Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing Homoeopaths.org ("the platform," "we," "our," "us"), you agree to these Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws. If you do not agree, do not use the platform.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Homoeopaths.org, operated by Vaibhav Kumar Rai and Rajat Singh.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" or "Service": Homoeopaths.org and all associated services, features, and content
• "User," "You": Any person accessing or using the platform
• "Content": Text, images, videos, data, and other materials on the platform
• "Practitioner": A registered homoeopathic medical professional listed on the platform
• "Student": An individual enrolled in BHMS or related homoeopathic programmes
• "Seeker": An individual using the platform to find homoeopathic care or information

3. Platform Purpose and Scope

Homoeopaths.org is a community platform connecting homoeopathy students, practitioners, and care seekers, beginning in Uttar Pradesh, India. The platform:

• Organises educational resources for BHMS students by college and batch
• Connects practitioners and alumni with students for mentorship and continuity
• Helps care seekers find and reach qualified, registered practitioners
• Provides a shared structure for a field that currently lacks one

Geographic Scope: Currently operating in Uttar Pradesh with plans to expand across India. "UP-first" is a sequencing decision, not a permanent limit.

4. Eligibility and User Accounts

4.1 Age Requirement

• You must be at least 13 years of age to use the platform
• Users under 18 years of age require parental or guardian consent
• Certain features (such as practitioner registration) require users to be 18 or older

4.2 Registration

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain the security of your account credentials; do not share passwords
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised access or security breach
• One account per person; multiple accounts are not permitted
• We reserve the right to refuse service or terminate accounts at our discretion

4.3 Account Verification

• Practitioners must provide valid registration numbers issued by the Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH) or relevant state boards
• We may request verification documents to confirm credentials
• Providing false credentials results in immediate account termination and may constitute fraud under applicable law

5. Fees and Payments

5.1 Current Status

Platform registration and core features are currently free of charge. Future features may require payment, and you will be clearly informed before any charge is applied.

5.2 Future Paid Services

• We reserve the right to introduce paid features or subscription plans
• Pricing will be clearly displayed before any purchase
• All prices are in Indian Rupees (INR) unless otherwise stated
• Prices include applicable taxes (GST) where required

5.3 Payment Processing

• Payments processed through third-party providers (including Razorpay, Stripe, PayPal, or others as applicable)
• By making a payment, you agree to the payment processor's own terms and conditions
• We do not store payment card information on our servers
• All payment information is encrypted and handled in accordance with PCI DSS standards

5.4 Refund Policy

• Free services: No refunds applicable as no payment is charged
• Paid services (when introduced): Specific refund terms will be stated at the point of purchase
• Refund requests must be submitted within 7 days of purchase via email to info@homoeopaths.org or WhatsApp
• Approved refunds processed within 7–14 business days to the original payment method

5.5 Subscriptions and Billing

• Subscription services (if introduced) auto-renew unless cancelled before the next billing cycle
• You may cancel anytime; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period
• No pro-rated refunds for partial billing periods unless required by law

5.6 Taxes

• All applicable Indian taxes (GST) will be added to the displayed price
• International users are responsible for any taxes applicable in their jurisdiction

6. User Responsibilities and Conduct

By using the platform, you agree to:

• Provide truthful, accurate, and current information at all times
• Use the platform lawfully, ethically, and in good faith
• Not impersonate other persons or misrepresent your qualifications or credentials
• Not post illegal, harmful, defamatory, obscene, or misleading content
• Not harass, threaten, intimidate, or abuse other users
• Not spam or engage in unsolicited commercial communications
• Respect the intellectual property rights of others
• Not attempt to hack, breach security, or disrupt platform services
• Not use bots, scrapers, or automated tools without our prior written permission
• Not collect, store, or misuse other users' personal data
• Comply with all applicable Indian laws, regulations, and standards

7. Medical and Professional Disclaimer

7.1 Not Medical Advice

• All content on the platform is for informational and educational purposes only
• Platform content is NOT a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment
• Always consult a qualified, registered healthcare professional for medical concerns
• Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read on this platform

7.2 No Doctor–Patient Relationship

• Using the platform does not create a doctor–patient or therapist–client relationship between you and any practitioner listed
• Practitioners listed are independent professionals; they are not employed or contracted by Homoeopaths.org
• We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the qualifications, skills, or conduct of any listed practitioner
• Users must independently verify practitioner credentials before seeking treatment

7.3 Treatment Outcomes

• We make no guarantees, representations, or warranties about the effectiveness of any treatment
• Individual results may vary significantly
• We are not responsible for treatment outcomes, medical decisions, or consequences arising from using the platform

7.4 Medical Emergencies

7.5 User Due Diligence

• Verify practitioner registration with the Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH)
• Check applicable state homoeopathy registration boards
• Seek second professional opinions when appropriate
• Do not rely solely on platform listings for medical decisions

8. Content and Intellectual Property

8.1 User-Generated Content

• You retain ownership of content you create and post
• By posting content, you grant Homoeopaths.org a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable licence to use, display, reproduce, modify, and distribute your content solely for operating and improving the platform
• You represent and warrant that you have all rights necessary to grant this licence
• You are solely responsible for your content and its consequences

8.2 Platform Content

• All platform design, features, source code, branding, and original content are owned by Homoeopaths.org
• Protected by Indian and international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws
• Do not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works without written permission

8.3 Copyright Complaints

To report copyright infringement, send a notice to info@homoeopaths.org including: your contact information, a description of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed, the location of the allegedly infringing material on our platform, and a good-faith statement that the use is not authorised by the copyright owner.

