Terms of Service - Silksong Map

Website Usage Agreement and User Guidelines

Effective Date: January 7, 2025 | Last Updated: January 7, 2025

1. Agreement Acceptance and Scope

1.1 Terms Acceptance

By accessing, browsing, or using the Silksong Map website (silksongmap.net) and related services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please discontinue use of our website immediately.

Legal Agreement: These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you (“User,” “you,” “your”) and Silksong Map (“we,” “us,” “our”) governing your use of our website, interactive maps, guides, tools, and related services.

1.2 Service Description

Silksong Map provides:

Interactive maps and exploration guides for Hollow Knight: Silksong
Boss strategy guides and combat analysis
Collectible location databases and tracking tools
Progress tracking and route planning utilities
Community features for sharing discoveries and strategies
Educational content related to Hollow Knight: Silksong gameplay

Free Service Model: All core features are provided free of charge, supported by ethical advertising and optional community contributions.

1.3 Eligibility and User Requirements

Age Requirements:

Users must be at least 13 years old to use our services
Users aged 13-17 should have parental or guardian consent
Users under 18 have additional privacy protections

Capacity to Agree:

You must have legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
Corporate users must have authority to bind their organization
Use by minors subject to applicable local laws and parental oversight

2. Permitted Uses and User Conduct

2.1 Authorized Activities

Personal Use License:

Access and use website content for personal, non-commercial purposes
Download and save guides for offline reference
Share links to specific guides and content with proper attribution
Use interactive tools for gameplay enhancement and education

Educational Applications:

Use content for educational or instructional purposes
Reference guides in gaming tutorials and educational materials
Incorporate information into academic research on game design

Community Participation:

Submit boss strategies, route optimizations, and discovery reports
Participate in discussions and community forums
Provide feedback and suggestions for website improvement

2.2 Prohibited Activities

Content Misuse:

Prohibited: Copying, reproducing, or redistributing substantial portions of website content
Prohibited: Creating mirrors, archives, or unauthorized copies of the website
Prohibited: Removing or altering copyright notices, attribution, or branding
Prohibited: Using content for commercial purposes without explicit permission

Technical Violations:

Prohibited: Automated data collection, scraping, or systematic downloading
Prohibited: Attempting to circumvent security measures or access controls
Prohibited: Interfering with website functionality or server operations
Prohibited: Distributing malware, viruses, or other harmful code

Community Misconduct:

Prohibited: Harassment, hate speech, or discriminatory language
Prohibited: Spam, excessive self-promotion, or irrelevant content
Prohibited: False information, misleading guides, or deliberately incorrect strategies
Prohibited: Impersonation of other users, staff, or developers

2.3 Account Responsibilities

Optional Account Features:

Account creation is optional for basic website functionality
Enhanced features may require user identification
Users responsible for protecting account credentials
Notification required for suspected unauthorized access

Content Contributions:

Users retain ownership of original contributed content
Grant non-exclusive license for website display and distribution
Responsibility for accuracy and legality of submitted content
Right to remove contributions with reasonable notice

3. Intellectual Property Rights

3.1 Website Content Ownership

Silksong Map Original Content:

Guides, strategies, and analytical content created by our team
Website design, layout, and user interface elements
Custom maps, route plans, and optimization algorithms
Commentary, analysis, and editorial content

Protection: Original content protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

3.2 Game Content and Fair Use

Hollow Knight: Silksong Intellectual Property:

All game content, characters, names, and assets belong to Team Cherry
Screenshots and game images used under fair use doctrine
Educational and commentary purposes justify limited content use
No claim of ownership over Team Cherry’s intellectual property

Fair Use Principles:

Purpose: Educational, commentary, and criticism
Nature: Published video game content
Amount: Limited portions necessary for educational purposes
Effect: No negative impact on original work’s market value

3.3 Community Content

User-Generated Content:

Users retain ownership of original strategy contributions
Non-exclusive license granted for website display
Attribution provided for community contributions
Right to request removal of personal contributions

Modification Rights:

We may edit contributions for clarity, accuracy, or formatting
Factual corrections and formatting improvements permitted
Substantial changes require contributor notification
Users maintain attribution for edited content

4. Website Availability and Service Limitations

4.1 Service Availability

Best Effort Basis:

Website availability on reasonable commercial efforts basis
No guarantee of uninterrupted or error-free service
Maintenance windows and updates may cause temporary unavailability
Emergency maintenance may occur without advance notice

Geographic Accessibility:

Service available globally subject to local laws and regulations
Some features may be restricted in certain jurisdictions
Compliance with local content and privacy requirements

4.2 Content Accuracy and Disclaimers

Information Accuracy:

Best Efforts: We strive for accurate and current information
No Warranty: Content provided “as is” without accuracy guarantees
User Verification: Users should verify information independently
Updates: Content updated regularly but may contain outdated information

Game Changes Impact:

Hollow Knight: Silksong updates may affect guide accuracy
Prompt updates following official game changes
Community reporting encouraged for outdated information
Disclaimer notices for potentially affected content

4.3 Technical Support Limitations

Support Scope:

Website functionality and basic user assistance
Guide clarification and content questions
Technical issues with interactive tools and features
No gameplay support or official game assistance

Response Times:

Best effort response within 48-72 hours for support requests
Priority given to technical issues affecting website functionality
Community forums available for peer assistance
Emergency security issues addressed immediately

