Terms of Service
Last updated: April 12, 2026
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using Reparation Road (“the Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Service.
Description of Service
Reparation Road is a digital archive providing access to historical records documenting the African American experience. We offer free and premium tiers, community forums, and research consultation services.
User Accounts
To access certain features, you must create an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate and complete information
- Maintain the security of your password
- Be responsible for all activities that occur under your account
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
Subscription & Billing
Premium membership is billed on a recurring basis (monthly or annually). By subscribing, you agree to:
- Pay all applicable fees
- Automatic renewal unless cancelled
- Our right to modify pricing with notice
You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. No refunds for partial periods.
Intellectual Property
The content on Reparation Road, including historical records, descriptions, images, and site design, is the property of Reparation Road or its content suppliers and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Historical records may be in the public domain but our curation, transcription, and presentation are protected.
Acceptable Use
You agree not to:
- Copy, redistribute, or commercially exploit content without permission
- Use automated tools to scrape or download content in bulk
- Attempt to circumvent access restrictions or security measures
- Post offensive, illegal, or infringing content in the forum
- Impersonate others or misrepresent your affiliation
- Interfere with the Service or other users' use of it
Forum & User Content
You retain ownership of content you post in the forum. By posting, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive license to display, distribute, and archive your content. We reserve the right to remove content that violates these Terms or our community guidelines.
Research Sessions
Booked research consultation sessions are subject to availability. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel sessions due to unforeseen circumstances. Cancellations by users must be made at least 24 hours in advance for a refund (if applicable).
Donor Codes
Donor codes grant complimentary premium access and are non-transferable. Misuse or sharing of donor codes may result in account suspension.
Disclaimer of Warranties
The Service is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of historical records. Users should independently verify information for genealogical or legal purposes.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Reparation Road shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Service.
Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violations of these Terms. You may delete your account at any time. Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately.
Changes to Terms
We may modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes will be announced on this page with a revised date.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of the applicable jurisdiction.
Contact
Questions about these Terms? Email us at admin@reparationroad.org.