Terms of Service

Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to DeutschBridge Academy. These Terms of Service govern your use of our website, educational services, and related offerings. By accessing our website or enrolling in our courses, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and DeutschBridge Academy. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use our services.

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website. Your continued use of our services after modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Our Services

Educational Programs

DeutschBridge Academy provides German language instruction through various formats including:

• Business German courses for professional communication
• Technical German programs for engineering and specialized fields
• TestDaF and Goethe certification exam preparation
• Customized corporate training programs

Website and Digital Resources

Our website provides information about our programs, educational resources, course schedules, and contact information. Access to certain features may require registration or enrollment in our courses.

Acceptable Use Policy

Permitted Uses

You may use our services for:

✓ Accessing information about our German language programs
✓ Enrolling in courses and participating in educational activities
✓ Communicating with instructors and administrative staff
✓ Accessing course materials provided as part of your enrollment

Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

× Use our services for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these terms
× Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, networks, or user accounts
× Distribute, reproduce, or share course materials without explicit permission
× Harass, threaten, or discriminate against instructors, staff, or other students
× Interfere with or disrupt the operation of our website or services
× Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful content to our systems
× Impersonate others or provide false information during registration
× Use automated systems or bots to access our services without authorization

Account Registration and Management

Account Creation Requirements

To enroll in our courses, you may need to create an account. When registering, you must:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Be at least 16 years of age or have parental consent
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Create only one account per person unless explicitly authorized

Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

• Choose a strong password and keep it secure
• Not share your account credentials with others
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach
• Accept responsibility for activities conducted through your account

Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms of Service or our policies
• Engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Fail to pay course fees or violate payment terms
• Display behavior that disrupts the learning environment

You may close your account at any time by contacting us. Upon termination, your right to access our services will cease immediately.

Service Availability and Modifications

Service Uptime and Maintenance

While we strive to provide continuous access to our services, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted availability. Our website and services may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, updates, technical issues, or circumstances beyond our control. We will make reasonable efforts to minimize disruptions and provide advance notice when possible.

Course Scheduling and Availability

Course schedules, availability, and instructors are subject to change based on enrollment levels and operational requirements. We reserve the right to:

• Cancel or reschedule courses with insufficient enrollment
• Substitute instructors when necessary
• Modify course curricula to improve educational outcomes
• Adjust class sizes or formats as needed

Students will be notified of significant changes and offered alternative options or refunds when appropriate.

Service Modifications

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our services at any time without prior notice. This includes adding or removing features, changing pricing structures, or updating course offerings. We are not liable for any modifications, suspensions, or discontinuations of services.

Geographic Restrictions

Our services are primarily designed for individuals located in and surrounding regions. We make no representation that our services are appropriate or available for use in other locations. Users accessing our services from outside Japan do so at their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.

Payment Terms and Course Fees

Course Pricing

All course fees are listed in Japanese yen and must be paid in full before the course start date unless alternative payment arrangements have been made. Prices are subject to change, but enrolled students will pay the rate in effect at the time of registration.

Payment Methods

We accept various payment methods including bank transfer, credit card, and other options specified during enrollment. All payments are processed through secure third-party payment processors.

Refund Policy

Refund eligibility depends on the timing of withdrawal:

• Full refund if cancelled more than 14 days before course start
• 50% refund if cancelled 7-14 days before course start
• No refund for cancellations within 7 days of course start
• No refunds after course commencement, except in extraordinary circumstances

Late Payment

Failure to pay course fees by the specified deadline may result in removal from the course without refund. Late payment fees may apply for installment plans.

Intellectual Property Rights

Our Content Ownership

All content on our website and in our courses, including but not limited to:

• Text, graphics, logos, images, and visual content
• Course materials, curricula, and educational resources
• Software, code, and technical elements
• Trademarks, service marks, and brand elements

is owned by or licensed to DeutschBridge Academy and protected by intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution is prohibited.

License to Use Course Materials

Upon enrollment, you receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use course materials solely for personal educational purposes. This license does not permit you to copy, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from our materials without express written permission.

User-Generated Content

If you submit content to our platform (such as forum posts or feedback), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display that content for educational and operational purposes. You retain ownership of your content but warrant that you have the right to grant this license.

Copyright Infringement

We respect intellectual property rights and expect our users to do the same. If you believe content on our website infringes your copyright, please contact us with detailed information about the alleged infringement.

Disclaimers and Limitations

Educational Outcomes

While we strive to provide high-quality German language education, we cannot guarantee specific learning outcomes, proficiency levels, or certification exam results. Individual progress depends on factors including student effort, prior knowledge, practice time, and learning aptitude.

No Warranties

Our services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We disclaim all warranties including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that our services will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free from harmful components.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, DeutschBridge Academy shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our services. Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Applicable Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Tokyo, Japan.

Dispute Resolution

Before initiating formal legal proceedings, we encourage you to contact us to resolve disputes informally. If informal resolution is unsuccessful, you agree to pursue resolution through arbitration or mediation before resorting to litigation.

General Provisions

Severability

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

Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with our Privacy Policy and other referenced policies, constitute the entire agreement between you and DeutschBridge Academy regarding use of our services.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it in the future.

Assignment

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

DeutschBridge Academy