Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Open Cottage website and related services (the “Service”) operated by Open Cottage LLC (“Open Cottage,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using the Service, you agree to these Terms.

1. What Open Cottage is

Open Cottage is a directory and portfolio platform for independent food creators. Visitors may browse published creator profiles. Users may create accounts to save profiles (food lovers) or to publish a creator profile (food creators).

Open Cottage is not a marketplace, ordering platform, delivery service, social network, messaging app, or payment processor. We do not sell food, take orders, process payments for food, arrange pickup or delivery, or act as a party to any transaction between visitors and creators.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to create an account. By using the Service, you represent that you meet this requirement and that the information you provide is accurate.

3. Accounts

3.1 Creator accounts

Accounts are for food creators who may create and edit one creator profile. Drafts may be incomplete. Publishing requires required profile fields (including full name, username, city, and state). Only published profiles appear in public browse and search. Visitors may browse without an account.

3.2 Account security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for activity under your account. Notify us promptly at info@brilliantempire.net if you suspect unauthorized access.

4. User content

You retain ownership of content you upload (such as photos, text, and profile details). By submitting content, you grant Open Cottage a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, reproduce, and distribute that content as needed to operate and promote the Service.

You represent that you have all rights needed to post your content and that it does not infringe others’ rights or violate law. We may remove or restrict content that violates these Terms or our Trust and Safety standards.

5. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for unlawful purposes
• Impersonate others or misrepresent your identity, credentials, or food business status
• Upload malware, scrape the Service abusively, or interfere with its operation
• Harass, threaten, or harm others
• Post content that is fraudulent, defamatory, or infringing
• Attempt to access accounts or data that are not yours

6. Intellectual property

The Open Cottage name, logos, design, and software are owned by Open Cottage LLC or its licensors. Except for your own user content, you may not copy or reuse Service materials without our prior written permission. Copyright complaints are handled under our DMCA Policy.

7. Third-party links and off-platform dealings

Creator profiles may include links to social media, websites, email, or phone. Any communication, purchase, pickup, or other arrangement you make with a creator happens off-platform and solely between you and that creator. See our Food Disclaimer.

8. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OPEN COTTAGE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components, or that creator content is accurate, complete, or suitable for any purpose.

9. Limitation of liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OPEN COTTAGE LLC AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR FROM ANY OFF-PLATFORM INTERACTION WITH CREATORS. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM RELATING TO THE SERVICE WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (USD $100) OR THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID US FOR THE SERVICE IN THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM (IF ANY).

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Open Cottage LLC and its personnel from claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your content, your use of the Service, your off-platform dealings with creators or visitors, or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.

11. Termination

We may suspend or terminate access to the Service, or remove content or profiles, if we believe you have violated these Terms or created risk for users, Open Cottage, or third parties. You may stop using the Service at any time.

12. Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will post the updated Terms with a revised “Last updated” date. Continued use after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

13. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law rules. Exclusive venue for disputes will be the state or federal courts located in Dallas County, Texas, unless applicable law requires otherwise.

14. Contact

Open Cottage LLC
539 W. Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75208
info@brilliantempire.net