Terms of Use - The Margin

The Margin Terms of Use

Last updated April 3, 2026

These Terms of Use, together with The Margin’s Privacy Policy, set forth the terms and conditions (“Terms”) that apply to your access and use of domains controlled by The Margin, a fiscally sponsored project of Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (“The Margin,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), including the website located at https://themargin.us/ (collectively, the “Site”). 

By using or accessing the Site, you agree to these Terms, as updated from time to time in accordance with Section 18 below.  These Terms state that any disputes between you and The Margin must be resolved in arbitration or small claims court.

1. Site Access Requirements.  To use the Site, you must (i) be at least eighteen (18) years of age; (ii) have not previously been suspended or removed from the Site; and (iii) use the Site in compliance with any and all applicable laws and regulations. 
2. Accuracy of Information. To access some features of the Site, you may be required to provide additional information (e.g., to subscribe to the newsletter). When you subscribe to the newsletter, The Margin may ask you to provide certain identifying information about yourself, including but not limited to your email address and other contact information. When providing such information, you agree to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information about yourself. You also agree not to impersonate anyone, misrepresent any affiliation with anyone else, use false information, or otherwise conceal your identity from The Margin for any purpose.
3. Prohibited Conduct.  You agree not to: 
   1. Use the Site for any illegal purpose, or in violation of any local, state, national, or international law; 
   2. Violate or encourage others to violate the rights of The Margin or any third parties, including intellectual property rights; 
   3. Post, upload, or distribute any content that is unlawful, defamatory, libelous, inaccurate, or that a reasonable person could deem to be objectionable, profane, indecent, pornographic, harassing, threatening, hateful, or otherwise inappropriate; 
   4. Interfere in any way with security-related features of the Site; 
   5. Interfere with the operation or any user’s enjoyment of the Site, including by uploading or otherwise disseminating viruses, adware, spyware, worms, or other malicious code, making unsolicited offers or advertisements to other users, or attempting to collect personal information about users or third parties without their consent; 
   6. Access, monitor, or copy any content or information of the Site using any robot, spider, scraper, or other automated means or any manual process for any purpose without The Margin’s express written permission;
   7. Perform any fraudulent activity, including impersonating any person or entity, claiming false affiliations, accessing the accounts of other users without permission, or falsifying your identity or any information about you, including age or date of birth; or 
   8. Sell or otherwise transfer the access granted herein. 
4. Electronic Communications, Alerts, Notifications.  As part of the Site, you may receive notifications, alerts, emails, or other types of electronic communications regarding the Site.  You acknowledge and agree that you may receive communications from us electronically, such as via e-mail.  You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.  Where required by applicable law, we will seek express prior written consent for marketing text messages or calls to you.  Additionally, we may use third party vendors to communicate with you.  To the extent you have any questions, please refer to their terms of use.  If you no longer wish to receive non-essential electronic communications, you can opt-out through links provided in the e-mails or by contacting us directly at contact@themargin.us.
5. Third Party Content.  The Site may contain links to third party websites and services.  The Margin provides such links as a convenience, and does not control or endorse these websites and services.  You acknowledge and agree that The Margin has not reviewed the content, advertising, products, services, or other materials that appear on such third party websites or services, and is not responsible for the legality, accuracy, or appropriateness of any such content.  The Margin shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of any such third party websites or services.
6. Intellectual Property.  You acknowledge and agree that you relinquish all ownership rights in any ideas or suggestions that you submit to The Margin through this Site.  This Site is protected by applicable copyright and other intellectual property laws, and no materials from the Site may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way without our express permission.  All trademarks and service marks on the Site belong to The Margin, except third-party trademarks or service marks, which are the property of their respective owners. 
7. Indemnification.  You agree that you will be personally responsible for your use of the Site, and you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Margin and its officers, members, managers, directors, employees, consultants, affiliates, subsidiaries, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including attorneys’ and accounting fees and costs), arising out of or in any way connected with (i) your access to, use of, or alleged use of the Site; (ii) your violation of the Terms or any applicable law or regulation; (iii) your violation of any third party right, including without limitation any intellectual property right, publicity, confidentiality, property, or privacy right; or (iv) any disputes or issues between you and any third party.  The Margin reserves the right, at our own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, and in such case, you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claim.
