Terms of Service

Welcome to BucketUp! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our basketball community platform and services. By accessing or using BucketUp, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using BucketUp, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our platform. These Terms apply to all users of the platform, including players, coaches, league organizers, and administrators.

2. Description of Service

BucketUp is a comprehensive basketball community platform that provides:

• Court Discovery: Real-time court availability and check-in functionality
• Team Management: Team creation, roster management, and communication tools
• League Organization: League creation, team registration, and tournament management
• Event Management: Tournament and event creation, registration, and payment processing
• Player Profiles: Statistics tracking, performance analytics, and skill verification
• Communication Tools: Team messaging, notifications, and community features
• Payment Processing: Secure payment handling for fees and registrations

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To use certain features of BucketUp, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and update your account information to keep it accurate and current
• Protect your account credentials and not share them with others
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• Be responsible for all activities that occur under your account

3.2 Age Requirements and Child Accounts

Definition: "Child accounts" refers to accounts belonging to users under the age of 13 unless otherwise specified.

BucketUp is designed for users of all ages, but we have specific requirements for child accounts:

• Child Accounts: Child accounts must have verified parental consent before accessing the platform. Access to the platform is prohibited until parental consent is verified.
• Parental Consent Required: Parental consent is mandatory before any access is granted, not just for certain features. Child accounts cannot access the platform until verified parental consent is obtained.
• Immediate Disablement: If parental consent is revoked or required verification is not completed, the account will be immediately disabled and access to the platform will be suspended.
• Account Restrictions: Child accounts are subject to additional restrictions, including but not limited to the inability to create teams, leagues, or events.
• Messaging Restrictions: Child accounts cannot send messages on the platform. Messaging functionality is completely disabled for child accounts to ensure safety and compliance. Child accounts may receive messages only from users with whom they share a verified relationship (same team membership, league registration, or event registration, or from verified coaches/organizers associated with their teams, leagues, or events).
• All Users: Users 13 and older can create accounts independently

3.3 Account Termination

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us. We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms or for other reasons as determined by us.

3.4 Parental Rights and Controls (COPPA Compliance)

For child accounts, parents and guardians have specific rights and controls in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA):

• Review Rights: Parents and guardians can review their child's account information and activity at any time through the Parent Portal.
• Revoke Consent: Parents and guardians may revoke parental consent at any time, which will immediately disable the child's account and suspend access to the platform.
• Account Control: Parents and guardians can disable their child's account at any time through the Parent Portal.
• Data Deletion: Parents and guardians can request deletion of their child's personal data. Deletion requests immediately disable the account and begin the deletion process. Deletion begins immediately but may complete asynchronously across our systems. Some data may be retained in anonymized form for legal or compliance reasons, such as payment records required for financial reporting.
• Verification Required: All parent and guardian actions require verification through our secure Parent Portal system to ensure the safety and security of child accounts.

4. User Conduct and Community Standards

4.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use BucketUp only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You must not:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on the rights of others
• Use the platform for harassment, bullying, or discrimination
• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the platform
• Use automated systems to access or interact with the platform

4.2 Content Standards

When creating or sharing content on BucketUp, you must ensure that your content:

• Is accurate and truthful
• Respects the rights and dignity of others
• Does not contain hate speech, threats, or harassment
• Is appropriate for a family-friendly basketball community
• Does not violate intellectual property rights
• Complies with applicable laws and regulations

4.3 Highlights and User-Generated Content

You may be able to upload videos, images, and other content ("User Content"), including highlight videos. You retain ownership of your User Content. However, you grant BucketUp a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, process, reproduce, and display your User Content solely to operate, improve, and promote the platform, including generating thumbnails/previews and performing safety and policy enforcement checks.

You represent and warrant that:

• You have all rights necessary to upload the content (including music/footage), and
• Your content does not violate these Terms, applicable law, or the rights of others, and
• You have obtained any necessary consents from individuals appearing in your content (including parental/guardian consent where required).

