Terms of Service

Table of Contents

1. Acceptance of Terms
2. Definitions
3. Service Description; Educational Nature; No Trading
4. Eligibility; Accounts; Invite Codes
5. Account Security
6. Acceptable Use Policy
7. User Content; Ownership; License to Us
8. Intellectual Property; Feedback
9. Third‑Party Services; Data Sources
10. Data Accuracy; No Warranties; No Professional Advice
11. Privacy; Security Summary
12. Beta Features; Pre‑Release Notices
13. Changes to the Service; Availability
14. Fees; Trials; Changes in Pricing
15. Disclaimers; "AS IS" Provision
16. Limitation of Liability
17. Indemnification
18. Governing Law
19. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; Class Action Waiver
20. International Use; Export
21. Suspension; Termination
22. Notices; Electronic Communications
23. Changes to these Terms
24. Miscellaneous
25. Contact

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a binding agreement between you and Polyform Holdings LLC ("Polyform," "we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of Hero Scout and any related websites, applications, APIs, documentation, and services (collectively, the "Service"). By accessing or using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

These Terms incorporate by reference our Privacy Policy. If you use the Service on behalf of an entity, you represent that you are authorized to accept these Terms on its behalf, and "you" and "your" include that entity.

2. Definitions

• Account: A registered user account authenticated via Google OAuth (NextAuth.js).
• Content: Any data, text, notes, metrics, watchlists, ratings, formulas, or other materials displayed on or processed by the Service.
• User Content: Content that you submit, create, or store via the Service (e.g., watchlists, notes, ratings, custom metrics).
• Third‑Party Services: Services and infrastructure not operated by Polyform, including Google OAuth, Neon Postgres, AWS App Runner, and others.
• Beta: Pre‑release, experimental, or evaluation features or functionality.
• Invite Code: A code required to create an Account while the Service is invite‑only.

3. Service Description; Educational Nature; No Trading

3.1 What the Service Does

Hero Scout is a fundamental analysis platform that helps retail investors discover companies, research fundamentals, and compare stocks using valuation metrics and customizable ratings. The platform omits real‑time price tickers and de‑emphasizes daily market movements to focus on evidence‑based fundamentals.

3.2 Read‑Only; No Execution

The Service is read‑only research and analysis. No trading or brokerage connectivity is provided. The Service does not place, route, or execute orders.

3.3 Educational Use Only; No Advice

The Service is for educational and informational purposes only and is not tailored to your individual circumstances. We do not provide investment advice or recommendations. You should consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions.

3.4 Marketing Slogan

The tagline "Beat S&P500 Like A Pro" is marketing and not a promise or guarantee of performance or outcomes.

4. Eligibility; Accounts; Invite Codes

4.1 Age

You must be at least 18 years old to use the Service.

4.2 Account Registration

Accounts are created through Google OAuth (NextAuth.js). You must provide accurate information as returned by Google (e.g., email, name, profile picture). Accounts are personal and non‑transferable.

4.3 Invite Codes (Beta)

During Beta, access may require an Invite Code. Invite Codes are personal to you and may not be sold, posted publicly, or shared with others. We may enable or disable the Invite Code requirement at any time.

4.4 One Account

Do not create multiple accounts to circumvent eligibility, feature gating, or rate limits.

4.5 Account Responsibility

You are responsible for all activities under your Account and for maintaining the confidentiality of authentication credentials and sessions.

5. Account Security

We use secure session tokens via NextAuth.js and require HTTPS. You agree to implement reasonable security practices on your devices and to promptly notify us of any suspected unauthorized access. We reserve the right to require additional verification, deny registrations, or disable Accounts to protect the Service.

6. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for any unlawful, infringing, deceptive, or harmful purpose;
• Provide investment advice to others using the Service output as if it were your professional advice or represent Service data as your proprietary analysis without attribution;
• Scrape, harvest, spider, crawl, or use automated means to access, query, or copy the Service or any Content (including third‑party data) except through any documented public API we expressly provide;
• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to discover source code or underlying components of the Service, except to the extent such restriction is prohibited by law;
• Attempt to circumvent security, authentication, feature flags, access controls (including Invite Codes), or rate limits;
• Overload or interfere with the Service (e.g., DDoS, abusive API calls, or excessive requests that degrade performance);
• Create multiple Accounts to avoid limits, regain access after suspension, or distribute Invite Codes;
• Use any Content, including third‑party financial data, in violation of applicable third‑party licenses or to build a competing service;
• Upload malicious code or compromise the integrity or security of the Service or its infrastructure;
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation, or imply sponsorship or endorsement by Polyform without written permission.

We may investigate and enforce violations, including through Account suspension or termination and technical, legal, or equitable remedies.

7. User Content; Ownership; License to Us

7.1 Ownership

You retain ownership of User Content (e.g., notes, watchlists, ratings, custom metrics) that you create or store in the Service.

7.2 License to Operate the Service

You grant Polyform a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty‑free, sublicensable license to host, reproduce, display, perform, adapt, and process your User Content solely to provide, maintain, secure, and improve the Service; to comply with law; and to enforce these Terms.

7.3 Aggregated/De‑Identified Data

We may generate, use, and disclose aggregated and/or de‑identified data derived from the Service (including from User Content and usage) for analytics, security, and product improvement, provided such data does not identify you.

7.4 Responsibility for User Content

You represent that you have necessary rights and permissions for your User Content and that it does not violate law, third‑party rights, or these Terms.

