Terms and Conditions

Please read these terms carefully before using GVO services

Last Updated: January 2024 | Effective Date: January 2024

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using GVO ("we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of these Terms, you may not access or use our services.

GVO is a blockchain-backed certification and ownership platform for graded collectibles. We provide services that allow you to verify, certify, and track ownership of graded collectibles using blockchain technology.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

  • "GVO" refers to Graded, Verified, Owned, our platform, services, and website.
  • "Service" means our platform, website, mobile applications, and all related services.
  • "User" or "You" refers to any individual or entity that accesses or uses our Service.
  • "Collectible" refers to any graded item (cards, memorabilia, etc.) that you submit for certification.
  • "Digital Certificate" refers to the blockchain-backed digital record of your collectible's certification and ownership.
  • "Blockchain" refers to the distributed ledger technology used to store certification and ownership records.

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

To use GVO, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age or have parental consent if under 18
  • Have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
  • Maintain and update your account information to keep it accurate
  • Maintain the security of your account credentials
  • Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

4. Description of Service

GVO provides the following services:

  • Verification Services: We verify PSA, BGS, and CGC certification numbers against official grading company databases.
  • Digital Certification: We create blockchain-backed digital certificates that provide tamper-proof records of your collectible's authenticity and ownership.
  • Ownership Tracking: We maintain a permanent record of ownership history for certified collectibles.
  • Digital Vault: We provide secure storage for your digital certificates and collectible records.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of our Service at any time, with or without notice.

5. User Responsibilities and Conduct

You agree to:

  • Use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms
  • Provide accurate and truthful information when submitting collectibles for certification
  • Not submit counterfeit, stolen, or fraudulently obtained collectibles
  • Not attempt to manipulate, hack, or interfere with our Service or blockchain records
  • Not use the Service to violate any applicable laws or regulations
  • Not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others
  • Not transmit any viruses, malware, or harmful code
  • Not use automated systems to access the Service without our express written permission

Violation of these terms may result in immediate termination of your account and legal action.

6. Certification and Verification Services

6.1 Verification Process

When you submit a certification number for verification:

  • We query official grading company databases (PSA, BGS, CGC) to verify the certification number
  • We create a digital certificate on the blockchain based on the verified information
  • We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information provided by third-party grading companies
  • Verification is based solely on the information available in grading company databases at the time of verification

6.2 Limitations of Verification

Important: Our verification service confirms that a certification number exists in the grading company's database and matches the information provided. However:

  • We do not physically inspect collectibles
  • We cannot guarantee that the physical item matches the certification
  • We cannot prevent fraud if someone submits a fake certification number or altered collectible
  • Blockchain records are permanent and cannot be modified, but they reflect the information verified at the time of creation

6.3 Digital Certificates

Digital certificates created on the blockchain are permanent and immutable. Once created, they cannot be deleted or modified. You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of information before creating a digital certificate.

7. Ownership and Transfer of Collectibles

GVO tracks ownership records on the blockchain, but:

  • GVO does not claim ownership of your physical collectibles
  • Ownership records on GVO are informational and do not constitute legal proof of ownership
  • You retain all rights to your physical collectibles
  • Transfer of ownership records on GVO does not automatically transfer physical possession
  • You are responsible for ensuring proper transfer of physical items in any transaction

GVO is not a party to any transaction between users and does not guarantee the authenticity, condition, or ownership of physical collectibles.

8. Fees and Payments

Some features of GVO may require payment of fees. If applicable:

  • All fees are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified
  • Fees are non-refundable unless required by law or as otherwise stated
  • We reserve the right to change our fee structure at any time, with notice to users
  • You are responsible for any taxes applicable to your use of the Service
  • Payment processing is handled by third-party payment processors, subject to their terms and conditions

Currently, basic verification services may be provided free of charge, but we reserve the right to implement fees for premium features or services in the future.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

9.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service, including its original content, features, functionality, design, logos, trademarks, and software, is owned by GVO and protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

9.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of any content you submit to GVO, including images, descriptions, and other information about your collectibles. By submitting content, you grant GVO a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display such content solely for the purpose of providing and improving our Service.

9.3 Third-Party Content

GVO may display content from third parties, including grading companies. Such content remains the property of its respective owners and is used under applicable licenses or fair use provisions.

10. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using our Service, you consent to the collection and use of information as described in our Privacy Policy.

Key points:

  • We collect information necessary to provide our Service
  • Blockchain records are public and permanent - information stored on-chain cannot be deleted
  • We implement security measures to protect your data, but no system is 100% secure
  • We may share information with third-party service providers as necessary to operate our Service

11. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

11.1 Service Provided "As Is"

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE.

11.2 No Guarantees

GVO does not guarantee:

  • The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of information from third-party grading companies
  • That the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
  • That any defects or errors will be corrected
  • The authenticity or condition of physical collectibles
  • The value of any collectible
  • The success of any transaction between users

11.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GVO SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

  • Your use or inability to use the Service
  • Any errors or omissions in the Service
  • Any unauthorized access to or use of our servers or data
  • Any interruption or cessation of the Service
  • Any bugs, viruses, or other harmful code transmitted through the Service
  • Any loss or damage to your collectibles
  • Any transactions or interactions between users

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM, OR $100, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless GVO, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the Service
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party right, including intellectual property rights
  • Any content you submit or transmit through the Service
  • Your violation of any applicable law or regulation

13. Termination

13.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using account deletion features, if available. Note that blockchain records are permanent and cannot be deleted.

13.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice, if you:

  • Violate these Terms or our Privacy Policy
  • Engage in fraudulent, illegal, or harmful activities
  • Fail to pay required fees
  • Use the Service in a manner that could harm us or other users

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Your right to use the Service will immediately cease
  • We may delete your account and associated data (except blockchain records, which are permanent)
  • You will remain liable for all amounts due up to the date of termination
  • Provisions that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect

14. Blockchain Technology and Risks

GVO uses blockchain technology to create permanent, immutable records. You acknowledge and agree that:

  • Blockchain records are public and permanent - they cannot be deleted or modified
  • Blockchain technology is subject to various risks, including network congestion, forks, and protocol changes
  • We do not control the underlying blockchain networks
  • Blockchain transactions may be delayed or fail due to network conditions
  • You are responsible for understanding the implications of storing data on a blockchain
  • We are not responsible for any losses resulting from blockchain network issues or failures

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

15.2 Arbitration

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect intellectual property rights.

15.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

16. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated Terms on our website
  • Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
  • Sending email notifications for significant changes (if you have provided an email address)

Your continued use of the Service after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Service.

17. Miscellaneous

17.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and GVO regarding the use of the Service.

17.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17.3 Waiver

No waiver of any term of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.

17.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms or any rights hereunder without your consent.

17.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance under these Terms due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, or failures of third-party services.

18. Contact Information

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

  • Email: legal@gvo.com (or your contact email)
  • Website: www.gvo.com