terms of service
Last Updated: March 21, 2025
Welcome to COMUNI! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the website www.comuni.live ("Website") and the services provided by COMUNI ("Services"), a community platform based in Paris, France, designed for online students, young professionals, and creators. By accessing or using our Website or Services, you agree to these Terms, which form a legally binding contract between you and COMUNI, a company registered under French law ("we," "us," or "our"). If you do not agree, please refrain from using our Website or Services.
1. About COMUNI
COMUNI provides access to affordable shared living, educational support, (career) mentoring, mental health resources, events, clubs and societies, and community engagement for its members in Paris, France. Our Services aim to enhance the university experience by combining the benefits of online education with the in-person university community life.
2. Eligibility
To use our Services, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old or, if under 18, have express parental consent as required under Article 1124 of the French Civil Code.
- Provide accurate, complete, and current information during registration.
- Comply with these Terms and all applicable French and European Union laws.
3. Registration and Account
- Account Creation: Access to certain Services requires an account. You must provide your full name, email address, and other requested details. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activities under your account.
- Accuracy: Under Article L111-1 of the French Consumer Code, you must provide truthful information. We may suspend or terminate your account and our provision of services to you if we detect false or misleading data.
- Security: Notify us immediately at info@comuni.live if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
4. Use of Services
- Permitted Use: You may use the Services for personal, non-commercial purposes consistent with their design, such as participating in community events, participating in clubs and societies, accessing educational resources, or residing in shared accommodations.
- Prohibited Use: You may not:
- Engage in activities that violate public order (ordre public) or are illegal under French law.
- Disrupt the Website’s functionality (e.g., via malware or hacking), per Articles 323-1 et seq. of the French Penal Code.
- Reproduce or distribute Website content without our prior written consent, in accordance with the French Intellectual Property Code (Code de la propriété intellectuelle).
5. Fees and Payments
- Membership Fees: Certain Services (e.g., accommodation, premium mentoring) require payment. Fees will be displayed in euros (€) inclusive of VAT (TVA), as required by Article L112-1 of the French Consumer Code.
- Payment Terms: Payments must be made via the methods and timelines specified on the Website. Late payments may incur penalties as permitted under Article L441-10 of the French Commercial Code, adjusted for consumer fairness.
- Right of Withdrawal: Per Article L221-18 of the French Consumer Code, you have 14 days from the conclusion of a paid Service contract (e.g., membership subscription) to withdraw without reason, unless the Service has been fully performed with your prior express consent. To exercise this right, contact us at contact@comuni.live. Refunds will be issued within 14 days of notification, per Article L221-24.
- Refunds: Beyond the withdrawal period, fees are non-refundable unless required by law or specified in our refund policy.
6. Community Guidelines and Campus Policy
To maintain a respectful and inclusive environment, you agree to:
- Treat all members with respect, avoiding discrimination or harassment as prohibited by Article 225-1 of the French Penal Code.
- Refrain from sharing content that is defamatory, obscene, or contrary to French public morals.
- Adhere to additional rules provided for events or specific Services.
- Access to Premises: COMUNI may temporarily or permanently restrict access to premises or events if a customer poses a danger to others, has caused distress or harassment, or is reasonably believed likely to do so, with notice unless immediate action is required for safety or public order.
- Campus Policy:
- Official clubs and societies may not organize political events on COMUNI premises. COMUNI reserves the exclusive right to define “political event,” with decisions communicated clearly to members.
- COMUNI may dissolve official clubs or societies or block/remove management members at its discretion, with reasons provided where feasible, such as breaches of policy or misalignment with COMUNI’s mission.
- Violations of these guidelines or policies may result in warnings, suspension, or termination of your access, at our discretion, with notice where required by law.
7. Intellectual Property
- Our Content: All content on the Website (e.g., text, logos, designs) is protected under the French Intellectual Property Code and belongs to COMUNI or its licensors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
- Your Content: By submitting content (e.g., posts, feedback), you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display it for operating and promoting COMUNI, subject to GDPR constraints on personal data.