8. Intellectual Property; Feedback

8.1 Polyform IP

The Service—including all software, algorithms, models, interfaces, designs, UX, compilations, and Trademarks (including Hero Scout name and logo)—is owned or licensed by Polyform and is protected by IP laws. Except for limited rights expressly granted here, no license is granted.

8.2 Restrictions

You will not copy, modify, create derivative works, or use the Service or Content to train, fine‑tune, or otherwise develop competing products without our prior written consent.

8.3 Feedback

If you provide suggestions, ideas, or feedback, you grant Polyform a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty‑free license to use and exploit such feedback without restriction or obligation to you.

9. Third‑Party Services; Data Sources

9.1 Subprocessors and Infrastructure

The Service uses third‑party providers, including Google OAuth (authentication), Neon Postgres (database hosting with encryption), and AWS App Runner (application hosting). We may change providers at any time.

9.2 Third‑Party Terms

Your use of certain features may be subject to third‑party terms. You are responsible for complying with those terms. Third‑party data may be subject to licensing restrictions that limit copying, redistribution, and commercial use.

9.3 No Endorsement; No Control

We do not control and are not responsible for third‑party services, data, or availability. Accessing third‑party resources is at your own risk.

10. Data Accuracy; No Warranties; No Professional Advice

Data may be delayed (15+ minutes or more), incomplete, inaccurate, or contain errors. Corporate actions, filings, or fundamentals may change without notice. We make no promises about accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any Content. We do not provide investment advice and do not consider your personal circumstances. You must independently verify any data prior to making decisions.

11. Privacy; Security Summary

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, share, and safeguard information. Highlights:

• Authentication via Google OAuth;
• Data stored in Neon Postgres (encrypted at rest);
• All traffic over HTTPS;
• localStorage used for preferences (e.g., theme, UI state);
• We do not sell personal information;
• Newsletter subscription is separate from your Account and is opt‑in.

See the full Privacy Policy for details.

12. Beta Features; Pre‑Release Notices

The Service (in whole or in part) is in Beta and subject to change. Beta may use mock data for demonstration purposes. Features may be added, modified, or removed without notice. You may experience bugs, downtime, and data loss. We may discontinue Beta or revoke access at any time. No guarantee of continued access or compatibility is provided.

13. Changes to the Service; Availability

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service, features, or availability at any time without liability. We may impose or adjust usage limits (e.g., request caps or rate limits) to maintain Service integrity. We are not liable for outages, maintenance windows, or failures of networks or third‑party providers.

14. Fees; Trials; Changes in Pricing

The Service is currently free and does not process payments. We may introduce paid tiers or fees in the future with notice. If fees are introduced, new terms may apply. We may offer trials or discounts at our discretion.

15. Disclaimers; "AS IS" Provision

16. Limitation of Liability

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain disclaimers or limitations; if so, portions of this Section may not apply to you to the extent prohibited by law.

17. Indemnification

You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Polyform, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your User Content; (c) your violation of these Terms or applicable law; (d) investment decisions made or actions taken based on the Service; or (e) any actual or alleged infringement, misappropriation, or violation of third‑party rights by you or your User Content.

18. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict‑of‑laws principles.

19. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; Class Action Waiver

19.1 Informal Resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to email us at info@heroscout.app and attempt to resolve the dispute informally within 30 days.

19.2 Arbitration Agreement

Except for disputes qualifying for small claims court and claims for injunctive relief regarding intellectual property or unauthorized access to the Service, any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules (if you are a consumer) or Commercial Arbitration Rules (if not). The seat and venue of arbitration will be Wilmington, Delaware, and proceedings may be conducted remotely to the extent permitted by AAA rules.

19.3 Class and Representative Actions Waiver

You and Polyform agree that each may bring claims against the other only in your or its individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative action. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding.

19.4 Opt‑Out

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of accepting these Terms by sending an email to info@heroscout.app with the subject line "Arbitration Opt‑Out" and your full name and the email associated with your Account.

19.5 Judicial Forum for Non‑Arbitrable Claims

If the arbitration agreement is found unenforceable, the parties consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts located in New Castle County, Delaware.

20. International Use; Export

You are responsible for complying with all local laws. You represent that you are not located in, and will not use the Service in, any jurisdiction subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions, and that you are not a prohibited or restricted party under applicable export or sanctions laws.

21. Suspension; Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, including for violations of these Terms or to protect the Service or other users. Upon termination, your rights under these Terms cease, but Sections 7–9, 15–19, 21, and 24 survive.

22. Notices; Electronic Communications

We may send notices via the Service interface, email, or by posting to the website. You consent to receive electronic communications and agree that all notices, agreements, and disclosures we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirements that such communications be in writing.

23. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice (e.g., by email or prominent notice in the Service). Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

24. Miscellaneous

• Entire Agreement. These Terms and any policies referenced (including the Privacy Policy) are the entire agreement between you and Polyform regarding the Service.
• Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
• Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.
• No Waiver. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
• Force Majeure. We are not liable for delays or failures due to events beyond our reasonable control.
• Third‑Party Beneficiaries. There are no third‑party beneficiaries of these Terms.
• Headings. Headings are for convenience only.
• Open Source. Certain components may be provided under open‑source licenses; to the extent of any conflict, such licenses control for those components.
• DMCA. To report alleged copyright infringement, contact info@heroscout.app with sufficient detail (work claimed, infringing material, your contact info, a good‑faith statement, and a sworn statement of accuracy and authority).

25. Contact