Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern access to and use of Shovl’s website, applications, and related services (collectively, the “Service”). By creating an account, clicking to accept, or using the Service, you agree to these Terms.

• If you use the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization, and “you” includes the organization.
• You must be at least the age of digital consent in your jurisdiction (typically 13+ in the U.S., often 16+ in the EEA for online services) or have verifiable parental consent. Do not use the Service if you are not eligible.
• If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.

Shovl provides a personal knowledge inbox: capture (notes, links, files, and media where supported), background enrichment, hybrid search, and library-scoped chat with citations. Features may vary by plan, region, or release stage.

• The Service is provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue features with reasonable notice where practicable.
• We may offer beta or preview features; they may be less reliable and can change or end without liability beyond what these Terms allow.
• You are responsible for obtaining any internet connection, devices, and third-party software needed to use the Service.

You must provide accurate registration information and keep it current. You are responsible for all activity under your account.

• Notify us promptly at ma10016@nyu.edu if you suspect unauthorized access.
• Shovl is designed as a single-user workspace today. You must not share credentials in a way that violates security or these Terms.

You retain ownership of content you submit (“User Content”). To operate the Service, you grant Shovl a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, process, adapt (e.g. create summaries and embeddings), display to you, and distribute to subprocessors solely to provide and improve the Service.

• You represent and warrant that you have all rights necessary to submit User Content and to grant the license above.
• You are responsible for the legality, accuracy, and appropriateness of User Content. Do not upload content you are not allowed to use or that infringes others’ rights.
• We may remove or restrict User Content that violates these Terms or applicable law, or that poses a security or abuse risk.

You agree not to misuse the Service. Without limitation, you must not:

• Violate any law or third-party rights (including intellectual property and privacy).
• Upload malware, attempt unauthorized access, probe or stress systems without permission, or interfere with the Service or other users.
• Scrape, data-mine, or automate access except via documented APIs we provide and permit.
• Use the Service to generate or distribute unlawful, fraudulent, hateful, harassing, or sexually exploitative material involving minors.
• Resell or sublicense the Service without our written agreement.

The Service uses artificial intelligence. Outputs may be incorrect, incomplete, biased, or unsuitable for your purpose.

• AI-generated text is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise) unless you independently verify it.
• Grounded chat is designed to rely on retrieved material from your library; it can still err or “hallucinate.” You remain responsible for decisions you make based on outputs.
• We do not guarantee specific accuracy, availability, or fitness for a particular use case.

Some features may be free; others may require a paid plan, usage limits, or add-on purchases as described on our pricing page at checkout time.

• Prices, taxes, and billing cycles are as shown at purchase. We may change pricing with reasonable advance notice; continued use after the effective date may constitute acceptance.
• Payments are processed by third-party payment processors. We do not store full payment card numbers on our servers.
• Unless required by law or stated otherwise at purchase, fees are non-refundable. Failed payments may result in suspension of paid features.
• You are responsible for any taxes associated with your purchase other than taxes on our income.

Shovl and its branding, software, documentation, and content we create (excluding your User Content) are owned by us or our licensors and protected by intellectual property laws.

• These Terms do not grant you ownership of the Service or our IP. You receive a limited, revocable, non-transferable license to use the Service during your subscription or access period.
• Feedback you provide may be used by us without obligation or compensation to you.

If you believe User Content infringes your copyright, send a notice to ma10016@nyu.edu with the information required by applicable law (e.g. identification of the work, the material on our Service, your contact details, a good-faith statement, and a statement under penalty of perjury where applicable). We may remove or disable access to alleged infringing material and terminate repeat infringers where appropriate.

You may stop using the Service and request account deletion where the product supports it. We may suspend or terminate access if you breach these Terms, create risk, or if we must comply with law.

• Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases. We may delete your data subject to our Privacy Policy and backup practices.
• Provisions that by their nature should survive (e.g. disclaimers, limitations, indemnity) will survive termination.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

• We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL ECHO OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE OR THESE TERMS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY.

• TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SERVICE OR THESE TERMS WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID US FOR THE SERVICE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (USD $100) IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID US.
• Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in those jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Shovl and its operators, affiliates, and personnel from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your User Content, your use of the Service, or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, excluding conflict-of-law rules. You and Shovl agree that the state and federal courts located in Delaware will have exclusive jurisdiction for disputes, subject to mandatory consumer protections in your country of residence where they cannot be waived.

• If you are a consumer in the EEA or UK, you may benefit from mandatory local law and venue rules that cannot be overridden.

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Shovl regarding the Service and supersede prior understandings on the subject. If a provision is unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. You may not assign these Terms without our consent; we may assign them in connection with a merger or sale.