Terms of Use

1. Scope of agreement

These Terms of Use (the “Agreement”) govern your access to and use of Kings Network Trusted websites, pages, directories, business profiles, report pages, complaint tools, badges, embedded widgets, and related services (collectively, the “Sites”).

By accessing or using the Sites, you agree to be bound by this Agreement. If you do not agree, you do not have permission to access or use the Sites and you should stop using them.

Please read this Agreement carefully. Information on the Sites may include content submitted by users and businesses. KNT may request users to affirm accuracy, but KNT does not guarantee that information, content, or other materials on the Sites are accurate, complete, or current. You use the Sites and rely on content at your own risk.

2. Grant of license

KNT grants you a personal, revocable, limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Sites for your direct use, conditioned on your continued compliance with this Agreement and any policies referenced on the Sites.

You may not, directly or indirectly:

• Use the Sites to create, supplement, compile, or maintain data for any service, website, application, or documentation that provides substantially similar directory, report, complaint, or ratings functionality.
• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to discover source code, algorithms, or trade secrets.
• Sublicense, sell, transfer, rent, lease, time-share, distribute, or make the Sites available for the benefit of any third party except where KNT explicitly allows embeds or sharing features.
• Modify, adapt, translate, create derivative works of, or otherwise alter the Sites.
• Circumvent or undermine security controls, rate limits, access restrictions, or authentication mechanisms.
• Use or access the Sites for unlawful, fraudulent, deceptive, tortious, malicious, or harmful purposes.
• Remove, obscure, or alter proprietary notices displayed on the Sites.
• Interfere with operation of the Sites, including attempts to overload, disrupt, or impair availability for others.

3. User obligations

• You represent that you are at least 18 years old, or the age of majority where you live, whichever is higher.
• You agree to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information when submitting information to the Sites, and you represent you have the rights and authority to provide it.
• You are responsible for complying with applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to your use of the Sites.
• If you access the Sites on behalf of an organization, you represent you have authority to bind that organization, and the organization will be responsible for your actions.

The Sites are not intended for use by individuals under 13. KNT does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

4. Accounts and passwords

Some features may require account registration. You agree to keep your login credentials confidential and not share them with others.

• Notify KNT promptly if you suspect loss, theft, or unauthorized use of your credentials.
• You are responsible for activity under your account.
• You must maintain accurate account information and update it when it changes.
• KNT may suspend or terminate accounts if information is untrue, inaccurate, not current, incomplete, or if account use violates this Agreement or applicable law.

5. User submissions

The Sites may allow you to submit content, including text, images, audio, video, location data, ratings, reviews, complaints, messages, business information, or other materials (“User Content”). You are solely responsible for User Content you submit.

License to KNT: By submitting User Content, you grant KNT a worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, modify (for formatting and safety), publish, display, and distribute the User Content in any media as needed to operate and improve the Sites.

Unless required by law or agreed in writing, KNT is not obligated to treat User Content as confidential.

6. Ratings and reports clarification

6.1 Directory ratings and reviews

Directory pages may display user ratings and reviews. These are user opinions and experiences and may not be verified by KNT.

6.2 Report rating is separate and complaint-based

Important: User ratings on the directory do not reflect the rating of a KNT business report. The report rating is based only on complaints and complaint handling information within the KNT system, not on reviews.

6.3 No professional advice

Content, ratings, and reports are provided for informational purposes only and are not legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. You are responsible for your own decisions and due diligence.

7. Data privacy

Use of certain features may require submission and processing of personal information. KNT may redact personal data from public displays for privacy and safety. Do not submit sensitive identifiers unless specifically requested for verification.

8. KNT intellectual property

KNT retains all rights, title, and interest in the Sites, including content, software, layouts, graphics, logos, badges, and design elements (“KNT Content”). This Agreement grants you only the limited license described above.

You may not use KNT trademarks, trade dress, or branding in a way that suggests endorsement or affiliation without written permission.

Any unauthorized use of Kings Network Trusted badges, grades, report marks, or embedded widgets may result in immediate revocation of permission to display them, public correction of status, and additional remedies available under law.

9. Third-party materials

Some features may rely on third-party services or include third-party links. KNT is not responsible for third-party content, products, services, or practices. Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and may be subject to third-party terms.

10. Compliance

You agree to use the Sites only for lawful purposes and in compliance with applicable local, state, federal, and international laws and regulations. You may not use the Sites in a way that could result in criminal or civil liability.

11. Links

Linking to the Sites is permitted only in a way that is truthful and not misleading. You may not suggest endorsement or affiliation. KNT may request removal of links that create confusion, misrepresent the Sites, or harm users.

12. Disclaimer of warranty

The Sites are provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted by law, KNT disclaims all warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and any warranty that the Sites are free of harmful components.

