Terms of Service

1. Introduction

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the ChronoShield API, website, documentation, and related services (collectively, the "Service") operated by ChronoShield API ("we", "us", or "our").

By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service. If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

2. Definitions

• "Service" means the ChronoShield API, website, documentation, playground, SDKs, and all related tools and infrastructure.
• "API" means the ChronoShield API application programming interface, including all endpoints (validate, resolve, convert, batch) and associated functionality.
• "User" or "you" means any individual or entity that accesses or uses the Service.
• "API Key" means the unique authentication credential issued to you to access the API.
• "Content" means any data, datetime values, timezone identifiers, or other information you submit to the API for processing.

3. Account & API Keys

To use the API, you must register with a valid email address and obtain an API Key. You are responsible for:

• Safeguarding your API Key and treating it as confidential
• All activity that occurs under your API Key
• Notifying us immediately if you suspect unauthorized use of your key

Free tier accounts are limited to one API Key per email address. You must not share, publish, or embed API Keys in client-side code, public repositories, or any location accessible to unauthorized parties. We reserve the right to revoke keys that are found to be compromised or shared.

4. Permitted Use

You may use the API to:

• Validate datetime values against specific timezones and DST rules
• Resolve ambiguous or invalid datetimes caused by DST transitions
• Convert datetimes between timezones with full DST awareness
• Process batch operations combining the above functionalities
• Integrate any of the above capabilities into your own applications, products, and services

5. Restrictions

You agree not to:

• Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code of the API
• Send excessive requests or intentionally generate load designed to degrade the Service for other users
• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws or regulations
• Resell, sublicense, or redistribute API access to third parties without our prior written consent
• Circumvent, disable, or interfere with rate limits, authentication, or other security features
• Use automated means to create multiple accounts to evade rate limits or other restrictions
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation when registering for the Service

6. Rate Limits & Fair Use

The API enforces rate limits based on your subscription tier:

When you exceed your rate limit, the API returns an HTTP 429 (Too Many Requests) response. You must not attempt to circumvent rate limits through multiple accounts, key rotation, or other means. We reserve the right to throttle or suspend access for users exhibiting abusive traffic patterns.

7. Billing, Cancellation & Refunds

Pro tier subscriptions are billed on a monthly recurring basis. Payment is processed securely through our third-party payment provider (Stripe). By subscribing to the Pro tier, you authorize us to charge your payment method on a recurring basis until you cancel.

Cancellation: You may cancel your Pro subscription at any time. Upon cancellation, your Pro tier access will remain active until the end of the current billing period. After that, your account will revert to the Free tier with its associated rate limits.

Refunds: If you are unsatisfied with the Service, you may request a full refund within 7 days of your initial purchase or upgrade to the Pro tier. After this 7-day period, no refunds will be issued for the current or any prior billing periods. Refund requests should be sent to support@chronoshieldapi.com.

Pricing changes: We reserve the right to modify subscription pricing. If we change the price of the Pro tier, we will notify you at least 30 days in advance. The new price will take effect at the start of your next billing cycle following the notice period.

8. Service Availability

The Service is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. While we strive to maintain high availability, we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.

We may occasionally perform scheduled maintenance that temporarily affects availability. Where possible, we will provide advance notice through our status page or via email.

Enterprise tier customers may negotiate specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with guaranteed uptime commitments as part of their contract.

9. Data Handling

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Transient processing: Datetime values, timezone identifiers, and other content you submit to the API are processed in real time and are not stored, logged, or retained after the response is returned.

Account data: We store your email address and API Key for account management, authentication, and rate limiting purposes. Payment information for Pro tier subscriptions is processed by our third-party payment provider and is never stored on our servers.

10. Intellectual Property

The Service, including the API, documentation, website design, SDKs, and all related intellectual property, is owned by ChronoShield API and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the API in accordance with these Terms.

You retain all rights to your own applications, products, and services that integrate with the API. Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of your work to us.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ChronoShield API shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, business opportunities, or goodwill, arising out of or related to your use of the Service.

Our total aggregate liability for any claims arising from or related to the Service shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim. If you are on the free tier, our maximum liability shall not exceed ten US dollars ($10.00).

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ChronoShield API, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Service, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of a third party.

13. Termination

You may stop using the Service at any time. You may request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us.

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms or if continued access poses a security risk to the Service or other users.

Upon termination, your API Key will be deactivated and your right to access the Service will cease immediately. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, and Governing Law) shall survive.

14. Modifications to These Terms

We may revise these Terms from time to time. The most current version will always be available at this URL. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email (sent to the address associated with your API Key) at least 14 days before the changes take effect.

Your continued use of the Service after revised Terms take effect constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Service.

15. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved in the courts of competent jurisdiction. Both parties agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

16. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at support@chronoshieldapi.com.