Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, posting content, or otherwise using Somerset Community(“the Site,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), you confirm that you are at least 13 years of age and have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Description of Service

Somerset Community is a privately operated community platform that provides members a space to share news, announcements, and community discussion. The Site is not an official government body, public authority, or legal entity, and nothing on this Site constitutes legal, financial, professional, or governmental advice. Access to certain features may require registration and admin approval.

3. Free Expression & the First Amendment

Somerset Community values open, honest community dialogue and is committed to protecting the spirit of free expression. We believe that robust discussion — including dissent, criticism, and unpopular opinion — strengthens a community.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides, in relevant part:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
— U.S. Const. amend. I

Important distinction: The First Amendment restricts government action, not private individuals or private platforms. As a privately operated website, Somerset Community is permitted under law to establish and enforce its own community standards. However, we choose to honor the spirit of the First Amendment by fostering an environment of open dialogue with only the minimum restrictions necessary to maintain a safe, respectful community.

Content moderation on this Site is limited to speech that is: threatening or harassing, false and defamatory, illegally discriminatory, in violation of another person's privacy rights, or otherwise unlawful. We do not moderate speech simply because it is critical, controversial, or contrary to prevailing opinion.

4. User Accounts

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• You may not share your account with others or create accounts on behalf of others without permission.
• You must provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering.
• You must promptly notify us of any unauthorized use of your account.
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

5. User-Generated Content

You retain ownership of content you submit (“User Content”). By posting, you grantSomerset Community a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display, distribute, and store your content for the purpose of operating the Site. Content submitted by users does not represent the views or positions of the Site operator.

This Site may qualify for immunity from liability for User Content under 47 U.S.C. § 230 (Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act), which provides that online platforms are not treated as the publisher or speaker of user-submitted content. Nothing in these Terms limits the rights of users to seek recourse against the original author of unlawful content.

You represent and warrant that your User Content:

• Does not infringe any third-party copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right.
• Does not contain false or misleading statements of fact.
• Does not constitute harassment, threats, or illegal discrimination.
• Does not include others' private information without their consent.
• Complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

6. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is prohibited and may result in immediate account termination:

• Impersonating another person or entity.
• Sending unsolicited commercial communications (spam).
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Site or other users' accounts.
• Uploading malware or other harmful code.
• Scraping or harvesting user data without permission.
• Using the Site for any unlawful purpose.

7. Content Moderation

We reserve the right — but not the obligation — to review, edit, or remove any User Content at our sole discretion, without prior notice, for any reason consistent with these Terms. Removal of content does not imply an admission of wrongdoing by any party.

Content moderation decisions may be appealed by contacting us at [email protected]. We will make reasonable efforts to review appeals.

8. Intellectual Property

The Site's design, software, and original content created by the Site operator are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without express written permission. User-submitted content remains the property of its respective authors.

9. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

THE SITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SITE OPERATOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SITE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any User Content posted on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by community members is at your own risk.

10. Information Accuracy & Governing Documents

Information posted on this Site — including community notices, documents, rules, meeting minutes, and financial summaries — is provided for informational convenience only and may not be complete, current, or authoritative.

In the event of any conflictbetween information displayed on this Site and the official governing documents of the community (including CC&Rs, bylaws, rules & regulations, or applicable state law), the official governing documents shall control. Always verify important community information against official sources.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Somerset Communityand its operators, officers, volunteers, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the Site; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any rights of another person; or (d) any User Content you submit. This obligation survives termination of your account and these Terms.

12. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Site at any time, with or without cause or notice, including for violations of these Terms. Upon termination, provisions that by their nature should survive termination — including IP rights, disclaimers, and limitations of liability — will survive.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state in which the Site operator is located, without regard to conflict-of-law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the courts of competent jurisdiction.

14. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us via our contact form or at [email protected].