5. Advertising and Commercial Relationships

5.1 Advertising Practices

Ethical Advertising Standards:

Clearly marked and distinguished advertising content
Relevant advertising appropriate to gaming audience
No misleading or deceptive advertising practices
User privacy respected in advertising targeting

Third-Party Advertising:

Google AdSense and approved advertising networks
No control over specific advertisements displayed
Reporting mechanism for inappropriate advertising content
Advertising revenue supports free service provision

5.2 Affiliate Relationships

Transparent Disclosures:

Clear identification of affiliate links and partnerships
Revenue sharing arrangements disclosed when relevant
No influence on editorial content or guide recommendations
Separate treatment of commercial and editorial content

Product Recommendations:

Honest assessment of recommended products and services
Personal experience and research basis for recommendations
Alternative options presented when available
User benefit prioritized over commercial considerations

6. Privacy and Data Protection

6.1 Privacy Policy Integration

Comprehensive Privacy Protection:

Detailed Privacy Policy governs data collection and use
GDPR, CCPA, and international privacy law compliance
Minimal data collection approach with user control
Transparent data practices and user rights protection

Voluntary Sharing:

Community features require voluntary information sharing
Clear indication of public vs. private information
User control over community participation level
Option to participate anonymously in most features

7. Limitation of Liability and Disclaimers

7.1 Service Disclaimers

“AS IS” SERVICE PROVISION:

Website and content provided without warranties of any kind
No guarantee of fitness for particular purpose
No warranty of merchantability or non-infringement
Risk of use assumed by user

Accuracy Limitations:

Information may contain errors, omissions, or outdated content
User responsibility to verify information independently
No liability for decisions based on website content
Encouragement to consult multiple sources

7.2 Liability Limitations

Damage Exclusions:

No liability for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
Limitation of total liability to amount paid for services (zero for free users)
No liability for lost profits, data, or business opportunities
Force majeure events beyond reasonable control excluded

Reasonable Use Expectations:

Service intended for entertainment and educational purposes
Not a substitute for official game documentation
Users should exercise reasonable judgment in content application
Gaming performance improvement not guaranteed

8. User-Generated Content and Community Guidelines

8.1 Content Standards

Quality Expectations:

Accurate and helpful information prioritized
Constructive feedback and respectful communication
Original content and proper attribution for sources
Family-friendly language appropriate for gaming community

Prohibited Content:

Hate speech, harassment, or discriminatory language
Copyrighted material used without permission
Spam, promotional content, or irrelevant information
False or deliberately misleading information

8.2 Moderation Policies

Community Moderation:

Volunteer moderators assist with content review
Community reporting system for problematic content
Progressive enforcement approach with warnings before removal
Appeal process for content decisions

Content Removal:

Right to remove content violating community guidelines
Notice provided for content removal when possible
Opportunity to correct violations before permanent removal
Repeat violations may result in participation restrictions

9. Termination and Account Suspension

9.1 User-Initiated Termination

Service Discontinuation:

Users may stop using services at any time
No formal account deletion required for basic usage
Optional account deletion available for enhanced features
Data deletion in accordance with Privacy Policy

9.2 Service-Initiated Termination

Violation-Based Termination:

Serious terms violations may result in access suspension
Progressive enforcement with warnings when appropriate
Immediate termination for severe violations or illegal activity
Appeal process available for termination decisions

Service Discontinuation:

Right to discontinue or modify services with reasonable notice
No obligation to continue service provision indefinitely
User data protection during service transitions
Alternative service recommendations when possible

10. Legal Compliance and Jurisdiction

10.1 Applicable Law

Governing Jurisdiction:

These Terms governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction to be specified]
International users subject to local laws in addition to these Terms
Conflict resolution through good faith negotiation preferred
Formal dispute resolution as specified below

10.2 Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution:

Direct communication encouraged for dispute resolution
Customer service contact for terms-related questions
Good faith negotiation period before formal proceedings
Mediation available for complex disputes

Formal Proceedings:

Binding arbitration for disputes not resolved informally
Class action waiver for individual dispute resolution
Legal proceedings in specified jurisdiction
Reasonable attorney fees for prevailing party in appropriate cases

11. Terms Updates and Modifications

11.1 Change Procedures

Update Notification:

Material changes announced with 30-day advance notice
Email notification to users with contact information
Prominent website notice for significant modifications
Historical versions maintained for reference

11.2 Continued Use Agreement

Acceptance of Changes:

Continued website use constitutes acceptance of updated Terms
Right to discontinue use if disagreeing with changes
No retroactive application of terms changes
Grandfather provisions for existing user agreements when appropriate

12. Contact Information and Support

12.1 Terms Questions

Legal and Terms Inquiries:

Email: [email protected]
Response timeframe: 5-7 business days
Formal legal notices require written communication
Good faith effort to clarify terms questions

12.2 Enforcement and Reporting

Violation Reporting:

Email: [email protected] for terms violations
Community reporting tools available on website
Anonymous reporting options available
Prompt investigation of reported violations

These Terms of Service reflect our commitment to providing excellent service while protecting both user rights and content creators. We believe in transparent, fair terms that enable positive community interaction and valuable content sharing.

For questions about these Terms or our services, please contact: [email protected]

Last Updated: January 7, 2025 | Next Review: July 7, 2025

Terms of Service - Silksong Map Usage Agreement and Guidelines