Terms of Service

Last updated: January 14, 2025

Welcome to Joule. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Joule mobile application ("App") and website ("Website"), collectively referred to as the "Services". By using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

Please read these Terms carefully before using our Services. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using the Joule App or Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Joule.

2. End User License Agreement (EULA)

2.1 License Grant

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to download, install, and use the App on devices that you own or control, solely for your personal, non-commercial use.

2.2 License Restrictions

You may not:

  • Copy, modify, or distribute the App or any part thereof
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the App
  • Rent, lease, lend, sell, or sublicense the App
  • Remove, alter, or obscure any proprietary notices
  • Use the App for any commercial purpose without our prior written consent
  • Use the App in violation of any applicable laws or regulations
  • Use automated systems to access the Services (bots, scrapers, etc.)
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' data

2.3 Ownership

The App and all intellectual property rights therein are and shall remain the exclusive property of Joule. These Terms do not grant you any rights to our trademarks, logos, or other brand features.

3. Description of Services

Joule is a calorie and nutrition tracking application that allows you to:

  • Log food consumption through photos, voice, text, barcode scanning, or manual search
  • Track calories, macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat), and water intake
  • Set and monitor nutrition goals based on your profile
  • View meal history and nutrition trends

4. User Accounts and Responsibilities

4.1 Account Creation

Certain features may require you to provide profile information. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information.

4.2 Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the security of your device and data
  • All activities that occur through your use of the Services
  • Ensuring your use complies with applicable laws
  • The accuracy of information you provide or log

4.3 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

  • Use the Services for any unlawful purpose
  • Submit false, misleading, or inappropriate content
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Services or servers
  • Attempt to circumvent any security measures
  • Impersonate any person or entity
  • Use the Services to transmit malware or harmful code
  • Abuse, harass, or harm other users
  • Use the Services in a manner that could damage or impair them

5. Subscriptions and Payments

5.1 Free Tier

The App offers a free tier that includes:

  • Unlimited barcode scanning and manual search
  • Calorie and macro tracking
  • Limited AI photo and voice logging trials

5.2 Pro Subscription

The Pro subscription ($5.99/month or $49/year) provides:

  • Unlimited AI photo recognition
  • Unlimited voice logging
  • Unlimited text meal input
  • Priority AI processing
  • Data export capabilities

5.3 Payment Terms

Subscriptions are processed through the Apple App Store. By subscribing, you agree to:

  • Apple's Terms and Conditions for in-app purchases
  • Automatic renewal unless canceled at least 24 hours before the renewal date
  • Being charged through your Apple ID account

5.4 Cancellation and Refunds

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple ID settings. Refunds are handled by Apple according to their refund policy. We do not process refunds directly.

5.5 Price Changes

We reserve the right to change subscription prices. Current subscribers will be notified before price changes take effect and may cancel before the new price applies.

6. AI-Powered Features

6.1 Accuracy Disclaimer

Our AI-powered features (photo recognition, voice logging, text analysis) use artificial intelligence to estimate food items and nutritional values. While we strive for accuracy:

  • AI estimates may not be 100% accurate
  • Nutritional values are estimates based on typical portions
  • You should verify critical nutritional information independently
  • AI results should not be relied upon for medical decisions

6.2 Usage Limits

AI features may be subject to usage limits based on your subscription tier. We reserve the right to modify these limits to prevent abuse.

7. Health Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: Joule is a nutrition tracking tool, not a medical device or service. The information provided by the App is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as:

  • Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
  • A substitute for professional medical advice
  • Dietary recommendations for specific medical conditions

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have medical conditions, eating disorders, or special nutritional needs.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Content

All content, features, and functionality of the Services, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, and software, are the exclusive property of Joule or our licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws.

8.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of any photos, voice recordings, or other content you submit through the Services. By submitting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, process, and store such content solely for providing the Services.

8.3 Feedback

Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide about the Services may be used by us without obligation or compensation to you.

9. Third-Party Services

The Services may integrate with or rely on third-party services:

  • OpenFoodFacts: Open-source food database
  • Google Gemini: AI processing for food recognition
  • RevenueCat: Subscription management
  • Apple App Store: Distribution and payments

Your use of these third-party services is subject to their respective terms and policies. We are not responsible for third-party services.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
  • FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
  • NON-INFRINGEMENT
  • ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF INFORMATION

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, JOULE AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

  • ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
  • ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES
  • ANY HEALTH ISSUES ARISING FROM RELIANCE ON THE SERVICES
  • ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO YOUR DATA

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR $50, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Joule and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the Services
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party rights
  • Any content you submit through the Services

13. Termination

13.1 By You

You may stop using the Services at any time. To fully terminate, uninstall the App and cancel any active subscriptions through your Apple ID settings.

13.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without cause, including for:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Fraudulent or abusive behavior
  • Non-payment of subscription fees
  • At our discretion, for any reason

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Your license to use the App immediately terminates
  • You must delete all copies of the App
  • Local data on your device remains until you delete it
  • Provisions that should survive termination will remain in effect

14. Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Updating the "Last updated" date
  • Posting a notice in the App for significant changes
  • Providing reasonable notice before changes take effect

Your continued use of the Services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

15. General Provisions

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

15.2 Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. You agree to waive any right to a jury trial or to participate in a class action.

15.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

15.4 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Joule regarding the Services.

15.5 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

15.6 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

16. Apple-Specific Terms

If you are using the App on an Apple device:

  • These Terms are between you and Joule, not Apple
  • Apple has no obligation to provide maintenance or support
  • Apple is not responsible for product warranties
  • Apple is not responsible for any claims related to the App
  • Apple is a third-party beneficiary of these Terms

17. Contact Information

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

Thank you for using Joule. We hope our Services help you achieve your nutrition goals.