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Goshuingoshuin

Terms of Service

Conditions for using Goshuin

Dernière mise à jour: January 29, 2026

Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using Goshuin ("the Site", "the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Goshuin, operated by David Dias, a sole proprietor based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Use of Service

Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use our services. By using the Site, you represent that you meet this requirement.

Account Responsibilities

If you create an account, you are responsible for:

  • Providing accurate and complete information
  • Maintaining the security of your account credentials
  • All activities that occur under your account
  • Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access at hello@goshuin.com

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms.

Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

  • Use the Site for any illegal purpose
  • Harass, abuse, or harm other users
  • Post false, misleading, or inaccurate information about temples, shrines, or goshuin
  • Upload malicious code or attempt to compromise the Site's security
  • Scrape, crawl, or collect data without permission
  • Impersonate others or misrepresent your affiliation
  • Use automated systems (bots) to access the Site without permission
  • Circumvent any access restrictions or security measures
  • Violate any applicable laws or regulations

User Content

Your Content

You retain ownership of content you post on the Site, including photos, reviews, and comments. By posting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, perpetual, and irrevocable license to use, display, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, distribute, and create derivative works from your content in connection with operating and promoting our services.

What this means:

  • Perpetual: The license lasts forever, even after you stop using the Site
  • Irrevocable: You cannot revoke this license once you upload content
  • Sublicensable: We can allow others (like CDN providers) to help us display your content
  • For public content only: This applies to content you share publicly or with the community

This license continues even if you delete your account, but only for content that has been shared publicly or with other users. We will not use your private data for promotional purposes without your explicit consent.

Photo Contributions

Feature Status: The ability to upload photos to the community database is currently in development and not yet available. When launched, the following terms will apply:

When you upload photos to Goshuin (temple photos, goshuin images, or other community contributions), you grant us the permanent rights described above. You represent and warrant that:

  • You own the copyright to the photos or have obtained all necessary permissions
  • The photos do not violate any third-party rights (copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, etc.)
  • The photos do not contain illegal, harmful, or offensive content
  • You have the right to grant the license described above

Important: Once you upload a photo to the community, we have the right to keep and display it indefinitely, even if you later delete your account. This is necessary to maintain the integrity and value of the community-contributed content database.

You retain all ownership rights to your photos. The license you grant to us does not transfer ownership, but it does give us permanent rights to use your contributions.

Content Standards

User content must not:

  • Infringe on intellectual property rights of others
  • Contain defamatory, obscene, or offensive material
  • Violate the privacy of others
  • Promote illegal activities
  • Contain spam or commercial solicitations
  • Misrepresent the nature of temples, shrines, or goshuin

Content Moderation

We reserve the right to review, moderate, reject, or remove any contributed content that violates these Terms, our community guidelines, or applicable laws. We may also remove content that is of poor quality, duplicative, or not relevant to the Service.

Content Removal

We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these terms or that we deem inappropriate, without prior notice. We may also remove content in response to valid legal requests or copyright claims.

You may request removal of specific photos before deleting your account by contacting hello@goshuin.com. After account deletion, you may still request removal of anonymized contributions by providing sufficient details to identify the content.

Content Accuracy

Users are expected to provide accurate information about temples, shrines, and goshuin. If you notice inaccurate information, please report it to us.

Intellectual Property

Our Content

The Site and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Goshuin and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws of Canada and international treaties.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • The Goshuin name and logo
  • Site design and layout
  • Original text, graphics, and code
  • Database structure and organization

Trademarks

The Goshuin name, logo, and related marks are trademarks of our service. You may not use these marks without prior written permission.

Temple and Shrine Information

Information about temples and shrines is compiled from public sources and user contributions. Individual temples and shrines retain all rights to their own names, images, and goshuin designs.

Copyright Infringement (DMCA Policy)

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect our users to do the same. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and applicable Canadian copyright law, we will respond to valid notices of copyright infringement.

Notice of Infringement

If you believe content on Goshuin infringes your copyright, please send a written notice to our designated agent containing:

  1. Your physical or electronic signature
  2. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
  3. Identification of the infringing material and its location on our service (provide specific URLs)
  4. Your contact information (address, telephone number, email address)
  5. A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law
  6. A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf

Send notices to:

We will review all valid notices and may remove or disable access to allegedly infringing material. We will make reasonable efforts to contact the user who posted the content.

Counter-Notification

If you believe your content was wrongly removed due to a mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notification containing:

  1. Your physical or electronic signature
  2. Identification of the removed material and its previous location
  3. A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification
  4. Your name, address, telephone number, and a statement consenting to the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Canada or the jurisdiction where you are located, and that you will accept service of process from the person who provided the original infringement notice

Send counter-notifications to: hello@goshuin.com with subject line "DMCA Counter-Notification"

Upon receipt of a valid counter-notification, we will forward it to the original complaining party. If that party does not file a lawsuit within 10-14 business days, we may restore the removed content.

