Terms of Service
Terms of Service
Effective Date: June 19, 2026
These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a binding agreement between you and Frank J. Kelly, a sole proprietor doing business as BoldSpirit Internet, operating as Kokoye ("Kokoye," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your use of kokoye.app and the services available through it (the "Service").
By accessing or using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
1. Who May Use the Service
You must be at least 18 years old to use the Service. By using it, you represent that you are 18 or older and able to enter into a binding contract.
2. What Kokoye Is
Kokoye is a cultural food publication and business directory featuring Black-owned and African/diaspora food businesses. The Service includes editorial content ("Stories"), business listings, community contributions such as reviews and photos, and paid subscription features for business owners.
Listings may be created from publicly available information before a business owner joins Kokoye. The presence of a listing does not imply that the business has endorsed, sponsored, or is affiliated with Kokoye. See our Business Listings Policy for how listings are created, claimed, corrected, and removed.
3. Your Account
To use certain features, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate information, keep it current, and keep your password secure. You are responsible for activity that occurs under your account. Notify us promptly at [email protected] if you suspect unauthorized use.
4. User Content
"User Content" means anything you submit to the Service, including reviews, recommendations, photos, comments, and business listing information.
Your responsibilities. You represent that you own or have the necessary rights to the User Content you submit, that it is accurate to the best of your knowledge, and that it does not violate these Terms, our Community Guidelines, or any law or third-party right.
License to Kokoye. You retain ownership of your User Content. By submitting it, you grant Kokoye a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable license to host, store, reproduce, adapt, publish, display, and distribute that User Content in connection with operating and promoting the Service. This license continues for content you have made public until that content is removed, except that copies may remain in backups for a reasonable period.
Moderation. We may review, edit, refuse, or remove User Content at our discretion, including content that violates these Terms or our Community Guidelines. We are not obligated to monitor User Content but may do so.
Copyright (DMCA). If you believe content on the Service infringes your copyright, send a notice to [email protected] with the information required under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. We respond to valid notices and may remove infringing material and terminate repeat infringers.
5. Business Listings
Business listings are governed by our Business Listings Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms. In summary: listings may be compiled from public sources; we strive for accuracy but do not warrant that listing information is complete or error-free; business owners may claim, correct, or request removal of their listing; and reviews reflect the opinions of the individuals who post them, not Kokoye.
6. Merchant Subscriptions and Billing
Business owners may purchase a paid subscription to unlock additional listing features. The following terms apply to all paid subscriptions.
Plans and pricing. We offer several subscription tiers. The features and price of each plan are shown at checkout and on the Service. The price displayed at the time you subscribe governs your purchase. "Founding" promotional rates, where offered, remain in effect for as long as the subscription stays continuously active, as described at checkout.
Payment. Payments are processed by Stripe. You authorize us, through Stripe, to charge your selected payment method for the applicable fees, plus any applicable taxes.
AUTOMATIC RENEWAL — PLEASE READ. Subscriptions are offered on a recurring basis. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of each billing period (monthly or annual, as selected) and your payment method will be charged the then-current rate for your plan, unless you cancel before the renewal date. We will send a reminder before renewal where required. You may cancel at any time as described below. By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to this automatic renewal.
Cancellation. You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account dashboard or by contacting [email protected]. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. You will keep access to paid features until that period ends, after which your listing reverts to the free tier.
Refunds. Except where required by law, subscription fees are non-refundable, including for partial billing periods after a cancellation. We may, at our discretion, issue a prorated refund or credit in individual cases (for example, where we are at fault or where goodwill warrants it).
Price changes. We may change subscription prices. Any change will apply to your next renewal, not your current period, and we will give you advance notice and the opportunity to cancel before the change takes effect. A continuously active founding rate is not subject to general price increases while the subscription remains active.
Downgrade and lapse. If a subscription lapses (for example, after a failed payment) or you cancel, the listing reverts to the free tier. Certain uploaded content is retained for a limited window before deletion, as described in our Privacy Policy.
7. Acceptable Use
You agree not to misuse the Service. Our Community Guidelines describe prohibited conduct in detail and are incorporated into these Terms. Among other things, you may not post false or fraudulent reviews, harass or harm others, post unlawful or infringing content, scrape or harvest data, interfere with the Service's operation, or use the Service to violate any law.
8. Intellectual Property
The Service — including its editorial content, design, branding, the Kokoye name and logo, and the compilation and arrangement of listings — is owned by Frank J. Kelly d/b/a BoldSpirit Internet or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws. Except for User Content you own, you may not copy, reproduce, or create derivative works from the Service without our permission. Business owners retain rights in their own trademarks and materials and grant Kokoye the license described in Section 4 to display them on the Service.
9. Disclaimers
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
Kokoye is a publisher and directory. We do not operate, inspect, or vouch for the businesses listed. We are not responsible for the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of any business, food, product, or service you find through the Service. Any interaction with a listed business is solely between you and that business. Information about hours, menus, pricing, and availability may be outdated or inaccurate; confirm directly with the business.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Kokoye and its operator will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising out of or related to your use of the Service. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim relating to the Service will not exceed the greater of (a) the amount you paid us in the twelve months before the claim, or (b) one hundred U.S. dollars ($100).
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Kokoye and its operator from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of your use of the Service, your User Content, or your violation of these Terms or any law or third-party right.
12. Termination
You may stop using the Service at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms, or for any lawful reason, with or without notice. Sections that by their nature should survive termination — including content licenses for already-public content, disclaimers, limitations of liability, and indemnification — will survive.
13. Governing Law and Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. You agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to the Service or these Terms will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Riverside County, California, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.
14. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Effective Date" above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect means you accept the updated Terms.
15. Contact Us
Frank J. Kelly d/b/a BoldSpirit Internet (Kokoye)
32120 Temecula Parkway #1111
Temecula, CA 92592
[email protected]
951-595-7880