Last Updated: April 21, 2024

Welcome to MakNet! These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of MakNet’s services, including our website and any business or organization listings, events, forums, and user-generated content. By accessing or using the service, you agree to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully to ensure you understand your rights and obligations.

For information on how we handle your personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

1. Service Description

MakNet is a platform that showcases Macedonian-owned businesses and organizations in Ontario, Canada. Users can submit both organization listings and event details, all of which are subject to approval by our team to ensure accuracy and appropriateness. Additionally, our website administration may directly add listings and events, aiming for comprehensive coverage and representation across the Macedonian diaspora in Ontario, Canada.

2. User Registration

While our listings are publicly accessible, creating an account is required for users who wish to actively contribute to the platform, such as submitting new listings or posting events. To register, users must:

• Provide a username, email address, and password.
• Agree with these Terms of Use, as well as our Privacy Policy.
• Confirm they are at least 16 years of age by checking the designated box during registration. Users under the age of 16 are not permitted to create an account on MakNet.

This policy ensures our compliance with privacy laws and the protection of minors. MakNet does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 16. Upon account creation, by agreeing to the Terms of Use and checking the age confirmation box, users explicitly affirm they meet the minimum age requirement.

Should it come to our attention that an account has been created by someone under the age of 16, we are committed to taking immediate steps to:

• Verify the age of the account holder.
• Remove any personal information associated with the underage user from our database.
• Terminate the account to uphold our Terms of Use and protect privacy rights.

This process underscores our dedication to maintaining a safe and compliant platform for all users.

3. Content Ownership

Users retain ownership of content they post. However, by posting, users grant MakNet a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute their content in relation to the service, including for promotional purposes.

4. Use of Publicly Available Information

MakNet compiles publicly available information to provide a comprehensive directory of Macedonian-owned businesses and organizations, including churches, cultural associations, and not-for-profits, to support and connect our community. This information may include addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, operational hours or any other publicly-available information as found on platforms such as Google Maps or directly from the organizations’ official websites.

Accuracy and Updates

We commit to maintaining the accuracy of the information on our platform; however, we acknowledge that details may change over time. We encourage organizations and our users to provide updates or corrections to ensure our directory remains a reliable resource.

Respect for Privacy and Data Use

We respect the privacy of the organizations listed on our platform. If an organization wishes to update its information or be removed from our directory, we provide a clear process for doing so, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and respecting the wishes of the entities involved.

5. Requesting Updates or Removal of Listings

MakNet is committed to ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the information provided on our platform. Organizations or individuals who wish to update their listing details or request removal from our directory can do so by following these steps:

1. Contact Us: Reach out to our team via email at zdravo@maknet.org, providing the name of the organization and the specific details you wish to update or request for removal.
2. Verification: For security and verification purposes, we may require additional information to confirm the authority of the person making the request in relation to the organization listed.
3. Processing Your Request: Upon verification, we will process your update or removal request as quickly as possible. Please allow up to 10 days for your request to be completed.
4. Confirmation: Once your request has been processed, we will send you a confirmation email.

We understand the importance of maintaining up-to-date and accurate information and respect the privacy and autonomy of the organizations and individuals represented on our platform. For further inquiries or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

6. Prohibited Activities

To maintain a safe and positive environment on MakNet, users are prohibited from engaging in the following activities:

• Unauthorized Access: Attempting to hack, bypass security measures, or otherwise disrupt the service. This includes using automated systems without permission, such as bots, spiders, or scrapers.
• Illegal Activities: Posting listings, events, or content that promote illegal activities, or that are fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive.
• Infringement of Rights: Publishing content that infringes on the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other legal rights of others.
• Inappropriate Content: Sharing material that is defamatory, obscene, offensive, hateful, or promotes discrimination of any kind.
• Interference with Operations: Interfering with or disrupting the integrity or performance of the service, including spamming, distributing viruses or harmful code, or using the service in a way that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair any aspect of the service.
• Harassment and Abuse: Engaging in harassment, bullying, or any form of abuse towards other users or entities listed on the platform.

MakNet reserves the right to take appropriate action against any user found to be in violation of these prohibitions, which may include terminating their access to the service and/or legal action. Our goal is to foster a respectful and lawful community where Macedonian-owned businesses and organizations can thrive.

7. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, MakNet prefers resolution through arbitration in Ontario, Canada. This method is chosen to expedite resolution in a manner that limits legal expenses.

8. Limitation of Liability

MakNet shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages resulting from the use of or inability to use the service. This includes, but is not limited to, damages resulting from your engagement with any organizations listed on our website or your participation in any events. While we aim to connect the Macedonian diaspora by providing a platform for these listings, we cannot guarantee the legitimacy, safety, or quality of the organizations or events featured. We do not independently verify the accuracy of information provided by listed organizations. Your interactions with any listings or events found on MakNet are undertaken at your own risk. We encourage users to perform their due diligence before engaging with any listed entities or attending any events.

9. User and Organization Liability for Listings and Events

Users and organizations/institutions that post listings and/or events on MakNet, or for whom MakNet administration posts listings and/or events on their behalf, agree to assume full responsibility and liability for any consequences that may arise both from their postings and from any interactions or engagements that result from those postings. This includes, but is not limited to, attending events, engaging with organizations listed on the platform, and any legal disputes, damages, or complaints related to the content of the listings or the conduct stemming from such interactions. By facilitating these postings, users and organizations/institutions acknowledge that they release MakNet, its administration, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or legal actions arising not only from the posted content but also from any actions or interactions that occur as a result of the content being published on MakNet.

Even when MakNet administration assists in posting listings or events for users, organizations, or institutions, the responsibility for the content provided and any subsequent interactions or engagements remains with the entity providing the content. MakNet’s assistance in facilitating these postings does not transfer liability from the content provider to MakNet, and content providers agree to indemnify MakNet against any repercussions, including those stemming from interactions or engagements related to the content.

10. Amendments and Termination

MakNet reserves the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. MakNet may terminate accounts or access to the service for violations of these terms.

11. Governing Law

These Terms of Use shall be governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada.

12. Fees and Payments

MakNet is excited to offer an exclusive promotion for the first 100 businesses that register: enjoy 6 months of free listings. After this period, these businesses will be grandfathered into a special rate of $10/month in Canadian Dollars, plus applicable HST. Businesses registering after the initial 100 will not qualify for the 6-month free offer, and their pricing will be announced at a later date.

Not-for-profit community organizations and religious institutions are eligible for free listings and event postings as part of our commitment to supporting our community’s growth and unity. Event listing fees for for-profit organizations will be specified in the future.

Currently, we accept payments via e-transfer, although we may update our payment methods to better serve you as our platform evolves. Please note, prices are subject to change, and no refunds are provided.

13. Miscellaneous

MakNet reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. The failure of MakNet to enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Use will not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

14. Contact Us

For any inquiries, assistance, or concerns regarding our service, please feel free to reach out to us at zdravo@maknet.org. We’re here to help ensure your experience with MakNet is as positive and productive as possible.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision will be deemed severable from these Terms and will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. This ensures that the rest of the Terms remain in effect and operational.