Terms of Service

Effective Date: December 27, 2025

Welcome to Strider’s Fan Game Domain (SFGD). These Terms of Service (TOS) outline the rules and regulations for using our website, which focuses on sharing and discussing fan games, ROM hacks, indie titles, and related tools. By accessing or using SFGD, you agree to be bound by these TOS, our Privacy Policy, and any additional guidelines or rules posted on the site. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not access or use SFGD.

To help you understand, these TOS are designed to protect both you and us while fostering a creative community. They comply with federal laws such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides immunity for moderating user-generated content. Under Missouri law, electronic agreements like these are enforceable as per the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), adopted in Missouri (RSMo Sections 432.200-432.295), meaning your continued use constitutes acceptance without needing a physical signature.

Users must be at least 13 years of age or have verifiable parental consent in compliance with COPPA. If you are under 13, you may not use SFGD. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Account Registration and Security

To participate in certain features, such as posting content or collaborating on projects, you must create an account by providing accurate, current, and complete information as prompted by the registration form. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials (username, password, etc.) and for all activities that occur under your account, including any unauthorized use.

If you suspect unauthorized access, notify us immediately at strider@fg-domain.com. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for security reasons or violations of these TOS. You agree not to create multiple accounts to evade bans or restrictions.

This section expands on the original by emphasizing security responsibilities and compliance with data protection best practices, reducing liability for us under federal laws like the FTC's guidelines on data security.

User Conduct and Community Standards

All users must engage respectfully and constructively in interactions on SFGD. This includes forums, comments, collaborations, and any other community features. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• Harassment, bullying, stalking, or intimidation based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
• Hate speech, discriminatory language, or promotion of violence.
• Impersonation of others, including site staff or public figures.
• Posting false or misleading information that could harm others.

Violations may result in content removal, account suspension, or permanent bans. We encourage reporting violations via strider@fg-domain.com.

These rules align with Section 230, allowing us to moderate content without liability for user posts, while promoting a safe environment as recommended in community guidelines from similar sites.

Intellectual Property Rights and Attribution

SFGD is a platform for sharing fan games, ROM hacks, indie titles, and development tools. However, all users must respect intellectual property (IP) rights under U.S. copyright, trademark, and patent laws.

• User-Generated Content License: By submitting content (e.g., games, hacks, code, assets, discussions), you grant SFGD a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to host, display, distribute, and modify your content as necessary for site operations. You retain ownership of your original contributions but must ensure they do not infringe third-party rights.
• Attribution Requirements: All shared assets, code, or derivatives must properly credit original creators. Failure to do so is prohibited.
• Prohibitions: You may not upload, share, or distribute content that infringes copyrights, trademarks, or other IP without permission. This includes unauthorized use of licensed characters, music, or artwork in fan works.
• DMCA Compliance: We comply with the DMCA. To qualify for safe harbor under 17 U.S.C. § 512, we have a designated copyright agent registered with the U.S. Copyright Office (details available upon request). If you believe your copyright is infringed, send a takedown notice to strider@fg-domain.com including: identification of the work, the infringing material, your contact info, a good faith belief statement, and a signature. We will respond expeditiously. Counter-notices for wrongful takedowns can be submitted similarly. Repeat infringers will have accounts terminated.
• Reporting: Email strider@fg-domain.com for IP disputes. We may remove content at our discretion or upon valid requests, without liability.

This detailed expansion incorporates DMCA safe harbor requirements, like agent designation and repeat infringer policies, to protect the site from liability. It also clarifies the license you grant us, a standard practice in user-generated content TOS to enable hosting.

Prohibited Content and Activities

To maintain a legal and safe community, the following are strictly prohibited:

• Illegal Software and Piracy: Sharing, distributing, or linking to pirated software, copyrighted ROMs, cracks, or any illegal digital content. Discussing legal alternatives or off-site resources is allowed if they comply with laws.
• Commercial Exploitation: Commercializing fan games or ROM hacks derived from others' IP. Original indie creations may be promoted non-commercially.
• NSFW and Adult Content: Any Not Safe for Work (NSFW) material, including pornography, graphic violence, or explicit content, unless explicitly age-gated and consented to by users 18+. Even then, it must not violate obscenity laws (e.g., Miller v. California standards). Content accessible to minors is prohibited to comply with federal laws protecting children.
• Spamming and Advertising: Unsolicited promotions, repetitive posts, or irrelevant content.
• Malicious Activities: Viruses, malware, phishing, or attempts to hack the site or users.
• Other Illegals: Content promoting illegal drugs, weapons, or activities violating federal or Missouri laws.

Users indemnify SFGD against any claims arising from their content. We are not responsible for user disputes. I've clarified NSFW exceptions with age-gating to align with federal obscenity laws and COPPA, and added indemnity to shift liability to users, a common federal best practice.

Collaboration and Community Engagement

SFGD encourages collaboration on fan projects. Share resources, provide feedback, and build together responsibly. All collaborations must adhere to IP rules and conduct standards. Disputes in collaborations should be resolved amicably; we may mediate but are not liable for outcomes.

This fosters creativity while reminding users of boundaries.

Content Submission Guidelines

When submitting content:

• Provide accurate, detailed descriptions, including credits, licenses, and warnings (e.g., for mature themes).
• Use approproiate categories for proper organization,
• Ensure content is original or properly licensed.
• Do not submit incomplete or placeholder content.

We may reject or edit submissions for compliance.

Content Moderation and Enforcement

Our administrators and moderators monitor the site and may edit, remove, or refuse content that violates these TOS, at our sole discretion. We implement a repeat infringer policy for DMCA compliance. Violations may lead to warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent account termination without prior notice. Appeals can be made to strider@fg-domain.com within 30 days, providing evidence. Decisions are final.

Under Section 230, we have broad discretion to moderate without liability.

Disclaimer of Warranties

SFGD is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access, error-free operation, or virus-free content.

This standard clause limits liability under federal contract principles.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, SFGD, its owners, affiliates, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the site, including but not limited to data loss, IP disputes, or user misconduct. Our total liability shall not exceed $100. This applies even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Missouri law allows such limitations in contracts.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SFGD from any claims, losses, or expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from your violations of these TOS, IP infringements, or misuse of the site. This protects us by making users responsible for their actions.

Termination

We may terminate your access at any time for any reason, including violations. Upon termination, your license to use the site ends, but our license to your content survives if needed.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These TOS are governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes shall first attempt resolution through good-faith mediation in Missouri. If unresolved, litigation shall occur in courts located in [specify county, e.g., St. Louis County], Missouri. You consent to personal jurisdiction there.

This ensures enforceability under Missouri's UETA.

Changes to the TOS

We may update these TOS at any time. Changes will be posted on the site with the new effective date. For material changes, we will notify via email or site notice. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

Severability and Entire Agreement

If any provision is held invalid, the remainder remains in effect. These TOS constitute the entire agreement between you and SFGD, superseding prior versions.

Contact Information

For questions, reports, or disputes, contact Strider at strider@fg-domain.com. These updates make your TOS more comprehensive by adding standard legal protections drawn from federal requirements (e.g., DMCA safe harbors) and best practices for user-generated content sites. For instance, registering a DMCA agent with the Copyright Office is recommended for full safe harbor protection—consider doing that separately. Always consult a lawyer for personalized advice, as this is general guidance.