Terms of Service

1. Introduction

Welcome to Shelf Checkout. These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a legal agreement between you and Dad Mode LLC, doing business as Shelf Checkout ("Dad Mode LLC," "we," "us," or "our"), a North Carolina limited liability company. These Terms govern your use of the Shelf Checkout mobile application (the "App"). By downloading, installing, or using the App, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, do not use the App.

These Terms incorporate our Privacy Policy by reference. Together, these documents form the complete agreement between you and Shelf Checkout regarding your use of the App.

2. What Shelf Checkout Does

Shelf Checkout helps parents make informed decisions about books for their families. We use artificial intelligence to analyze book content and provide age-appropriate recommendations.

Here's what you need to know about how it works:

AI-Generated Content Analysis

Our content analysis is generated by Claude, an artificial intelligence model created by Anthropic. This means:

• No human reviews each book: the AI reads and analyzes content automatically
• AI analysis is probabilistic, not deterministic: results reflect statistical patterns, not certainties, and may vary
• AI can make mistakes: it may miss content, mischaracterize themes, or produce inaccurate ratings for any given book
• Analysis is based on the AI's understanding: it may miss context, nuance, or cultural factors that you as a parent would recognize
• Results are informational guidance only: not a safety guarantee, not professional advice, and not a substitute for your own review of any book

Spoiler Warning

Content analysis may reveal plot points, story elements, and outcomes from the books being analyzed. Our analysis is designed to give parents the information they need to make decisions, which sometimes means revealing key story elements. If you want to avoid spoilers for yourself, please be aware of this before viewing detailed analysis.

3. Your Responsibility as a Parent

You are solely responsible for deciding what your children read.

Shelf Checkout is a tool to help you make informed decisions, but it is not a substitute for your own judgment and does not constitute a safety guarantee of any kind. Every family has different values, sensitivities, and maturity levels. What's appropriate for one child may not be appropriate for another, even at the same age.

By using this App, you acknowledge and agree that:

• You will review our analysis and make your own independent decisions about reading material for your children
• You understand that AI analysis is inherently limited, may contain errors or omissions, and cannot account for every factor relevant to your family
• You will not rely solely on the App as a content safety measure without exercising your own parental judgment
• You bear full responsibility for monitoring and approving your children's reading choices, regardless of any analysis provided by the App
• The App does not replace human judgment, professional guidance, or your own review of book content

4. Subscriptions and Payments

Shelf Checkout offers both free and paid subscription tiers. By subscribing to a paid plan, you agree to the following:

Billing and Auto-Renewal

• All payments are processed by Apple through the App Store. We do not collect, store, or have access to your credit card information, Apple ID, or billing details.
• Subscriptions auto-renew at the end of each billing period unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date.
• Pricing may change. We will provide notice of price changes in accordance with Apple's requirements. Any price increase will take effect at the start of your next billing period after the change, and you will have the opportunity to cancel before the new price takes effect.

Free Trials

If we offer a free trial, it will convert to a paid subscription at the end of the trial period unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends. Apple will charge the subscription price to your payment method on file at that time.

How to Cancel

You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple ID account settings (Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions). Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. We cannot process cancellations on your behalf because Apple manages all billing.

What Happens When a Subscription Ends

If your subscription expires or you cancel, your account will gracefully downgrade to the free tier. You will not lose any data. Your reader profiles, saved books, and reading lists remain on your device. You will retain access to free-tier features, but premium features will become unavailable until you resubscribe.

Refunds

Since Apple processes all payments, refund requests must be submitted to Apple. Visit reportaproblem.apple.com to request a refund. We do not have the ability to issue refunds directly.

5. Privacy and Data Storage

Your family's information stays on your device. We designed Shelf Checkout with privacy as a top priority:

• Reader profiles (children's names, ages, content preferences) are stored only on your device
• Personal reading lists never leave your device
• No accounts required: you do not need to provide an email or create a login

For details on what limited data we do collect, see our Privacy Policy.

6. Community Feedback

You can help improve Shelf Checkout by submitting feedback about book analysis accuracy. When you do:

What You're Agreeing To

• We can use your feedback to improve the AI analysis for everyone
• Feedback is anonymous unless you choose to provide your email
• Your feedback may be aggregated with others' feedback to train and refine our system
• You're reporting accurately: do not submit false or misleading feedback

What We Ask From You

• Be honest and constructive
• Focus on accuracy (not just whether you personally disagree with content)
• Do not spam the system with duplicate reports
• Do not use feedback to harass, bully, or promote inappropriate content

7. Acceptable Use

You agree to use Shelf Checkout responsibly:

You May:

• Use the App to scan and review books for your own family
• Submit honest feedback about content analysis
• Share your experience with friends and family

You May Not:

• Abuse the feedback reporting system
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or hack the App
• Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) to access the App or its API
• Submit false, misleading, or malicious feedback
• Use the App for any illegal purpose
• Attempt to overwhelm, disrupt, or damage our systems
• Circumvent subscription restrictions or access paid features without a valid subscription

8. Intellectual Property

Our Property

The App, including its design, user interface, content analysis methodology, algorithms, graphics, text, and all other content created by Shelf Checkout, is owned by Dad Mode LLC and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. All rights not expressly granted to you are reserved by Dad Mode LLC.

Your License

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the App for your personal, non-commercial use on devices you own or control. This license does not include the right to modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works based on the App.

User Feedback

By submitting feedback, corrections, suggestions, or other input through the App, you grant Dad Mode LLC a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, incorporate, and distribute that feedback for any purpose, including improving the App and its AI analysis. You will not receive compensation for feedback you submit.

Third-Party Content

Book metadata (titles, authors, descriptions, page counts) is sourced from Open Library. Book cover images are the property of their respective publishers. We do not claim ownership of third-party content, and we are not responsible for its accuracy or availability.

