Terms of Use

1About OpenBalti

OpenBalti is a free, open-source, community-driven digital dictionary project dedicated to documenting, preserving, and promoting the Balti language. The Balti language (also known as Balti Bhoti) is an ancient Tibetic language spoken primarily in the Baltistan region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, and parts of Ladakh, India.

Our mission is to create a comprehensive linguistic resource that helps preserve this endangered language for future generations while making it accessible to learners, researchers, and the global Balti diaspora.

The Service includes but is not limited to:

• A searchable Balti-English dictionary with definitions, translations, and examples
• Educational resources for learning Balti script, grammar, and phrases
• Community contribution and review systems
• User profiles, favorites, and personalized learning features

2Eligibility

To use OpenBalti, you must meet the following requirements:

3User Accounts

While many features are available without an account, creating an account unlocks additional functionality:

3.1 Account Creation

• You may create an account using Google OAuth authentication
• Your account gives you access to contribution features, favorites, learning progress, and leaderboard participation
• Each person may only create one account

3.2 Account Responsibilities

• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account
• You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• You may not share your account credentials with others

3.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms. You may also delete your account at any time through your settings or by contacting us. Upon deletion, your personal data will be removed, though anonymized contributions may remain in the dictionary.

4Acceptable Use Policy

OpenBalti is a community dedicated to language preservation. We expect all users to act respectfully and constructively.

Violations may result in content removal, account suspension, or permanent bans at our discretion.

5User Contributions

OpenBalti thrives on community contributions. When you contribute content to our platform:

5.1 Your Ownership

You retain ownership of the original content you create. However, by submitting content to OpenBalti, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, modify, display, and distribute your contributions as part of the Service.

5.2 Contribution Standards

• Contributions should be accurate to the best of your knowledge
• Content must be original or properly attributed
• You must have the right to submit any content you contribute
• Contributions should respect the linguistic integrity of the Balti language

5.3 Community Review

Contributions may be reviewed, edited, or removed by community moderators or administrators to ensure quality and accuracy. We reserve the right to modify or delete any content that violates these Terms or our community guidelines.

6Intellectual Property

6.1 OpenBalti Content

The OpenBalti platform, including its design, code, features, and branding (logo, name, visual identity), is protected by intellectual property laws. The source code is released under the MIT License, allowing for open-source use with proper attribution.

6.2 Dictionary Content

The linguistic content of the dictionary is contributed by the community and is intended to be freely accessible for educational and non-commercial purposes. Commercial use of the dictionary content requires prior written permission.

6.3 Third-Party Content

Some elements of the Service may include third-party content, such as fonts, icons, or libraries. These remain the property of their respective owners and are used under their respective licenses.

7Disclaimers and Limitations

7.1 No Warranty

We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or completely secure. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content, including dictionary entries.

7.2 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, OpenBalti and its creators, contributors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Service.

7.3 External Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party sites.

8Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless OpenBalti, its creators, contributors, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Content you submit to the Service

9Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms of Use at any time. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• For material changes, we may notify users via email or prominent website notice
• Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically to stay informed of any updates.

10Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Pakistan, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved through good-faith negotiation, and if necessary, through the appropriate courts of Pakistan.