Terms of Use

Effective Date: 10/19/2021

The Black Professionals in Food and Agriculture (“BPFA,” “we,” “us” or “our”) promotes the advancement and development of black professionals in the food and agriculture industry. These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your use of the websites operated by BPFA where these Terms are posted (collectively, the “Sites”). These Terms represent a binding contract between BPFA and you. By accessing the Sites, you expressly represent that you are legally competent to enter into this agreement and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to be bound by the Terms, you may not use the Sites.

Certain areas, features, or functionality of the Sites may be subject to different or additional terms, rules, guidelines or policies (“Additional Rules”), and we may provide such Additional Rules to you via postings, pop-up notices, links, or other means at the time that you access or use the relevant area, feature or functionality. From time to time, such additional rules may conflict with these Terms. In the event of such a conflict, the Additional Rules will control.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PLEASE NOTE THE ARBITRATION REQUIREMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER SET FORTH BELOW, WHICH REQUIRES YOU TO ARBITRATE CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST US ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE, AND YOU WAIVE, THE RIGHT FOR A JUDGE OR JURY TO DECIDE YOUR CLAIMS, AND THAT YOU MAY NOT PROCEED IN A CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY.

The Sites and their content, features and functionality, including, without limitation, information, text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips (including podcasts), video clips, data compilations and the design, selection and arrangement thereof (collectively, the “BPFA Content”), are the exclusive property of BPFA, our licensors, or other content suppliers, and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws, and may not be used or exploited in any way without our prior written consent.

We are providing you with access to the Sites pursuant to a limited, non-exclusive, non-sub-licensable, non-transferable, revocable license. Except as otherwise provided or granted by BPFA, you may use the Sites for personal, non-commercial use, and subject to these Terms. This license is available to you as long as you are not barred from the Sites by applicable law and your access is not terminated by us. If these Terms are not enforceable where you are located, you may not use the Sites. BPFA reserves all right, title, and interest not expressly granted under this license to the fullest extent possible under applicable laws.

Under this license, you may download information from the Sites and print out a hard copy provided that you keep intact and do not remove or alter any copyright or other notice (e.g., trademark, patent, etc.) contained thereon. Except as otherwise expressly stated herein, you may not modify, copy, distribute, display, reproduce, sell, license, or create derivative works from any BPFA Content, in whole or in part, including any text, images, audio, and video in any manner, without the prior written authorization of BPFA or any applicable third-party suppliers. Any unauthorized use of the BPFA Content may violate copyright laws, trademark laws, the laws of privacy and publicity, and applicable regulations and statutes. You agree to comply with reasonable written requests from us to help us protect our proprietary and intellectual property rights.

YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND LICENSE GRANT

Some features on our Sites, either now or in the future, may allow you to post or submit communications and content on or through the Sites (“Your Content”). You own any intellectual property rights to Your Content, but you automatically grant, or warrant that you and/or the owner of such content has expressly granted BPFA a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, unlimited, nonexclusive license to use, reproduce, create derivative works from, modify, publish, edit, translate, distribute, perform, and display Your Content in any media or medium, or any form, format, or forum now known or hereafter developed. We may sublicense these rights through multiple tiers of sublicenses. You are responsible for Your Content, and acknowledge that once published, we cannot always remove it. BPFA shall have the right but not the obligation to monitor content posted or submitted by users on the Sites to determine compliance with these Terms and any other operating rules that may be established by BPFA from time to time.

NON-CONFIDENTIALITY

Communications and content submitted on or through the Sites shall not be deemed confidential and BPFA shall not have any obligation to keep any such material confidential. BPFA shall be free to use any ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques contained in such information for any purpose whatsoever including, but not limited to, developing, manufacturing, and marketing products incorporating such information.

