# BUYER GUIDELINES ## Legal Guide for GeoChain Data Purchasers **Last Updated: November 3, 2025** **Effective Date: [Date of Implementation]** --- ## INTRODUCTION This Buyer Guidelines document provides legal and practical guidance for Users who purchase geospatial data on the GeoChain marketplace. These guidelines complement the Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Acceptable Use Policy. --- ## 1. BEFORE YOU BUY: KEY CONSIDERATIONS ### 1.1 Data Verification **Before purchasing Data, consider:** ✓ Is the Data description clear and accurate? ✓ Do you understand what is included in the Data? ✓ Have you verified the geographic area and data extent? ✓ Do you understand the data format and technical requirements? ✓ Are there known limitations disclosed in the listing? ✓ Does the pricing reflect the data value and scope? ✓ Can you use this data for your intended purpose? ### 1.2 Licensing Terms **Before purchasing, understand:** 📋 What license type am I receiving? (personal, commercial, transferable, etc.) 📋 Can I use this Data for my intended purpose? 📋 Can I modify, sublicense, or redistribute the Data? 📋 Is attribution required? 📋 Are there use restrictions? 📋 Can I use this commercially? 📋 Does this license permit the applications I need? **If unsure about licensing terms, CONTACT THE SELLER before purchasing.** ### 1.3 Technical Requirements **Verify you can use the Data:** 🖥️ Do I have software that can open this file format? 🖥️ Do I have sufficient storage space? 🖥️ Do I have compatible operating system? 🖥️ Do I have necessary technical skills? 🖥️ Will this data work with my other systems? **GeoChain cannot provide technical support beyond decryption. You are responsible for technical compatibility.** --- ## 2. UNDERSTANDING THE PURCHASE PROCESS ### 2.1 How GeoChain Transactions Work **Step 1: Browse & Select** - Search for Data on the Platform - Review listing and Seller information - Read the full description and licensing terms **Step 2: Verify Details** - Confirm geographic area and data extent - Check data format compatibility - Review pricing and understand 5% commission - Contact Seller if questions **Step 3: Purchase** - Confirm transaction details - Authorize cryptocurrency payment - Specify wallet address (VERIFY ACCURACY - TYPOS ARE PERMANENT) **Step 4: Automatic Delivery** - Smart contract confirms payment - Decryption key generated automatically - You receive decryption key access - Download Data and save locally **Step 5: Your Responsibility** - Decrypt Data locally - Backup Data to secure location - Use Data in accordance with license - Store locally - GeoChain not responsible after delivery ### 2.2 Cryptocurrency Payment Finality **Important: Cryptocurrency transactions are IRREVERSIBLE** - Once payment is confirmed on blockchain, it CANNOT be reversed - If you send to wrong wallet address, funds are LOST FOREVER - GeoChain cannot recover lost or misdirected payments - You are solely responsible for accurate wallet addresses **Before confirming transaction:** - ✓ Verify wallet address is CORRECT - ✓ Check address character by character - ✓ Use copy-paste to avoid typos - ✓ Do NOT try to type address manually - ✓ Double-check before hitting "confirm" **If you make a mistake, the transaction is FINAL and cannot be undone.** ### 2.3 No Refunds **You acknowledge that:** - NO REFUNDS are issued after payment - Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible - You accept full responsibility for the transaction - If you change your mind, your funds are gone - GeoChain does not operate a refund policy - All sales are final --- ## 3. UNDERSTANDING YOUR LICENSE ### 3.1 License Types **Common License Types You May Receive:** **Personal Use Only** - ✓ You may use for personal, non-commercial purposes - ✗ You may NOT use commercially - ✗ You may NOT sell, redistribute, or sublicense - Example: Using data for your hobby GIS project **Commercial License** - ✓ You may use for commercial purposes - ✓ You may incorporate into products for sale - ✗ You may NOT transfer or resell raw data - ✗ You may NOT sublicense - Example: Including data in mapping software you sell **Transferable/Sublicense** - ✓ You may license to others - ✓ You may resell or redistribute - ✓ You may charge others for use - ✗ May have restrictions on use by end-users - Example: Reselling data to other companies **Full Ownership Transfer** - ✓ You own the data completely - ✓ You may use for any purpose - ✓ You may resell, modify, or sublicense - ✓ No ongoing obligations - Example: You become the data owner **Attribution Required** - ✓ You may use the data - ✗ You MUST credit the original Seller - Include in documentation/metadata - Example: "Data courtesy of [Seller Name]" **No Modification** - ✓ You may use data as-is - ✗ You may NOT modify, alter, or derive from data --- ## 4. SUPPORT ### 4.1 Official Channels - In‑app chat on `https://market.geo-chain.xyz/` (GeoChain Assistant) - Official Discord Support server ### 4.2 Best Practices - Do not share Secret Recovery Phrase (SRP), private keys, passwords, or 2FA codes - Provide Order ID, Listing ID, and transaction hash when seeking help - Request a human agent in chat for complex issues - Support is provided in English --- - ✗ You may NOT incorporate into modified works - Example: Using satellite imagery without editing ### 3.2 Checking Your License **After purchase, verify you understand:** - What is the specific license type? - What are restrictions? - What are permitted uses? - Are there attribution requirements? - Are there duration limits? - Are there geographic restrictions? - Are there use-case restrictions? **Contact Seller or GeoChain if unclear.** --- ## 4. DOWNLOADING & SECURING YOUR DATA ### 4.1 Immediate Download Recommendation **Upon receiving decryption key:** 1️⃣ Download Data immediately (don't delay) 2️⃣ Decrypt Data locally on your computer 3️⃣ Verify Data integrity and contents 4️⃣ Save to secure location on your computer 5️⃣ Create backup copies **Do NOT rely on GeoChain to store your Data.** ### 4.2 Important: Seller Account Deletion Risk **If the Seller deletes their account:** - Your Platform access to that Data may be lost - You will receive notification to backup - You must download Data before access loss - GeoChain will provide warning period **Your responsibility:** - Keep local, secure copy of all purchased Data - Do not rely solely on Platform access - Implement your own backup strategy - Understand that Platform access is not guaranteed perpetually ### 4.3 Data Security Best Practices **After downloading Data, secure it by:** 💾 Storing on encrypted drives or cloud storage 💾 Creating multiple backup copies 💾 Using version control for Data files 💾 Protecting file access with permissions 💾 Encrypting sensitive Data files 💾 Maintaining off-site backup copies 💾 Testing backups periodically **GeoChain is NOT responsible for Data loss after delivery.** --- ## 5. LEGAL OBLIGATIONS FOR DATA USE ### 5.1 Licensed Use Compliance **You must use Data ONLY as permitted by the license:** ✅ Use data for licensed purposes only ✅ Comply with licensing restrictions ✅ Provide attribution if required ✅ Respect modification restrictions ✅ Honor geographic or use limitations ❌ Do NOT use outside license scope ❌ Do NOT sublicense without authorization ❌ Do NOT modify if prohibited ❌ Do NOT claim you own data you licensed ❌ Do NOT transfer license without permission ### 5.2 Prohibited Uses **Do NOT use purchased Data for:** 🚫 Illegal purposes or to facilitate crimes 🚫 Discrimination or targeting vulnerable groups 🚫 Surveillance or unauthorized tracking 🚫 Harassment, stalking, or threats 🚫 Fraud, scams, or deceptive practices 🚫 Violating anyone's privacy or rights 🚫 Violating intellectual property rights 🚫 Commercial purposes if licensed for personal use only ### 5.3 Privacy Law Compliance **If Data includes personal information:** 🔒 Ensure you have legal right to use it 🔒 Comply with GDPR if using data on EU residents 🔒 Comply with CCPA if using data on California residents 🔒 Respect data subjects' privacy rights 🔒 Protect personal data from unauthorized access 🔒 Do NOT combine with other data to re-identify individuals **If unsure whether you can use data legally, consult a lawyer.** --- ## 6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & RIGHTS ### 6.1 What You Own vs. License **You Own:** - Your own analysis and work product derived from Data - Your own modifications and enhancements - Your own original creations using Data **You License (do NOT own unless transferred):** - The underlying Data itself - Ownership remains with original creator/Seller - License is personal to you - Cannot transfer to others (unless sublicense permitted) ### 6.2 Respecting Seller's IP Rights **The Seller retains:** - Ownership of the raw Data (unless fully transferred) - Intellectual property in Data creation - Right to prevent unauthorized uses - Right to license to others **You should:** - Respect these ownership rights - Use only as licensed - Provide attribution as required - Understand you don't own raw data (usually) --- ## 7. PLATFORM ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT ### 7.1 Account Security **Protect your account:** 🔐 Use strong, unique password 🔐 Enable multi-factor authentication 🔐 Keep email up-to-date 🔐 Monitor account activity regularly 🔐 Don't share account access 🔐 Secure your wallet information 🔐 Log out from shared computers ### 7.2 Account Responsibilities **You are responsible for:** - All transactions conducted under your account - All Data purchased