Terms of Service

TubeVault · tubevault.io
Effective date: June 2025 · Operator: Robin Jost, Cottbus, Germany

1. Operator and Scope

TubeVault (tubevault.io) is operated by:

Robin Jost
Cottbus, Germany
Email: jost@ikigai-dynamics.com

These Terms apply to all users of the TubeVault platform, including the website tubevault.io, its API, and any associated applications. Conflicting terms and conditions of users are not accepted unless we have expressly agreed to them in writing.

2. Description of Services

TubeVault is an AI-powered semantic search platform that enables users to search the content of YouTube channel archives using natural language queries and receive AI-generated answers with source references and timestamp links to the original videos on YouTube.

2.1 Core Features

  • Semantic search across indexed YouTube channel archives
  • AI-generated answers based on transcript excerpts (GPT-4o-mini by OpenAI)
  • Timestamp links to source videos on YouTube
  • Access to transcripts (depending on subscription tier)
  • Cross-channel search (Premium tier)

2.2 Important Disclaimer on AI-Generated Content

AI-generated answers are summaries based on indexed transcripts. They may contain inaccuracies, omissions or misinterpretations. Always verify answers using the provided source links. TubeVault answers are not a substitute for professional advice.

2.3 Availability

We strive for high platform availability but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service. Maintenance, technical issues or third-party service outages may temporarily affect usability. No guaranteed uptime level is warranted.

3. Registration and User Account

A user account is required to access paid features. You may register using an email address or your Google account.

By registering, you confirm that:

  • You are at least 16 years of age
  • The information you provide is complete and accurate
  • You will keep your login credentials secure and will not share them with third parties
  • You will notify us immediately if you become aware of any unauthorised use of your account

One account per person and email address is permitted. Sharing account credentials or using a single account for multiple people is not allowed.

4. Pricing and Subscriptions

4.1 Available Plans

Prices are shown in US Dollars (USD). The amount charged in your local currency may vary due to exchange rate fluctuations. Payment processing is handled by Stripe, Inc.

4.2 Subscription and Auto-Renewal

Subscriptions are billed monthly and renew automatically for successive monthly periods unless cancelled before the end of the current billing period. You may cancel at any time in your account settings or by emailing jost@ikigai-dynamics.com.

4.3 Right of Withdrawal (EU Consumers)

As an EU consumer, you have a statutory right of withdrawal within 14 days of purchase. By using the service during the withdrawal period, you acknowledge that you may lose your right of withdrawal upon full performance of the contract.

4.4 Price Changes

We reserve the right to change prices. Existing subscribers will be notified by email at least 30 days before any price increase takes effect. Continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the new price. You have the right to cancel your subscription before the change takes effect.

5. Acceptable Use and Prohibited Activities

You agree to use TubeVault solely in accordance with these Terms and applicable law.

5.1 Prohibited Activities

The following activities are expressly prohibited:

  • Automated querying: Use of bots, crawlers, scripts or other automated means to mass-query the platform
  • Circumventing usage limits: Technically bypassing query limits, e.g. through multiple accounts or manipulation of browser characteristics
  • Reverse engineering: Decompiling, disassembling or otherwise attempting to derive source code or underlying algorithms
  • Resale: Commercial resale of TubeVault answers or content without prior written authorisation
  • Harmful content: Submitting content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, threatening or otherwise objectionable
  • Security breaches: Attempts to compromise the platform's security infrastructure
  • AI misuse: Attempts to cause the AI to generate harmful, misleading or unlawful content

5.2 Consequences of Violations

In the event of a breach of these Terms, we reserve the right to suspend or permanently terminate your access to TubeVault without refund of amounts already paid.

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 Platform Rights

TubeVault, including its source code, user interface, search algorithms, database structure and branding, is the intellectual property of Robin Jost and is protected by copyright. Use of the platform does not grant any right to copy, distribute or modify these elements.

6.2 Third-Party Content (Creator Content)

The content searchable through TubeVault (transcripts, videos) is owned by the respective YouTube creators and protected by their copyrights. TubeVault provides a search function only and links to original content on YouTube. Downloading, copying or otherwise using this content outside of TubeVault without the explicit permission of the respective rights holders is not permitted.

6.3 AI-Generated Answers

AI-generated answers produced by TubeVault are created from transcript excerpts. No copyright claims are asserted over these answers. Your use of the answers is limited to the scope of these Terms and your subscription plan.

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 No Substitute for Professional Advice

TubeVault and its AI-generated answers do not replace professional medical, legal, tax or financial advice. This applies in particular to health and nutrition content. Never make decisions affecting your health or legal situation based solely on TubeVault answers.

7.2 Technical Limitations of Liability

We are not liable for:

  • Outages or interruptions to the platform
  • Inaccuracies, incompleteness or errors in AI-generated answers
  • Failures of third-party services (OpenAI, Supabase, Stripe, Hetzner, Google)
  • Data loss, unless caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct on our part
  • Content on linked external websites (YouTube or other third-party sites)

7.3 Mandatory Liability

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for: death or personal injury caused by negligence; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law (including the German Product Liability Act).

7.4 Liability Cap

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, our total aggregate liability to you in connection with these Terms shall not exceed the total amount paid by you to TubeVault in the 12 months preceding the claim.

8. Termination and Account Deletion

8.1 Cancellation by User

You may cancel your subscription at any time in your account settings. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period. Amounts already paid are not refunded on a pro-rata basis (except where the right of withdrawal applies under Section 4.3).

To request full account deletion (including all personal data), use the “Delete Account” function in your settings or contact us at jost@ikigai-dynamics.com.

8.2 Termination by TubeVault

We reserve the right to suspend or delete user accounts if:

  • You breach these Terms of Service
  • Outstanding payments remain unsettled
  • We are required to do so by law
  • The service is discontinued (with reasonable notice of at least 30 days)

9. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to amend these Terms. Material changes will be communicated to registered users by email at least 30 days before they take effect. Continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you object to any change, you have the right to cancel your subscription with immediate effect and receive a pro-rata refund.

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

10.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). For consumers resident in another EU member state, the mandatory consumer protection provisions of that country continue to apply.

10.2 Jurisdiction

For disputes with users who are merchants, legal entities under public law or public-law special funds, the exclusive place of jurisdiction is Cottbus, Germany. For consumers, the statutory place of jurisdiction applies. We are not obliged to participate in consumer arbitration proceedings and do not generally do so.

10.3 EU Online Dispute Resolution

The European Commission provides an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

Our email address: jost@ikigai-dynamics.com

We are not obliged and do not undertake to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

11. General Provisions

11.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that comes closest to the economic purpose of the invalid provision.

11.2 No Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights and obligations under these Terms to any third party without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations — in particular in the event of a business transfer — and will notify you accordingly.

11.3 Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and Robin Jost regarding your use of TubeVault and supersede all prior oral or written agreements.

11.4 Contact

For all enquiries (general, legal, privacy): jost@ikigai-dynamics.com

Annex: Legal Notice (Impressum)

Information pursuant to § 5 TMG:

Robin Jost

Cottbus, Germany

Email: jost@ikigai-dynamics.com

Note: VAT-exempt pursuant to § 19 UStG (German small business regulation). No VAT is charged. A VAT identification number is not required as long as no B2B transactions are made to customers in other EU member states.

TubeVault · Robin Jost · Cottbus, Germany