KNT does not warrant that the Sites will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or meet your expectations. Any material downloaded or obtained through the Sites is at your own risk, and you are responsible for any damage to your systems or loss of data.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless KNT and its owners, officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from and against claims, losses, expenses, demands, or liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of your use of the Sites, your User Content, or your violation of this Agreement or applicable law.

14. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, KNT will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including lost profits, business interruption, loss of goodwill, loss of data, or other intangible losses arising from or related to your use of, or inability to use, the Sites.

15. Termination and suspension

This Agreement takes effect when you first access or use the Sites. It terminates automatically if you fail to comply with any provision. KNT may suspend or terminate access at any time to protect users, the Sites, business integrity, security, or legal compliance.

Upon termination, you must stop using the Sites. Provisions intended to survive termination, including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and indemnification, will survive.

16. Relationship

Your use of the Sites does not create an employment, agency, franchise, joint venture, or partnership relationship between you and KNT. You may not represent that you have authority to bind KNT.

17. Waiver

Failure by KNT to enforce any right under this Agreement does not waive that right or any other right.

18. Choice of law and dispute resolution

This Agreement is governed by applicable laws in KNT’s operating jurisdiction, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Before filing a legal action, you agree to notify KNT in writing and provide a reasonable opportunity to address the issue.

19. Other agreements

If you have a separate written agreement with KNT that conflicts with these Terms, the separate written agreement controls for the subject matter it covers.

20. Additional terms

Some pages or features may include additional terms. If there is a conflict, the additional terms apply for those pages or features.

21. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

22. Modification

KNT may modify this Agreement by posting an updated version on the Sites. You should review it periodically. Continued use after changes means you accept the updated Agreement.

23. Section headings

Section headings are provided for convenience and do not affect interpretation of this Agreement.

24. Effect

This Agreement is binding on, benefits, and is enforceable against the parties and their permitted successors and assigns. No course of conduct or trade practice modifies any provision unless expressly stated in writing by KNT.

25. Electronic communications

KNT may send emails or other electronic messages related to your use of the Sites, including notices, alerts, and updates. You consent to receive such electronic communications and agree they satisfy legal notice requirements where permitted.

26. Badge, grade, and embed usage

26.1 What a badge is

Kings Network Trusted may provide badges, seals, widgets, images, embed codes, links, and related materials that display a business name and or a grade or rating issued within the Kings Network Trusted system (collectively, “Badges”).

26.2 Limited license to display

Subject to continued compliance with this Agreement, Kings Network Trusted grants a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and non-sublicensable license to display the Badge only for the specific business identified in the Badge or associated embed code, and only to show that business’s grade or rating as issued by Kings Network Trusted.

26.3 Where badges may be displayed

• On the business’s official website(s) and controlled web properties that clearly relate to that business.
• On the business’s official social media pages that represent that business.
• On a landing page owned by the business that is clearly branded as the business.

26.4 Prohibited badge use

You may not:

• Use or display a Badge for a different business, location, entity, or brand, including a parent, affiliate, partner, lead generator, or reseller, unless Kings Network Trusted explicitly authorizes it in writing.
• Copy, share, sell, transfer, license, or distribute the Badge or embed code to any third party.
• Modify, edit, crop, distort, recolor, animate, or create derivative versions of the Badge, except resizing proportionally as needed for placement.
• Remove or obscure any notice, link, identifier, or attribution included within the Badge or embed code.
• Display a Badge in a way that is misleading, including implying a higher grade, different status, endorsement, certification, guarantee, or affiliation not provided by Kings Network Trusted.
• Use a Badge in paid advertising, promotions, mass email campaigns, or printed materials unless Kings Network Trusted provides written permission.
• Use any Badge on websites that include illegal content, malware, deceptive practices, or content that harms users or misuses consumer data.

26.5 Always current display requirement

Badges must display the current grade or rating as issued by Kings Network Trusted. If a business grade changes, becomes inactive, expires, is suspended, or is revoked, the business must promptly update its Badge display to match the current status.

Kings Network Trusted may use dynamic embeds or links so the Badge automatically reflects the current status. You agree not to use screenshots, static copies, or cached images in place of the provided embed where doing so would prevent accurate, current display.

26.6 Right to revoke, disable, or replace

Kings Network Trusted may revoke the badge license and may disable, change, replace, or redirect badges or embed codes at any time, including if Kings Network Trusted believes:

• The Badge is being used for an entity other than the business it was issued to.
• The Badge is displayed in a misleading way or suggests endorsement or status not issued by Kings Network Trusted.
• The business or user is violating this Agreement or other Kings Network Trusted policies.
• The badge, grade, or rating is expired, suspended, inactive, or revoked.
• Technical, security, or operational reasons require changes.

