Thinking Paper

Terms of Service

Last updated: 23 December 2024

1. Introduction

Welcome to Thinking Paper. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Thinking Paper platform and services (the "Service") operated by Kompass Education ("we", "us", or "our").

By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.

If you are using the Service on behalf of an organisation (such as a school, university, or business), you represent that you have the authority to bind that organisation to these Terms.

2. Description of Service

Thinking Paper is an AI-powered writing and learning platform designed to provide formative feedback that challenges and develops critical thinking. Key features include:

  • The Canvas: A distraction-free writing environment
  • Ghost Text: AI-generated suggestions that appear as you write
  • AI Critique: Intelligent feedback on your writing
  • Defence Mode: A verification process where you defend your intellectual choices to demonstrate human authorship
  • Cognitive Provenance: A verifiable record of your thinking process and decisions
  • Semantic Search: AI-powered search across your documents and uploaded resources

The Service is designed for educational and professional use, helping users develop their thinking and writing skills rather than replacing them.

3. Account Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To access most features of the Service, you must create an account. When creating an account, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information
  • Maintain the security of your password and account
  • Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account

3.2 Age Requirements

The Service may be used by individuals of any age in educational settings when access is provided through an organisation (school or university) that has accepted responsibility for appropriate use and consent.

For individual accounts not associated with an organisation, users must be at least 13 years old. Users between 13 and 18 should have parental or guardian consent.

3.3 Student Magic Links

Students may access the Service through magic links provided by their teachers without creating a full account. Such access is subject to the organisation's policies and these Terms.

4. Acceptable Use

4.1 Permitted Use

You may use the Service to:

  • Create, edit, and store written content
  • Receive AI-powered feedback on your writing
  • Generate Cognitive Provenance certificates
  • Upload and analyse reference materials
  • Collaborate within your organisation (where applicable)

4.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

  • Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms
  • Attempt to circumvent Defence Mode or falsify Cognitive Provenance records
  • Submit content that is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable
  • Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful files
  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to other users' accounts or data
  • Use the Service to generate content for academic fraud or misrepresentation
  • Scrape, harvest, or collect data from the Service without permission
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Service or its infrastructure
  • Use automated systems or bots to access the Service without authorisation
  • Resell, redistribute, or sublicence the Service without our written consent
  • Remove or alter any proprietary notices or labels

4.3 Content Standards

Content you create or upload must not contain:

  • Material that infringes intellectual property rights
  • Content promoting violence, discrimination, or hatred
  • Sexually explicit material
  • Personal data of others without their consent
  • Confidential information you are not authorised to share

5. Intellectual Property

5.1 Your Content

You retain full ownership of all content you create using the Service. By using the Service, you grant us a limited licence to store, process, and display your content solely to provide the Service to you.

This licence does not grant us any rights to use your content for purposes other than operating the Service, including:

  • We do not use your content to train AI models
  • We do not share your content with third parties except as described in our Privacy Policy
  • We do not claim ownership of your intellectual work

5.2 Our Intellectual Property

The Service, including its design, features, code, and branding, is owned by Kompass Education and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or create derivative works based on the Service without our written permission.

5.3 Feedback

If you provide feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the Service, we may use this feedback without obligation to you.

6. AI Features and Limitations

6.1 Nature of AI Assistance

The AI features in Thinking Paper are designed to assist and challenge your thinking, not to replace it. The AI:

  • Provides suggestions and feedback that you may accept, modify, or reject
  • May occasionally produce inaccurate, incomplete, or inappropriate content
  • Should not be relied upon as the sole source of information or decision-making
  • Does not verify the accuracy of information it provides

6.2 Human Responsibility

You are ultimately responsible for:

  • All content you create, regardless of AI assistance
  • Verifying the accuracy of any information
  • Ensuring your work meets applicable standards and requirements
  • Honestly representing your intellectual contributions

6.3 Defence Mode and Cognitive Provenance

Defence Mode and Cognitive Provenance are designed to create a verifiable record of your intellectual journey. These features:

  • Record your responses to AI challenges
  • Generate certificates that document your thinking process
  • Are intended to demonstrate human authorship and understanding
  • Should not be circumvented or falsified

7. Organisational Accounts

7.1 Schools and Educational Institutions

When the Service is provided through an educational institution:

  • The institution is responsible for appropriate use by students
  • The institution may access student content and usage data as permitted by applicable laws
  • Teachers and administrators may review AI interaction flags for safeguarding purposes
  • The institution's designated safeguarding lead may access escalated concerns

7.2 Business Organisations

When the Service is provided through a business organisation:

  • The organisation may access content created by its members
  • Administrators may manage user access and permissions
  • Content may be subject to the organisation's policies

8. Safety and Safeguarding

We take safety seriously, particularly in educational settings:

  • AI Monitoring: AI interactions are monitored for potentially harmful content
  • Escalation: Concerning content may be flagged for review by authorised personnel
  • Retention: Safeguarding records are retained as required by applicable regulations
  • Reporting: We may report illegal content or imminent harm as required by law

By using the Service, you acknowledge and accept these safety measures.

9. Service Availability

9.1 Availability

We strive to maintain high availability of the Service, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Service may be temporarily unavailable due to:

  • Scheduled maintenance (we will provide reasonable notice where possible)
  • Emergency repairs or updates
  • Circumstances beyond our reasonable control

9.2 Changes to the Service

We may modify, update, or discontinue features of the Service at any time. We will provide reasonable notice of significant changes that materially affect your use of the Service.

10. Fees and Payment

Access to the Service may be subject to fees. Current pricing and payment terms are available on our website. We reserve the right to change pricing with reasonable notice.

For organisational subscriptions, payment terms are governed by your organisation's agreement with us.

11. Termination

11.1 Termination by You

You may stop using the Service and request account deletion at any time by contacting us at darren@kompass.education. Upon deletion:

  • Your content will be permanently deleted (subject to legal retention requirements)
  • You will lose access to all data associated with your account
  • Safeguarding records may be retained as required by law

11.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service if:

  • You violate these Terms
  • We are required to do so by law
  • We cease offering the Service

Where possible, we will provide notice and an opportunity to export your content before termination.

12. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:

  • Implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
  • Warranties that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure
  • Warranties regarding the accuracy of AI-generated content

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

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the twelve months preceding the claim
  • We are not liable for any loss of data, profits, revenue, or business opportunities

These limitations apply regardless of the legal theory on which the claim is based.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Kompass Education and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the Service
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party rights
  • Content you create, upload, or share through the Service

15. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

If you are a consumer, you may also have rights under the laws of your country of residence, which these Terms do not affect.

16. General Provisions

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Kompass Education regarding the Service.

16.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

16.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

16.4 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.

17. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated Terms on this page with a new "Last updated" date
  • Providing notice through the Service or by email for significant changes

Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

18. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

  • Email: darren@kompass.education
  • Subject: Thinking Paper Terms of Service Enquiry