Terms of service

Paper Source operates under the corporate umbrella of Barnes & Noble, Inc., with all of its affiliated websites, digital tools, mobile applications and online functional features managed as part of the overall Barnes & Noble business framework. The following terms and conditions set forth the official rules governing user access to and utilization of all Paper Source digital platforms and associated online services. This comprehensive framework clarifies user accountability standards, permissible online behaviors, intellectual property protection rules, account management protocols, liability boundaries and standardized resolution processes for potential conflicts that may arise during platform usage.

Any form of platform interaction, including website browsing, account registration, online order placement, application usage, community feature participation and access to other online functions, constitutes voluntary acknowledgment and full acceptance of these service terms. Continuous use of the digital services following policy updates serves as ongoing confirmation of agreement to all stipulated rules. Individuals who cannot comply with these terms must cease all platform access and refrain from utilizing the website, mobile applications and all embedded digital features.

The brand authorizes platform access solely for personal, legal and non-commercial usage purposes. Registered and guest users are permitted to browse online resources, explore full product catalogs, complete merchandise purchases, manage personal account settings and engage with interactive platform functions in line with the original service design intentions. Simply gaining access to the website does not transfer any form of ownership rights over platform content to users, nor does it grant permission for commercial exploitation or secondary monetization of any digital materials.

Users are strictly prohibited from engaging in unauthorized content reproduction, modification and large-scale duplication of website resources. Commercial redistribution of platform information, deliberate interference with site technical operations, automated data scraping without official approval and unauthorized intrusion into restricted platform zones are all forbidden behaviors. Any actions that disrupt normal website operation, undermine platform security, falsify user identity or violate local and international legal regulations will result in access restrictions or permanent account termination.

The brand reserves the right to suspend, restrict or fully terminate user accounts and digital service access in response to verified misconduct, unauthorized operation behaviors, potential security risks, term violations or any activity that triggers operational chaos and legal hidden dangers. Such regulatory measures are implemented reasonably to protect the legitimate rights of platform users, maintain system stability, ensure normal business operation and safeguard the overall security of the online ecosystem.

All trademarks, brand logos, service titles, graphic elements, design templates and exclusive identification symbols displayed on the website are legally owned by Barnes & Noble, Paper Source, official licensing partners and other authorized rights holders. These proprietary brand assets may not be copied, altered, displayed or reused in any manner that causes public confusion regarding brand ownership, official sponsorship, cooperative affiliation and authorized qualification. Additionally, all website texts, photographic works, illustration designs, video and audio resources, program software and page layout structures are fully protected by global intellectual property laws.

Casual personal browsing and on-site viewing of platform content is allowed for all users, yet basic access privileges do not include authorization for republishing, reselling, mass distribution, secondary creation or commercial monetization of protected copyrighted materials. Any form of content utilization beyond the scope of personal non-commercial viewing requires prior written approval from the corresponding intellectual property owner.

Selected platform sections allow registered users to publish product reviews, personal comments, subjective opinions, photographic works and other original content. All user-generated content solely reflects the personal views of the publishing users, and the brand does not conduct full verification or official endorsement of all community published content. Platform participants should maintain independent judgment when referencing shared user content and avoid publishing private sensitive information that they do not intend to disclose publicly.

Online product descriptions are designed to assist shoppers in evaluating merchandise and making purchasing decisions. That said, product wording, demonstration images, pricing standards, inventory status, parameter specifications and other commodity details may occasionally contain minor errors or become outdated due to real-time business changes. Product inventory is subject to unannounced adjustments, and technical failures or manual administrative errors may lead to inaccurate online listing information. Once such errors are identified, the brand will revise relevant content, update product listings or cancel erroneous orders within the scope permitted by law.

For orders canceled due to incorrect pricing information or other major listing errors, the brand will process all collected payments in strict accordance with standardized transaction rules and refund workflows. Meanwhile, customers who receive physical goods that significantly deviate from online product descriptions can initiate return applications in compliance with the official return policy, subject to the relevant policy constraints and qualification requirements.

All users bear full responsibility for preserving the confidentiality of their account login credentials. It is forbidden to actively share account passwords and login information with unauthorized third parties, and account holders must take proactive protective measures to prevent illegal account access. All behaviors conducted under a user’s registered account are attributable to the account owner. Users must promptly contact official customer support to report suspected security loopholes and unauthorized account abnormal activities.

The platform’s digital services are oriented toward specific age groups, with age limit rules applicable to account registration and partial advanced functional features. Parents and legal guardians are obligated to supervise minor users’ platform access behaviors when necessary. All minor-related personal data will be processed in line with official privacy regulations, and any accounts or published content that violate age restriction rules will be subject to functional restrictions or permanent removal.

In response to business development adjustments, technical iteration upgrades, security risk updates and legal rule changes, the brand reserves the right to adjust, temporarily suspend or permanently terminate partial or full website and online service functions. Platform features may be revised and optimized at any time without long-term availability guarantees. Users acknowledge that digital services may face routine maintenance downtime, system incompatibility problems and other unavoidable technical limitations during operation.

All platform services are provided on an “as available” basis within the scope permitted by law, and the brand does not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free operation of all functional modules at all times. The brand may exempt itself from liability for partial losses and damages arising from user platform usage, excluding legally mandatory liability exceptions. These clause provisions will not override any non-waivable legal rights and user protections stipulated by regulatory authorities.

Disputes between individual users and the brand will be resolved through independent arbitration instead of judicial litigation, except in special circumstances specified by law. Where legally permissible, users may opt out of collective litigation and representative claim procedures by completing designated operations within the specified time limit. All dispute resolution clauses require careful review, as enforceable user rights and exception rules vary according to specific scenarios and applicable legal provisions.

The jurisdiction and legal venue clauses stipulated in these terms determine the applicable legal standards for unresolved platform disputes. Partial legal cases will be handled by designated regional courts, subject to priority constraints of mandatory legal regulations.

These service terms will be updated irregularly to adapt to technological progress, service function upgrades, business model adjustments and revised legal obligations. All revised clauses take formal effect in accordance with the officially announced effective date. Continuous use of the platform after policy updates confirms user recognition and acceptance of the latest term provisions.

Standardized user behaviors help maintain a safe, stable and orderly online environment for commodity shopping, creative content exploration, account management and interactive communication. These official terms aim to build fair and reasonable usage norms for both platform operators and users, while effectively protecting consumer rights, intellectual property achievements, platform security stability and the sustainable operation of all digital services.