TERMS OF USE

 

1. Introduction and Acceptance

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the websites, digital editions, newsletters, and other online services operated by The Citizen-Bugle Publishing Corporation (dba The Cedar Springs Bugle) (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) (collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing or using the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not access or use the Services.

We may revise these Terms from time to time as described in Section 14 (Changes to These Terms).

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2. Eligibility and Accounts

1. Eligibility. You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract under applicable law to create an account or purchase a subscription.

2. Account Information. If you create an account, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information, and to keep it updated.

3. Security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to notify us promptly of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security.

4. One Individual Per Account. A subscription or account is intended for use by a single individual. You may not share your login credentials with others, except that your immediate household members may occasionally access content using your credentials for personal, non-commercial use consistent with these Terms.
    

3. Intellectual Property; Ownership of Content

1. Our Content.

• All content and materials made available through the Services, including but not limited to news articles, columns, photographs, graphics, page layouts, PDFs, the digital edition, audio, video, logos, trademarks, and the overall “look and feel” of the Services (collectively, the “Content”), are owned by us or our licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

1. No Transfer of Ownership.

• Except for the limited license expressly granted in Section 4, you acquire no ownership or other rights in or to the Services or the Content. All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved by us and our licensors.
   

4. Limited License and Permitted Use

1. Personal, Non‑Commercial Use Only.
   Subject to your compliance with these Terms and any applicable subscription terms, we grant you a limited, non‑exclusive, non‑transferable, revocable license to access and view the Content through the Services solely for your personal, non‑commercial use.

2. Prohibited Uses (General).
   Except as expressly permitted by these Terms or by us in writing, you may not:

   • Copy, reproduce, download (other than temporary caching), archive, store, publish, broadcast, transmit, distribute, sell, license, or otherwise exploit any Content;

   • Create derivative works or summaries of the Content for distribution or publication;

   • Remove or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices;

   • Use any automated means (including bots, scrapers, or spiders) to access, copy, or index the Services or Content;

   • Use the Services in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair our servers or networks or interfere with any other party’s use of the Services; or

   • Use the Services for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable law or regulation.

3. No Competing Newsroom Use.
   The Services and Content are provided for the use of individual readers and community members, not as an ongoing source of story leads, reporting, or editorial material for other news organizations or professional media operations. Without limiting the foregoing, you may not:

   • Use any subscription or access to the Services in connection with any competing publication, newsroom, broadcast outlet, website, or other news‑gathering or media operation, whether as an employee, contractor, freelancer, or in any other professional capacity;

   • Systematically monitor, review, or mine our Content for the purpose of generating or shaping coverage for another outlet, including but not limited to copying our story ideas, angles, structure, or unique newsgathering; or

   • Share, forward, or provide substantial portions of our Content, or regular reports or summaries of our Content, to any competing news or media outlet, or to individuals working for such outlets, for use in their professional activities.

   If you are employed by, work with, or contribute to any news, media, or publishing organization (print, broadcast, digital, or otherwise), you agree that you will not use a personal subscription to the Services for any professional or competitive purpose, including but not limited to newsgathering, editorial planning, or content creation, without our express prior written consent.

4. Limited Printing / Downloading.
   Where the Services offer a print function or allow you to download a PDF or similar copy, you may print or download a single copy for your personal, non‑commercial use only, provided you do not remove or alter any copyright or other proprietary notices and do not further distribute or publish the material.

5. Linking and Sharing.
   You may link to our publicly available pages or use any sharing tools we provide (for example, share links on social networks), provided that:

   • You do not frame our pages within other sites or present our Content as if it were your own;

   • You do not suggest any sponsorship or endorsement by us without our express written permission.
      

5. Subscriptions, Fees, and Cancellations

1. Subscriptions and Billing.
   Some parts of the Services, including digital access to certain Content, may require a paid subscription. Subscription terms, pricing, billing periods, and renewal details will be provided at the point of purchase and may be updated from time to time.

2. Renewals.
   If we offer renewing subscriptions, the renewal terms will be clearly disclosed at the time of purchase. You are responsible for reviewing those terms before completing your purchase.

