TERMS OF SERVICE

Last Updated: 3/4/2026

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to Owl News (the "Website"), operated by the South Alberta United News Bureau ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Owl News website, including all news articles, editorials, webstore functionality, and interactive services (forums, comments).

By accessing or using our Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Website.

2. Definitions

To make these Terms clear:

  • "Content" means all text, articles, editorials, photographs, videos, graphics, and audio on the Website.

  • "User" means anyone accessing the Website, whether browsing as a guest or logged into an account.

  • "Contributor" means external freelance writers or columnists who provide Content to us but are not employees.

  • "Webstore" refers to the e-commerce section where users may purchase merchandise or other products.

3. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Website. Your continued use of the Website following the posting of revised Terms means you accept and agree to the changes. It is your responsibility to check this page periodically for updates.

4. The Website and Our Content

4.1 Intellectual Property Ownership

All Content published on Owl News, including news reporting, editorials, images, logos, and design, is owned by or licensed to the South Alberta United News Bureau. It is protected by Canadian copyright laws (Copyright Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42) and international treaties .

4.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and view our Content for personal, non-commercial use. You may print or download portions of material for temporary private use, provided you retain all copyright and proprietary notices.

4.3 Restrictions

Unless you obtain our explicit written permission, you may not:

  • Republish, redistribute, or archive any of our Content (e.g., on another website or in a public forum).

  • Sell, rent, or sub-license material from the Website.

  • Use our Content to train artificial intelligence models or scrape the Website with bots .

  • Frame or use framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo, or Content without our consent.

4.4 External Contributors

Opinions expressed in editorials or columns by external contributors are solely the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Owl News or its staff. We are not responsible for the accuracy of third-party statements .

5. User Accounts and Security

5.1 Registration

To participate in commenting or to make purchases, you may be required to create an account. You agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information.

  • Maintain the security of your password.

  • Be responsible for all activities that occur under your account .

5.2 Guest Commenting

We may allow users to comment as "guests." By commenting as a guest, you agree that you are still bound by these Terms, specifically the Acceptable Use and User Content sections.

5.3 Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts (and guest access) at our sole discretion for violations of these Terms, illegal activity, or for any other reason that we deem necessary to protect our community .

6. User Content and Comments

6.1 Responsibility

You are solely responsible for any content you post, upload, or submit (collectively, "User Content") to our Website, including comments. You assume all risks associated with your User Content, including defamation or infringement claims .

6.2 Grant of License

By posting User Content, you grant Owl News a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and distribute such Content in any media. This license allows us to display your comments and potentially use them for promotional purposes .

6.3 Moral Rights Waiver

To the extent permitted by Canadian law, you waive any "moral rights" (such as the right to attribution or integrity) in the User Content, allowing us to edit or modify comments as needed .

6.4 No Pre-Moderation

We do not pre-screen or regularly review all User Content. However, we reserve the right (but have no obligation) to monitor, edit, or remove any User Content that we deem objectionable or in violation of these Terms .

6.5 Notice of Defamation

If you believe any User Content or material on our site is defamatory or infringes your rights, please contact us immediately at tom@comtv.ca. As seen in Weaver v. Corcoran, 2015 BCSC 165, we rely on a "notice and takedown" system to limit our liability. Upon receiving a valid complaint, we will investigate and remove content if necessary .

7. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree not to use the Website to:

  • Harass or Abuse: Post content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic, or that incites violence.

  • Impersonate: Pretend to be someone else (staff, another user, or a public figure).

  • Violate Privacy: Post someone else's personal information (doxxing) without their consent.

  • Spam: Post irrelevant advertising, chain letters, or pyramid schemes.

  • Break the Law: Engage in activity that violates local (Alberta), provincial, or federal laws .

8. Webstore and E-commerce

8.1 Products and Pricing

We offer merchandise through our Webstore. We strive to ensure accuracy, but errors in pricing or product descriptions may occur. We reserve the right to cancel orders arising from such errors.

8.2 Payments

All payments are processed through third-party gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). We do not store your credit card details. By making a purchase, you agree to the terms of the payment processor .

8.3 Shipping and Returns

[Detail your shipping policy and return policy here. For example: Physical products are shipped within X days. Returns are accepted within 30 days for unused items.]

8.4 No Resale

Products purchased from the Webstore are for personal use only and may not be resold without written permission.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 "As Is" and "As Available"

THE WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE WEBSITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE FROM VIRUSES .

9.2 News Accuracy

We strive for accuracy in our reporting, but news is a fast-paced medium. Owl News does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any news articles, editorials, or information. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY ALBERTA LAW, OWL NEWS AND ITS STAFF SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE WEBSITE. THIS INCLUDES LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL .

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Owl News, its staff, contributors, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or related to:

  • Your violation of these Terms.

  • Your User Content.

  • Your use of the Website.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

11.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to its conflict of law provisions .

11.2 Jurisdiction

Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of these Terms shall be instituted exclusively in the courts of Alberta, sitting in the City of Medicine Hat. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts.

12. General Provisions

12.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Owl News regarding your use of the Website.

12.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the remaining Terms remain in full force and effect.

12.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Owl News (South Alberta United News Bureau)
Email: tom@comtv.ca
Address: 1791 Dunmore Rd SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1Z8