Scope and Provider
These Terms of Service govern the use of the SaaS platform AltOwl, available at altowl.com.
Provider:
s1 media, Patrick Tangemann & Kolja Wagschal GbR
Uesener Feldstraße 20a, 28832 Achim, Germany
Email: team@s1-media.de
Deviating, conflicting, or supplementary terms of the user shall only apply if the provider has expressly agreed to them in writing.
Service Description
AltOwl is an AI-powered service for the automatic generation of alt texts for images (image descriptions for accessibility and SEO). The service provides:
- Automatic alt text generation via a REST API
- Processing of image URLs and direct image uploads
- User management with personal API keys
- Credit-based billing model (1 credit = 1 generated alt text)
The provider delivers the service using AI models (in particular OpenAI GPT-4o Vision). The provider reserves the right to adjust the AI models and technical infrastructure at any time, as long as the core functionality is maintained.
Contract Formation and Registration
The contract is formed upon the user's registration on the platform. By registering, the user confirms having read and accepted these Terms of Service.
Registration requires:
- Provision of a valid email address
- Choosing a secure password
- Confirmation of the email address via the verification link sent
- Legal capacity (minimum age 18) or explicit consent of a legal guardian
The provider may reject registrations without stating reasons.
Credits, Prices and Payment
4.1 Credit System
Use of the service is based on credits. 1 credit is consumed for each generated alt text. Credits can be purchased in packages. Unused credits do not expire and remain valid as long as the user account is active.
4.2 Prices
The current prices for credit packages are displayed on the platform under "Buy Credits". All prices are exclusive of applicable statutory VAT unless stated otherwise.
4.3 Payment
Credits are paid in advance. Payment is made immediately upon purchase via the payment provider Stripe. Credits are credited to the user account only after successful receipt of payment.
4.4 Price Changes
The provider reserves the right to change prices for new credit purchases. Already purchased credits are not affected by price changes.
User Obligations
The user agrees to:
- Keep their API key confidential and not make it accessible to third parties.
- Use the service exclusively for legal purposes.
- Not process images containing unlawful, offensive, or immoral content.
- Comply with OpenAI's terms of use (in particular the Usage Policies).
- Notify the provider immediately if there is suspicion that the API key is being misused by third parties.
- Not use the service in a way that impairs the operation of the platform.
The user is liable for all damages arising from the breach of these obligations, unless the user is not responsible for the breach.
Availability and Maintenance
The provider strives for high service availability of 99% annually, excluding planned and unplanned maintenance and events outside the provider's control.
The provider is entitled to temporarily interrupt the service if necessary for technical reasons or system security. Where possible, users will be informed in advance. There is no entitlement to credit compensation for brief outages.
Limitation of Liability
The provider is liable without limitation for damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health, and for damages based on intentional or gross negligent conduct.
For slightly negligent property damage, the provider is only liable for breach of essential contractual obligations (cardinal obligations), limited to the foreseeable, contract-typical damage. Otherwise, liability for slightly negligently caused property damage is excluded.
In particular, the provider assumes no warranty for:
- The accuracy, completeness, or suitability of generated alt texts for a specific purpose
- The continued availability of third-party services (in particular OpenAI)
- Data loss due to technical failures, insofar as the provider is not responsible for them
Term and Termination
The contract runs for an indefinite period. Both parties may terminate the contract at any time without notice.
The user can delete their account at any time via account settings or by contacting team@s1-media.de.
The provider is entitled to immediately suspend or delete a user's account if:
- The user violates these Terms of Service or applicable law
- There is suspicion of abusive use or sharing of the API key
- Payment arrears exist
After cancellation or deletion of the account, remaining credits will not be refunded, unless the termination is due to a material cause attributable to the provider.
Right of Withdrawal (Consumers)
For consumers: You have the right to withdraw from this contract within fourteen days without giving any reason. The withdrawal period is fourteen days from the date of contract conclusion.
By using purchased credits for alt text generation, the consumer agrees to immediate execution and acknowledges the associated expiry of the right of withdrawal.
Data Protection
Details on the processing of personal data are governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms of Service.
Amendments to Terms
The provider reserves the right to amend these Terms of Service with future effect. Changes will be communicated to the user by email at least 30 days before they take effect.
If the user does not object within 30 days of receiving notification, the amended Terms shall be deemed accepted. The provider will specifically point out this right of objection in the notification. If the user objects, the provider is entitled to terminate the contractual relationship.
Final Provisions
The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. In relation to consumers, this choice of law applies only insofar as it does not deprive them of protection under mandatory provisions of the law of their country of habitual residence.
If the user is a merchant, legal entity under public law, or public-law special fund, the exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from this contract is the provider's registered office (Achim).
Should individual provisions of these Terms of Service be or become invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.