4.4 Messaging and Communication

BucketUp provides messaging functionality to facilitate communication between users. The following rules apply:

• Child Account Messaging Restrictions: Users under the age of 13 cannot send direct messages on the platform. Messaging functionality is completely disabled for child accounts to ensure safety and compliance. Child accounts may receive messages only from users with whom they share a verified relationship (same team membership, league registration, or event registration, or from verified coaches/organizers associated with their teams, leagues, or events), and only within that context. BucketUp may block or restrict messages for safety reasons at any time.
• Rate Limiting: All users are subject to rate limits on messaging to prevent spam and abuse. Adults are limited to 10 messages per minute and 20 new conversations per hour. Users aged 13-17 are subject to stricter limits (5 messages per minute and 10 new conversations per hour).
• Prohibited Content: Messages must not contain threats, harassment, hate speech, sexual content, bullying, or any other content that violates these Terms.
• Automated Detection: BucketUp uses automated systems to detect harmful content in messages. Messages containing prohibited content may be automatically quarantined and reported for review.

4.5 Anti-Harassment Enforcement

BucketUp enforces anti-harassment policies through reporting systems, moderation review, automated safeguards, and graduated enforcement actions. Prohibited behaviors include:

• Threats or intimidation
• Repeated unwanted contact
• Sexual content or grooming
• Hate speech or slurs
• Bullying, shaming, or targeting
• Impersonation or coercion

BucketUp may scan messages with automated systems to detect abuse, may quarantine messages, restrict accounts, or take other enforcement actions. Repeat violations can lead to temporary or permanent restrictions. Users may report inappropriate behavior directly within the platform. Reports are reviewed by BucketUp's moderation team and may result in enforcement actions, including warnings, restrictions, temporary suspension, or permanent removal. Enforcement actions are logged for legal defensibility and compliance purposes.

Repeat Offenders: Users who receive 2 or more reports from different users within 24 hours may be automatically muted for 24 hours and flagged for administrative review.

4.6 Sportsmanship and Fair Play

As a basketball community platform, we expect all users to demonstrate good sportsmanship:

• Respect other players, coaches, and officials
• Follow the rules and spirit of basketball
• Maintain a positive and supportive environment
• Report inappropriate behavior or violations
• Promote fair play and healthy competition

5. Payment Terms and Financial Obligations

5.1 Fees and Charges

BucketUp charges fees for certain services:

• Creation Fee: BucketUp charges one-time fee per Youth team, League, & Event created
• Platform Fee: 6% of all registration fees collected through the platform
• Join Fees: Variable amounts set by league and event organizers

5.2 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe. You agree to:

• Provide accurate payment information
• Authorize charges for services you use
• Pay all fees and charges when due
• Understand that fees are non-refundable unless otherwise specified

5.3 Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

If you initiate a chargeback or payment dispute through your payment provider without first contacting Stripe or BucketUp support, your account may be temporarily suspended while the dispute is investigated.

Excessive, fraudulent, or abusive chargebacks may be considered a violation of these Terms. We reserve the right to restrict access during disputes and to terminate accounts for fraud or abuse. However, legitimate disputes will be handled fairly and access will be restored upon resolution.

We strongly encourage users to contact Stripe directly to resolve any billing issues before initiating a chargeback. This allows Stripe to address concerns quickly and helps avoid unnecessary disruptions to your account.

5.4 Creator Responsibilities

Creators (league organizers, event organizers, and team coaches) are responsible for:

• Setting Prices: Creators set all entry fees, registration fees, and other charges for their leagues, events, and teams
• Collecting Entry Fees: Creators are responsible for collecting all entry fees and registration fees from participants
• Handling Refunds: Creators are responsible for establishing and handling refund policies for their events, leagues, and teams
• Taxes: Creators are responsible for collecting and remitting all applicable taxes related to their events, leagues, and teams. BucketUp is not responsible for tax collection or remittance

Important: BucketUp is not the seller of event admission, league membership, or team registration. BucketUp provides a platform and payment processing services. The creator is the seller of record for all transactions.

5.5 Refunds and Cancellations

Refund policies vary by service:

• Creation Fees: Non-refundable
• Join Fees: Subject to organizer's refund policy
• Platform Fees: Non-refundable

5.6 Highlights Subscription (Optional Paid Feature)

BucketUp may offer certain paid features, including the ability to upload and publish highlight videos ("Highlights Subscription"). If you purchase a Highlights Subscription:

• Billing: You authorize us (through our payment processor, Stripe) to charge the recurring subscription fee shown at checkout (currently $3.00/month, unless otherwise displayed).
• Auto-Renewal: Subscriptions renew automatically until canceled.
• Cancellation: You can cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the then-current billing cycle.
• No Guarantee of Outcomes: Subscription purchase does not guarantee that any highlight will be approved, published, ranked, or receive engagement.
• No Refunds: Payments are non-refundable except where required by law or where explicitly stated otherwise.

