Terms of Service
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Terms of Service
Last updated: 1/4/2025
By accessing or using the websites, webmail interfaces, and associated software services (collectively, the “Services”) provided by Carl’s Consulting Agency, you agree to the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use our Services.
Scope of Services
Carl’s Consulting Agency provides technology consulting, managed hosting, and communication tools, including Roundcube-based webmail interfaces.
While we strive for reliability, the Services are provided on a “best-effort” basis unless a specific Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been established in a separate written contract with you or your organization.
Acceptable Use Policy
You agree to use our Services only for lawful purposes. You are strictly prohibited from using our webmail or file integration features to:
Distribute spam, unsolicited bulk email, or malicious software (malware/viruses).
Engage in phishing or identity theft.
Store or transmit illegal content or content that violates the intellectual property rights of others.
Attempt to compromise the security or integrity of our infrastructure or the third-party APIs we utilize (including Google APIs).
Violation of these rules may result in immediate suspension or termination of your access.
Managed Hosting & Infrastructure
If you subscribe to our website hosting, VoIP, or managed server services, the following terms apply:
Resource Usage: You agree not to use our infrastructure for activities that excessively consume server resources (CPU, RAM, Disk I/O) to the detriment of other tenants. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, cryptocurrency mining, running high-load background scripts, or hosting file-sharing/torrent networks. We reserve the right to throttle or temporarily suspend services that threaten the stability of our infrastructure.
Security & Updates:
Your Responsibility: Unless you have a specific maintenance agreement with us, you are responsible for keeping your web applications (e.g., WordPress core, plugins, themes) updated to prevent security vulnerabilities.
Compromised Sites: If your website or server is compromised (hacked) and begins attacking other systems or sending spam, we reserve the right to take it offline immediately to protect our network reputation.
Backups & Data Loss: While we perform routine backups of our infrastructure for disaster recovery purposes (our “Dual-Layer” backup strategy), you are ultimately responsible for maintaining your own independent backups of your data. Carl’s Consulting Agency is not liable for data loss caused by hardware failure, software corruption, or malicious attacks.
VoIP Services: If we host your VoIP/PBX system, you acknowledge that our service is not a traditional landline. You are responsible for configuring your local network (firewalls/NAT) to allow VoIP traffic. We are not liable for emergency call failures (E911) arising from power outages, internet connectivity failures, or misconfiguration.
Third-Party Integrations
Our webmail service includes optional integrations with cloud storage providers, including Google Drive and Dropbox, to allow file attachments.
Your Responsibility: You are responsible for maintaining the security of your cloud storage account credentials.
Governing Terms: By using these integrations, you acknowledge that your use of the storage services is governed by the respective Terms of Service and Privacy Policies of Google and Dropbox.
Availability: We do not control the availability of third-party APIs. If Google or Dropbox changes their API or revokes access, these features may stop working at any time without notice.
AI Writing Features
Our webmail service includes optional Generative AI features powered by Groq to assist with drafting and editing emails.
Accuracy Disclaimer: AI-generated content can be inaccurate, misleading, or offensive. You acknowledge that you are solely responsible for reviewing and verifying all AI-generated text before sending it. Carl’s Consulting Agency is not liable for errors, omissions, or the consequences of sending AI-generated content.
No Professional Advice: Output from the AI should not be relied upon as legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.
Ownership: As between you and us, you retain ownership of the input you provide and the output generated by the AI for your emails, subject to compliance with these Terms.
Usage Restrictions: You may not use the AI features to generate spam, fraudulent content, or content that violates the rights of others.
Content & Marketing Services
If you subscribe to our content generation, blog management, or SEO services, the following terms apply:
No Guarantee of Results: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is governed by third-party algorithms (e.g., Google) that change frequently. While we employ industry best practices to improve your visibility, we do not and cannot guarantee specific search engine rankings, traffic levels, or business outcomes. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
AI-Assisted Content: You acknowledge that we may utilize Generative AI tools to assist in the drafting, research, and optimization of content. All AI-generated drafts are reviewed by human staff before delivery.
Client Review & Liability: You are responsible for reviewing all content prior to publication (or immediately upon publication if auto-posting is enabled). You retain sole liability for the accuracy, legality, and compliance of all content published on your website. Carl’s Consulting Agency is not liable for factual errors, copyright claims, or misrepresentations in approved or published content.
Intellectual Property of Deliverables: Upon full payment of the applicable fees, you are granted full ownership rights and copyright of the final written content delivered to you.
Billing & Payment Terms
Invoicing: We operate a self-hosted billing portal (powered by Invoice Ninja) to securely manage invoices and payments. By making a payment, you agree to the processing of your data by our third-party payment providers.
Payment Methods: We accept payments via Stripe and PayPal. By using these methods, you acknowledge that your transaction is subject to the respective User Agreements and Privacy Policies of Stripe and PayPal.
Automatic Renewals: For recurring services (such as managed hosting or domains), your payment method on file may be automatically charged on the renewal date to prevent service interruption. You may cancel auto-renewal at any time by contacting support or managing your subscription in the client portal.
Refunds:
Hosting & Services: Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis as outlined in your specific service agreement.
Consulting Fees: Fees for consulting time already delivered are non-refundable.
Late Payments: Failure to pay invoices by the due date may result in the temporary suspension of services (including webmail access and hosting) until the balance is cleared.
Intellectual Property
Our IP: All content on the public-facing website (text, graphics, logos) is the property of Carl’s Consulting Agency or its licensors
Your Data: We claim no intellectual property rights over the data, files, or emails you transmit or store using our Services. Your data remains yours.
Limitation of Liability
The Services are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Carl’s Consulting Agency and Bledsoe Labs, LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of data, loss of business, or interruption of service arising from the use of our webmail or hosting platforms.
Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Services at our sole discretion, without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms of Service or is harmful to other users, us, or third parties, or for any other reason.
Changes to These Terms
These Terms of Service may be updated at any time to reflect changes in our technology or legal obligations. Continued use of the Services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.
Governing Law
These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. Any disputes arising from these terms or the use of this website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within the State of Florida.
Contact
If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, you may contact us at:
Carl’s Consulting Agency
Carl’s Consulting Agency is a brand operated by Bledsoe Labs, LLC.
