1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the directory website stargazingsites.com (“the Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”) and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these Terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this site.

2. Nature of the Service

stargazingsites.com provides a directory of potential stargazing locations, primarily public parks, and allows users to submit additional location listings. This Service is provided for informational purposes only.

3. User Responsibilities and Liability Disclaimer for Locations

A. Compliance with Laws and Park Rules

• The user is solely responsible for determining the legality and safety of visiting any location listed in the directory.
• Hours and Access: Many public parks have specific operating hours and may be closed at night. Users must independently verify the current operating hours, nighttime access rules, and any required permits for every single location before visiting. This includes checking for dedicated nighttime days or events.
• Posted Signs: Users must strictly obey all posted signs, rules, regulations, and instructions from park or property authorities at all times.
• Liability: stargazingsites.com is not responsible for any fines, legal action, injury, damage, or loss incurred as a result of a user visiting a listed location outside of permitted hours, in violation of park rules, or in a manner that is unsafe or illegal.

B. Private Locations (User-Submitted)

• The Service may contain listings marked as private property. These private listings are for informational purposes only.
• Users must never visit or attempt to access private property without explicit, verifiable permission from the property owner. Trespassing is illegal.
• stargazingsites.com is not liable for any consequences arising from a user trespassing or failing to obtain proper permission to access private property.

4. User-Submitted Content and Listings

A. Content Submission

• Users may submit new location listings and other content (e.g., reviews, photos, comments) (“User Content”).
• By submitting User Content, you grant stargazingsites.com a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display the content on the Service.

B. Listing Requirements (Specifically for New Locations)

• Users submitting a new location listing affirm that the location is:
  1. A publicly accessible park or facility; OR
  2. Private property, and the submitting user is the legal owner or has explicit authority from the owner to list the property for informational purposes on the Service.
• Accuracy: You are responsible for ensuring your User Content, especially location details, is accurate, truthful, and not misleading.

C. Prohibited Content

You agree not to submit any User Content that:

• Is false, misleading, defamatory, or fraudulent.
• Infringes on any intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights of others.
• Is illegal, harmful, threatening, or harassing.
• Promotes illegal acts or violence.
• Includes private or sensitive information about others without their consent.

D. Moderation and Removal

stargazingsites.com reserves the right, but not the obligation, to review, edit, or remove any User Content, including location listings, at its sole discretion and without notice, for any reason, including but not limited to violations of these Terms.

5. Intellectual Property

The content, structure, design, and original code of stargazingsites.com are the property of the owner and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

6. User Accounts

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account login information and for all activities that occur under your account.
• stargazingsites.com reserves the right to terminate or suspend your account access for violating these Terms or for any other reason, at our sole discretion.

7. Advertisements and Affiliate Links

The Service may display advertisements, sponsored content, or contain links to affiliate websites.

• These advertisements and links are a source of revenue for stargazingsites.com.
• stargazingsites.com is not responsible for the content, products, or services offered by third-party advertisers or affiliates. Your engagement with any linked site is solely at your own risk.
• Any purchases made through affiliate links will result in stargazingsites.com receiving a commission on the sale.

8. Limitation of Liability

In no event shall stargazingsites.com or its affiliates be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of data or profit, or due to business interruption) arising out of the use or inability to use the materials on stargazingsites.com, even if stargazingsites.com or an authorized representative has been notified orally or in writing of the possibility of such damage.

9. Changes to the Terms of Service

stargazingsites.com reserves the right to revise these Terms at any time without notice. By using this Service, you are agreeing to be bound by the then-current version of these Terms of Service.

10. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to its conflict of law provisions.