Agreement
Welcome to Orator (https://orator.gg, the “Site”), operated by Orator (“Orator,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). The Site provides a real-time debate platform with matchmaking, rankings, structured live rounds, browser and installed-app notifications, and AI-assisted judging (collectively, the “Services”).
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Services. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use personal information and is incorporated into these Terms.
THESE TERMS CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER. EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF DISPUTES DESCRIBED BELOW, YOU AGREE THAT DISPUTES BETWEEN YOU AND ORATOR WILL BE RESOLVED BY BINDING, INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION, AND YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION.
By accessing or using the Services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.
Changes to these Terms
We may modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will post the updated Terms on this page and update the “Last updated” date. We may also notify you through the Services or by email. Changes become effective no earlier than fourteen (14) days after posting, except changes required for legal or operational reasons may take effect immediately. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.
Eligibility
You must be at least 13 years old (or the minimum age required in your country to consent to use online services) to use the Services. If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian's permission to use the Services. You may not use the Services if you are barred from doing so under applicable law.
Accounts and registration
Account creation
You may need an account to use certain features. Account authentication is provided through our identity partner (currently Clerk). You agree to provide accurate information and to keep your credentials secure. You are responsible for activity under your account.
Notifications
Matchmaking and live-round alerts may use browser or installed-app push notifications when you opt in at queue time. You can change how you are reached before joining the queue or revoke notification permission in your device or browser settings. Message and data rates may apply for notifications delivered by your operating system.
Use of the Services
License
Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Services for your personal, non-commercial use (unless we agree otherwise in writing).
Acceptable use
You agree not to:
- Violate any law or third-party right, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights.
- Harass, threaten, defame, or abuse other users, or engage in hate speech or illegal content in debates or communications.
- Impersonate any person, misrepresent your affiliation, or use another user's account without permission.
- Attempt to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Services or bypass security or access controls.
- Scrape, crawl, or use automated means to access the Services except as permitted by us in writing.
- Interfere with matchmaking, judging, rankings, or the experience of other users (including collusion, sandbagging, or manipulating Elo).
- Record, redistribute, or commercially exploit live debate audio, transcripts, or AI verdicts without permission.
Live features
Live debate rounds may use real-time audio and transcription (for example, through Daily.co and related infrastructure). You are responsible for your environment, equipment, and compliance with laws that apply to recording or broadcasting your voice. Do not join live sessions if you cannot consent to processing of your audio for debate and judging purposes described in our Privacy Policy.
Your content
You may submit content through the Services, including debate arguments, chat or cross-examination transcripts, profile information, and feedback (“User Content”). You retain ownership of your User Content. You grant Orator a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify (for formatting and technical processing), display, and distribute your User Content solely to operate, improve, and promote the Services, including to provide matchmaking, live rounds, AI judging, and transcripts to you and your opponent.
You represent that you have the rights to submit User Content and that it does not violate these Terms or applicable law. We may remove User Content that we believe violates these Terms or creates risk for us or others.
AI judging and rankings
Verdicts, scores, Elo changes, and topic primers may be generated in whole or in part by automated systems. They are provided for competition and learning purposes only and are not legal, financial, or professional advice. We do not guarantee accuracy, fairness, or availability of AI outputs. Rankings and outcomes may change if we correct errors or abuse.
Intellectual property
The Services, including software, design, logos, and content we provide (excluding User Content), are owned by Oratoror our licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. Except for the limited license above, no rights are granted to you. “Orator” and related marks may not be used without our prior written consent.
Third-party services
The Services integrate with third parties (for example, authentication, hosting, push delivery, real-time audio, analytics, and AI providers). Your use of those services may be subject to their terms. We are not responsible for third-party sites or services linked from the Site.
Suspension and termination
We may suspend or terminate your access at any time, with or without notice, for conduct we believe violates these Terms or harms the Services or other users. You may stop using the Services at any time. Sections that by their nature should survive termination will survive (including disclaimers, limitations of liability, and arbitration).
Disclaimer of warranties
THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT RESULTS FROM MATCHMAKING, LIVE AUDIO, OR AI JUDGING WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE.
Limitation of liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ORATOR AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES IS LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF (A) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (US$100) OR (B) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID US FOR THE SERVICES IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS; IN THOSE CASES, OUR LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Indemnity
You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Oratorand its affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your User Content, your use of the Services, or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.
Dispute resolution and arbitration
Please read this section carefully. It affects your legal rights.
Except for disputes relating to intellectual property, unauthorized access, or injunctive relief, you and Orator agree to resolve disputes through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court. The Federal Arbitration Act governs this agreement.
You may opt out of arbitration within thirty (30) days of first accepting these Terms by emailing legal@orator.ggwith subject line “Arbitration Opt-Out” and your account email.
Class action waiver. You and Orator agree that each may bring claims against the other only in an individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding.
Governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding conflict-of-law rules, except where mandatory consumer protection laws in your country of residence apply. Exclusive jurisdiction for permitted court proceedings (if any) lies in the state or federal courts located in Delaware, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.
Contact
Questions about these Terms: legal@orator.gg. Privacy questions: privacy@orator.gg.
Canonical URL: https://orator.gg/terms