Terms of Service for Contemporary Sommelier Society

Effective Date: Jul 23, 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the CSSOMM Certification Platform ("the Platform," "our LMS," or "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Service.

These Terms apply to all users, including students, instructors, administrators, and visitors.

2. Description of Service

[LMS Name] is an online learning management system that provides:

  • Course delivery and content management

  • Student progress tracking and assessment tools

  • Communication and collaboration features

  • Educational resources and materials

  • Administrative and reporting functions

3. User Accounts and Registration

Account Creation

  • You must provide accurate, current, and complete information

  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials

  • You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

Account Responsibilities

  • You are responsible for all activities under your account

  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

  • Do not share your login credentials with others

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date account information

4. User Conduct and Acceptable Use

Permitted Uses

  • Access and participate in enrolled courses

  • Submit assignments and participate in assessments

  • Communicate with instructors and fellow students

  • Access educational resources and materials

  • Use platform features as intended

Prohibited Activities

  • Harassment, bullying, or threatening behavior

  • Sharing inappropriate, offensive, or harmful content

  • Cheating, plagiarism, or academic dishonesty

  • Attempting to hack, disrupt, or compromise platform security

  • Sharing copyrighted materials without permission

  • Creating multiple accounts or impersonating others

  • Using the platform for commercial purposes without authorization

  • Distributing spam, malware, or malicious content

5. Course Enrollment and Payment

Enrollment

  • Course enrollment constitutes agreement to course-specific terms

  • Enrollment may be subject to prerequisites or instructor approval

  • Access to courses begins upon successful enrollment and payment

Payment Terms

  • All fees must be paid according to published payment schedules

  • Prices are subject to change with reasonable notice

  • Payment methods accepted: [List accepted payment methods]

  • Late payment may result in account suspension

Refund Policy

  • Refunds are only given at our discretion as a means of goodwill and are never guaranteed

  • Refund eligibility depends on timing and course completion status

  • Partial refunds may be available under certain circumstances

  • Administrative fees may apply to refund processing

6. Intellectual Property Rights

Platform Content

  • All platform software, design, and functionality are owned by [Company Name]

  • Course materials are owned by [Company Name] or licensed content providers

  • Users receive a limited, non-exclusive license to access content for educational purposes

User-Generated Content

  • You retain ownership of original content you create and submit

  • By submitting content, you grant us a license to use it for educational and platform operation purposes

  • You represent that your submissions do not violate third-party rights

  • We may remove content that violates these Terms or applicable law

Copyright Protection

  • We respect intellectual property rights and comply with DMCA

  • Report copyright infringement to: [copyright contact information]

  • False copyright claims may result in account termination

7. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

8. Platform Availability and Modifications

Service Availability

  • We strive to maintain platform availability but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service

  • Scheduled maintenance will be announced in advance when possible

  • We are not liable for service interruptions beyond our reasonable control

Modifications

  • We may modify platform features, functionality, or these Terms at any time

  • Material changes will be communicated with reasonable advance notice

  • Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of modified Terms

9. Termination

Termination by You

  • You may terminate your account at any time

  • Course access ends upon account termination

  • Refunds are subject to our refund policy

Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate accounts for:

  • Violation of these Terms or platform policies

  • Fraudulent or illegal activity

  • Non-payment of fees

  • Prolonged inactivity (with notice)

Effect of Termination

  • Access to courses and content will cease

  • Some data may be retained as required by law or legitimate business purposes

  • Certain provisions of these Terms survive termination

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

Educational Disclaimers

  • Course completion does not guarantee specific outcomes or certification

  • We do not warrant that our courses meet specific professional or regulatory requirements

  • Students are responsible for verifying course applicability to their goals

Platform Disclaimers

  • The platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind

  • We do not warrant that the service will be error-free or uninterrupted

  • We disclaim all implied warranties including merchantability and fitness for purpose

Limitation of Liability

  • Our liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific course or service

  • We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages

  • Some jurisdictions do not allow liability limitations, so these may not apply to you

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless [Company Name], its officers, directors, employees, and agents from claims arising out of:

  • Your use of the platform

  • Your violation of these Terms

  • Your violation of third-party rights

  • Content you submit to the platform

12. Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction] without regard to conflict of law principles.

