Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Courted application, website, or any related services (collectively, the “Platform”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Courted Ltd. (“Courted,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a company registered under the laws of England and Wales.

2. Service Description

Courted is a dating platform that enables users to create profiles, discover potential matches, communicate with other users, and arrange in-person dates. The Platform incorporates a unique deposit mechanism whereby male users pay a “preparation fee” (deposit) before a date, which is held in escrow and released to the female user upon date completion. The Platform also includes the Queen Bee Network, an optional affiliate programme. All financial transactions on the Platform use USDC (a USD-pegged stablecoin) on the Base L2 blockchain. Users hold USDC in their own self-custodial wallet and have full control over their funds at all times.

Courted is a technology platform that facilitates connections between users. We are not a matchmaking service, dating agency, or escort service. We do not guarantee any outcomes from using the Platform, including but not limited to matches, dates, or relationships.

3. Eligibility

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of registration
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement in your jurisdiction
• Not be a registered sex offender in any jurisdiction
• Not be prohibited from using the Platform under any applicable law or regulation
• Not have been previously banned or removed from the Platform
• Maintain only one account per person — creating multiple accounts is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination of all accounts

By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet all eligibility requirements. We reserve the right to verify your identity, age, and eligibility at any time, including through third-party identity verification services (such as Persona). Failure to complete verification when requested may result in account suspension or termination.

4. Account & Profile

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and in your profile at all times
• Maintain and promptly update your account information as it changes
• Upload only photos that are genuinely of you and taken within the last two years — using photos of other people, AI-generated images, heavily filtered or misleading images, or celebrity photos is prohibited
• Not impersonate any other person or misrepresent your identity, age, affiliations, or intentions
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised access to your account
• Not share your account credentials with any other person

We reserve the right to suspend or remove any account that contains inaccurate, misleading, or fraudulent information, including fake or misleading profile photos.

5. The Deposit System (Preparation Fees)

The Courted platform operates a deposit mechanism using USDC on the Base L2 blockchain. Deposits are transferred from the user's self-custodial wallet to the CourtedEscrow smart contract, where they are held securely until the conditions for release are met. By using the deposit feature, you understand and agree to the following:

5.1 Nature of Deposits

Deposits made on the Platform are “preparation fees” — compensation for the time, effort, and cost a woman incurs in getting ready for a date, including but not limited to: personal grooming, attire selection, transportation preparation, childcare arrangements, and schedule allocation. Deposits are NOT payment for companionship, time spent on the date itself, personal services, sexual or romantic favours, or any other consideration beyond date preparation.

5.2 How Deposits Work

• The deposit amount is set by the woman on her profile. Men agree to this amount when requesting a date.
• Deposits are made in USDC from the user's wallet and held in the CourtedEscrow smart contract on the Base L2 blockchain for the duration of the date arrangement.
• Deposits are automatically released to the woman 24 hours after the agreed date and time, unless a dispute is raised by the man within that period.
• If both parties mutually confirm the date occurred early, the deposit is released immediately without waiting the 24-hour period.
• A platform fee of 5% is deducted from the deposit upon release.

5.3 Cancellations & Refunds

The following graduated refund policy applies to all date cancellations:

• Cancellation 48+ hours before the scheduled date: 100% refund to the depositor (man)
• Cancellation 24–48 hours before the scheduled date: 50% refund to the depositor, 50% released to the woman
• Cancellation less than 24 hours before the scheduled date: No automatic refund — a dispute must be raised and reviewed by the admin team (see Section 6)
• No-show by the depositor (man): Full deposit released to the woman
• No-show by the woman: Full refund to the depositor
• Mutual cancellation: Full refund to the depositor

6. Disputes & Resolution

In the event of a dispute regarding a date, deposit, or interaction on the Platform:

• Men may raise a dispute through the in-app dispute system within 24 hours of the scheduled date time. Disputes must include supporting evidence (e.g., screenshots, messages, location data, or other relevant documentation).
• Courted's admin team will review all disputes and aim to make a determination within 72 hours of submission.
• During the dispute review period, the deposit remains locked in escrow and will not be released to either party.
• Courted's determination regarding deposit disbursement is final and binding within the Platform.
• Repeated frivolous or bad-faith disputes may result in account suspension or termination.

Nothing in this section limits your statutory rights or your ability to pursue claims through the courts of competent jurisdiction.

7. Queen Bee Network (Affiliate Programme)

The Queen Bee Network is an optional affiliate programme available to users of the Platform. By participating, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Participation is entirely voluntary. There is no cost to join, no inventory to purchase, and no obligation to recruit.
• Commissions and rank bonuses are paid from platform fees, not from other users' earnings or deposits. Your earnings do not reduce what other users receive.
• Rank progression is based on the number of active referrals in your network. Ranks include: Honeybee, Queen Bee, Hive Builder, City Queen, and Crown.
• All payouts are denominated in USD and paid in USDC on the Base L2 blockchain directly to the participant's wallet.
• There is no guaranteed income. Earnings depend on the activity of your network. If your referrals are not actively using the Platform, you will not earn commissions from them.
• Courted reserves the right to adjust commission rates, rank thresholds, and bonus structures with 30 days' prior notice to participants. Existing earners may be grandfathered at their current rates at Courted's discretion.
• Any promotional materials you create about the Queen Bee Network must be truthful, not misleading, and must not make income guarantees or unrealistic earning claims.

