54

Terms of Service

Last Updated: November 15, 2024
Effective Date: November 15, 2024

Welcome to Federation 54

Welcome to Federation 54, a collaborative science fiction storytelling platform. By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). Please read them carefully.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using Federation 54 (the "Platform"), you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Platform.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Federation 54. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, and will notify users of significant changes via email or platform notification.

2. Description of Service

Federation 54 is a collaborative writing platform that provides:

  • Interactive Storytelling: Write and share original science fiction stories within our shared universe
  • Collaborative Canon: Contribute to a unified narrative spanning 54 star systems
  • Discovery Engine: Unlock new content through writing triggers and keywords
  • Community Features: Connect with other writers and participate in events
  • Timeline Progression: Experience a universe that evolves in real-time (1 real month = 1 game year)

The Platform is designed for creative expression within the Federation 54 universe, beginning in Year 3078 AE (After Exodus).

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use this Platform. If you are between 13 and 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction), you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to use the Platform.

By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that:

  • You meet the age requirements
  • You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms
  • You will provide accurate and truthful information
  • You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations

4. Account Registration and Security

4.1 Account Creation

To access certain features, you must create an account by providing:

  • A valid email address
  • A secure password
  • Your name or preferred display name

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration.

4.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
  • All activities that occur under your account
  • Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach

We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account information.

4.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that:

  • Violate these Terms of Service
  • Engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
  • Harass or harm other users
  • Remain inactive for extended periods (we will provide notice before deletion)

5. Content and Intellectual Property

5.1 Your Content

You retain ownership of all original content you create and post on the Platform ("User Content"). However, by posting User Content, you grant Federation 54 a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to:

  • Display, reproduce, and distribute your User Content on the Platform
  • Use your User Content to promote the Platform and community
  • Incorporate your User Content into the Federation 54 shared canon
  • Create derivative works based on the collaborative universe

This license continues even if you delete your content, as other users may have built upon your contributions to the shared narrative.

5.2 Federation 54 Intellectual Property

The Federation 54 universe, including but not limited to:

  • The setting, lore, and worldbuilding elements
  • The name "Federation 54" and associated branding
  • Original characters, locations, and storylines created by Federation 54
  • The Platform's code, design, and functionality

...are the exclusive property of Federation 54 and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

5.3 Collaborative Canon

By contributing to Federation 54, you acknowledge that:

  • Your stories become part of the shared universe canon
  • Other users may reference, build upon, or interact with your content
  • You cannot retroactively remove content from canon if others have built upon it
  • The Platform administrators may adjust content for consistency with established lore

5.4 Fan Works

You may create derivative works based on Federation 54 for non-commercial purposes, provided you:

  • Credit Federation 54 appropriately
  • Do not claim official affiliation without permission
  • Do not use Federation 54 branding in a way that implies endorsement

6. Content Guidelines and Prohibited Conduct

6.1 Acceptable Content

All User Content must:

  • Be original work or properly attributed
  • Remain appropriate for a general audience (PG-13 rating equivalent)
  • Fit within the established Federation 54 universe and timeline
  • Respect the collaborative nature of the shared canon

6.2 Prohibited Content

You may not post content that:

  • Infringes on intellectual property rights
  • Contains graphic violence, sexual content, or hate speech
  • Harasses, threatens, or defames other users
  • Promotes illegal activities
  • Contains malware, spam, or advertising (without permission)
  • Violates any applicable laws or regulations

6.3 Prohibited Conduct

You may not:

  • Impersonate other users or Platform administrators
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to accounts or systems
  • Use automated systems (bots) without permission
  • Manipulate the discovery engine or achievement system
  • Sell, trade, or transfer accounts
  • Scrape or harvest user data

6.4 Enforcement

We reserve the right to:

  • Remove content that violates these Terms
  • Issue warnings for minor violations
  • Suspend or terminate accounts for serious or repeated violations
  • Report illegal activity to law enforcement

7. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Key points:

  • We collect only necessary information to provide services
  • We do not sell your personal data
  • We use industry-standard security measures
  • You have rights to access, correct, and delete your data

8. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

8.1 "As Is" Service

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that:

  • The Platform will be uninterrupted or error-free
  • Defects will be corrected
  • The Platform is free from viruses or harmful components
  • User Content will be preserved indefinitely

8.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, FEDERATION 54 SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

  • Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill
  • Service interruptions or data loss
  • User Content or the actions of other users

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to use the Platform in the past 12 months (or $100 if you have not paid anything).

