Star Data and AI Advisory LLC — Terms of Service

1) General Terms and Acceptance

This website and all associated services, applications, tools, and digital platforms (collectively, the "Site") are owned and operated by Star Data and AI Advisory LLC, an Illinois S-corporation ("Star Data," "Company," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing, browsing, or using the Site in any manner, you ("you," "your," or "user") acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The Site operates in the ordinary course of our business activities, which include publishing research and educational content, marketing our professional services, delivering paid digital products such as courses and training materials, providing consultations and advisory services, and facilitating business relationships within the data science and artificial intelligence community.

We reserve the right to modify, update, or revise these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. When we make changes, we will post a new version with an updated effective date at the top of this page. Changes become effective immediately upon posting unless otherwise specified. If a material change affects paid features, subscription services, or user accounts, we will take commercially reasonable steps to provide advance notice to affected users through email notification or prominent notice on the Site. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

All commercial transactions, purchases, and contractual relationships established through the Site are with Star Data and AI Advisory LLC as the sole seller and contracting party. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Star Data regarding your use of the Site and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written.

2) Intellectual Property and Content Rights

All content available on the Site, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, photographs, audio recordings, video content, software code, website design elements, logos, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and other intellectual property (collectively, "Content"), is owned by Star Data, our affiliates, or our licensors and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to access and view the Site for your personal, non-commercial use only. You may print or download individual pages for your personal reference, provided you maintain all copyright and proprietary notices intact. You may not copy, modify, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute, sell, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or otherwise exploit any Content without our express written permission.

When you submit, post, upload, or transmit any content to the Site, including comments, feedback, suggestions, reviews, testimonials, or other materials ("User Content"), you represent and warrant that: (i) you own all rights to such User Content or have obtained all necessary permissions from rights holders; (ii) such User Content does not infringe upon any third-party rights; and (iii) you are at least 13 years of age. By submitting User Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, and sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, display, and otherwise exploit such User Content in connection with operating, promoting, and improving the Site and our business.

We reserve the right, but assume no obligation, to monitor, review, edit, or remove any User Content that violates these Terms, applicable law, or our community standards. We may also remove content that we determine, in our sole discretion, is inappropriate, offensive, or potentially harmful to our users or business interests.

3) User Accounts and Registration

Certain features of the Site may require you to create a user account. When registering for an account, you must provide accurate, current, and complete information as prompted by our registration forms. You are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of your account information and must promptly update any changes to your contact details, payment information, or other account data.

You are solely responsible for safeguarding your account credentials, including your username and password, and for all activities that occur under your account, whether authorized by you or not. You agree to immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security. We recommend using a strong, unique password and enabling two-factor authentication when available.

We reserve the right to suspend, deactivate, or terminate your account at any time if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms, engaged in fraudulent activity, or posed a risk to other users or our business. You may delete your account at any time by following the instructions provided in your account settings or by contacting our support team.

4) Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You are prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities:

Violating any applicable federal, state, local, or international laws or regulations; infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others; uploading, transmitting, or distributing malware, viruses, or other harmful computer code; attempting to gain unauthorized access to our systems, servers, or networks through hacking, password mining, or other illicit means; engaging in any form of automated data collection, scraping, or harvesting beyond normal website browsing; misrepresenting your identity or affiliation with any person or organization; posting or transmitting unlawful, defamatory, libelous, obscene, threatening, or otherwise objectionable content; harassing, intimidating, or threatening other users; engaging in any activity that disrupts or interferes with the Site's functionality or other users' experience; or using the Site for any commercial purposes without our express written consent.

We reserve the right to investigate any suspected violations of this Acceptable Use Policy and to take appropriate action, including removing content, suspending or terminating accounts, and cooperating with law enforcement authorities when necessary.

5) Online Commerce and Payment Terms

Our Site may offer various digital products, services, courses, consultations, and other paid offerings. All payments are processed through secure third-party payment processors, and we do not store complete credit card numbers on our servers. Prices for our products and services are displayed in U.S. dollars and may be changed at any time prior to purchase without notice. All applicable taxes, including sales tax, VAT, and other governmental charges, are your responsibility unless explicitly stated otherwise at the time of purchase.

When you make a purchase, you represent that you have the legal authority to use the payment method provided and that all information you submit is true and accurate. You authorize us to charge the provided payment method for the total amount of your purchase, including any applicable taxes and fees.

Due to the digital nature of our products and services, all sales are final. We do not offer refunds for digital products, online courses, consultation sessions, or access-based services except where required by applicable law.

Third-party marketplaces, embedded payment systems, external links to other merchants, and integrated services are governed by their respective terms of service and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the practices, policies, or performance of such third parties.