3. Cancellations and Refunds.
   Our current cancellation and refund practices for digital and print subscriptions are described at the point of sale or in separate subscription materials. To request cancellation or inquire about refunds, please contact us using the information in Section 15 (Contact Us). We reserve the right to deny or limit refunds where permitted by law and by our posted subscription policies.

4. Our Right to Suspend or Terminate Access.
   We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services (including any subscription) at any time, with or without notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms or engaged in misuse of the Services. In such cases, we may, but are not required to, issue a prorated refund of any prepaid subscription fees.
    

6. User Submissions (Letters, Photos, Story Tips, etc.)

The Services currently do not provide a public comment system, message boards, or other features that allow users to post or upload content directly.

However, you may from time to time submit content to us by email, postal mail, in person, or by other offline means, including without limitation: letters to the editor, guest columns or opinion pieces, photographs, story tips, news items, announcements, and any related text, images, audio, or video (collectively, “Submissions”).

By providing any Submission to us, you agree to the following:

1. Ownership and Rights You Grant.

   • You represent and warrant that you are the owner of the Submission and/or have all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions to submit it to us and to grant the rights described in these Terms.

   • To the fullest extent permitted by law, you irrevocably assign and transfer to us all right, title, and interest you may have in and to the Submission, including any associated copyrights and any rights to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, adapt, modify, publish, translate, and create derivative works from the Submission, in any media and by any means, whether now known or later developed, throughout the world, in perpetuity.

   • To the extent that applicable law does not permit an outright assignment of some or all intellectual property rights, you instead grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty‑free, fully paid‑up, transferable, sublicensable license to exercise all such rights to the maximum extent allowed by law.

2. No Expectation of Payment or Credit.

   • You understand and agree that you are not entitled to any compensation, payment, or reimbursement of any kind (including royalties, fees, or expense reimbursement) for your Submission or for our use, adaptation, editing, publication, or republication of it, unless we expressly agree otherwise in a separate written agreement signed by us.

   • We may, but have no obligation to, provide you with bylines, name credit, or other acknowledgment in connection with any use of your Submission. The absence or presence of credit does not change the rights you grant or assign under this Section.

3. Waiver of Moral and Similar Rights (to the extent permitted).

   • To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you waive any “moral rights” or similar rights (including rights of attribution and integrity) that you may have in the Submission, and you agree not to assert any such rights against us or our licensees, successors, or assigns.

4. Right to Edit, Decline, or Remove.

   • We have the right, but not the obligation, to edit, modify, shorten, or otherwise adapt any Submission for style, length, clarity, legal review, or any other reason.

   • We may decline to publish any Submission, or may remove or cease using a Submission at any time, in our sole discretion, with no obligation to you.

5. No Confidentiality; Public Nature of Submissions.

   • You understand and agree that Submissions are not confidential and that we may publish them in print, online, or in other formats accessible to the public.

   • Do not include information in a Submission that you or anyone else would reasonably expect to remain private or confidential, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to treat that portion as confidential (for example, certain sensitive story tips or whistleblower information handled under a separate agreement or understanding).

6. Story Tips and News Leads.

   • If you provide us with story tips, ideas, or leads, you understand that:

     • We may already be aware of the same or similar information from other sources, or we may develop similar stories independently.

     • You will not receive any credit or compensation for such tips or ideas unless we expressly agree otherwise in a separate written agreement.

     • You have no claim to ownership, control, or approval of any resulting coverage, article, photograph, or other Content that we create, even if it is based in whole or in part on your Submission.

7. Compliance with Laws and Third‑Party Rights.

   • You represent and warrant that your Submission does not and will not:

     • Infringe or violate the intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or other rights of any third party; or

     • Violate any applicable law or regulation.

   • You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company Parties from any claims or losses arising out of or related to our use of your Submission in accordance with this Section, including any claim that the Submission infringes a third party’s rights.

If we provide additional or different terms in connection with a particular call for Submissions (for example, a special contest, photo feature, or guest‑column program), those specific terms will also apply and will govern in the event of any conflict with this Section.

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7. Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information through the Services is described in our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Services, you consent to our collection and use of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.
 

8. Third‑Party Links and Services

The Services may contain links to third‑party websites, services, or resources that are not owned or controlled by us. We are not responsible for the content, terms, privacy policies, or practices of any third‑party websites or services. Your use of such third‑party resources is at your own risk and subject to any terms and policies of those third parties.
 

