Terms of Service - STAV Connects

Welcome to STAV Connects ("we," "us," "our"). By accessing or using this website, including its maps, content, visualizations, data repositories, and infrastructure (collectively, the "Site and Map"), you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). These Terms are legally binding under applicable laws of the United States, including the States of California and Oregon. If you disagree with any part of these Terms, do not use the Site and Map.

1. Mission and Scope

STAV Connects operates as a public interest, non-commercial, journalistic, and academic platform. Our objectives include:

• Aggregating information exclusively from lawful, publicly accessible, and official sources
• Structuring, visualizing, and presenting this data in a transformative, editorial, and educational context
• Exercising and defending our rights under the First Amendment, applicable state constitutional free speech clauses, and federal doctrines of protected expression

This platform is not affiliated with or endorsed by any third-party entity whose data or likeness appears in the aggregated content.

2. Legal Foundation and Immunities

The content on this Site and Map is protected by:

• U.S. Constitution, First Amendment
• California Constitution, Article I, Section 2
• Oregon Constitution, Article I, Section 8
• California Anti-SLAPP Statute (CCP § 425.16)
• Oregon Anti-SLAPP Statute (ORS 31.150)
• Fair Use Doctrine (17 U.S.C. § 107)
• Fair Report Privilege
• Public Records Exemption under both state and federal public access laws
• Judicial precedent including New York Times v. Sullivan, Baral v. Schnitt, Gertz v. Welch, Sipple v. Chronicle Publishing, and related authorities

We assert these rights fully and aggressively in defense of public access, editorial curation, and lawful aggregation.

3. Use and Interpretation

This Site and Map are:

• Provided free of charge, without commercial intent
• Intended solely for informational, educational, academic, and journalistic purposes
• Not advice, and not a substitute for legal, financial, medical, or other professional services

You accept full responsibility for:

• How you interpret or use the information
• Actions you take as a result of interacting with this platform

We do not draw conclusions, make endorsements, or assert the truth of any particular fact beyond citation of the original source.

4. Official Sources and Attribution

We rely exclusively on what we define as Official Sources, including:

• Federal, state, and local government agencies and departments
• Court records, legal filings, and law enforcement data
• FOIA responses and public regulatory filings
• Verified public statements, press releases, and agency communications
• Publicly listed corporations, non-profits, and credentialed institutions
• Recognized journalistic and academic institutions with editorial vetting

Where required, we provide attribution, source references, or links to original datasets. Inclusion of a source does not imply correctness, completeness, or agreement.

5. Copyright and Content Use

We make good-faith use of any copyrighted or trademarked content under:

• Fair Use protections for non-commercial, transformative, journalistic commentary
• Attribution where applicable
• Public domain and/or lawful use under government-generated content doctrines

We claim no proprietary ownership over original data or official records. We own the site architecture, visualization tools, structure, curation, and editorial framing.

If you believe content infringes your rights:

• Contact our registered DMCA Agent (see Section 12)
• File a valid takedown request per 17 U.S.C. § 512
• Misuse of DMCA for censorship or harassment may result in counter-notification and damages under § 512(f)

6. Disclaimer of Endorsement and Affiliation

We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of any public entity, government agency, corporation, or individual referenced on this Site and Map.

All use of names, data, or entities is purely for informational and documentary purposes under constitutional protections.

7. Dispute Resolution, Arbitration, and Venue

By using this Site and Map, you agree that:

• All disputes will be resolved via binding arbitration in Los Angeles County, California or Multnomah County, Oregon, as applicable
• The prevailing party in any action shall be entitled to recover all reasonable attorneys' fees and legal costs
• You waive all rights to class actions, jury trials, and non-U.S. venues
• All foreign jurisdictions are explicitly excluded

You further agree that any attempt to bypass these clauses or chill protected speech may result in a motion to strike, Rule 11 sanctions, and/or attorney fee recovery under anti-SLAPP statutes.

8. Liability Shield

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for:

• Content originating from third-party official sources
• Errors, omissions, or outdated records
• Consequences of user reliance on data published herein
• Personal, professional, reputational, or financial losses

We are not responsible for third-party misuse, misinterpretation, or republication of the data. We do not republish sealed, expunged, or juvenile records, and will remove such data upon verified court order.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless STAV Connects, its operators, contributors, partners, and affiliated entities from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or losses—including attorneys' fees—arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the Site and Map
• Violations of these Terms
• Any dispute initiated in bad faith
• Any action intended to suppress lawful public interest data or protected editorial content

10. Donations

All donations are:

• Voluntary and non-refundable
• Not payments for service or product
• Not entitlements to content control or influence

No rights, benefits, or privileges are conferred by making a donation.

11. Content Removal Requests

Requests to remove or alter content must include:

• Precise description of the content in question
• Legal basis for removal (e.g., expungement, sealing, judicial order)
• Verifiable documentation, including case numbers or court orders

We do not entertain removal requests based on personal disagreement, embarrassment, or reputational discomfort without legal grounding. Frivolous or harassing requests may trigger legal counteraction.

12. DMCA Agent Information

In accordance with 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(2), we have registered a designated agent:

DMCA Agent:

Email: dmca@stavconnects.com

Counter-notifications must meet statutory standards and include a sworn statement. Knowingly false DMCA filings are actionable under federal law.

13. Modification of Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Changes are effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Site and Map signifies acceptance of all revisions.

14. Contact

Questions, legal concerns, or correction requests may be directed to:

Email: corrections@stavconnects.com

DMCA: dmca@stavconnects.com