Terms of Service

1. Agreement

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the DataSerp website, the DataSerp search and extraction API ("the API"), and the DataSerp Drone hosting programme ("Drone Hosting"). By using any of these services you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the services.

2. Definitions

"Service" means the API, the website, related documentation and the Drone Hosting programme.

"Data" means search results and extracted content returned by the Service.

"Drone" means software run by a host on their own device that fetches search data for the Service.

"You" means the individual or organisation using the Service.

3. API access

Access to the API requires a valid API key, passed in the X-Api-Key header. Keys are personal to you and must not be shared or resold.

We may grant, suspend or revoke access at any time, including for non-payment, abuse or breach of these Terms.

The API is versioned. We use semantic versioning and will provide reasonable notice before introducing breaking changes in a new version.

4. Acceptable use

You agree to use the Service lawfully and only for legitimate purposes. In particular you must not:

• Use the Service to collect data for illegal, fraudulent or harmful purposes
• Submit queries that contain sensitive personal data or content you are not authorised to process
• Attempt to reverse engineer, circumvent rate limits, or access data you are not entitled to
• Resell or sublicense Data or API access without our prior written consent
• Interfere with, disrupt or place undue load on the Service, the network, or other users
• Use the Service in a way that infringes any third-party rights or breaches any applicable law
• Use the Service, or any Data returned by it, in breach of copyright, database, trade mark or other intellectual property rights
• Search for, collect, store or distribute illegal, infringing or harmful content, or content you are not lawfully entitled to use
• Facilitate the commission of any offence or breach of any third party's rights, in any jurisdiction

You are solely responsible for ensuring that your use of the Service and any Data complies with all applicable local, national and international laws — including copyright and related rights, database rights, data protection and privacy laws, and laws on computer misuse. We make no representation that any particular use of the Service or Data is lawful for you; it is your responsibility to verify compliance (for example, whether fair dealing or fair use applies) before relying on, publishing or distributing any Data.

We operate in accordance with the terms of service and robots.txt of the sources we search, honour rate limits and removal requests, and require the same of you.

We act as a data infrastructure provider. We are not the author, owner or publisher of any content returned by the Service, and we are not responsible for the accuracy, legality, completeness or usefulness of any Data, or for how any user chooses to use it. Your use of the Service and any Data is entirely at your own risk.

5. AI instructions

You may optionally include an aiInstruction in an API request. AI output is generated by a third-party model provider and is provided "as is". We are not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of AI-generated content. Do not submit sensitive personal data in queries or AI instructions.

6. Drone Hosting

By hosting a Drone you agree that:

• You are authorised to run software on the device and use the network you connect it to
• The Drone only receives and returns search tasks and does not access, read or transmit your personal files or browsing data
• You will not manipulate, fake or artificially inflate searches
• You will comply with all applicable laws regarding your device, network and any earnings
• We do not collect or retain personal or machine data about you; Drones are identified by an anonymous key

Earnings are calculated per successful search (a search that returns at least one result). We may suspend or remove Drones that behave abnormally, and we may change earning rates or programme terms with notice.

Earnings are not guaranteed and may vary with network demand. You are solely responsible for any tax or regulatory obligations arising from earnings. Hosting a Drone does not create an employment, agency, partnership or similar relationship between you and DataSerp.

7. Billing and payment

API usage is billed per search that returns at least one result, per your plan. AI token usage, where used, is billed separately at the published rates.

Prices are in USD and exclude any applicable taxes. Payment terms are as set out on the Service at the time of purchase.

We may change pricing with reasonable notice. Continued use after a change constitutes acceptance.

8. Fair usage

Use of the Service is subject to the Fair Usage Policy, including throughput and rate limits per plan. Exceeding these limits may result in throttling, suspension or termination.

9. Intellectual property

The Service, including its software, documentation, branding and design, is owned by DataSerp and protected by intellectual property laws. Data returned by the Service remains subject to the rights of its sources and your lawful use of it.

10. Disclaimers

The Service and all Data are provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free or that results will be complete, accurate or timely.

The Service is provided for lawful purposes only. We do not warrant that any Data is free of third-party rights, that your intended use of the Data is lawful, or that content returned by the Service is accurate, complete or authorised for your use. You assume full responsibility for how you use the Data and for compliance with all applicable laws, including copyright and data protection laws.

Nothing in the Service constitutes legal, financial or tax advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, your sole remedy for any dissatisfaction with the Service is to stop using it.

11. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, DataSerp shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, revenue, data or goodwill, arising out of or relating to the Service.

The exclusions and limitations in this Section apply even if DataSerp has been advised of the possibility of such damages and even if a remedy fails of its essential purpose.

Our total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to the Service shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

12. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DataSerp and its officers, employees and agents from any claims, losses, damages and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your use of the Service or your breach of these Terms.

13. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or terminate your access at any time with or without notice, including for breach of these Terms, non-payment, or risk to the Service or other users. On termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately.

14. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified through the Service. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

15. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16. General provisions

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Our failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent; we may assign these Terms in connection with a sale, merger or reorganisation.

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and DataSerp regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements or communications.

Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment or agency relationship between you and DataSerp.