Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Raqball USA Federation ("we," "us," "our"). By accessing or using our website at https://raqballusa.com (the "Site") and our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Raqball USA Federation. By creating an account, purchasing certifications, or using any of our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

2. Services Offered

Raqball USA Federation provides the following services:

• Free Certification Programs: Rules Fundamentals (R101), Advanced Rules (R102)
• Paid Certification Programs: Referee certifications (R103-R105), Coaching certifications (C101-C103), Facility Operator certification (F101), Tournament Director certification (T101)
• Digital Certificates: Downloadable PDF certificates with QR code verification
• Physical Certificates: Premium sealed certificates with branded merchandise ($24.99)
• Educational Content: Online courses, training materials, and exam preparation
• Verification Services: Public certificate verification system
• Community Programs: Events, tournaments, and networking opportunities

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Registration

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

• Required: Email address and full name
• Optional: Phone number, city, organization, profile photo, biographical information

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

• Use a strong password (minimum 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, and numbers)
• Not share your account credentials with others
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach
• Log out of your account at the end of each session

3.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms or engage in fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activities.

4. Certification Programs

4.1 Free Programs

Rules Fundamentals (R101) and Advanced Rules (R102) are offered free of charge as prerequisites and educational resources. These certifications demonstrate understanding of Raqball rules but do not constitute professional licenses.

4.2 Paid Programs

Professional certifications (R103-R105, C101-C103, F101, T101) are paid programs that require:

• Completion of prerequisite courses (R101 required for all; R102 for referee and tournament director programs)
• Passing score on written examination (typically 80% or higher)
• Payment of certification fee (pricing available on certification pages)
• For some programs: Practical assessment approval

4.3 Certificate Validity

Most certifications are valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. Rules Fundamentals (R101) certifications do not expire. Renewal requirements and fees may apply for expired certifications.

4.4 Certification Standards

By obtaining a certification, you agree to:

• Uphold professional and ethical standards in your role
• Stay current with Raqball rules and regulations
• Accurately represent your certification level and credentials
• Not misuse or fraudulently claim certifications you have not earned

4.5 Revocation

We reserve the right to revoke certifications for violations of conduct standards, fraud, or misrepresentation. Revoked certifications cannot be used or displayed, and refunds will not be provided for revoked certifications.

5. Physical Products

5.1 Premium Physical Certificates

We offer premium physical certificate packages for $24.99, which include:

• Official sealed certificate on premium archival paper
• Embossed gold seal for authenticity
• Professional protective sleeve
• Exclusive Raqball USA branded merchandise (pen, mouse pad, ribbon, notebook, sticker pack)
• Premium gift packaging
• Shipping and handling within the United States and Canada

5.2 Shipping

Physical certificates are shipped to addresses within the United States and Canada only. Expected delivery time is 7-10 business days after order processing. Tracking information will be provided via email once the order ships.

5.3 Personalization

Physical certificates are personalized with your name and certification details. Due to the personalized nature of these products, please ensure all information is accurate before placing your order.

6. Payment Terms

6.1 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a third-party payment processor. We do not store your credit card information on our servers. By making a purchase, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

6.2 Pricing

All prices are listed in United States Dollars (USD) and include applicable taxes where required. Prices are subject to change without notice, but changes will not affect orders already placed.

6.3 Payment Authorization

By providing payment information, you authorize us to charge your payment method for the total amount of your order, including any applicable taxes and fees.

6.4 Failed Payments

If a payment fails or is declined, we will notify you via email. Your access to paid services will be suspended until payment is successfully processed.

7. Refunds and Cancellations

7.1 Digital Certifications

Due to the immediate delivery of digital products (exam access, certificates), refunds are generally not provided once you have:

• Started an examination
• Received a passing score and certificate
• Downloaded your certificate

Exception: If you experience technical issues that prevent you from accessing or completing an exam, contact us at support@raqballusa.com within 7 days for assistance or a refund.

7.2 Physical Certificate Orders

7.3 Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed within 5-7 business days to your original payment method. Depending on your bank or card issuer, it may take an additional 3-5 business days for the refund to appear in your account.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Content

All content on this Site, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, course materials, certificates, software, and designs, is the property of Raqball USA Federation or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

8.2 Trademarks

"Raqball USA Federation," "Raqball USA," and associated logos are trademarks of Raqball USA Federation. You may not use these trademarks without our prior written permission.

8.3 License to Use

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

• Access and use the Site for personal, non-commercial purposes
• Download and display your earned certificates
• Use course materials for personal study and reference

You may not:

• Reproduce, distribute, or publicly display course materials without permission
• Modify, reverse engineer, or create derivative works
• Use our content for commercial purposes
• Remove copyright or trademark notices

8.4 User Content

By submitting content to our Site (profile information, practical assessment videos, testimonials), you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, and distribute your content for purposes of operating and promoting our services.

9. User Conduct

You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on the rights of others
• Engage in fraudulent activities or misrepresent information
• Share exam questions or answers (cheating)
• Use automated systems or bots to access the Site
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Upload viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Use the Site for spam or unsolicited communications
• Impersonate others or create fake accounts

10. Disclaimers and Limitations

10.1 Service "As Is"

Our services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

10.2 No Employment Guarantee

Obtaining a certification does not guarantee employment or acceptance into any specific role, tournament, or organization. Certifications demonstrate competency but hiring decisions are made by individual employers and event organizers.

10.3 Technical Issues

We strive to maintain uninterrupted service but do not guarantee that the Site will be error-free, secure, or available at all times. We are not liable for service interruptions, data loss, or technical issues beyond our reasonable control.

10.4 Limitation of Liability

10.5 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Raqball USA Federation, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your violation of these Terms or your use of our services.

11. Termination

11.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at support@raqballusa.com. Termination does not entitle you to refunds for services already provided or certifications already earned.

11.2 Termination by Us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account immediately, without notice, for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activities
• Abusive behavior toward staff or other users
• Non-payment of fees
• Any conduct that harms our reputation or services

11.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the Site and services will be revoked
• Earned certifications remain valid unless revoked for cause
• You may still access previously downloaded certificates
• Provisions regarding intellectual property, disclaimers, and limitations survive termination

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of [Your State], United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

12.2 Informal Resolution

Before filing a formal claim, we encourage you to contact us at support@raqballusa.com to resolve disputes informally.

12.3 Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these Terms or our services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association's rules, rather than in court, except where prohibited by law. The arbitration will be conducted in [Your State].

12.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any arbitration or legal proceedings shall be conducted on an individual basis and not as a class action, class arbitration, or representative action.

13. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Site with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes constitute acceptance of the revised Terms.

For material changes that significantly affect your rights, we will provide prominent notice on the Site or via email.

14. Contact Information

By using Raqball USA Federation services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.