8. Privacy and Data Protection
We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and France’s Data Protection Act (Loi Informatique et Libertés). See our Privacy Policy [link to policy] for details on how we collect, process, and protect your personal data. You have rights to access, rectify, or erase your data by contacting contact@comuni.live.
9. Termination, Expulsion, and Precautionary Measures
- By You: You may terminate your account at any time by emailing members@comuni.live. Outstanding obligations (e.g., unpaid fees) remain enforceable.
- By Us: We may suspend or terminate your access for breach of these Terms, other COMUNI policies, agreements with COMUNI or its community members, non-payment, actions reasonably deemed to harm COMUNI’s reputation, or other lawful reasons, with prior notice unless immediate action is justified (e.g., illegal activity), per Article L121-20-3 of the French Consumer Code.
- Precautionary Measures:
- COMUNI may implement measures (e.g., exclusion from premises/facilities, suspension of privileges, communication restrictions, or no-contact orders) pending investigation of alleged criminal acts or policy breaches, without implying guilt.
- Grounds include ensuring a proper investigation by police/COMUNI, protecting members, addressing serious harm risks, mental health concerns, sensitive issues, or disruptions to COMUNI’s activities.
- Measures will be proportionate, with notice unless immediate action is required, and may consider the nature of misconduct, circumstances, police views, and witness input.
- Types of Misconduct: Include, but are not limited to:
- Disruptive acts as determined by COMUNI or its representatives.
- Noncompliance with reasonable instructions from COMUNI or its representatives.
- Causing or threatening injury or safety risks to the COMUNI community (staff, customers, visitors).
- Dishonest or fraudulent actions (e.g., misleading information).
- Abusive, bullying, or harassing conduct (including on social media).
- Damaging or defacing COMUNI property.
- Health and safety violations (e.g., ignoring COMUNI/government guidance).
- Actions likely to bring COMUNI into disrepute.
- Criminal acts or alleged breaches (on/off premises, including social media) affecting COMUNI or its community, including third-party allegations posing risks.
- Improper use of COM 체UNI facilities, name, trademarks, or recordings without permission.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by French law:
- We are not liable for indirect or consequential damages (e.g., loss of opportunity) unless caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct (faute lourde ou dolosive), per Article 1231-3 of the Civil Code.
- Our liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the prior 12 months, except where mandatory consumer protections apply.
- We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free Services but will act with reasonable diligence to address issues.
11. Disclaimers
- Educational Support: We provide guidance, not guarantees, regarding academic or career outcomes. You remain responsible for your choices.
- Third-Party Services: Links to external sites or services (e.g., online courses) are provided for convenience. We are not liable for their content or performance, per Article L111-7 of the French Consumer Code.
12. Changes to Terms
We may amend these Terms, with significant changes notified via email or on the Website at least 30 days in advance, as required by Article L112-3 of the French Consumer Code. Continued use after changes implies acceptance. You may terminate your account if you disagree with material changes.
13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
- Applicable Law: These Terms are governed by French law.
- Consumer Mediation: Per Article L612-1 of the French Consumer Code, you may contact a consumer mediator free of charge in case of a dispute. Details of our designated mediator will be provided upon request.
- Jurisdiction: Disputes not resolved amicably or via mediation will be submitted to the competent courts of Paris, France, unless EU consumer law grants you access to your local courts.
14. Force Majeure
We are not liable for delays or failures due to events beyond our control (force majeure), as defined by Article 1218 of the French Civil Code (e.g., natural disasters, strikes).
15. Language
These Terms are provided in French and English. In case of discrepancy, the French version prevails, per Article 2 of Law No. 94-665 (Loi Toubon).
16. Contact Us
For questions or complaints, contact:
Email: contact@comuni.live
