.

8.3 Third-Party Content

PodAlpha summarizes content from YouTube videos. Original video content is owned by the respective creators and YouTube channels. We do not claim ownership of the underlying video content. Our summaries constitute transformative fair use under U.S. copyright law.

9. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

9.1 No Warranty

9.2 AI-Generated Content Disclaimer

Our summaries are generated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. While we strive for accuracy:

• AI-generated summaries may contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies
• Summaries are not a substitute for watching the original content
• Content should not be relied upon for investment, financial, legal, or medical advice
• Always verify important information from primary sources

9.3 Not Professional Advice

PodAlpha content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does NOT constitute:

• Investment, financial, or trading advice
• Legal or tax advice
• Medical or health advice
• Professional consultation of any kind

Always consult with qualified professionals before making important decisions.

9.4 Limitation of Liability

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties or limitation of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless PodAlpha and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in any way connected with:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations

11. Termination

11.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Visiting your account settings and deleting your account
• Contacting us at jeff@podalpha.tech

If you have an active Pro subscription, canceling your subscription does NOT automatically delete your account. To delete all your data, you must also delete your account.

11.2 Termination by Us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the Service, without notice, for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Extended periods of inactivity
• Requests by law enforcement or government agencies
• Technical or security issues

11.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to access and use the Service will immediately cease
• Your personal data will be deleted in accordance with our Privacy Policy
• Active subscriptions will be canceled (no refund unless within 14-day window)
• Sections 8 (IP), 9 (Disclaimers), 10 (Indemnification), 14 (Arbitration), and 15 (Governing Law) will survive termination

12. Third-Party Services and Links

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources, including:

• YouTube video links
• Stripe payment processing
• Google OAuth authentication

These third-party services are not under our control. We are not responsible for:

• The content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party services
• Any damage or loss caused by use of third-party services
• The availability or accuracy of third-party content

Your interactions with third-party services are governed solely by their terms and policies.

13. Changes to the Service and Terms

13.1 Service Changes

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service (or any part thereof) at any time, with or without notice. We will not be liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Service.

13.2 Terms Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• We will notify you via email (to the email associated with your account)
• We may display a prominent notice on our website

Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the new Terms, you must stop using the Service and may cancel your account.

14. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

14.1 Informal Dispute Resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to try to resolve the dispute informally by contacting us at jeff@podalpha.tech. We will attempt to resolve the dispute informally within 60 days.

14.2 Binding Arbitration

If we cannot resolve the dispute informally, you and PodAlpha agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service will be resolved through binding arbitration, rather than in court, except that:

• Either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in court for intellectual property infringement
• Either party may bring a claim in small claims court if it qualifies

The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be held in California or another mutually agreed location.

14.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND PODALPHA AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.

Unless both you and PodAlpha agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of class or representative proceeding.

14.4 Opt-Out

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to jeff@podalpha.tech within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include your name, email address, and a clear statement that you want to opt out of this arbitration agreement.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or related to them or the Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

If the arbitration agreement in Section 14 is found to be unenforceable, or if you properly opt out of arbitration, you agree that any legal action must be brought in the state or federal courts located in California, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.

16. Miscellaneous

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and PodAlpha regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

16.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

16.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

16.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under them without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

16.5 Force Majeure

We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, network infrastructure failures, strikes, or shortages of transportation facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.

16.6 Electronic Communications

By using the Service, you consent to receive electronic communications from us. These communications may include notices about your account, transactional information, and marketing messages (which you can opt out of).

17. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us: