Terms and Conditions
Contact Information
Legal Agreement
These Terms and Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Urbanshot. By accessing our website, enrolling in our courses, or using any of our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms in their entirety.
If you do not agree with any provision of these terms, you must immediately discontinue use of our website and services. These terms were last updated on November 22, 2024 and may be modified at our discretion with appropriate notice.
User Obligations and Responsibilities
1. Legal Compliance
You agree to:
- Comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations when using our services
- Obtain any necessary permits or permissions for street photography activities undertaken during courses
- Respect Japanese photography laws, including privacy and public space regulations
- Adhere to venue-specific rules during course sessions held in public or private locations
2. Prohibited Activities and Behaviors
Users are strictly prohibited from:
- Harassing, threatening, or causing distress to instructors, staff, or fellow students
- Engaging in discriminatory behavior based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or any protected characteristic
- Recording or photographing course sessions without explicit instructor permission
- Sharing, redistributing, or selling course materials, techniques, or proprietary content
- Using course access to solicit students for competing photography services
- Disrupting course sessions through inappropriate conduct or excessive use of substances
3. Content Guidelines and Restrictions
When participating in courses or sharing work:
- Do not submit photographs that depict illegal activities or violate third-party rights
- Respect subject privacy and obtain necessary permissions for identifiable individuals, especially minors
- Avoid sharing content that is obscene, defamatory, or promotes violence or hatred
- Acknowledge any external influences or references in your photographic work when appropriate
4. Age Restrictions and Requirements
Participants must be at least 18 years old to enroll in Urbanshot courses independently. Individuals under 18 may participate with written parental or guardian consent and must be accompanied by an adult during outdoor sessions. We reserve the right to verify age and obtain necessary documentation.
Liability and Warranties
1. Disclaimer of Warranties
Urbanshot provides street photography education services on an "as is" basis. We make no express or implied warranties regarding specific educational outcomes, skill development timelines, or career advancement. While we are committed to quality instruction, individual results vary based on personal dedication, practice frequency, and creative aptitude. We do not warrant that courses will be error-free or uninterrupted.
2. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Urbanshot shall not be liable for:
- Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from course participation
- Personal injuries, accidents, or equipment damage occurring during outdoor photography sessions
- Loss of photographic equipment, theft, or property damage during course activities
- Conflicts or legal issues arising from participants' independent photography activities
- Any damages exceeding the total course enrollment fee paid by the affected participant
3. Consequential Damages Exclusion
Under no circumstances shall Urbanshot be responsible for loss of profits, business opportunities, reputation damage, or other consequential losses allegedly resulting from course participation, website use, or service interruptions. This exclusion applies regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable or whether we were advised of their possibility.
4. Force Majeure Provisions
Urbanshot shall not be held liable for failure to perform obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, civil unrest, transportation failures, or other force majeure events. In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule courses or provide alternative arrangements, but refunds may not be guaranteed.
5. Participant Assumption of Risk
By participating in outdoor photography sessions, you acknowledge and assume the inherent risks associated with urban photography activities, including weather exposure, navigation in public spaces, interaction with the public, and use of photographic equipment in various conditions. You are responsible for your own safety and well-being during course activities.
Indemnification Obligations
1. User Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Urbanshot, its instructors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your violation of these terms, your use of our services, your photographic activities, or your violation of any third-party rights.
2. Third-Party Claims
You are solely responsible for any disputes or legal claims arising from photographs you take during or after course participation. This includes privacy violations, intellectual property infringement claims, defamation allegations, or any other third-party grievances related to your photographic work. Urbanshot is not responsible for defending or settling such claims.
3. Equipment and Property Damage
You are responsible for any damage to third-party property or equipment caused by your actions during course sessions. Urbanshot assumes no liability for damage you cause to public or private property, and you agree to compensate affected parties directly for such damages.
Privacy and Data Protection Responsibilities
1. Compliance with Privacy Laws
When photographing in public spaces during courses, you are responsible for complying with applicable privacy and data protection laws. This includes obtaining necessary consents for identifiable portraits, respecting requests to delete images, and handling photographic data in accordance with Japanese privacy regulations.
2. Student Data Handling
By enrolling in courses, you consent to Urbanshot collecting and processing your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy. This includes contact details, payment information, and photographs of your work for educational and promotional purposes. You have the right to request data deletion as outlined in our privacy documentation.
3. Confidentiality Obligations
Information shared during courses about instructors' techniques, business practices, or other students' work should be treated confidentially. You agree not to disclose proprietary teaching methods or sensitive information about fellow participants without their consent.
Legal Framework and Dispute Resolution
1. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions are governed exclusively by the laws of Japan, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding arising from these terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts of Tokyo, Japan, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts.
2. Dispute Resolution Procedures
Before initiating formal legal proceedings, parties agree to attempt good-faith negotiation to resolve disputes. If direct negotiation fails within 30 days, disputes may be submitted to mediation in Tokyo. Both parties will share mediation costs equally. Only after exhausting these informal resolution methods may formal legal action be pursued.
3. Severability Clause
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while maintaining its original intent. All other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
4. Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Terms of Service, constitute the entire agreement between you and Urbanshot regarding your use of our services. These terms supersede any prior agreements, understandings, or representations, whether written or oral.
5. Waiver Provisions
Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of a term must be in writing and signed by an authorized Urbanshot representative to be effective. No waiver shall constitute a continuing waiver of the same or any other provision.
6. Assignment and Transfer
You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these terms without our prior written consent. Urbanshot may assign these terms or transfer any rights or obligations to affiliated entities or successors in interest without restriction or notice to you.
7. Terms Modification Policy
We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email to enrolled students or through prominent website notice at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued use of our services after modifications become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
Legal Inquiries
For questions regarding these Terms and Conditions or to discuss specific circumstances, please contact us using the information provided at the top of this page. We recommend seeking independent legal counsel if you have concerns about your obligations or our terms.