6. Assumption of Risk

Basketball Activities: By participating in basketball activities organized through BucketUp, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Basketball is a physical sport that involves inherent risks of injury
• You voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation
• BucketUp is not responsible for injuries, accidents, or damages that occur during games, practices, or events
• You are responsible for your own safety and should use appropriate protective equipment
• You should consult with a physician before participating if you have health concerns

7. Media and Likeness License

By using BucketUp, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display your name, likeness, image, voice, and any content you create or share on the platform (collectively, "Your Content") for the following purposes:

• Operating and promoting the BucketUp platform
• Marketing and advertising BucketUp services
• Creating promotional materials, including but not limited to social media posts, advertisements, and press releases
• Displaying your statistics, achievements, and profile information on the platform

This license continues even after you stop using the platform, unless you request removal of specific content and we agree to such removal. You retain ownership of Your Content and may revoke this license by contacting us, subject to our right to retain content for legal or operational purposes.

Child Accounts: For child accounts, use of name, likeness, and content is subject to verified parental consent. Parents may revoke consent at any time, and upon account deletion, content will be removed or anonymized in accordance with applicable law.

8. Location Data

BucketUp may collect and use location data to provide services such as court discovery and event recommendations. By using location-based features, you consent to the collection and use of your location data. You can control location sharing through your account settings. For child accounts, location sharing is restricted by default and may require parental consent.

9. Reporting and Moderation

BucketUp reserves the right to monitor, review, and moderate all content and user behavior on the platform. We have the authority to:

• Remove or restrict access to any content that violates these Terms
• Suspend or terminate accounts that violate community standards
• Investigate reports of inappropriate behavior or safety concerns
• Take legal action when necessary to protect users and the platform
• Cooperate with law enforcement when required by law

Users are encouraged to report any violations, safety concerns, or inappropriate behavior through our reporting system. All reports will be reviewed and addressed in accordance with our policies.

9.1 Content Moderation (Automated + Human Review)

BucketUp may use automated tools (including services provided by Amazon Web Services) and human review to help detect and remove content that violates these Terms or our policies. Moderation decisions may include approving content, rejecting it, limiting its visibility, quarantining it for review, or removing it. Automated systems are not perfect and may make mistakes.

We may remove or restrict content at any time, and repeated violations may result in account restrictions or termination.

10. Intellectual Property Rights

10.1 Our Rights

BucketUp and its content, features, and functionality are owned by us and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

10.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of content you create and share on BucketUp. By posting content, you grant us a license to use, display, and distribute your content in connection with our services.

10.3 Third-Party Content

Our platform may contain content from third parties. We are not responsible for third-party content and do not endorse it.

11. 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.

12. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

12.1 Service Availability

We strive to provide reliable service but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue services at any time.

12.2 User-Generated Content

We do not endorse or verify user-generated content. Users are responsible for the accuracy and legality of their content.

12.3 Basketball Activities

BucketUp facilitates basketball activities but is not responsible for:

• Injuries or accidents during games or events
• Disputes between players, teams, or organizers
• Weather conditions affecting outdoor activities
• Facility issues or court availability

12.4 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, BucketUp shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our platform.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BucketUp, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the platform or violation of these Terms.

14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Informal Resolution

We encourage users to resolve disputes informally through communication and mediation.

14.2 Arbitration

Any disputes that cannot be resolved informally may be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.

14.3 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New Jersey, USA, without regard to conflict of law principles.

15. Modifications to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by:

• Posting updated Terms on our platform
• Sending email notifications to registered users
• Displaying in-app notifications about changes

Continued use of BucketUp after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the platform.

16. Termination

16.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account and stop using BucketUp at any time by using the delete account feature.

16.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your access to BucketUp immediately, without prior notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users or the platform. BucketUp may immediately disable or restrict access to an account, including child accounts, when parental consent is revoked, required verification is missing, or a verified parent or guardian submits a deletion request.

16.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use BucketUp ceases immediately. Account access is disabled immediately upon deletion request. Full data deletion may take additional time to complete across systems. We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes, including anonymized data for compliance and legal requirements.

17. Miscellaneous

17.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and BucketUp regarding your use of our platform.

17.2 Severability

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

17.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

17.4 Assignment

You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

These Terms of Service are effective as of February 2026 and apply to all users of the BucketUp platform.