8. Digital Currency & the $COURTED Token

8.1 USDC (Current Platform Currency)

All financial transactions on the Platform — including deposits, tips, paid content, and commission payouts — are conducted in USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, on the Base L2 blockchain. USDC is purchased by users and held in their own self-custodial wallet until they choose to use it. By using USDC on the Platform, you acknowledge:

• USDC is a third-party stablecoin issued by Circle. Courted does not issue, control, or guarantee the value of USDC.
• You are responsible for understanding the nature of stablecoins and blockchain-based transactions before using the Platform.
• Blockchain transactions are irreversible once confirmed. Please ensure all transaction details are correct before confirming.

8.2 $COURTED Token (Not Yet Launched)

Courted plans to launch the $COURTED utility token, an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum mainnet, at a future date. The $COURTED token is not yet launched and is not currently available for purchase or use on the Platform. When launched, the $COURTED token may be used for governance, staking, and access to premium features.

• There are no guarantees regarding the launch date, availability, or value of the $COURTED token.
• Users will be notified in advance of any launch or transition involving the $COURTED token.
• Courted does not provide investment advice and makes no representations regarding the future value of the $COURTED token.
• Any future token-related terms will be communicated through an update to these Terms with at least 30 days' prior notice.

9. Wallets, Payments & Withdrawals

9.1 Wallets

Upon registration, each user receives an embedded self-custodial wallet powered by Privy. This wallet is used to hold USDC and conduct transactions on the Platform. You may also:

• Import an existing wallet: Connect an external wallet you already own to use with the Platform.
• Export your private key: Access and export your wallet's private key at any time through the app settings, allowing you to use your wallet with any compatible wallet application.

Courted does not have access to your private keys. You are solely responsible for the security of your wallet, private key, and recovery phrase. If you lose access to your private key, Courted cannot recover your funds.

9.2 Adding Funds

Users can add USDC to their wallet through the following methods:

• Coinbase Onramp: Purchase USDC using a credit card or bank transfer. Coinbase is a third-party payment processor subject to its own terms and conditions, fees, and identity verification requirements.
• External transfer: Send USDC on the Base L2 network from any external wallet directly to your Courted wallet address.

USDC added to your wallet remains in your full custody and control until you choose to use it for deposits, tips, paid content, or other Platform features.

9.3 Withdrawals

Users can withdraw USDC from the Platform at any time through the following methods:

• External wallet transfer: Send USDC from your Courted wallet to any external wallet address on the Base L2 network.
• Private key export: Export your wallet's private key and access your funds directly through any compatible wallet application (e.g., MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rainbow).

Withdrawal processing times depend on Base L2 network conditions. Blockchain transaction fees (gas fees) may apply and are paid by the user.

10. Content & Conduct

You agree not to post, share, transmit, or engage in any of the following on or through the Platform:

• Harassment, bullying, threats, intimidation, or abusive behaviour directed at any user
• Explicit sexual content, nudity, or pornographic material
• Spam, unsolicited advertising, or commercial solicitation
• Fake profiles, impersonation, or misrepresentation of identity
• Content that promotes violence, discrimination, racism, hatred, or illegal activity
• Infringement of intellectual property rights or privacy rights of others
• Solicitation of money, goods, or services outside the Platform's built-in systems
• Any attempt to manipulate, exploit, or circumvent the Platform's deposit, escrow, or commission systems

We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these policies and to suspend or permanently terminate accounts of users who violate these rules, without prior notice and without refund of any deposits or USDC balances.

11. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, for conduct that we determine violates these Terms, is harmful to other users, or is otherwise objectionable. Upon termination: (a) any pending deposits in escrow will be handled according to our cancellation and dispute policies; (b) any unreleased Queen Bee Network commissions may be forfeited; and (c) you may withdraw any remaining USDC balance or export your private key within 30 days of termination, after which account access may be revoked. You may terminate your account at any time through the app settings.

12. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

• COURTED SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR GOODWILL, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM.
• COURTED IS A PLATFORM THAT FACILITATES CONNECTIONS BETWEEN USERS AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT, BEHAVIOUR, OR ACTIONS OF ANY USER ON OR OFF THE PLATFORM, WHETHER IN CONNECTION WITH A DATE ARRANGED THROUGH THE PLATFORM OR OTHERWISE.
• YOUR SAFETY DURING ANY DATE OR MEETING ARRANGED THROUGH THE PLATFORM IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY. COURTED STRONGLY RECOMMENDS MEETING IN PUBLIC PLACES, INFORMING A TRUSTED PERSON OF YOUR PLANS, AND EXERCISING COMMON SENSE AND CAUTION.
• COURTED IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FLUCTUATIONS IN THE VALUE OF USDC, ANY FUTURE $COURTED TOKENS, OR ANY FINANCIAL LOSSES RESULTING FROM DIGITAL CURRENCY PURCHASES, HOLDINGS, OR TRANSACTIONS.
• COURTED'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO COURTED IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law.

13. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. For material changes, we will provide at least 30 days' notice via email to the address associated with your account and/or through an in-app notification. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must discontinue use of the Platform and may close your account.

14. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. If you are a consumer, you may also have the benefit of any mandatory provisions of the law of the country in which you are resident. Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

15. General Provisions

• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Courted regarding the Platform.
• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
• Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.
• Assignment: You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.