26.7 Ownership and intellectual property

Badges, embed code, report layouts, grade formats, design elements, naming conventions, and related systems are owned by Kings Network Trusted or licensed to Kings Network Trusted and are protected by intellectual property laws. No rights are granted except the limited display license expressly stated in this section.

26.8 No guarantees and no endorsement

Display of a Badge does not guarantee future performance or outcomes and does not constitute a warranty. A Badge indicates a grade or rating within the Kings Network Trusted system only.

26.9 Reporting misuse

To report suspected Badge misuse, contact: support@knt.one

27. Grading methodology and accountability framework

27.1 Purpose of the framework

Kings Network Trusted uses a structured, complaint-based accountability model designed to promote transparency, fair treatment, and responsible marketplace behavior. Grades reflect documented activity and engagement, not payment, advertising, or participation status.

The Kings Network Trusted framework exists to document verified marketplace activity and provide consumers with meaningful context about how businesses respond to concerns. Our goal is accountability, not punishment, and transparency, not endorsement.

Grades are intended to summarize engagement patterns over time and should be used as one of many factors in making informed decisions.

27.2 Separation from payment and participation

Kings Network Trusted does not sell grades, ratings, or outcomes. A business’s grade is not influenced by advertising, subscriptions, directory placement, or Trusted status enrollment.

• Payment affects access to platform features and support services only.
• Participation does not alter documented history.
• Non-participation does not prevent documentation.

27.3 Initial grade assignment

New business profiles generally begin with a provisional high standing, typically equivalent to an A-level grade, reflecting the absence of documented unresolved activity at the time of listing.

This starting point is not a performance guarantee and does not represent an endorsement. It establishes a neutral baseline from which accountability is measured over time.

27.4 Complaint review and verification

Complaints are reviewed to confirm they meet acceptance guidelines and involve a legitimate marketplace interaction. Kings Network Trusted may verify basic details, standardize language, and redact sensitive information to protect privacy.

• Complaints must relate to a business transaction or service.
• Complaints must be submitted in good faith.
• Abusive, threatening, or non-marketplace submissions are not accepted.

27.5 Business engagement and responsiveness

A business’s willingness to engage, respond, and address concerns is a key accountability factor. Resolution outcomes are considered in context, including timeliness and communication effort.

Kings Network Trusted does not require a specific resolution outcome, only reasonable participation when engagement occurs.

27.6 Aging off and time-based weighting

Kings Network Trusted applies a time-based weighting model to ensure grades reflect current business behavior rather than indefinitely penalizing past issues. Documented complaints and related activity gradually lose influence on a business’s grade as time passes, provided no new unresolved issues occur.

• Complaints older than two years are generally reduced in grading weight.
• After approximately two years, older complaints may no longer directly impact the current grade.
• Patterns of repeated issues may still be considered for historical context.
• Positive engagement and responsible conduct over time support grade recovery.

Aging off does not erase historical records. It reflects the principle that businesses can improve and that recent conduct is more relevant to consumers than isolated past events.

27.7 Grade changes over time

Grades may change based on documented activity, including unresolved complaints or patterns of non-response. Grades are not permanent and may improve or decline as circumstances change.

Sustained periods of responsible conduct, timely responses, and absence of new issues may result in grade improvement.

27.8 Complaints involving unlisted businesses

Kings Network Trusted may receive a verified complaint involving a business that does not currently maintain a directory listing or profile on the platform. The absence of a listing does not prevent documentation of verified marketplace activity.

27.9 Creation of an informational record

When a complaint meets acceptance criteria and the business is not listed, Kings Network Trusted may create a limited informational record for accountability purposes.

• Business name and general identifying information
• Nature of the marketplace interaction
• Date the concern was submitted
• Whether the business responded or declined to respond

27.10 No assumption of participation or fault

The presence of an informational record does not imply guilt, endorsement, verification, or Trusted status. It reflects only that a complaint was received and reviewed under Kings Network Trusted standards.

27.11 Opportunity to engage

Businesses without listings may be offered an opportunity to respond, clarify facts, or correct errors. Engagement is voluntary unless otherwise required by law.

27.12 Later enrollment

If a business later establishes a directory listing or Trusted status, prior documented records may be incorporated for transparency. Enrollment does not erase historical records.

27.13 Directory listings vs Trusted status

The Kings Network Trusted directory provides verified business listings that may include descriptions, photos, hours of operation, service areas, and general business information. Trusted status includes additional accountability features, enhanced visibility, and managed support services, but does not alter grading methodology.

27.14 Limitations and context

Kings Network Trusted does not determine legal liability, enforce judgments, or provide professional advice. Grades and records are informational tools intended to assist users in making their own evaluations.

27.15 Related policies

This section is intended to be read together with, and incorporates by reference, the following policies:

• Grading Methodology & Accountability Framework
• Complaint Submission Terms
• Complaint Acceptance Guidelines