Dispute Resolution Process

  1. Informal Resolution: Contact our support team first at helpme@cssomm.com

  2. Arbitration: DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ARBITRATION AGREEMENT

    1. Internal Dispute Resolution

    Before initiating any formal dispute resolution process, you agree to first contact us directly to attempt to resolve any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to your use of this website, our services, or these Terms of Service (collectively, "Disputes"). You may contact us at [INSERT CONTACT EMAIL/PHONE]. We will make good faith efforts to resolve any Disputes within thirty (30) days of receiving notice.

    2. Binding Arbitration

    IF INTERNAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION FAILS, YOU AND [COMPANY NAME] AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH BINDING ARBITRATION. You agree that arbitration is the sole and exclusive means of resolving any Dispute, and you waive your right to pursue any Dispute in court or before a judge or jury.

    3. Arbitration Rules and Procedures

    • Arbitration Provider: All arbitrations shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules, or if you are a consumer, under its Consumer Arbitration Rules.

    • Location: Arbitration shall take place in [INSERT CITY, STATE] or, for consumers, in your county of residence or another mutually agreed location.

    • Arbitrator Selection: The arbitrator shall be selected according to AAA rules and must be an attorney with experience in the relevant subject matter.

    • Language: All arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.

    4. Arbitration Costs

    • For consumer disputes under $75,000, we will pay all arbitration fees after you pay an initial filing fee not to exceed $200.

    • For non-consumer disputes or consumer disputes over $75,000, arbitration fees will be allocated according to AAA rules.

    • Each party will bear their own attorney's fees unless applicable law provides otherwise.

    5. Class Action and Collective Relief Waiver

    YOU AGREE THAT DISPUTES MUST BE BROUGHT IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, REPRESENTATIVE, MULTIPLE-PLAINTIFF, OR SIMILAR PROCEEDING. The arbitrator may not consolidate multiple parties' claims and may not preside over any class, collective, representative, or similar proceeding.

    6. Exceptions to Arbitration

    Notwithstanding the above, either party may:

    • Seek injunctive or equitable relief in court to protect intellectual property rights

    • Bring claims in small claims court if they qualify

    • Report violations to appropriate government agencies

    7. Governing Law

    This arbitration agreement and any arbitration proceeding shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and applicable federal arbitration law, not state arbitration law.

    8. Severability

    If any portion of this arbitration agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect, provided that if the class action waiver is deemed invalid, the entire arbitration agreement shall be deemed unenforceable.

    9. Survival

    This arbitration agreement shall survive termination of your use of our website and any other agreements between you and [COMPANY NAME].

    By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this arbitration agreement.

13. Accessibility

We are committed to making our platform accessible to users with disabilities and strive to comply with applicable accessibility standards including WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines.

14. Academic Integrity

Student Responsibilities

  • Complete assignments and assessments independently unless collaboration is explicitly permitted

  • Properly cite all sources and give credit for others' work

  • Do not engage in plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty

  • Report suspected violations of academic integrity

Consequences

Violations may result in:

  • Assignment or course failure

  • Account suspension or termination

  • Notation on academic records

  • Legal action if applicable

15. Technical Requirements

System Requirements

  • Compatible web browser with JavaScript enabled

  • Stable internet connection

User Responsibilities

  • Maintain compatible technology

  • Keep software and browsers updated

  • Back up important work regularly

16. Communication and Notices

Platform Communications

  • Official notices will be sent to your registered email address

  • Check your email regularly for important updates

  • Update your contact information promptly

Student Support

  • Support is available via email by contacting helpme@cssomm.com

  • Response times vary by issue type and support level

  • Emergency technical issues receive priority

17. Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any course-specific terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and [Company Name].

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms. We may assign our rights to any affiliate or successor entity.

Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of our rights.

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service:

Legal Department
Contemporary Sommelier Society
1290 Mountain Road PL NE
Suite N
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Email: helpme@cssomm.com
Phone: 505-390-2777

Student Support
Email: helpme@cssomm.com
Phone: 505-390-2777

These Terms of Service were last updated on 7/30/2025. We encourage you to review these terms periodically for any changes.