Repeat Infringer Policy

We will terminate the accounts of users who are repeat infringers. A "repeat infringer" is a user who has been notified of infringing activity or whose content has been removed for copyright infringement on two or more occasions.

DMCA Process Workflow

Upon receiving a valid DMCA notice, we will:

  1. Acknowledge receipt within 48 hours
  2. Review for completeness - Verify all 6 required elements are present
  3. Remove or disable access to allegedly infringing content within 72 hours
  4. Notify the uploader of the takedown and provide counter-notification instructions
  5. Track repeat infringers in our moderation system

We maintain records of all DMCA notices and counter-notifications for legal compliance.

False Claims

Please note that submitting a false or fraudulent DMCA notice or counter-notification may result in legal liability under applicable law, including potential liability for damages, costs, and attorney's fees.

Disclaimer of Warranties

Information Accuracy

Important: Information on the Site is provided for reference purposes only.

  • Temple operating hours, goshuin availability, admission fees, and other details may change without notice
  • We recommend confirming information directly with temples and shrines before visiting
  • Goshuin availability can vary by day, season, or at the discretion of the temple/shrine
  • Some temples may temporarily or permanently stop offering goshuin

We make reasonable efforts to keep information accurate but cannot guarantee its completeness or currency.

Service Availability

The Site is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee that:

  • The Site will be uninterrupted or error-free
  • Defects will be corrected
  • The Site is free of viruses or harmful components
  • The results of using the Site will meet your requirements

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Goshuin and its operator shall not be liable for any:

  • Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill
  • Damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Site
  • Damages arising from any content posted by users
  • Damages arising from inaccurate temple/shrine information

Our total liability for any claims arising from your use of the Site shall not exceed the GREATER OF (a) the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) ONE HUNDRED CANADIAN DOLLARS (CAD $100).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitations of liability, so some of the above may not apply to you.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Goshuin, its operator, and any affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the Site
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party rights
  • Content you post on the Site

Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, including:

  • Official temple and shrine websites
  • Map services
  • Social media platforms

We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or availability of these external sites. Visiting third-party sites is at your own risk.

Modifications to Service

We reserve the right to:

  • Modify or discontinue any part of the Site at any time
  • Change features, functionality, or content
  • Impose limits on certain features or access

We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of significant changes, but are not liable for any modification or discontinuation.

Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. When we do:

  • The "Last updated" date at the top will be revised
  • Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms
  • For material changes, we will provide notice through the Site or via email

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with:

  • The laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada
  • The federal laws of Canada applicable therein

This applies without regard to conflict of law provisions.

Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, you agree to contact us at hello@goshuin.com to attempt to resolve any dispute informally. We will attempt to resolve disputes within 30 days.

Jurisdiction

If informal resolution fails, any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Site shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of the Province of Ontario, Canada.

You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objection to venue in such courts, except where prohibited by applicable law.

Class Action Waiver

To the extent permitted by law, you agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

Termination

Our Right to Terminate

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice, including but not limited to:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Violation of applicable laws or regulations
  • Conduct harmful to other users or third parties
  • Conduct harmful to us or our business interests
  • Extended periods of inactivity
  • At our sole discretion

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Your license to use the Service immediately terminates
  • We may delete your account and data (subject to our Privacy Policy)
  • Sections that by their nature should survive will survive, including but not limited to: User Content licenses, Disclaimer of Warranties, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, and Dispute Resolution

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under these Terms, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent. Any attempted assignment without such consent will be void.

We may freely assign or transfer these Terms and our rights and obligations under these Terms, in whole or in part, without your consent, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. Upon any such assignment, the successor entity will be bound by these Terms and will assume our obligations hereunder.

Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from any cause that is beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, pandemics, strikes, labor disputes, shortage of materials or energy, equipment failures, cyberattacks, denial-of-service attacks, internet or telecommunications failures, or any other similar cause.

Beta Features

We may offer certain features in "beta," "preview," or "early access" form. These features are provided "as is" without any warranty. Beta features may be incomplete, contain errors, or be discontinued at any time without notice. By using beta features, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Third-Party Links and Websites

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not owned or controlled by us. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. You access third-party sites at your own risk and should review their terms and privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Export Compliance

The Service may be subject to Canadian export control laws and international sanctions. You may not use, export, or re-export the Service or any content except as authorized by Canadian law and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Service was obtained. You represent and warrant that you are not located in a country subject to Canadian economic sanctions, or a prohibited end user under applicable export control laws.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Goshuin regarding your use of the Site and supersede any prior agreements.

No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

Contact

If you have questions about these Terms of Service:

Legal References

These Terms are designed to comply with: