Last Updated December 19th, 2024
Welcome to Ringle!
Ringle English Education Service Co., Ltd., including our Ringle affiliate companies (we, us, our, the Company” or RINGLE”), have provided this website and our services to provide users like you (“you” or “your”) a platform to find and engage independent tutors, and gain access to related resources, guides, and instructive material for learning the English language.
This website (the “Site”) and any information, content, applications, products, and services we provide to you are referenced here together as the “Services”.
You should read the following Terms of Service (these “Terms”) carefully. These Terms describe how we provide the Services. Because these Terms must cover a wide variety of important topics, including how lessons may be scheduled and conducted, and your privacy rights about your personal information, your use of the Services are subject to additional terms and conditions in our user policies (each, a “Policy”).
All Policies are a part of our Terms. Please see a list of our current Policies at the end of these Terms. If there is any conflict between the terms and conditions of any Policy and those written here, the terms and conditions of the Policy will govern your use of our Services, but only to the extent of any conflict.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, PLEASE DO NOT USE, ACCESS, OR REGISTER FOR THE SITE OR USE ANY OF OUR SERVICES.
If you are under the age of 18 years old, you may not access or use any of our Services until a parent or guardian has agreed to these Terms on your behalf.
If you are a registered user and want to terminate your account, or wish to access, review, or delete your personal information, please follow the instructions in these Terms, or you may send your request to RINGLE customer service by email at contact@ringleplus.com.
Article 1 Purpose
These Terms govern your access to, and use of, the Services. The purpose of these Terms is to define the rights and obligations of the Company and its Members. By using any of our Services, you agree to these Terms as a binding legal agreement between you and us.
Article 2 Definition of Terms
Capitalized terms used here are defined as follows:
Article 3 Effect and Change of Terms
We may change these Terms from time to time. RINGLE also reserves the right, in our sole discretion, to modify, discontinue, or terminate any part of the Services, or to modify these Terms, at any time without prior notification.
If we modify the Terms, we may post a notification of any changes or modifications to these Terms on our Site at least 7 days prior to the effective date of the change/modification of the Terms (or at least 30 days prior to the effective date of any material change/modification or any change/modification that is unfavorable to Members) ; we may also send a notification to the email address you used to register a RINGLE account. We will also update the “Last Updated Date” at the top of these Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for updates.
If the Member does not expressly indicate its rejection of the change prior to the effective date of the change, then the Member shall be deemed to have agreed to the revised Terms. However, Members may discontinue their use of the Services if they do not agree with the changed Terms.
Members are obligated to check if the Terms have changed and the Company shall not be held responsible for any damage caused by any changes to the Terms.
If there are any terms and conditions for individual “services” or notices about usage in addition to these terms and conditions, the contents take precedence over these terms and conditions.
Article 4 Applications for the Services
Anyone who wishes to use or access the Services must apply to the Company, providing the necessary personal identification information.
The "Company" may request the "Member" to verify the legal name and verify the member’s identity through an institution of authentication.
If you are under 18 years old, your application must be submitted to the Company on your behalf by a parent or guardian.
The Company may reject any application for any reason including the following:
The “Company” may withhold approval in the event there is a “service” related facility, technology, or business obstacle.
Once you create your account on Ringle Teens, you are agreeing to create a “Ringle Account” which can be used for all services operated by Ringle Inc., including our Ringle affiliate companies. However, to use Ringle’s services other than Ringle Plus, you must use your “Ringle Account” to visit respective websites and agree to their Terms of Services and Privacy Policy.
Article 5 Privacy and Personal Information
RINGLE treats the privacy of your personal information seriously. Please see our Privacy Policy for information about how we collect, use and disclose your personal information.
If you are a California resident, our use of your information is subject to your rights under California law. We provide a specific notice to our California residents here, so please refer to that notice for information on how we collect and use your personal information.
Article 6 Social Networking
If you are a user of third-party social networking or the media services or platforms provided by Facebook® or Google® (each, an “SNS”), then you may register for your Account using your SNS credentials. Depending on the platform, you may also link your RINGLE Account with your SNS accounts.
If you choose to use your SNS account to register, we may collect personal information such as your name, profile picture, email address which you provided to the SNS, and any other information you make publicly available through the SNS. We may use your SNS account information as part of your Account information, as well as to log you into parts of our Site.
Please review our Privacy Policy for additional information about how we may use your SNS information. By connecting your Account with an SNS, you consent to how we access and use your personal SNS information.
You should be aware that any information we collect from an SNS will depend on the privacy settings you set with the SNS. Further, your ability to connect your Account with an SNS will depend on their terms and conditions of service. For purposes of clarification, your relationship with any SNS will be governed by their terms and conditions of service.
