Terms of Use

Effective Date: January 15, 2025

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Agreement to Terms

Welcome to NearbyReads ("we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the NearbyReads platform, website, and services located at nearbyreads.com (collectively, the "Service").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these Terms, you may not access the Service.

Description of Service

NearbyReads is a peer-to-peer book marketplace that connects book lovers in local communities. Our Service allows users to:

  • List books available for sale
  • Discover and purchase books from nearby users
  • Communicate with other community members
  • Build personal reading libraries and wish lists

User Accounts and Registration

Account Creation

  • You must be at least 13 years old to use our Service
  • You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
  • You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

Account Responsibilities

  • You are solely responsible for all activity that occurs under your account
  • You may not share your account credentials with others
  • You must keep your contact information current and accurate
  • You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings

User Conduct and Content

Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service ONLY for lawful book buying and selling purposes and in accordance with these Terms. NearbyReads has ZERO TOLERANCE for illegal activities or misuse of our platform.

STRICTLY PROHIBITED - IMMEDIATE ACCOUNT TERMINATION:

  • Any illegal activity whatsoever - including but not limited to criminal conduct, fraud, theft, or conspiracy
  • Exploitation or endangerment of minors - including child pornography, grooming, or inappropriate contact with minors
  • Sexual services or solicitation - including prostitution, escort services, or any sexual content/services
  • Drug-related activities - including sale, distribution, or facilitation of illegal substances
  • Weapons or dangerous items - including firearms, explosives, or other prohibited weapons
  • Human trafficking or exploitation - of any kind
  • Money laundering or financial crimes - including fraudulent transactions or schemes
  • Using books as cover for illegal transactions - attempting to disguise illegal activities as book sales

GENERAL PROHIBITED CONDUCT:

  • Violate any applicable laws or regulations
  • Infringe upon the rights of others
  • Post false, misleading, or deceptive information about books or your identity
  • Engage in harassment, bullying, threatening behavior, or hate speech
  • Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful content
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
  • Use automated tools to access or interact with the Service
  • Create multiple accounts to circumvent platform restrictions
  • Use the platform for any commercial purpose other than legitimate book sales
  • Post content that promotes violence, illegal activities, or harmful behavior

Book Listings and Content

When listing books or posting content, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate descriptions of books and their condition
  • Only list books you legally own or have explicit permission to sell
  • Respect copyright laws and intellectual property rights
  • Ensure content is appropriate and not offensive
  • NOT list prohibited items: damaged books beyond use, stolen books, counterfeit materials, or items used to facilitate illegal activities
  • ONLY use the platform for legitimate book sales - any attempt to use book listings as a front for illegal activities will result in immediate termination and law enforcement reporting

Prohibited Activities and Content

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY: NearbyReads strictly prohibits ALL illegal activities and has a zero-tolerance policy for misuse of our book marketplace platform.

Illegal Activities - Immediate Termination and Law Enforcement Reporting

The following activities will result in IMMEDIATE account termination, forfeiture of all platform privileges, and potential reporting to law enforcement:

Criminal Activities:

  • Any felony or misdemeanor criminal conduct
  • Fraud, theft, embezzlement, or financial crimes
  • Identity theft or impersonation for illegal purposes
  • Money laundering or structuring financial transactions
  • Drug manufacturing, distribution, or sales of any kind
  • Weapons trafficking or illegal weapons sales

Exploitation and Abuse:

  • Child exploitation of any kind - including grooming, inappropriate contact, or child pornography
  • Human trafficking or forced labor
  • Sexual exploitation or prostitution
  • Non-consensual intimate imagery or revenge porn
  • Stalking, harassment, or threatening behavior

Platform Misuse:

  • Using book listings to disguise illegal transactions - including drugs, weapons, stolen goods, or any illegal items
  • Creating fake book listings to facilitate meetups for illegal purposes
  • Using our messaging system to coordinate illegal activities
  • Attempting to sell anything other than books through our platform
  • Using the platform to launder money or engage in financial fraud

Violation Penalties and Enforcement

Immediate Consequences:

  • Account termination - permanent ban from all NearbyReads services
  • Data preservation - we preserve all account data and communications for law enforcement
  • Law enforcement reporting - we report suspected illegal activities to appropriate authorities
  • Civil liability - violators may face legal action and monetary damages

Monetary Penalties for Platform Misuse:

In addition to account termination, users who violate these terms agree to pay liquidated damages:

  • $1,000 per violation - for posting prohibited content or using the platform for illegal purposes
  • $5,000 per violation - for child exploitation, human trafficking, or sexual crimes
  • $10,000 per violation - for using book listings to facilitate drug or weapons transactions
  • $500 per violation - for creating fake accounts or circumventing platform restrictions
  • Full legal costs - violators are liable for all legal fees and enforcement costs

Cooperation with Law Enforcement

NearbyReads fully cooperates with law enforcement agencies and legal authorities. We will:

  • Preserve and provide user data when legally required or when we suspect illegal activity
  • Report suspected crimes including but not limited to child exploitation, human trafficking, drug crimes, and fraud
  • Testify in legal proceedings when subpoenaed or requested by authorities
  • Maintain detailed logs of user activities for potential evidence
  • Comply with all legal requests for information from authorized agencies

No expectation of privacy for illegal activities: Users engaging in illegal activities have no expectation of privacy on our platform.

Book Buying and Selling

Selling Guidelines

As a book seller, you agree to:

  • Accurately represent the condition of your books
  • Respond to purchase inquiries in a timely manner
  • Make books available as promised
  • Communicate clearly about pickup/payment arrangements
  • Handle transactions professionally and courteously

Buying Guidelines

As a book buyer, you agree to:

  • Communicate clearly about your interest and availability
  • Show up on time for agreed meetings
  • Inspect books carefully before purchasing
  • Pay promptly once satisfied with the purchase
  • Handle books with reasonable care during inspection

Platform Role

  • NearbyReads facilitates connections between users but is not a party to sales transactions
  • We do not guarantee the availability, condition, or quality of books
  • Sales arrangements are made directly between users
  • We are not responsible for disputes between users regarding book conditions or payments

Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using our Service, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

Disclaimers and Limitations

Platform Role and User Responsibility

IMPORTANT: NearbyReads is a platform that facilitates connections between users. We are NOT involved in actual book sales transactions, which occur directly between users. By using our Service, you acknowledge and agree that:

  • Independent Transactions: All book buying, selling, and exchange arrangements are made directly between users
  • No Platform Liability: NearbyReads and its owners, employees, affiliates, and agents are not liable for any issues, disputes, damages, injuries, or losses arising from user-to-user interactions
  • User Responsibility: You interact with other users entirely at your own risk and discretion
  • No Screening: We do not conduct background checks, verify user identities, or screen users beyond basic account verification

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

  • We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • Our total liability is limited to $100, regardless of the nature of the claim
  • We are not responsible for user disputes, lost or damaged books, or failed transactions
  • Users participate in the platform at their own risk

Termination

Our Right to Terminate

We may terminate or suspend your access immediately, without prior notice, for:

  • Any violation of prohibited activities - especially illegal conduct
  • Suspected criminal activity - including patterns suggesting illegal use
  • Violation of these Terms
  • Fraudulent or deceptive behavior
  • Harmful behavior toward other users
  • Platform misuse - using NearbyReads for anything other than legitimate book sales

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us:

Email: legal@nearbyreads.com
Support: support@nearbyreads.com
Address: [Your Business Address]

These Terms of Use are effective as of January 15, 2025 and were last updated on January 15, 2025.