1. Who We Are & How These Terms Work

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Kobukan Kobudo Renmei Online University, including our websites, mobile experiences, live/recorded classes, forums, and related products and services (collectively, the “Services”). “Kobukan,” “we,” “us,” or “our” means, collectively, Kobukan Kobudo Renmei, Kobukan USA Shibu, Top Defense LLC, and James Wright, together with their officers, directors, employees, contractors, volunteers, agents, affiliates, licensors, and service providers.

By using the Services, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

2. Eligibility & Accounts

You must be 18 or older to register. If 13–17, a parent/guardian must register and accept on your behalf; users under 13 are not permitted. Provide accurate information and keep your login confidential. You are responsible for all activity under your account.

3. License We Grant You

Subject to these Terms and any payment requirements, Kobukan grants you a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and view content made available through the Services for your own non-commercial training. Except where expressly permitted in writing, you may not download, copy, record, scrape, reproduce, redistribute, perform, display, sell, teach commercially, or create derivative works from the content.

4. Content Ownership & IP Rights

All content (courses, videos, text, graphics, methods, curriculum, logos, trademarks, software) is owned by Kobukan or its licensors and is protected by intellectual-property laws. No rights are granted except as expressly stated.

5. Your Conduct & Prohibited Uses

• No account sharing or attempts to circumvent access controls.
• No recording, scraping, or data-mining of the Services.
• No uploading of malicious code or content that infringes or harasses.
• No use of the content for commercial instruction or competing services.
• No violations of law or third-party terms (e.g., video-conferencing or payment-provider terms).

6. User-Generated Content (UGC)

If you post, submit, or upload content (e.g., comments, assignments, testimonials) (“UGC”), you grant Kobukan a worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable license to use, reproduce, display, perform, adapt, publish, and distribute your UGC in connection with the Services and our operations (including moderation, support, training, and marketing). You represent you have all rights necessary for your UGC and that it does not violate law or third-party rights. We may moderate, remove, or refuse UGC at our discretion.

7. Recordings, Media & Testimonials

Live sessions and community areas may be audio/video recorded. By participating, you consent to the recording and use of your name, image, likeness, voice, and statements and grant Kobukan a worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable license to use such recordings and testimonials for instructional, archival, and promotional purposes in any media now known or later developed, without compensation or approval, to the extent permitted by law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, contact us before participating.

8. Health, Safety & Educational Disclaimers

Martial arts are physically demanding and involve inherent risks. You are solely responsible for evaluating your fitness and environment (flooring, spacing, equipment). Consult a physician before beginning any physical program. Do not attempt techniques beyond your level, without supervision, or with unsafe equipment. The Services are for educational purposes only; no medical, legal, or professional advice is given. Results are not guaranteed.

9. Assumption of Risk; Release

You knowingly and voluntarily assume all risks arising from using the Services, including injuries related to training, environment, or equipment. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release and discharge Kobukan from any and all claims arising out of or related to your use of the Services or participation in any activities, including claims alleging ordinary negligence (but excluding gross negligence or willful misconduct).

10. Payments, Renewals & Refunds

• Fees, billing intervals, and payment methods appear at checkout. Subscriptions auto-renew until canceled.
• You may cancel at any time; cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period.
• Unless stated otherwise in a specific offer, fees are non-refundable once you access protected content.
• You authorize Kobukan and its payment processors to charge your payment method for fees, taxes, and currency conversions. Prices may change with reasonable notice.

11. Third-Party Services

We may integrate with third-party tools (e.g., video-conferencing, payment processors, hosting, analytics). Your use of third-party tools is subject to their own terms and privacy practices. We are not responsible for third-party acts or omissions.

12. Service Changes & Availability

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Services at any time. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may limit or revoke access if we believe there is risk, a violation of these Terms, or to comply with law.

13. Copyright Complaints (DMCA)

If you believe content infringes your copyright, send a notice to our DMCA Agent:

Email: [email protected]   

Your notice must include: (a) your signature; (b) the work claimed infringed; (c) location of the allegedly infringing material; (d) your contact information; (e) a statement of good-faith belief; and (f) a statement that the notice is accurate and you are the owner or authorized agent, under penalty of perjury.

14. Termination

You may cancel your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate your account or access for any violation of these Terms or if required by law. Upon termination, your license ends and you must stop using the Services; Sections 4–7 and 8–20 survive.

15. Disclaimers

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

16. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, KOBUKAN WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR REPUTATION. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY YOU TO US FOR THE SERVICES IN THE THREE (3) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.

17. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; Class-Action Waiver

Governing Law. These Terms are governed by the laws of Maryland, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules.

Arbitration. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services will be resolved by binding, individual arbitration administered by JAMS under its Streamlined Rules in Maryland, under the Federal Arbitration Act.

No Class Actions. YOU AND KOBUKAN AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION.

Small-Claims Exception. Either party may bring an individual action in small-claims court. Injunctive Relief. We may seek injunctive or equitable relief to protect IP or confidential information.

18. Export & Sanctions Compliance

You represent you are not located in, under the control of, or a national/resident of any sanctioned country or on any sanctioned-party list and will comply with applicable export control and sanctions laws.

19. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms. The Effective Date shows the last update. We will post changes, and your continued use after the effective date means you accept the revised Terms.

20. Miscellaneous

• Severability. If any provision is unlawful or unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.
• Assignment. You may not assign without our consent; we may assign to an affiliate or successor.
• No Waiver. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
• Entire Agreement. These Terms and the Privacy Policy are the entire agreement regarding the Services.
• Notices. [email protected] (and your account email for notices to you).
• Headings. For convenience only.

21. Contact

Questions about these Terms: [email protected].

©  Kobukan Kobudo Renmei / Kobukan USA Shibu / Top Defense LLC. All rights reserved.