USER CONDUCT

By using the Sites, you agree not to use the Sites in any manner that:

Is designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of, any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment (including by means of software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs);
Interferes with or disrupts the Sites, services connected to the Sites, or otherwise interferes with operations or services of the Sites in any way;
Infringes any copyright, trademark, trade secret, patent or other right of any party, or defames or invades the publicity rights or the privacy of any person, living or deceased (or impersonates any such person);
Consists of any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, “junk mail,” “spam,” “chain letters,” “pyramid schemes,” or any other form of solicitation;
Causes BPFA to lose (in whole or in part) the services of our Internet service providers or other suppliers;
Links to materials or other content, directly or indirectly, to which you do not have a right to link;
Is false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable, as determined by BPFA in our sole discretion;
Copies, modifies, creates a derivative work of, reverse engineers, decompiles or otherwise attempts to extract the source code of the software underlying the Sites or any portion thereof;
Violates, or encourages anyone to violate these Terms, any ancillary terms and conditions listed on the Sites, or the Privacy Policy; or
Violates, or encourages to violate, any applicable local, state, national, or international law, regulation, or order.

LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES

The Sites may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the availability of these external websites nor do we necessarily endorse the activities or services provided by these websites. Under no circumstances shall we be held responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any loss or damage caused or alleged to have been caused to a user in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services available on such external websites.

NO FRAMING

Without the prior written permission of BPFA, you may not frame, or make it appear that a third-party site is presenting or endorsing, any of the content of the Sites, or incorporate any intellectual property of the Sites, BPFA, or any of its licensors into another website or other service.

PRIVACY

We respect your privacy and have taken specific steps to protect it. Your submission of personal information through the Sites is governed by our Privacy Policy.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER LAW AND SAVE FOR THE RIGHTS GRANTED TO CONSUMERS UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS, THE SITES AND THE CONTENT ON THE SITES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS." BPFA MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE SITES OR THE CONTENT OR COMMUNICATIONS ON THE SITES, OR ANY WEBSITE OR OTHER CONTENT OR SERVICE THAT MAY BE ACCESSIBLE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH THE SITES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. BPFA DISCLAIMS IMPLIED WARRANTIES THAT THE SITES AND ALL SOFTWARE, CONTENT AND SERVICES, INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE SITES ARE MERCHANTABLE, OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, ACCURATE, TIMELY, FIT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NEED, OR NON-INFRINGING. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY BPFA OR A REPRESENTATIVE SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY.

WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE SITES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR THAT THEY ARE ERROR-FREE, RELIABLE, WITHOUT INTERRUPTION OR AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE SERVICES THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SITES, INCLUDING ANY SUPPORT SERVICES, WILL BE EFFECTIVE, RELIABLE, AND ACCURATE OR MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS OR USE THE SITES (EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THIRD-PARTY NETWORKS) AT ALL TIMES OR LOCATIONS OF YOUR CHOOSING.

FURTHER, BPFA DOES NOT ENDORSE AND MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY OPINION, INFORMATION, ADVICE OR STATEMENT ON THE SITES. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BPFA BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY YOUR RELIANCE ON INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE CONTENT ON THE SITES. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO EVALUATE THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS OR USEFULNESS OF ANY INFORMATION, OPINION, ADVICE OR OTHER CONTENT AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SITES. PLEASE SEEK THE ADVICE OF PROFESSIONALS, AS APPROPRIATE, REGARDING THE EVALUATION OF ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION, OPINION, ADVICE OR OTHER CONTENT ON THE SITES.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT PERMIT THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER LAW, BPFA WILL HAVE NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, PRODUCT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE) FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITIES, INCLUDING DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING ANY LOSS OF DATA, REVENUE OR PROFIT OR DAMAGES ARISING FROM PERSONAL INJURY/WRONGFUL DEATH) ARISING WITH RESPECT TO YOUR USE OF THE SITES, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES TO DAMAGES ARISING FROM (i) USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITES, (ii) COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES, (iii) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS BY THIRD PARTIES, (iv) THIRD PARTY CONTENT MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU THROUGH THE SITES, OR (v) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE SITES.