9. AI Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

We provide Shelf Checkout "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory.

AI-Specific Disclaimers

You expressly acknowledge and agree that:

• AI analysis is not a safety guarantee. The App uses artificial intelligence to provide informational guidance about book content. AI is an imperfect tool that may fail to identify objectionable content, may mischaracterize the nature or severity of content, or may produce inaccurate age recommendations.
• AI analysis is probabilistic, not deterministic. Results are based on statistical patterns and may not reflect all content in a given book. The absence of a content flag does not mean that content is absent from the book.
• The App does not replace parental judgment. No technology can substitute for a parent's knowledge of their own child's maturity, sensitivities, and needs. You must exercise your own judgment in all reading decisions.
• We are not liable for AI errors or omissions. Dad Mode LLC shall not be liable for any harm, damage, or distress arising from reliance on AI-generated analysis, including but not limited to content the AI failed to identify, content the AI mischaracterized, or recommendations that prove unsuitable for your child.

General Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

• No warranty of accuracy: we do not guarantee that AI analysis is correct, complete, current, or appropriate for your family
• No warranty of availability: the App may experience downtime, bugs, or service interruptions
• No consequential damages: in no event shall Dad Mode LLC be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use the App
• Liability cap: our total liability to you for all claims arising from or related to these Terms or your use of the App shall not exceed the amount you paid to us (through Apple) in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or fifty dollars ($50), whichever is greater

In simple terms: We're building a helpful tool for parents, but you're still the parent. We are not responsible if the AI gets something wrong or if you rely on it instead of your own judgment.

Consumer Protection Savings Clause

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights you have under applicable consumer protection laws that cannot be waived or limited by contract. If we are found to be grossly negligent or to have engaged in intentional misconduct, standard liability rules apply.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Dad Mode LLC, its members, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use of the App or any violation of these Terms
• Your reliance on AI-generated content analysis for reading decisions
• Any content you submit through the App (including feedback and reports)
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
• Any dispute between you and a third party related to your use of the App

This indemnification obligation survives the termination of these Terms and your use of the App.

11. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Please read this section carefully. It affects your legal rights, including your right to file a lawsuit in court.

Binding Arbitration

You and Dad Mode LLC agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the App (collectively, "Disputes") will be resolved through binding individual arbitration rather than in court, except as provided below. The Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA"), 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., governs the interpretation and enforcement of this section.

No Class Actions

You and Dad Mode LLC agree that Disputes will be resolved on an individual basis only. Neither party may bring a claim as a plaintiff or class member in any class, consolidated, or representative proceeding. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of class or representative proceeding.

Small Claims Court Exception

Notwithstanding the above, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court in Wake County, North Carolina (or the county where you reside) if the claim qualifies for small claims court jurisdiction.

Arbitration Procedures

Arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. If the AAA is unavailable, the parties will agree on an alternative arbitration provider. The arbitration will take place in Wake County, North Carolina, or at another mutually agreed location. You may also elect to participate by telephone or video conference.

30-Day Opt-Out

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to [email protected] within thirty (30) days of your first use of the App. Your notice must include your name, mailing address, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration. If you opt out, you and Dad Mode LLC agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Wake County, North Carolina.

12. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top
• If changes are significant, we will notify you in the App
• Continuing to use the App after changes means you accept the new Terms

We recommend checking this page occasionally to stay informed.

13. Termination

We hope you will enjoy using Shelf Checkout, but either of us can end this relationship:

You Can Stop Using the App Anytime

Delete it from your device. If you have an active subscription, cancel it through your Apple ID settings before deleting the App to avoid further charges. Since your family data is stored locally, deleting the App removes that data from your device.

We Can Suspend or Terminate Your Access If:

• You violate these Terms (especially acceptable use rules)
• You abuse the feedback reporting system
• You attempt to harm or interfere with the App or its systems
• We are required to do so by law

If we terminate your access, you must stop using the App immediately. Termination does not entitle you to a refund of any subscription fees already paid for the current billing period.

14. Apple EULA Acknowledgment

You acknowledge that these Terms are between you and Dad Mode LLC, not with Apple Inc. ("Apple"). Apple is not responsible for the App or its content. Apple has no obligation to provide maintenance, support, or warranty services for the App. In the event the App fails to conform to any applicable warranty, your sole remedy is a refund of the purchase price (if any) through Apple. Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims relating to the App or your use of the App, including product liability claims, consumer protection claims, or intellectual property claims. Apple is a third-party beneficiary of these Terms and may enforce them against you.

15. Force Majeure

Dad Mode LLC shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, pandemics, acts of government, internet or infrastructure outages, third-party service disruptions (including AI provider outages, App Store disruptions, or hosting failures), cyberattacks, or labor disputes. During any such event, our obligations will be suspended for the duration of the event.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, USA, without regard to conflict of law principles. Subject to the arbitration agreement in Section 11, any disputes not subject to arbitration will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Wake County, North Carolina. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

17. Miscellaneous

• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Dad Mode LLC regarding the App.
• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. If the class action waiver in Section 11 is found unenforceable for a particular claim, then the entirety of the arbitration agreement shall be void for that claim only.
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.
• Assignment: You may not transfer your rights under these Terms to anyone else without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to a successor entity or affiliate without restriction.
• Headings: Section headings are for convenience only and have no legal effect.
• Survival: Sections 8 (Intellectual Property), 9 (AI Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability), 10 (Indemnification), 11 (Dispute Resolution and Arbitration), 15 (Force Majeure), 16 (Governing Law), and this Section 17 survive termination of these Terms.

18. Contact Us

Questions about these Terms? Reach out:

Email: [email protected]

Legal matters: [email protected]