9. Prohibited Activities

The following are strictly forbidden on the platform:

• Any illegal activity under Indian or applicable law
• Fraud, scams, or deceptive practices of any kind
• Selling counterfeit, unregistered, or unauthorised medical products
• Practising medicine without valid registration and authorisation
• Sharing false, misleading, or unverified health information
• Violating patient confidentiality or medical ethics
• Discrimination, hate speech, or incitement to violence
• Sexual harassment, exploitation, or non-consensual content
• Content that endangers, exploits, or harms minors
• Violent, graphic, or grossly offensive content
• Sale or promotion of controlled substances
• Money laundering or other financial crimes
• Circumventing security measures, accounts, or access controls

Violations may result in immediate account suspension, permanent ban, and reporting to relevant authorities.

10. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the platform:

• You consent to data collection and use as described in the Privacy Policy
• We comply with applicable Indian data protection laws and regulations
• We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information
• You retain rights to access, correct, or request deletion of your data

11. Third-Party Services and Links

11.1 Integrated Services

The platform integrates with or links to third-party services including:

• Substack (newsletter delivery)
• Meta platforms (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads)
• X / Twitter
• Payment processors (Razorpay, Stripe, PayPal, or others)
• Analytics and performance services

11.2 External Links and Responsibility

• We are not responsible for third-party content, practices, or policies
• External links do not imply endorsement by Homoeopaths.org
• Review third-party terms and privacy policies before using their services
• Use third-party services at your own risk

12. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

12.1 "As Is" Basis

• The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis
• We make no warranties, express or implied, including merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• We do not guarantee accuracy, completeness, reliability, or uninterrupted access

12.2 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Homoeopaths.org, its founders, and affiliates are not liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, goodwill, or business opportunities
• Damages arising from user-generated content or user interactions
• Actions or omissions of third parties
• Service interruptions, errors, or security breaches beyond our reasonable control
• Medical outcomes, practitioner conduct, or consequences of health decisions

Our maximum aggregate liability for any claim is limited to the amount paid by you to us in the twelve months preceding the claim (currently ₹0 for free services).

12.3 Jurisdiction Note

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitation of liability. These limitations apply to the fullest extent permitted under Indian law.

13. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Homoeopaths.org, its founders (Vaibhav Kumar Rai and Rajat Singh), employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms of Use
• Your content or conduct on the platform
• Your infringement of any third party's rights
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
• Any claims arising from your use or misuse of the platform

14. Termination

14.1 By You

• You may delete your account at any time through account settings
• For complete data removal, contact us at info@homoeopaths.org

14.2 By Us

We may suspend or permanently terminate accounts for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent, harmful, or abusive conduct
• Legal requirements or court orders
• Any reason we deem appropriate to protect the platform or its users

14.3 Effect of Termination

• Access is revoked immediately upon termination
• Provisions that by their nature should survive (including liability limitations, indemnification, and dispute resolution) remain in effect

15. Modifications to Terms

• We may update these Terms as the platform grows and evolves
• Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date
• Material changes will be communicated via email or in-platform notice where possible
• Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms
• If you disagree with changes, stop using the platform and close your account

16. Dispute Resolution

16.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, contact us first. We will attempt good-faith resolution within 30 days. Email info@homoeopaths.org or reach us on WhatsApp at +91 90412 30444.

16.2 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Uttar Pradesh, India.

16.3 Arbitration

Disputes that cannot be resolved informally may, by mutual agreement, be referred to arbitration conducted in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

17. Compliance and Regulatory

17.1 Indian Laws

Our platform operations are subject to, and we endeavour to comply with:

• Information Technology Act, 2000 and its amendments
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019
• Central Council of Homoeopathy regulations
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) regulations
• Applicable data protection and privacy regulations

17.2 International Standards

• GDPR compliance measures for users in the European Union
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) via payment processors

18. Grievance Redressal

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, we have designated a Grievance Officer to address concerns:

19. Miscellaneous

• Entire Agreement: These Terms of Use together with our Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and Homoeopaths.org
• Severability: If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of our right to enforce it in the future
• Assignment: We may assign our rights and obligations; you may not assign your rights without our written consent
• Force Majeure: We are not liable for failures or delays caused by events beyond our reasonable control
• Language: The English version of these Terms controls; any translations are provided for convenience only

20. Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or requests related to these Terms: