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Terms of Use

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A plain-language summary of the agreement between you and Acorn Hope.

Terms of Use

theAcornbook.com

Effective Date: April 22, 2026 | Last Updated: April 22, 2026

Note: These Terms govern your use of the Site. For questions, contact us using the details in Section 19.

1. Agreement to These Terms

Welcome to theAcornbook.com (the "Site"), operated by Acorn, LLC ("we," "us," "our"). These Terms of Use (the "Terms") govern your access to and use of the Site, including browsing, purchasing the book "The Acorn" in print or digital form, creating an account, and any related services.

By using the Site or making a purchase, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you may not use the Site.

Please read Section 12 carefully. It includes a limitation of liability, and Section 15 may include a binding arbitration clause and class-action waiver depending on your jurisdiction.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, to make a purchase. Minors may use the Site only with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by these Terms. By using the Site, you represent that you meet these requirements and that you are not barred from using the Site under applicable law.

3. Intellectual Property

3.1 Our Rights

The book "The Acorn" and all text, cover art, illustrations, photographs, audio, video, logos, trademarks, and other content on the Site (the "Content") are owned by or licensed to Acorn, LLC and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

3.2 Limited License to Use the Site

Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and view the Site for your personal, non-commercial use.

3.3 License for Purchased Books

When you purchase a print copy, you own that physical copy but do not acquire any rights in the underlying work. When you purchase a digital copy (e.g., eBook, audiobook, or PDF), you receive a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to download and read/listen to the work for your personal use on devices you own or control. You may not:

  • Copy, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, publicly perform, broadcast, or upload the work, in whole or in part.
  • Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works.
  • Remove or alter copyright notices, watermarks, or DRM.
  • Resell, rent, lend, or sublicense the work.
  • Use the work to train or fine-tune any AI or machine-learning model without our express written permission.

3.4 Permitted Quotation

Short quotations for purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research may be permitted under "fair use" (U.S.) or "fair dealing" (UK/EU/other) or similar doctrines. When quoting, please include proper attribution: author name, book title, and publisher where applicable.

3.5 Trademarks

"The Acorn" and any related marks of Acorn, LLC are our trademarks or trade dress. You may not use them without our prior written permission, except for fair factual reference (e.g., a review).

4. Accounts

If the Site allows you to create an account, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for all activity under your account. Provide accurate information and update it as needed. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

5. Orders, Pricing, and Payment

5.1 Product Information

We strive to describe the book and any related products accurately, but we do not warrant that descriptions, images, or other Content are error-free or current. Colors and images are approximations and may vary by device and print run.

5.2 Pricing

Prices are displayed in US Dollars (USD) and may change without notice. Applicable sales tax, VAT, GST, or similar taxes may be added at checkout based on your location. Shipping fees are calculated and shown before you place your order.

5.3 Order Acceptance

Your order is an offer to purchase. We reserve the right to accept or decline any order, limit quantities, or cancel an order — for example, if there is a pricing or description error, suspected fraud, a problem with your payment, or stock unavailability. If we cancel an order you have already paid for, we will refund the amount charged.

5.4 Payment

You authorize us and our payment processor(s) (e.g., Stripe) to charge your chosen payment method for the total amount, including taxes and shipping. You represent that you are authorized to use the payment method provided.

6. Shipping and Delivery

Estimated shipping times and fees are shown at checkout. We are not responsible for carrier delays, customs holds, or incorrect addresses provided by you. Title and risk of loss for physical copies pass to you upon our delivery to the carrier, unless applicable consumer-protection law provides otherwise (for example, in the EU and UK, risk may pass on delivery to a consumer). International buyers are responsible for any import duties or taxes.

7. Digital Products

Digital copies are delivered via download link or email after purchase is confirmed. Make sure your email address is correct at checkout. If you do not receive your download within 24 hours, contact us at michele@theacornbook.com. You are responsible for ensuring your device is compatible with the file format provided.

8. Refunds, Returns, and Consumer Rights

8.1 Physical Books

We accept returns of unopened, undamaged physical books within 30 days of delivery for a refund of the purchase price (shipping is non-refundable unless the return is due to our error). Contact michele@theacornbook.com for a return authorization before sending anything back. Damaged or defective items will be replaced or refunded at no cost to you.

8.2 Digital Books

Because digital books are delivered instantly and cannot be returned, all sales of digital products are final unless the file is defective or applicable law requires otherwise. If you experience a technical issue, contact us and we will do our best to resolve it.

8.3 EU/UK Consumer Right of Withdrawal

If you are a consumer in the European Union or United Kingdom, you generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal from online purchases under the Consumer Rights Directive / Consumer Contracts Regulations. For digital downloads, this right is lost once the download begins with your express prior consent and acknowledgment that you thereby waive your right of withdrawal — which you confirm at checkout. To withdraw from a physical order, contact michele@theacornbook.com within 14 days of receipt.

8.4 Statutory Rights

Nothing in these Terms limits your statutory rights as a consumer under the laws of your country (including, where applicable, rights to goods of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose).

9. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

  • Violate any law, regulation, or third-party right.
  • Access the Site or its data by automated means (scraping, bots, crawlers) without our prior written consent, except for search-engine crawlers respecting robots.txt.
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Site, its servers, or networks (including denial-of-service attacks, malware, or attempts to bypass security).
  • Reverse engineer or decompile any part of the Site.
  • Use the Site or Content to develop, train, or improve any artificial intelligence or machine-learning model without our express written permission.
  • Impersonate any person or entity, or misrepresent your affiliation.
  • Use the Site for unsolicited marketing, spam, or any fraudulent activity.
  • Upload or transmit content that is unlawful, infringing, defamatory, harassing, obscene, or otherwise objectionable.

10. User Content (Reviews, Comments, Submissions)

If you post reviews, comments, messages, or other content on the Site ("User Content"), you represent that you own or have the right to share it and that it does not violate these Terms or any law. You grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, display, distribute, modify, and create derivative works of your User Content for operating, promoting, and improving the Site and our books, in any media now known or later developed. You waive any moral rights to the extent permitted by law.

We may, but are not obligated to, monitor, edit, or remove User Content at our sole discretion. We are not responsible for User Content posted by others.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

The Site may link to third-party websites, services, or content (e.g., booksellers, payment processors, social media). We do not control and are not responsible for those third parties, their content, or their practices. Your interactions with them are governed by their own terms and privacy policies.

12. Disclaimers

THE SITE, CONTENT, AND BOOKS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.

The book is offered for general informational, educational, or entertainment purposes, and is not a substitute for professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). You should consult qualified professionals for decisions affecting your life, business, or well-being.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties. To the extent any warranty cannot be excluded under applicable law, our liability is limited to the minimum required by that law.

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL ACORN, LLC, ITS AFFILIATES, OR THEIR OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR ANY BOOK, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTE, OR ANY OTHER THEORY, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SITE WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) US$50.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law (for example, liability for fraud, personal injury caused by negligence, or statutory consumer rights).

14. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Acorn, LLC and its affiliates from any claim, liability, damage, loss, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Site; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your User Content; or (d) your violation of any law or third-party right. We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification, in which case you agree to cooperate with our defense.

15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, USA, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. If you are a consumer, you may also have the benefit of mandatory provisions of the law of your country of residence.

15.2 Informal Resolution

Before filing a claim, please contact us at michele@theacornbook.com and try to resolve the dispute informally. Most disputes can be resolved this way within 30 days.

15.3 Venue

Any dispute not resolved informally will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Boulder County, Colorado, USA, and you consent to personal jurisdiction and venue there.

Consumers in the EU/UK: nothing in this section deprives you of the protection of mandatory consumer laws or your right to bring proceedings in the courts of your country of residence. EU consumers may also use the Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

16. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Site at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including violation of these Terms. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination — including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution — will survive.

17. Copyright Complaints (DMCA)

If you believe content on the Site infringes your copyright, please send a notice to our designated agent with: (a) your contact information; (b) identification of the copyrighted work; (c) the URL or description of the allegedly infringing material; (d) a statement of good-faith belief that the use is not authorized; (e) a statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the owner; and (f) your physical or electronic signature.

DMCA Agent: Acorn, LLC, michele@theacornbook.com, 2125 11th St, Boulder, CO 80302.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last Updated" date at the top reflects the latest version. Material changes will be communicated by posting a notice on the Site or emailing you. Your continued use of the Site after the changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree, stop using the Site.

19. Miscellaneous

  • Entire Agreement: these Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Site.
  • Severability: if any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
  • No Waiver: our failure to enforce any right is not a waiver of that right.
  • Assignment: you may not assign these Terms without our consent; we may assign them to an affiliate or in connection with a merger or sale.
  • Force Majeure: we are not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
  • Headings: are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
  • Contact: for questions about these Terms, email michele@theacornbook.com or write to 2125 11th St, Boulder, CO 80302.