Terms of Service | SignFortressSignFortress

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to SignFortress, a service operated by Signfortress Digital Inc. ("SignFortress," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the SignFortress website at signfortress.com and all related services, including electronic signature tools, secure client portals, document management, and optional AI studios (collectively, the "Service").

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, our AI Use & Safety rules for AI features, and any applicable addendums. If you do not agree, you must not use the Service.

We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. We will notify you of material changes via email, in-app notification, or website posting at least 30 days in advance.

2. Description of the Service

SignFortress provides a secure platform for preparing, sending, signing, managing, and storing electronic documents, operating secure client portals, and using optional AI-assisted studios according to your plan. The Service includes tools for multi-signer workflows, audit trails, identity verification, and features intended to support electronic signature and electronic transactions frameworks such as the U.S. ESIGN Act, UETA, the EU eIDAS Regulation, and applicable Canadian federal and provincial electronic transactions laws (including British Columbia’s Electronic Transactions Act). Privacy obligations are addressed separately under our Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws such as PIPEDA and PIPA (BC). Access to the Service is provided through a web browser.

The Service also includes secure client portals that allow organizations and their clients to exchange messages, files, and documents. Communication features include one-to-one messaging, group messaging, and support for file attachments. Certain communication features use end-to-end encryption to help protect message content and attachments. Encryption is applied automatically where supported by the platform. Users are responsible for safeguarding their own devices and credentials.

The Service provides document management capabilities such as template creation, workflow routing, version handling, and activity tracking. Users may upload, organize, and distribute documents within their accounts and through client portals. File uploads may be stored on Signfortress servers or, for eligible plans, in connected third-party cloud storage accounts.

The Service may include optional AI-assisted features that help with document preparation, field detection, labeling, and workflow suggestions. AI features operate only on content provided by the user and are intended to assist with efficiency. Users remain responsible for reviewing and verifying all AI-generated suggestions.

You may use the Service only as permitted by law and these Terms. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time.

The public website may include a general assistant chat widget that answers questions from publicly available Help content. That widget is not the same as in-app AI Chat, does not access a logged-in account, and must not be used for account-specific actions such as password resets or billing changes.

2.1 Cloud Storage (Pro and Premium Plans)

For users on Pro and Premium plans, the Service allows documents, templates, and related files to be stored in your connected cloud storage accounts instead of on our servers. Supported providers include Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox. When this feature is enabled, files are uploaded directly to your account within a designated Signfortress folder that is created automatically.

You retain full ownership and control over files stored in your cloud accounts. You may revoke access at any time through your provider's settings. When cloud storage is used, we do not retain permanent copies of your files on our servers. Our systems interact with your cloud account only as needed to facilitate uploads, downloads, and file organization.

Your use of cloud storage providers is subject to their terms and policies. You are responsible for ensuring that your configuration, permissions, and data handling comply with applicable laws and organizational requirements.

2.2 Secure Client Portals

The Service includes secure client portals that allow organizations and their clients to communicate, exchange files, and access documents in a controlled environment. Each portal is created and managed by the account holder and may include one or more participants. Access is granted through authenticated login or through a unique access code provided by the account holder.

Client portals support messaging, group conversations, and file sharing. Certain communication features use end-to-end encryption to help protect message content and attachments. Encryption is applied automatically where supported by the platform. Users are responsible for maintaining the security of their devices and for protecting access to their portals.

Documents shared through client portals may include agreements, forms, templates, and other materials uploaded by the account holder or their clients. Users are responsible for ensuring that shared content complies with applicable laws and organizational requirements.

Portal activity, including messages, file uploads, and document interactions, may be logged to support audit trails and workflow tracking. Portal features may vary by subscription plan and may be modified or discontinued at any time.

2.3 Encrypted Messaging and Attachments

The Service includes secure messaging features that allow users to communicate within client portals and group conversations. All chat messages and chat file attachments are protected with end-to-end encryption. Content is encrypted on the sender's device and can be decrypted only by authorized recipients. We do not have access to the decrypted contents of end-to-end encrypted messages or attachments.

Some document uploads that require server-side processing, such as virus scanning or workflow preparation, use encryption at rest rather than end-to-end encryption. These files remain encrypted while stored on our servers and are processed only as needed to provide the Service.

