Terms of Use

These Terms of Use explain how the Newsie Agreements application (the "Service") may be accessed and used by administrators, TyCoons, Operators, and other authorized users (collectively, "Members"). By using the Service, you agree to these Terms.

1. Purpose of the Service

The Service provides a secure portal for managing Newsie agreements and related documentation, including:

• Creating, editing, and approving TyCoon and Operator agreements and exhibits.
• Managing member profiles, territories, and territory referrals.
• Capturing and storing electronic signatures and generating PDF copies of agreements and exhibits.
• Sending system notifications and updates via email to Members and roles using integrated email tools.

2. Roles and Access

Access to features is based on your assigned role in the unified users table:

• Admins have full access to create and manage agreements, exhibits, territories, user accounts, and system configuration.
• TyCoons access their member dashboard, view and execute their agreements and exhibits, and manage their own profile information.
• Operators access their member dashboard, view and execute operator agreements and exhibits, and manage their own profile information.

Non-admin Members cannot edit agreement templates or the content of other users. Certain administrative views allow admins to open user dashboards or profiles to manage accounts in accordance with these Terms and applicable agreements.

3. Member Accounts and Security

Access to the Service requires a valid account and secure authentication:

• Login is performed via the landing page Member Login modal using your email and password.
• When enabled, two-factor authentication (2FA) requires a valid 6-digit TOTP code in addition to your password.
• Authentication uses secure, HttpOnly cookies with a limited lifetime and role information for access control.

You are responsible for safeguarding your credentials and any devices used to access the Service. You agree to:

• Keep your password confidential and not share your account with anyone else.
• Enable and maintain 2FA when required or recommended, and keep your authenticator device secure.
• Notify an administrator promptly if you suspect unauthorized access or a compromise of your account.

4. Use of the System

You agree to use the Service only for authorized business purposes related to Newsie agreements and related operations. In particular, you agree that you will:

• Provide accurate and complete information in your profile and agreement-related forms.
• Use the agreement editor, dashboards, and territory tools only within the scope of your role.
• Follow all instructions and policies communicated by administrators for handling agreements and territory data.

You agree that you will not:

• Attempt to bypass or disable authentication, authorization, or security controls.
• Access, modify, or export agreements, territories, or user information you are not authorized to view.
• Upload or transmit malicious code, attempt to probe or disrupt the Service, or misuse automated tools to access it.
• Use the Service in any way that violates applicable law or any underlying contractual obligations.

5. Agreements, Exhibits, and Signatures

The Service manages TyCoon and Operator agreements, including Exhibits A, B, and C, and any related operator exhibits. Key behaviors include:

• Per-user agreements and execution snapshots are stored in the agreements table along with status, content, and timestamps.
• Exhibits may be generated based on assigned territories and referrals or managed as editable HTML content.
• When an agreement is executed, it becomes read-only in the system and is saved as a PDF with associated metadata.
• Member signatures are stored electronically, including time, IP address, and user agent information at the time of execution.

By executing an agreement within the Service, you acknowledge that:

• You have reviewed the agreement content, including exhibits, before signing.
• Your electronic signature and the captured execution metadata may be used as evidence of agreement.
• Executed agreements and exhibits may be retained and referenced for compliance, audit, and record-keeping purposes.

6. Territories, Referrals, and Related Data

The Service manages territories, territory assignments, and referrals across multiple pages and tools. Territory and referral information may be used to:

• Associate TyCoons and Operators with specific ZIP/postal codes and geographic regions.
• Generate Exhibit A and related documents that describe territory assignments.
• Track and manage referral relationships and associated agreements.

You agree to use territory and referral information only for authorized business purposes and not to disclose or repurpose this information outside of permitted use.

7. Communications and Email

The Service may send email communications using integrated email tooling (for example, via SendGrid) to:

• Notify admins and Members of important system or agreement updates.
• Deliver reset links, security notifications, and operational messages.
• Contact specific roles or groups of users as configured by administrators.

By using the Service, you agree that such operational and security-related communications may be sent to the email address associated with your account. You remain responsible for maintaining a valid email address and reviewing important notices in a timely manner.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

The Service is designed with security features including role-based access, security headers, CSRF protections, and optional 2FA. Additional details, including how personal information is collected, used, and protected, will be described in a separate Privacy Policy.

Until that policy is published, you agree that:

• The Service may store and process your profile information, login history, signatures, and agreement-related data.
• Such information may be used for authentication, authorization, audit, record-keeping, and compliance.
• Access to this data is restricted to authorized roles and administrators for legitimate business purposes.

9. System Availability and Changes

While reasonable efforts are made to keep the Service available and up-to-date, no guarantee is given that it will be error-free or continuously available. Features, workflows, and technical details may be updated from time to time, including security enhancements and new agreement-related capabilities.

These Terms of Use may also be updated periodically. Continued use of the Service after an update constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

10. Prohibited and Unauthorized Use

Any attempt to misuse the Service, interfere with its operation, or gain unauthorized access to data or functionality is strictly prohibited and may result in suspension of access, termination of your account, and other remedies available under law or contract.

11. No Legal Advice

The Service facilitates the creation, management, and execution of agreements, but does not itself provide legal advice. You are responsible for obtaining independent legal review of any agreement content as appropriate. Use of the Service does not create an attorney-client relationship.

12. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms or how the Service operates, please contact the system administrator.