through your account - All cryptocurrency paid from your wallets - Keeping account information current - Reporting unauthorized access immediately ### 7.3 Account Termination **Your account may be terminated if:** - You violate Terms & Conditions - You engage in fraud or deceptive practices - You use Data illegally or outside license - You harass other users - You are subject to sanctions - You violate Acceptable Use Policy --- ## 8. DISPUTES & PROBLEM RESOLUTION ### 8.1 What GeoChain Can Help With ✅ Data delivery/decryption issues ✅ Seller misrepresentation of Data ✅ Technical problems accessing Data ✅ Disputes about Data accuracy as described ✅ Licensing term violations by Seller ### 8.2 What GeoChain Cannot Help With ❌ Data accuracy/quality issues (Seller's responsibility) ❌ Technical compatibility problems (your responsibility) ❌ Software issues (your responsibility) ❌ Using data outside your license (your legal liability) ❌ Disputes over subjective data quality ### 8.3 Dispute Process **If you have a dispute:** 1. Contact the Seller directly first 2. Document communication and issue details 3. File formal dispute through Platform (in development) 4. Provide evidence supporting your claim 5. Participate in GeoChain review 6. Accept GeoChain's determination 7. If unresolved, pursue legal action in US courts **Current Status:** Dispute mechanism in development. Contact geochain@geo-chain.xyz --- ## 9. NO WARRANTY - BUYER BEWARE ### 9.1 Data Quality Not Guaranteed **GeoChain provides NO warranty regarding:** - Data accuracy or completeness - Data fitness for particular purpose - Data quality or reliability - Compatibility with your systems - Seller's representations about Data - Data timeliness or currency - Data source accuracy **Buyer accepts Data "AS IS" without warranty.** ### 9.2 Seller Representations **Seller makes representations that:** - Data matches description - Data is owned/licensed by Seller - Data does not infringe third-party rights - Data is as accurate as described **But GeoChain cannot verify these representations.** ### 9.3 "Caveat Emptor" - Buyer Beware **You bear responsibility for:** - Verifying Data before purchase - Assessing Data quality and fitness - Understanding limitations - Determining legal right to use Data - Assessing technical compatibility - Evaluating value for money --- ## 10. LIABILITY & INDEMNIFICATION ### 10.1 You Indemnify GeoChain **You agree to defend GeoChain from claims arising from:** - Your use of purchased Data - Your violation of Data licensing terms - Your violation of privacy laws using Data - Your misuse of Data for illegal purposes - Your infringement of third-party rights using Data - Any harm caused by your use of Data **If you misuse Data and someone sues, YOU pay GeoChain's legal costs.** ### 10.2 Limited Liability **GeoChain assumes NO liability for:** - Data quality or accuracy - Data completeness - Licensing term violations - Technical compatibility - Data loss or corruption - Seller misrepresentation - Any consequential damages --- ## 11. COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST **Before purchasing, confirm:** ☐ I understand the Data contents and scope ☐ I have verified this is the Data I need ☐ I can use this Data for my intended purpose ☐ The licensing terms permit my intended use ☐ The Data format is compatible with my systems ☐ I have adequate storage for the Data ☐ I understand this is a final, irreversible purchase ☐ I understand cryptocurrency payment cannot be refunded ☐ I will immediately download and backup the Data ☐ I will not resell/redistribute unless licensed to do so ☐ I will comply with all licensing restrictions ☐ I understand GeoChain assumes no liability **If you cannot confirm all items above, DO NOT PURCHASE.** --- ## 12. TAX & LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS ### 12.1 Tax Implications **You may need to report:** - Capital gains from reselling Data (if permitted) - Income from using Data commercially - Tax deductions for Data purchases (business use) **Consult a tax professional regarding your situation.** ### 12.2 Legal Use Verification **Before using Data commercially or for significant projects:** - Verify you have legal right to use it - Confirm licensing permits intended use - Understand privacy law implications - Consider legal review if uncertain **Consult a lawyer if you're unsure.** --- ## 13. CONTACT & SUPPORT **For Buyer Questions:** - Email: geochain@geo-chain.xyz - Platform Support: Available through dashboard **For Disputes:** - Contact geochain@geo-chain.xyz with dispute details - Provide transaction ID and issue description - Include evidence supporting claim --- **END OF BUYER GUIDELINES** **Document Version**: 1.0 **Language**: English **Last Updated**: November 3, 2025