Users are responsible for maintaining the security of their devices, browsers, and access credentials. Because end-to-end encrypted content cannot be decrypted by us, we cannot restore access to encrypted data if users lose their keys or access to their devices.

2.4 AI-Assisted Features and AI Studios

The Service may include optional AI-assisted tools and studios. Examples may include (depending on plan and availability): field detection and document workflow assistance; Image Edit Studio; Video Studio; Marketing Studio; Research Studio; Website Optimizer; in-app AI Chat; Study Studio; and AI Quiz Arena generation. Features may change over time.

Unless stated otherwise for a specific feature, AI tools operate on content you provide or select. You remain responsible for reviewing, verifying, and approving outputs before you rely on them for documents, publishing, client work, study, or any other purpose. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of AI-generated outputs. Outputs are not legal, medical, financial, or academic advice.

Credits, rate limits, and plan tiers may apply. Public marketing-site demos are capped to prevent abuse. Use of AI features may be modified, expanded, or discontinued at any time.

No foundation-model training on private content: Unless a separate written agreement says otherwise, we do not use your private User Content to train foundation AI models. Content is processed to deliver the feature, enforce safety and quotas, bill usage, and secure the Service. We do not publish internal system design or capacity details.

Detailed acceptable-use and safety rules for AI features are set out in our AI Use & Safety page, which forms part of these Terms for all AI features (including public demos).

2.5 Document Workflows and Templates

The Service provides tools for creating, managing, and distributing documents and templates. Users may design templates, assign signer roles, configure routing steps, and track activity throughout the workflow. Workflow features may include reminders, status updates, audit trails, and identity verification measures.

Documents may be shared through client portals, sent directly to signers, or stored within the user's account or connected cloud storage. Users are responsible for ensuring that documents and workflows comply with applicable laws, organizational policies, and industry requirements.

Workflow configurations, templates, and document settings are controlled by the user. We do not review or validate the content of documents or the legality of workflow configurations. Users are responsible for maintaining accurate and lawful use of all documents and templates created within the Service.

2.6 Study Studio and educational AI tools

Study Studio lets eligible users upload or paste study materials and request generated learning aids (including summaries, flashcards, schedules, quizzes, and concept lists) and notes-grounded chat. Outputs are assistive only. They are not a substitute for course materials, instructor guidance, or academic integrity rules. You must have the right to submit the content you upload or paste. You must not use the Service to cheat on assessments or to process others' confidential academic records without authorization.

Credits or plan limits may apply to uploads, generation, chat, and regeneration. Availability of Study Studio may depend on plan tier.

2.7 Video Studio and YouTube Publishing

The Service includes a Video Studio feature that allows eligible users to generate or process videos and, if they choose, publish those videos directly to a connected YouTube channel. Connecting a YouTube channel is optional and requires explicit authorization via Google OAuth.

When you connect a YouTube channel, you authorize us to obtain and store the necessary OAuth tokens and basic channel information solely for the purpose of uploading videos that you explicitly request to be published. You remain the sole owner of any video content you upload to YouTube. You are solely responsible for ensuring that the title, description, tags, privacy setting, category, and the video content itself comply with YouTube's Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, and all applicable laws.

We do not claim ownership of videos you upload to YouTube. We act only as a technical intermediary to perform the upload you initiate. Temporary files created during the upload process are deleted immediately after the upload completes or fails.

2.8 Other AI studios

Image Edit Studio, Marketing Studio, Research Studio, Website Optimizer, and similar tools (when offered) allow eligible users to generate or transform content subject to plan limits and credits. You must have the rights needed for any material you upload or publish. You are responsible for compliance with third-party platform rules when you export or publish content outside SignFortress.

2.9 AI Quiz Arena

AI Quiz Arena lets eligible hosts create live multiplayer quiz sessions. The host configures topic, difficulty, number of questions, timing, and optional source material (uploads or pasted text). Questions may be generated with AI from that material and/or general knowledge. Contestants join with a session code, enter a display name, and accept the on-screen Quiz Arena Rules and these Terms. Contestants do not need a SignFortress account.

Hosts control the session (open lobby, start, advance questions, end). Scoring, timers, and leaderboards are managed by the Service. Half-mark or open-answer rules may apply when a host throws a question open after the timer. The host’s decisions on progression and disqualification are final for that session.