In addition, when using the Sites, information will be transmitted over a medium which is beyond the control and jurisdiction of BPFA, its partners, advertisers, and sponsors or any other third party mentioned on the Sites. Accordingly, BPFA assumes no liability for or relating to the delay, failure, interruption, or corruption of any data or other information transmitted in connection with use of the Sites.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to defend (at BPFA’s option), indemnify, and hold BPFA harmless from and against any and all liabilities, claims, damages, costs, and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and costs, arising from or related to your misuse of the Sites or any breach by you of these Terms. We reserve the right, at our expense, to assume exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you and, in any case, you agree to cooperate with us if and as requested by us in the defense and settlement of such matter.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE

By using the Sites, you and BPFA agree that, if there is any controversy, claim, action, or dispute arising out of or related to your use of the Sites or the breach, enforcement, interpretation, or validity of these Terms or any part of them, except for disputes that qualify for small claims court or those related to BPFA’s intellectual property (“Dispute”), both parties shall first try in good faith to settle such Dispute by providing written notice to the other party describing the facts and circumstances of the Dispute and allowing the receiving party thirty (30) days in which to respond to or settle the Dispute.

Notice to us shall be sent to:

ATTN: Legal Department

Bpfa.dc@gmail.com

Notice to you shall be sent to the address we have on file for you, if any.

Both you and BPFA agree that this dispute resolution procedure is a condition precedent that must be satisfied before initiating any litigation or filing any claim against the other party. IF ANY DISPUTE CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY THE ABOVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE, YOU AGREE THAT THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION FOR SUCH DISPUTE WILL BE DECIDED BY BINDING ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE, AND YOU WAIVE, THE RIGHT FOR A JUDGE OR JURY TO DECIDE YOUR CLAIMS, AND THAT YOU MAY NOT PROCEED IN A CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY. Other rights that you and we would otherwise have in court will not be available or will be more limited in arbitration, including discovery and appeal rights. All such disputes shall be exclusively submitted to JAMS (www.jamsadr.com) for binding arbitration under its rules then in effect, before one arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by both parties, in a mutually convenient area.

The arbitrator, and not any federal, state, or local court or agency, shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute arising under or relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of these Terms, including any claim that all or any part of these Terms are void or voidable.

CHOICE OF LAW AND CHOICE OF FORUM

These Terms have been made in and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Washington, D.C., without giving effect to any conflict of law principles. Any disputes or claims not subject to the arbitration provision discussed above shall be resolved by a court located in Washington, D.C. and you agree and submit to the exercise of personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of litigating any such claim or action. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision with respect to applicable substantive law, any arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16).

MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we do so, we will update the “Last Updated” date above. By continuing to use the Sites, or any portion thereof, after we post any such changes, you accept these Terms, as modified.

We shall have the right to immediately terminate these Terms with respect to any user which we, in our sole discretion, consider to be unacceptable, or in the event of any breach by you of these Terms. More generally, we may change, restrict access to, suspend or discontinue the Sites, or any portion of the Suites, at any time and at our sole discretion.

MISCELLANEOUS

No waiver. Our failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive our right to act with respect to a subsequent or similar breach or breaches. If BPFA does not exercise or enforce any legal right or remedy which is contained in these Terms (or which BPFA has the benefit of under any applicable law or regulation), such action or inaction shall not be taken to be a formal waiver of BPFA’s rights, and all such rights or remedies shall still be available to BPFA.
Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid by a court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Terms, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Entire Agreement. These Terms and any Additional Rules set forth the entire understanding and agreement between us with respect to your use of the Sites.
Assignment. You may not assign, transfer, or sublicense any or all of your rights or obligations under these Terms without our express prior written consent. We may assign, transfer, or sublicense any or all of our rights or obligations under these Terms without restriction.
No Relationship. These Terms do not, and shall not be construed to, create any partnership, joint venture, employer-employee, agency, or franchisor-franchisee relationship between you and BPFA.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about these Terms, please contact us at:

bpfa.dc@gmail.com.