8.3 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Federation 54, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the Platform
  • Your User Content
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any rights of another party

9. Timeline and Universe Continuity

9.1 Time Progression Mechanic

Federation 54 operates on a unique timeline where:

  • 1 real-world month = 1 in-game year
  • The timeline began November 2024 as Year 3078 AE
  • The universe progresses continuously

You acknowledge that:

  • Stories must align with the current in-game year
  • Past events become established canon
  • The timeline cannot be reversed or reset

9.2 Retcons and Canon Changes

Platform administrators reserve the right to:

  • Adjust minor details for consistency
  • Clarify ambiguous lore
  • Resolve contradictions between user stories
  • Make necessary changes to maintain narrative coherence

Major retcons will be avoided whenever possible and communicated to the community.

10. Events, Competitions, and Achievements

10.1 Participation

Events and competitions are optional community activities. By participating, you agree to:

  • Follow event-specific rules and guidelines
  • Accept administrator decisions regarding winners and awards
  • Allow your content to be featured in event promotions

10.2 Achievements and Progression

The achievement and progression systems are subject to change. We reserve the right to:

  • Modify achievement criteria
  • Add or remove achievements
  • Reset systems if exploits are discovered
  • Award achievements at our discretion

Achievements have no monetary value and cannot be traded or sold.

11. Fees and Payments

11.1 Free Access

Basic access to Federation 54 is currently free. We reserve the right to:

  • Introduce premium features or subscriptions in the future
  • Charge fees for certain services or events
  • Modify pricing with reasonable notice

11.2 Future Monetization

If we introduce paid features:

  • We will provide at least 30 days notice
  • Existing free features will remain available
  • Refund policies will be clearly stated
  • Premium features will be clearly marked

12. Third-Party Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for:

  • The content or privacy practices of third-party sites
  • Any damages arising from your use of third-party services
  • The availability of external resources

Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their terms.

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Informal Resolution

Before filing any formal claim, you agree to contact us at [support@federation54.com] to attempt informal resolution.

13.2 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Your Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict of law principles.

13.3 Arbitration

Any disputes that cannot be resolved informally shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with [Arbitration Association] rules, rather than in court.

13.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any proceedings to resolve disputes will be conducted on an individual basis and not as a class action.

14. Modifications to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time by:

  • Posting updated Terms on the Platform
  • Sending notice via email to registered users
  • Displaying a notification upon login

Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitute acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Platform.

15. Termination

15.1 Your Right to Terminate

You may terminate your account at any time by:

Upon termination:

  • Your personal information will be deleted (subject to legal requirements)
  • Your User Content may remain in the shared canon
  • Your license grant to Federation 54 continues for already-posted content

15.2 Our Right to Terminate

We may terminate or suspend your access immediately, without notice, for:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Fraudulent, illegal, or harmful conduct
  • At our discretion for any other reason

16. General Provisions

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Federation 54 regarding the Platform.

16.2 Severability

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

16.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

16.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

16.5 Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, wars, internet outages).

17. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Federation 54
Email: [support@federation54.com]
Website: [https://federation54.com]


Acknowledgment

By creating an account and using Federation 54, you acknowledge that:

  • You have read and understood these Terms of Service
  • You agree to be bound by these Terms
  • You understand this is a collaborative storytelling platform
  • Your contributions become part of the shared universe
  • You are at least 13 years old (with parental consent if under 18)

Thank you for joining Federation 54. Welcome to the last human hub. Your story begins now.


Federation 54 - The Last Human Hub
Year 3080 AE - Drifting through the Near-Black Expanse