terms of use

Definition

Terms of use are the rules and conditions a person agrees to follow when using a website, app, or online service. Think of it as a contract between you and your users that spells out what people can and cannot do on your platform, who owns the content, and what happens if something goes wrong.

Example

If you run an online store, your terms of use might explain that customers cannot copy your product photos for their own websites and that you are not responsible if your site goes down temporarily during a sale.

Watch Out

Many business owners copy terms of use from another website, which can leave them legally unprotected because those terms may not match how their own business actually operates.

See which terms appear in your contract?

This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.