Welcome to Rating Lane! These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Rating Lane website (www.ratinglane.com) and services, including business listings, customer reviews, and related content (collectively, the “Platform”). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to comply with these Terms.

If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use Rating Lane.

1. Introduction

Rating Lane is a business listing and customer review platform that allows businesses to showcase their products and services while enabling customers to leave honest reviews and ratings. Our mission is to promote transparency and help consumers make informed decisions based on authentic customer feedback.

By using Rating Lane, you represent that you are at least 18 years old or have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract.

2. User Accounts

a) Registration and Account Creation

To access certain features of the Platform, you must create an account. During registration, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information.
• Keep your login credentials secure and confidential.
• Accept full responsibility for any activity that occurs under your account.

b) Business Accounts

If you create a business account, you must:

• Be the authorized representative of the business.
• Provide accurate and complete business details, including the business name, location, contact information, and services offered.
• Keep your business profile updated and accurate.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide false or misleading information.

3. Business Listings

a) Eligibility for Listing

To list a business on Rating Lane, the business must:

• Be legally registered and compliant with all applicable local laws.
• Provide accurate and truthful business details.
• Operate in a manner that adheres to ethical business practices.

b) Listing Approval and Modification

• All business listings are subject to approval by Rating Lane.
• Rating Lane reserves the right to reject or modify a business listing if it contains false information, inappropriate content, or violates our guidelines.
• Business owners can update or modify their listing at any time through their account.

c) Removal of Listings

We reserve the right to remove any business listing at our discretion, including but not limited to cases where:

• The business violates local laws or regulations.
• There is evidence of fraudulent activity or unethical behavior.
• The business receives repeated verified negative feedback without action to resolve issues.

4. Reviews and Ratings

a) User-Generated Content

Users can leave reviews and ratings based on their experiences with listed businesses. By posting a review, you agree to:

• Provide truthful and accurate information based on your personal experience.
• Avoid defamatory, offensive, or abusive language.
• Accept that Rating Lane reserves the right to moderate, edit, or remove reviews that violate our guidelines.

b) Business Responses to Reviews

• Businesses may respond to customer reviews through their account.
• Responses must be professional and respectful.
• Rating Lane reserves the right to remove inappropriate business responses.

c) Removal of Reviews

Rating Lane may remove a review if:

• It contains false or misleading information.
• It violates intellectual property rights.
• It includes offensive, defamatory, or abusive content.

5. Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose.
• Post false, misleading, or defamatory content.
• Engage in spamming, hacking, or distributing malware.
• Attempt to interfere with the security or functionality of the Platform.
• Collect personal information from other users without their consent.
• Create fake business listings or reviews.
• Attempt to manipulate or inflate business ratings through fraudulent means.

6. Business Responsibilities

a) Truthful Representation

Businesses are responsible for ensuring that all information provided in their listings is accurate and up-to-date.

• False or misleading claims about products or services may result in removal of the listing and possible legal action.
• Businesses are responsible for resolving customer complaints or disputes directly with customers.

b) Compliance with Laws

Businesses must comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws related to their operations and marketing practices.

• Businesses may not engage in misleading advertising, fraudulent activity, or illegal business practices.

7. Intellectual Property

a) Ownership

All content on Rating Lane, including trademarks, logos, text, images, and software, is the property of Rating Lane or its licensors.

• You may not use, copy, modify, or distribute any content without prior written permission from Rating Lane.

b) User-Generated Content

By submitting content (such as reviews, business information, or comments) to Rating Lane, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute the content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform.

8. Payments and Subscriptions

a) Payment Terms

• Some features and services may require payment.
• Payments must be made through the payment methods provided on the Platform.
• All payments are non-refundable unless otherwise specified.

b) Subscription Plans

• Businesses may opt for premium listing or subscription plans.
• Subscription fees are billed in advance and are non-refundable.
• Rating Lane reserves the right to change pricing or subscription terms with prior notice.

9. Termination of Use

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time if:

• You violate these Terms.
• Your account is involved in fraudulent activity.
• We are required to do so by law.

In the event of termination, your business listing and reviews may be removed from the Platform.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

a) No Guarantee of Business Performance

Rating Lane does not guarantee that listing a business on the Platform will result in increased sales or customer engagement.

• Ratings and reviews reflect customer opinions and do not represent the views of Rating Lane.
• Poor ratings or negative reviews are not grounds for a claim against Rating Lane.
• Rating Lane is not liable for any business losses resulting from negative reviews or customer feedback.

b) No Liability for User Behavior

Rating Lane is not responsible for the actions of users on the Platform, including:

• Posting of false or misleading information.
• Offensive, abusive, or defamatory comments.
• Unjustified negative reviews or competitor sabotage.

c) No Liability for Business Behavior

Rating Lane is not liable for:

• False claims or misleading information provided by listed businesses.
• Product or service quality issues experienced by customers.
• Failure of businesses to fulfill customer agreements or promises.

d) Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, Rating Lane shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Platform.
• Loss of data, revenue, business opportunity, or goodwill.
• Unauthorized access to your account due to your negligence.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold Rating Lane, its directors, officers, employees, and partners harmless from any claims, damages, or legal fees arising from:

• Your use of the Platform.
• Violation of these Terms.
• Inaccurate business information or misleading reviews posted by you.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Kenya.

• Any disputes arising from these Terms will be subject to the jurisdiction of Kenyan courts.