Terms of Service for GitBirds

Last updated: 07/29/2025

Please read these Terms of Service ("Terms") carefully before using the GitBirds website (the "Service") operated by GitBirds ("we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Overview

GitBirds is an online platform that showcases birding tours from third-party operators ("Guide Companies" or "Vendors") to help users ("Users") discover and explore tour options. GitBirds does not handle bookings directly; instead, listings link out to the Guide Companies' own websites.

2. How the Service Works

We provide a searchable directory of birding tours and related experiences. All listings link to the Guide Company's external site for full details and booking. GitBirds does not currently charge for listings, but may offer optional paid services in the future (see Section 6).

3. Guide Company Responsibilities

If you are a Guide Company:

• You are responsible for providing accurate, up-to-date information.
• You confirm that you have the rights to all content you submit (text, photos, logos, media, etc.).
• By submitting content, you give GitBirds permission to use it on our website and in our marketing (like social media, emails, or future promotions). This helps us share your tours with more people and grow interest in your offerings.
• You grant GitBirds permission to log into your account and post listings on your behalf.
• Before GitBirds publishes any listing (with images or brand assets), the Guide Company must confirm participation via email verification or other consent flow.

3.1. Consent to Participate & Listing Creation

By confirming participation in GitBirds (e.g., through email or other verification methods), Guide Companies authorize GitBirds to create, edit, and manage listings on their behalf.

Guide Companies retain ownership of their content and brand assets. GitBirds’ management of accounts is solely for the purpose of maintaining accurate and consistent listings across the platform. Guide Companies may revoke this authorization at any time by written notice to GitBirds, after which GitBirds will cease managing their account. When GitBirds creates a listing on behalf of a Guide Company, that listing will initially be a “draft / demo” until the Guide Company completes email verification and accepts these Terms. By consenting, the Guide Company authorizes GitBirds to:

• Create, edit, and manage the listing content (text, itinerary, descriptions) based on public source material and the Guide Company’s input.

• Upon verification, publish the listing and continue managing edits or updates as agreed.

• Use any brand assets (logos, images, trademarks) that the Guide Company submits, within the scope of the listing and promotional materials.

3.2. Platform Discretion

GitBirds is a curated platform. Participation by Guide Companies is at GitBirds’ sole discretion. GitBirds reserves the right to decline, suspend, or remove any Guide Company, listing, or content at any time, with or without cause, and without obligation to provide justification. Nothing in these Terms creates a right or guarantee for any Guide Company to be listed on GitBirds.

3.3. Vendor Communications

By listing your tours or company information on GitBirds, you agree that we may send you periodic service-related communications. These may include, but are not limited to, notifications about your account, updates regarding your listings, and periodic summary reports showing your listing performance (such as views, clicks, and other engagement statistics).

These communications are considered part of the GitBirds service and are not promotional in nature.

Separately, you may choose to receive optional communications about GitBirds platform statistics, news, or community updates by explicitly opting in. You can unsubscribe from these optional communications at any time.

4. User Responsibilities

If you are a User:

• Use the Service for its intended purpose only.
• Do not impersonate others or submit false information.
• Respect the terms of third-party sites you visit through GitBirds.

5. Content Removal and Account Access

• Guide Companies may delete their listings or accounts at any time.
• You may also request deletion by emailing nate@gitbirds.com. Please allow up to 14 days to process removal.

6. Monetization

Gitbirds is a free platform for Vendors and Users. GitBirds may display advertisements, affiliate links (e.g., to field guides or gear), or sponsored content alongside free listings. We may also offer optional premium listing placements in search results. These services will always be opt-in and will not affect the visibility of unpaid listings.

How Listings Are Displayed: Search results on GitBirds are shown based on a mix of factors like relevance, user preferences, and freshness of listings.

7. Intellectual Property & Content License

GitBirds retains all rights to its original content, branding, and platform design. Guide Companies retain ownership of all content (text, images, logos, brand assets) they provide or authorize.

By consenting to these Terms and participating, Guide Companies grant GitBirds a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:

• Display, publish, and promote the content in listings, search results, thumbnails, promotional placements, and future marketing channels.

• Use the content (including logos, images, business name) in GitBirds’ marketing materials, newsletters, social media, advertisements, and aggregated content.

• Edit or crop images (e.g. for thumbnails) or adjust brand assets for formatting, provided the original is respected.

• Remove or revoke content upon request (subject to GitBirds’ policies). If a Guide Company does not consent to use of logos or images, they should withhold those assets until explicit approval.

8. Disclaimers

GitBirds is an informational platform and does not endorse, vet, or guarantee the safety, quality, legality, or accuracy of any tours, services, or third-party websites listed on the platform. We do not manage bookings or handle payments, and we are not responsible for any loss, injury, damage, fraud, or dispute that may arise between Users and Guide Companies.

Use of the Service and participation in any third-party tours is at your own risk.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, GitBirds and its affiliates are not responsible for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service. This includes, but is not limited to, issues related to bookings, payments, injuries, disputes, or data breaches involving third-party tour providers. You agree that GitBirds is not a party to any transactions made with Guide Companies and does not vet or guarantee the services they provide.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Contact

For questions about these Terms, email: nate@gitbirds.com