Terms of Service

Last updated: October 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern access to and use of GradeDescent websites, applications, APIs, and related services (collectively, the “Service”). By using the Service, you agree to these Terms.

If you are using GradeDescent on behalf of a school, university, or other organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

1. Who We Are

GradeDescent is an AI-powered grading platform for mathematics education. It supports instructors and institutions in evaluating student work and generating feedback.

2. Eligibility and Accounts

You must be legally able to form a binding contract in your jurisdiction to use the Service.

You may need an account to access parts of the Service. You agree to:

• Provide accurate information when creating an account
• Keep your login credentials secure
• Promptly notify us of unauthorized access

We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or pose security risks.

3. Roles and Permissions

GradeDescent supports role-based access, including course owners, instructors, teaching assistants, students, and administrators. Access and permissions depend on role and course configuration.

You agree not to attempt to bypass access controls or view content you are not authorized to access.

4. Use of the Service

You agree to use GradeDescent only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.

Prohibited use includes:

• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to systems, accounts, or data
• Interfering with the Service (e.g., abuse, scraping, denial-of-service, probing)
• Uploading malware or content designed to exploit vulnerabilities
• Using the Service to violate others’ privacy or applicable educational privacy laws
• Using the Service to generate or distribute illegal content

We may investigate suspected violations and take appropriate action, including suspension or termination.

5. Uploaded Content and Ownership

The Service may process uploaded materials such as assignments, PDFs, rubric documents, and student submissions (“User Content”).

• You retain ownership of User Content you upload or submit, and your institution may retain rights depending on your institutional policies.
• You grant GradeDescent a limited, non-exclusive license to host, store, process, and display User Content only as needed to provide and improve the Service, consistent with our Privacy Policy.

You are responsible for ensuring you have the rights and permissions to upload User Content, including student work.

6. AI-Generated Output and Human Responsibility

The Service may produce grades, evaluations, feedback, or annotations using machine learning models (“AI Output”).

You acknowledge and agree that:

• AI Output may be inaccurate, incomplete, or biased
• AI Output is not professional advice and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for high-stakes decisions
• Instructors and course staff remain responsible for reviewing grades/feedback and ensuring fairness, accuracy, and compliance with institutional policies

7. Privacy

Our collection and use of information is described in Privacy Policy. By using the Service, you consent to those practices.

If you deploy GradeDescent for students, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary consents and providing required notices under applicable law and institutional policy.

8. Security and Vulnerability Reporting

We take security seriously. Please see Security Policy for responsible disclosure instructions. You agree not to publicly disclose suspected vulnerabilities without giving us a reasonable opportunity to investigate and remediate.

9. Third-Party Services

The Service may rely on third-party providers for hosting, storage, payment processing, and AI model infrastructure. Your use of the Service may therefore be subject to third-party terms to the extent required to deliver those components.

We are not responsible for third-party services outside our control, but we select providers we believe are appropriate for education-grade reliability and security.

10. Payment, Plans, and Billing

Some features may require payment (e.g., subscriptions, credits, institutional licensing). If you purchase paid features:

• You agree to pay all applicable fees and taxes
• Billing terms, pricing, and plan details will be provided at checkout or in an order form
• We may change pricing or plan features prospectively with reasonable notice

Unless otherwise specified in writing (e.g., an institutional agreement), fees are non-refundable except where required by law.

For billing questions, contact billing@gradedescent.com.

11. Intellectual Property

GradeDescent and its software, documentation, UI, and branding (excluding User Content) are protected by intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of the Service unless you have written permission or an applicable open-source license grants you that right.

12. Feedback

If you send suggestions, feature requests, or other feedback, you grant GradeDescent the right to use it without restriction or compensation, including to improve the Service.

For feedback, you can contact feedback@gradedescent.com.

13. Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate access to the Service if:

• You violate these Terms
• Your use creates risk or legal exposure for GradeDescent or others
• Required by law or a valid legal process

You may stop using the Service at any time. Course owners may request deletion of course data as described in Privacy Policy, subject to operational and legal constraints.

14. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE AND AI OUTPUT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GRADEDESCENT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that AI Output will be correct or suitable for any particular grading policy.

15. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GRADEDESCENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, REVENUE, OR GOODWILL.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GRADEDESCENT’S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU (OR YOUR INSTITUTION) TO GRADEDESCENT FOR THE SERVICE IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR $100, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in those cases, liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.

16. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless GradeDescent and its affiliates, officers, employees, and contractors from claims arising out of:

• Your User Content
• Your misuse of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms or applicable law

17. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Franklin County, Ohio, and you and GradeDescent consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If changes are material, we will provide reasonable notice (for example, by posting an updated date on this page or via email for account holders).

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

19. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be directed to contact@gradedescent.com.