6) Disclaimer of Professional Advice

The information, content, and materials provided on the Site are for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice of any kind. Nothing on the Site constitutes legal, financial, tax, investment, medical, accounting, consulting, or other professional advice, and no attorney-client, advisor-client, or similar professional relationship is created by your use of the Site.

We make no representations, warranties, or guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information provided, nor do we promise any specific results, outcomes, or performance from the use of our content or services. Individual results may vary significantly based on numerous factors including but not limited to personal circumstances, market conditions, effort applied, and external variables beyond our control.

Before making any significant business, financial, legal, or personal decisions, you should consult with qualified professionals who can provide advice tailored to your specific situation and needs. We strongly encourage you to seek independent professional guidance appropriate to your circumstances.

7) Third-Party Links and Integrations

The Site may contain links to external websites, third-party services, embedded content, or integrated applications that are not owned or controlled by Star Data. These links and integrations are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or approval of the linked sites, their content, or their operators.

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, terms of service, or practices of any third-party websites or services. You acknowledge and agree that we shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with your use of any such third-party content, goods, or services.

We strongly encourage you to read the terms of service and privacy policies of any third-party websites or services that you visit or use through links from our Site.

8) Warranties and Disclaimers

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Site and all content, products, and services provided through the Site are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We expressly disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, and any warranties arising from course of dealing or usage of trade.

We do not warrant that the Site will operate uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that the Site or its servers are free from viruses or other harmful components. We make no warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of any content, and we do not guarantee that the Site will meet your requirements or expectations.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you. In such cases, warranties are limited to the shortest duration permitted by applicable law.

9) Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Star Data, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, or licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to damages for lost profits, lost revenues, lost data, loss of goodwill, business interruption, or any other commercial damages or losses, arising out of or related to your use of the Site, whether based on contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or any other legal theory, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Site shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the total amount you have paid to us in the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to liability; or (b) one hundred dollars ($100).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.

10) Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Star Data and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, settlements, judgments, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising from or relating to: (a) your use or misuse of the Site; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any rights of another party, including any intellectual property rights; (d) your violation of any applicable laws or regulations; or (e) any User Content you submit, post, or transmit through the Site.

This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these Terms and your use of the Site. We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claim.

11) User Eligibility and Age Requirements

The Site is intended for use by individuals who are at least 13 years of age. If you are between 13 and 18 years old, you may only use the Site with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian. By using the Site, you represent and warrant that you meet these age requirements and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

The Site is not intended for or directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

You also represent that your use of the Site will not violate any applicable law or regulation in your jurisdiction and that you have the authority to agree to these Terms on behalf of yourself and any entity you represent.

12) Account Suspension and Termination

We may, at our sole discretion and without prior notice, suspend, restrict, or terminate your access to the Site or your user account if we reasonably believe that you have violated these Terms, engaged in fraudulent or illegal activity, misused the Site, or posed a risk to other users, our business, or third parties. We may also terminate inactive accounts after a reasonable period of inactivity.

Upon termination, your right to use the Site will cease immediately. However, provisions relating to intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, governing law, and dispute resolution (Sections 2, 5-11, and 13-16) will survive termination and continue to bind both parties.

You may terminate your account at any time by discontinuing use of the Site and following any account deletion procedures we provide. Termination does not relieve you of any obligations incurred prior to termination or any liability for breach of these Terms.

13) Assignment and Transfer

We may assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms and our rights and obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, at any time without notice to you, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, sale of assets, or other business transaction. Any assignment will be to an entity that agrees to honor these Terms.

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms or any of your rights or obligations hereunder without our prior written consent. Any attempted assignment without such consent will be null and void. These Terms are binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

14) Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to these Terms.

You agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Site shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objection to venue in such courts.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its original intent.

15) Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Notice

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect our users to do the same. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 ("DMCA"), we will respond promptly to claims of copyright infringement involving content on the Site.

If you believe that your copyrighted work has been copied and is accessible on the Site in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide our designated DMCA agent with a written notice that includes all information required by 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3), including: identification of the copyrighted work; identification of the allegedly infringing material; your contact information; a statement of good faith belief that the use is not authorized; a statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury; and your physical or electronic signature.

Important: Filing a false DMCA notice constitutes perjury under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1621) and may result in civil and criminal penalties. Only submit a DMCA notice if you have a good faith belief that your copyright is being infringed.

Send DMCA notices and counter-notices to the email address at the end of these terms. All notices must comply with statutory requirements under the DMCA.

16) Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or notices regarding these Terms of Service, you may contact us at:

Star Data and AI Advisory LLC

Email: terms@markkhoury.me