You must only use content you have the right to use as quiz source material. You must not use the Arena to harass participants, to run unlawful contests, or to collect sensitive personal data beyond what is needed for the quiz. Credits or plan limits may apply to question generation and related host actions. Contestant participation does not consume the host’s credits beyond generation.

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

To use the Service, you must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) and capable of forming a binding contract. Organizations must designate an authorized representative.

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update it promptly.
You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activities under your account.
Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or use via Contact (or other official channels we publish).
We may suspend or terminate accounts for suspected fraud, abuse, or violation of these Terms.

4. Pricing, Payment, and Subscriptions

Access to the Service is subject to fees as described on our Pricing page. All fees are non-refundable except as required by law or our Refund Policy.

Subscriptions: Paid plans auto-renew monthly or annually as described on the Pricing page. You may upgrade or downgrade via your account dashboard where the product allows.
Payments: Processed securely via Stripe. You authorize recurring charges to your payment method.
Taxes: You are responsible for all applicable taxes, including GST/HST under Canadian law.
Price Changes: We will provide 30 days' notice for increases; new rates apply at renewal.

5. Free Trial

New users may receive a 14-day trial of Pro-tier features at no cost, as described at signup. No payment method is required upfront unless we state otherwise. During the trial, Pro features are available subject to any trial limits we publish (including credits or usage caps). At trial end, the account defaults to the Free plan unless you upgrade. Data entered during the trial remains accessible afterward, subject to Free plan limits.

6. User Content, Uploads, and Licenses

"User Content" means anything you submit to the Service, including documents for signing, portal files, messages, templates, and materials you upload or paste into AI features (including Study Studio notes, images, PDFs, DOCX, TXT, and similar inputs).

6.1 Ownership

You retain ownership of your User Content, subject to the licenses below and any rights of third parties (for example, your school's copyright in course materials). You are solely responsible for the legality, accuracy, and rights status of everything you submit.

6.2 License you grant us to operate the Service

By uploading, pasting, or otherwise submitting User Content, you grant SignFortress a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, store, process, transmit, index, analyze, and display that content solely as needed to provide the features you request. For AI studios (including Study Studio), that includes:

Extracting text (including OCR where enabled);
Chunking and indexing content for retrieval;
Sending relevant excerpts to our generation systems to produce study tools or answers;
Storing generated outputs and plan data under your account;
Billing, abuse prevention, security, and support related to those jobs.

We do not claim ownership of your notes or documents. We do not sell your User Content. We do not use your private study uploads to train public marketing models for unrelated third parties in a way that identifies you, except as described in the Privacy Policy or where you have given a separate opt-in.

6.3 Your representations

You represent and warrant that:

You have all rights necessary to submit the User Content and to grant the license above;
Submission does not infringe copyright, privacy, or other rights of any third party;
You will not upload another person's confidential academic or personal records without authorization;
You will comply with your institution's academic integrity and acceptable-use rules when using Study Studio or other AI tools.

6.4 AI-generated materials - license to you

Subject to these Terms and your subscription, we grant you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use AI-generated outputs produced for your account (for example summaries, flashcards, quizzes, schedules, concepts, and tutor replies) for your own study, teaching preparation, or internal business use.

AI outputs may be incomplete or incorrect. You are responsible for reviewing them before relying on them for exams, grades, client work, or publication. Outputs are not legal, medical, or academic advice.

You may not resell raw SignFortress-generated study packs as a competing product, scrape the Service to build a rival dataset, or remove notices required by law. You remain free to rewrite or rework outputs into your own notes.

6.5 Deletion and license end

When you delete User Content or close your account, we will stop using it for active features, subject to backup retention, legal holds, and the Privacy Policy. The operating license lasts only as long as needed to provide the Service and meet those residual obligations.

7. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

Use the Service for illegal activities, fraud, or to violate third-party rights (e.g., IP infringement, spam).
Upload viruses, malware, or harmful code; attempt to hack, reverse-engineer, or disrupt the Service.
Impersonate others, harvest data without consent, or send unsolicited communications.
Exceed usage limits, resell the Service without permission, or use automated tools to scrape content.
Interfere with other users' access or our monitoring/compliance efforts.
Upload or publish content to YouTube (or any third-party platform) through the Service that violates that platform's terms, community guidelines, or applicable law.
Upload or paste content you do not have rights to use, including copyrighted course packs or another person's private academic records without permission.
Use Study Studio or other AI features to violate academic integrity policies of your school or institution.
Use AI studios to generate or distribute unlawful, infringing, or deceptive content, or to attempt to bypass usage limits or security controls.
Use AI Quiz Arena to harass participants, run deceptive contests, or process personal data beyond what is necessary for the quiz session.
Use any AI feature (including public demos) for child sexual exploitation, non-consensual intimate imagery, assistance with violent crime or weapons production, large-scale fraud, system attacks, or harassment.
Attempt to jailbreak, reverse safety systems, extract system instructions or secrets, or resell unrestricted access to AI endpoints without written permission.

We may investigate violations and take action, including warnings, suspension, or termination, without liability.

8. Electronic Signatures and Legal Validity

Signatures executed via the Service are designed to be legally binding under applicable laws, including the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN), Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), EU eIDAS Regulation, and Canadian laws such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and provincial equivalents in British Columbia (e.g., Electronic Transactions Act). We provide audit trails, timestamps, and IP verification to support enforceability.

You are responsible for obtaining consent from signers and ensuring documents comply with industry regulations (e.g., HIPAA for health data or PIPA for personal information in BC).
We disclaim liability for the legal effect of signatures; consult legal counsel for specific needs.

9. Intellectual Property

The Service, including software, designs, logos, and documentation, is owned by Signfortress Digital Inc. or our licensors and protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. You receive a limited, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service for your internal business purposes during your subscription term.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from the Service.
Feedback you provide may be used to improve the Service without compensation or attribution.

10. Third-Party Services and Integrations

The Service integrates with third-party tools and platforms, including but not limited to Google Workspace, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Stripe, and YouTube (via Google OAuth). Your use of any third-party service is governed solely by that third party's terms of service and privacy policy. We are not responsible for their availability, data practices, content policies, or any actions they take with respect to your data or accounts.

When you connect your YouTube channel, you grant us limited permission (via the scopes listed in our Privacy Policy) to upload videos to your channel on your behalf. You may revoke this permission at any time by disconnecting the channel within the Service or by revoking access in your Google Account settings. We will delete the stored OAuth tokens upon disconnection.

You are solely responsible for any content you publish to YouTube through the Service, including compliance with YouTube's Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, copyright laws, and any applicable advertising or monetization rules. We do not review, endorse, or assume liability for content you upload to YouTube.

11. Termination and Suspension

By You: Cancel anytime via your account; subscriptions end at the billing cycle close.
By Us: We may suspend/terminate for violations, non-payment, or at our discretion with notice (except for immediate action on abuse).
Effects: Upon termination, access ends; you may export data within 30 days. Outstanding fees remain due.

12. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Service is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access, error-free operation, or that the Service will meet your needs.

AI-generated content (including study aids, images, video, marketing copy, research drafts, website suggestions, and chat replies) may contain errors or omissions. You are responsible for verifying accuracy before relying on it for exams, coursework, client work, publishing, or any other purpose.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Signfortress Digital Inc., its affiliates, and providers shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages (including lost profits, data loss, or business interruption), even if advised of the possibility.

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim. This applies regardless of the legal theory (contract, tort, etc.). Some jurisdictions, including British Columbia, do not allow these limitations, so they may not apply to you.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Signfortress Digital Inc. and its affiliates from claims arising from your User Content, violations of these Terms, or infringement of third-party rights. We reserve the right to assume defense at your expense.

15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of British Columbia, with venue in Vancouver, BC.

You agree to attempt informal resolution before litigation. For claims under CAD $10,000, we may use binding arbitration under ADR Institute of Canada rules (waiving class actions).

16. Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters, wars, pandemics, or internet outages.

17. Miscellaneous

Severability: If any provision is invalid, the remainder remains enforceable.
Waiver: No waiver of any breach is a waiver of subsequent breaches.
Entire Agreement: These Terms, plus referenced policies, constitute the full agreement.
Assignment: You may not assign without consent; we may assign freely.

18. Contact Us

For questions or notices regarding these Terms, contact Signfortress Digital Inc. via Support.