9. Disclaimers

1. “As Is” and “As Available.”
   The Services and Content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without any warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non‑infringement.

2. No Guarantee of Accuracy or Availability.
   While we strive to provide accurate and timely local news and information, we do not warrant that the Services or Content will be accurate, complete, current, uninterrupted, secure, or error‑free, or that any defects will be corrected.

3. No Advice.
   Any information, including news, opinion, or other content provided through the Services, is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional, legal, financial, medical, or other advice. You should consult an appropriate professional for advice tailored to your situation.

4. Jurisdictional Limitations.
   Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties, so some or all of the above limitations may not apply to you. In such cases, the warranties are limited to the minimum extent required by applicable law.
    

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

1. Exclusion of Certain Damages.
   We and our owners, directors, officers, employees, contractors, and agents (collectively, the “Company Parties”) will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, or for any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from or in connection with:

   • Your access to, use of, or inability to access or use the Services;

   • Any conduct or content of any third party on or related to the Services;

   • Any Content obtained from the Services; or

   • Unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or data.

2. Cap on Direct Damages.
   In no event shall the total liability of the Company Parties for all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services exceed the greater of:

   • (a) the total amount you paid to us for access to the Services during the twelve (12) months prior to the event giving rise to the claim, or

   • (b) one hundred U.S. dollars (US $100).

3. Time Limit to Bring Claims.
   Any cause of action or claim you may have arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services must be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrues; otherwise, such cause of action or claim is permanently barred.

4. Jurisdictional Limitations.
   Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you. In such cases, the liability of the Company Parties shall be limited to the minimum extent permitted by applicable law.
    

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company Parties from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or in any way related to:

• Your access to or use of the Services;

• Your violation of these Terms or any applicable law or regulation; or

• Your misuse of the Content, including any competing newsroom use prohibited by Section 4.3.

We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate with us in asserting any available defenses.
 

12. Termination and Suspension

We may, at any time and in our sole discretion, with or without notice:

• Suspend or terminate your account or access to the Services (or any part thereof); or

• Remove or modify any Content.

Reasons may include, but are not limited to, violation of these Terms, non‑payment of subscription fees, or misuse of the Services (including competing newsroom use).

You may stop using the Services at any time. Termination by either party will not affect any rights or obligations that have accrued prior to termination. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (including, but not limited to, Sections 3–5, 8–13) will continue to apply.
 

13. Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue; No Jury Trial

1. Governing Law.
   These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its conflict‑of‑laws principles.

2. Jurisdiction and Venue.
   You agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be brought exclusively in:

   • The state courts located in Kent County, Michigan, or

   • The United States District Court - Western District of Michigan

   and you consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

3. No Arbitration; Court Resolution.
   Disputes will be resolved in court as described above. We do not require arbitration of disputes under these Terms.

4. Waiver of Jury Trial (to the extent permitted by law).
   To the fullest extent permitted by law, you and the Company each waive any right to a trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that this waiver is not enforceable as to a particular claim or in a particular circumstance, this Section shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.

(Have your attorney confirm that this waiver is enforceable under Michigan law and adjust language if needed.)
 

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update or modify these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Effective Date” at the top of this page and may also provide additional notice (such as by email or a notice on the Services), where required by law.

Your continued access to or use of the Services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Services.
 

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms or the Services, or if you wish to request account or subscription changes, you may contact us at:
 

The Cedar Springs Bugle
PO Box 50
Cedar Springs, MI 49319
(616) 699-2651
Editor@CSBugle.com
 

16. Miscellaneous

1. Entire Agreement.
   These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any separate subscription terms presented at the time of purchase, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Services and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, or communications, whether written or oral, relating to the Services.

2. Severability.
   If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions of these Terms will remain in full force and effect.

3. No Waiver.
   Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.

4. Assignment.
   You may not assign or transfer these Terms, or any of your rights or obligations under them, without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer these Terms, in whole or in part, without restriction and without notice to you.

5. Headings.
   Section headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

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The Citizen-Bugle Publishing Corporation (dba The Cedar Springs Bugle)
Terms of Use Last Updated DECEMBER 11, 2025