Last Updated: May 23, 2025

Welcome to the Ancestors of Aussa website (the "Site"), located at https://ancestorsofaussa.squarespace.com, operated by Aussa Research Institute ("we," "us," "our," or "Company"). By accessing or using the Site, including browsing, creating an account, making a purchase, or submitting information, you ("you" or "User") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the Site.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing the Site, completing a purchase, submitting information, or clicking “Accept” or “Agree” where prompted, you signify your unconditional acceptance of these Terms, which form a binding agreement between you and the Company. These Terms incorporate our Privacy Policy (#) (the “Privacy Policy”) by reference. We may update these Terms at our discretion by posting the revised version on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Site after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. User Eligibility

The Site is available only to individuals who are at least 18 years old or the age of majority in their jurisdiction, capable of forming binding agreements under applicable law. By using the Site, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements. If you are accessing the Site on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

3. Site Access and Limited License

We grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable, limited license to access, use, and display the Site and its content (including text, images, designs, data, and other materials, collectively “Content”) for personal, non-commercial purposes, subject to these Terms. You may not:

Copy, reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, publish, sell, distribute, or exploit the Site or its Content without our prior written consent.
Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any software or processes accessible through the Site.
Use the Site or its Content for any commercial purpose without our express permission.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Site, in whole or in part, at our sole discretion, with or without notice, if we believe your conduct violates these Terms or may harm the Company, its affiliates, or other users.

4. Prohibited Uses

You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. Specifically, you agree not to:

Use the Site in violation of any federal, state, local, or international law or regulation.
Submit, publish, or transmit content that is libelous, obscene, invasive of privacy, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful.
Use any device, software, or routine to interfere with the Site’s functionality, including introducing viruses, trojan horses, or other malicious code.
Use robots, spiders, or other automated means to access or collect data from the Site without our written consent.
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to, hack, or disrupt the Site, its servers, or connected systems.

We reserve the right to take any action we deem appropriate, including legal action, in response to violations of these Terms.

5. Product and Service Information

The Site may offer products (e.g., merchandise, memberships) or services (e.g., research access, donations). All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and are valid in the United States. Applicable sales tax will be charged as required. We reserve the right to:

Discontinue or change product/service specifications or prices without notice.
Limit order quantities or cancel orders at our discretion.
Ensure product availability, as items are available while supplies last.

While we strive to ensure accurate product descriptions, images, and Content, we do not guarantee that colors, textures, or other details displayed on the Site will be 100% accurate due to variations in monitors or devices. We are not responsible for typographical errors or inaccuracies in Content.

6. Return and Exchange Policy

No Returns Accepted. Exchanges for items purchased directly from https://ancestorsofaussa.squarespace.com are accepted within 5 business days of package receipt, subject to the following conditions:

Exchange requests must be emailed to AEGISSUMMITHOLDINGS@GMAIL.COM.
Upon approval, we will provide an Exchange Authorization Number (EA#) and Return Form, which must be included in the return parcel, with the EA# marked on the outside.
Items must be unused, unaltered, in clean condition, and include original packaging and tags. Soiled or damaged items (e.g., scuffed shoes) will not be accepted.
Customers are responsible for return shipping costs.
Store credit will be issued within 3-5 business days of receiving the returned goods.
We are not liable for lost or stolen return packages.
Items purchased from third-party vendors are not eligible for exchange.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

The Site and all Content, including but not limited to text, images, designs, software, code, logos, trademarks, and the Site’s “look and feel,” are protected by U.S. and international copyright, trademark, trade dress, and other intellectual property laws. All Content is owned by the Company or its licensors. You may not use any Content, including trademarks or service marks designated by ® or ™, without our prior written consent. No intellectual property rights are transferred to you through your use of the Site.

8. User-Generated Content

If permitted to post content (e.g., reviews, comments), you agree to:

Post only accurate, lawful, non-offensive content that does not infringe on third-party rights.
Avoid posting commercial solicitations, chain letters, or mass mailings.
Not impersonate any person or entity or use a false email address.

We do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of user-generated content and reserve the right to monitor, edit, or remove such content at our discretion, without notice. We are not responsible for the content or effects of third-party posts.

9. Content Monitoring and Disclosure

While we have no obligation to monitor user-submitted information, we reserve the right to review, retain, modify, or remove such content. We may disclose user information:

As part of routine Site maintenance.
To comply with legal requirements.
To respond to claims of rights violations.
To protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, its users, or the public.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your use of the Site, violation of these Terms, or infringement of the Company’s or any third party’s intellectual property rights.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and its Content are provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not guarantee that the Site will be secure, accurate, reliable, error-free, uninterrupted, or free of viruses or harmful components. Your use of the Site is at your own risk.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so some of these disclaimers may not apply to you.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Site or its Content. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the Site is to stop using it.

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on certain damages, so some of these limitations may not apply to you.

13. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites or resources. These links are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement by the Company. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third-party sites. Accessing such sites is at your own risk, and you should review their terms and privacy policies.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Site shall be resolved exclusively in the federal or state courts located in the District of Columbia. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objections based on venue or forum non-conveniens. Any claim must be brought within one (1) year after it accrues, or it will be permanently barred. For intellectual property violations, we may seek injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction.

15. International Users

The Site is hosted and operated in the United States under U.S. and District of Columbia laws. We make no representation that the Site or its Content is appropriate or available for use outside the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for complying with applicable local laws. You agree that U.S. and District of Columbia laws exclusively govern these Terms, and the laws of other jurisdictions do not apply.

16. Severability and Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any provision shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of that or any other provision.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the Site, superseding any prior agreements.

18. Contact Information

For questions or comments about these Terms, the Privacy Policy, or the Site, please contact us at:
Email: AEGISSUMMITHOLDINGS@GMAIL.COM

Notes:

This ToS is tailored to the Aussa Research Institute, assuming a focus on genealogy or cultural research, with potential e-commerce elements (e.g., merchandise or memberships). If the Site has specific features (e.g., subscription-based research tools, forums), further customization may be needed.
The return policy is included as provided, with minor clarifications for consistency.
The governing law and jurisdiction remain the District of Columbia, as specified in the original Terms.
The Privacy Policy is referenced but not included, as it was not provided. Ensure a separate Privacy Policy is available on the Site and linked here.
Legal review is strongly recommended to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including consumer protection, e-commerce, and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR for international users, if applicable).