8. Reliance on Information Posted.  The information presented on or through the Site is made available solely for general information purposes.  We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information.  Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.  We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such information by you or any other visitor to the Site, or by anyone who may be informed of any of the Site’s contents.
9. Termination.  If you violate these Terms, your permission to use the Site will automatically terminate.  In addition, The Margin, in its sole discretion, may suspend or terminate your user account and/or suspend or terminate some or all of your access to the Site at any time, with or without notice to you.  After your access is terminated, The Margin may continue to store such information and content, and it may also be stored by third parties to whom it has been transferred through your use of the Site.
10. Modification of the Terms.  The Margin reserves the right at any time to modify these Terms and to impose new or additional terms or conditions on your use of the Site.  Such modifications and additional terms and conditions will be effective immediately upon notice and incorporated into these Terms.  We will make reasonable efforts to notify you of any material changes to the Terms, including, but not limited to, by posting a notice to our website or by sending an email to any address you may have provided to us.  Your continued use of the Site following notice will be deemed acceptance of any modifications to the Terms.
11. Disclaimers of Warranties.  The Site is provided “as is” and on an “as available” basis, without warranty or condition of any kind, either express or implied.  Although The Margin seeks to maintain safe, secure, accurate, and well-functioning services, we cannot guarantee the continuous operation of or access to our Site, and there may at times be inadvertent technical or factual errors or inaccuracies.  The Margin specifically (but without limitation) disclaims (i) any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, quiet enjoyment, or non-infringement; and (ii) any warranties arising out of course-of-dealing, usage, or trade.  You assume all risk for any/all damages that may result from your use of or access to the Site.  The Margin does not guarantee the accuracy of, and disclaims all liability for, any errors or other inaccuracies in the information, content, recommendations, and materials made available through the Site. Outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances.  The Margin does not guarantee specific results or success from the use of the products and services offered through the Site. The products and services offered through the Site do not constitute legal, financial, or other regulated professional advice.  You should consult with a qualified professional in those fields for specific guidance.
12. Limitation of Liability.  In no event will (a) The Margin or any of its officers, members, managers, directors, employees, consultants, affiliates, subsidiaries, and agents  be liable to you for any incidental, special, consequential, direct, indirect, or punitive damages, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), statute, or any other legal theory, whether or not The Margin has been informed of the possibility of such damage or (b) The Margin’s or any of its officers’, members’, managers’, directors’, employees’, consultants’, affiliates’, subsidiaries’, or agents’ total liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to the use of the Site exceed one hundred U.S. dollars ($100).  Some jurisdictions do not allow the disclaimer of warranties or limitation of liability in certain circumstances.  Accordingly, some of the above limitations may not apply to you. 
13. Governing Law.  These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles.  You and The Margin agree to submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the state courts and federal courts located within California, for the purpose of litigating any such disputes.
14. Geographic Restrictions.  We provide the Site for use only by persons located in the United States.  We make no claims that the Site is accessible or appropriate outside of the United States.  Access to the Site may not be legal by certain persons or in certain countries.  If you access the Site from outside the United States, you do so on your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.
15. Modification of the Site.  The Margin reserves the right to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, some or all of the Site at any time without any notice or further obligation to you.  You agree that The Margin will not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuance of any of the Site.
16. General.  
    1. Entire Agreement.  These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire and exclusive understanding and agreement between you and The Margin regarding your use of and access to the Site, and except as expressly permitted above may only be amended by a written agreement signed by authorized representatives of the parties. 
    2. No Waiver.  The failure to require performance of any provision shall not affect our right to require performance at any time thereafter, nor shall a waiver of any breach or default of the Terms constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or default or a waiver of the provision itself.  
    3. Paragraph Headers.  Use of paragraph headers in the Terms is for convenience only and shall not have any impact on the interpretation of particular provisions.  
    4. Severability.  In the event that any part of the Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the unenforceable part shall be given effect to the greatest extent possible and the remaining parts will remain in full force and effect.
17. Notice to California Residents.  Under California Civil Code Section 1789.3, you may contact the Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs in writing at 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, California 95834, or by telephone at (800) 952-5210 in order to resolve a complaint regarding the service or to receive further information regarding use of the service.

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