Terms of Service

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

Welcome to DeSotoState.com, owned and operated by DeSoto & State Communications, Inc. ("DeSoto & State," "we," "our," or "us"). By accessing or using this website, you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms") and all applicable laws and regulations. We may update these Terms at any time, and continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of any modifications.

1. Use of the Website

This website provides informational content about DeSoto & State's public relations and communications services. It is intended for lawful use only. You may not use this website to:

  • Engage in any unauthorized or unlawful activity.
  • Copy, distribute, or modify content without permission.
  • Impersonate others or misrepresent your affiliation.
  • Disrupt the website's security or functionality.

Any use beyond personal or informational purposes requires our prior written consent.

2. Intellectual Property

Copyright & Ownership

All content on this website, including text, images, videos, graphics, and code, is owned by DeSoto & State, its clients, or licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.

Restrictions on Use

Unless expressly authorized, you may not:

  • Copy, modify, or create derivative works from website content.
  • Distribute, sell, or publish any materials from this site.
  • Use any content for commercial purposes without written consent.

We reserve all rights not explicitly granted.

3. Prohibited Conduct

You may not:

  • Use bots, scrapers, or automated tools to access or copy website content.
  • Attempt to hack, interfere with, or disrupt website functionality.
  • Resell access to this website or its content.
  • Use this website for unauthorized commercial purposes.

Violating these terms may result in restricted access and potential legal action.

4. External Links

We may provide links to third-party websites for user convenience. These external sites are not controlled or endorsed by DeSoto & State. We are not responsible for their content, privacy policies, or practices. Use third-party links at your own risk.

5. Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this website may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them. This does not impact the price you pay, and we only recommend products or services we believe in. We disclose affiliate relationships in compliance with FTC guidelines.

6. Submissions & Unsolicited Materials

We do not accept or consider unsolicited ideas, proposals, or creative materials. Any submissions, including concepts, drafts, or business ideas sent to DeSoto & State, will be treated as non-confidential and may be used without compensation or recognition.

7. Privacy

We respect your privacy. Our Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect personal information. By using this website, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy.

8. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

Website Use at Your Own Risk

This website and its content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee:

  • That the website will be uninterrupted or error-free.
  • That content is complete, accurate, or up to date.
  • That the website is free from viruses or harmful components.

We disclaim all warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

Limitation of Liability

DeSoto & State is not liable for:

  • Any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
  • Data loss, business interruption, or system failures.
  • Any reliance on information provided on this website.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or damages, so some of these limitations may not apply to you.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DeSoto & State, its affiliates, employees, and partners from any claims, liabilities, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the website.
  • Your violation of these Terms.
  • Your infringement of any third-party rights.

10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict of law principles.

  • Any disputes must be resolved in courts located in Cook County, Illinois.
  • You agree to bring any claims individually, not as part of a class action.
  • Claims must be filed within one (1) year of the alleged issue, or they are waived.

11. Severability & Waivers

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the rest of the Terms remain in effect.

Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not waive our ability to enforce it later.