Article 7 Change of Agreement
Members may view and modify their information at any time. However, the E-mail(ID) required for Service management cannot be modified.
Members shall notify the Company of any changes made by the Member at the time of subscription, by online modification or by e-mail.
The Company shall not be held responsible for any losses, damages or other consequences of any Member failing to promptly notifying the Company of any changes to Member’s contact or other information.
Article 8 Membership obligations for Email (ID) and Password
As a Member, you are responsible for maintaining the security of your Email(ID) and Password. Do not share either your Email(ID) or your Password with anyone else. We have the right to suspend or restrict the use of your Email(ID) if you believe that your Email(ID) or Password has been breached or compromised, or if the Email(ID) has a risk of being mistaken for the “company” or the operator of the “company.”
If your Email(ID) or Password has been breached or otherwise compromised, please contact us immediately.
The Company shall not be responsible for any losses, liabilities or damages arising out of any breach or other compromise of your Email(ID) or Password.
Article 9 Provision of Information and Notice to Members
The Company may provide the Member with a variety of information necessary by the Member during use of the Services by means of E-mail telephone or postal service mail.
The “Company” may notify unspecified “members” for 7 consecutive days or more through the main screen of the Ringle platform or present a pop-up message etc., in lieu of an individual notice. However, changes in the terms and conditions or other important matters related to the “member” will be individually notified by e-mail, telephone, letter, etc.
Article 10 (Obligations of the company)
The “Company” will do its best to provide the “Service” continuously as stipulated in these Terms and Conditions.
The “Company” does not engage in acts that are prohibited by the relevant laws and regulations; the Terms and Conditions or that are contrary to good morals.
If opinions or complaints raised by members in relation to the use of service are recognized as justifiable, the company must handle them. For opinions or complaints raised by members, the processing and results are delivered to members by using the notification function in the Ringle platform or by e-mail.
Company establishes and discloses personal information policy to protect personal information (including credit information) of members, maintains a security system for personal information protection, and does not disclose or distribute personal information to third parties without the consent of the person. However, exceptions are made in cases where there is a request from the State or a government agency in accordance with laws, such as for criminal investigation purposes.
Article 11 Obligations of Members
Members shall not engage in any of the following when using the Service:
1) Provide any false or misleading information to the Company.
2) Steal or otherwise misappropriate any information of any third party.
3) If the debt borne by the “member” in relation to the use of the “service” of the “company”, such as lesson fee, is not paid by the due date
4) Evade or disable the technical protection measures of the “company” for the Ringle platform and “services”
5) Infringe the intellectual property rights of the Company, the tutors or any third party.
6) Acts that damage the reputation of the “company”, tutors, and other third parties or interfere with the company’s business
7) Attempt to disrupt the Services in any way
8) Behave in a disruptive manner to any other Member or any other third party.
9) Send any obscene, offensive, sexually explicit, harassing, threatening or violent messages, images or audio
10) Use the Services for any commercial purpose without the Company's consent.
11) Commit any other illegal or unlawful acts.
12) Create more than one personal account.
13) Engaging in policy abusing acts mentioned in Article 14, paragraph 3 of these terms and conditions in relation to the acquisition and use of points
14) Violate these Terms.
In the event that a “member” violates paragraphs 1 and 2 above, the “company” may request correction of correctable matters. If correction is not made within 7 days of the “Company” request for correction, the “Company” may forcibly refund the remaining lesson credits of the “Member” and at the same time terminate the use contract and take measures to disqualify the “Member”.
In the event that a “member” violates paragraphs 1 and 2 above and there is damage caused to the “company” or a third party such as a tutor, the “member” will not be exempted from liability due to the disqualifying, refund, contract termination measures mentioned above.
Member must secure in advance hardware, Internet, software and other equipment necessary to connect, access, or use the Service of the Company. “Company” does not compensate for any failure to use the company’s service if the failure is due to reasons attributable to the “member.”
Members shall comply with all restrictions applicable to the use of the Services that are announced by the Company or that the Company separately notifies to the Members.
Members may only use and access the Services for personal educational purposes. Members may not use, process or sell any information obtained from access to our Services or any use any of the Services (including any materials contained therein) for any commercial purposes or to conduct any commercial activities.
Article 12 Service provision and change
The Company endeavors to make the Services available on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week basis, subject to limited times when we need to conduct system maintenance or perform upgrades. In addition, some or all of the Services may not be accessible or available as a result of causes outside of our control such as force majeure events and network and/or telecommunications outages.
If we believe that some or all of the Services will be unavailable due to system maintenance or upgrades or scheduled network or telecommunications outages, then the Company will use reasonable efforts to provide advance notification to the Members.
In an effort to improve our Services and keep them relevant, the Company may make modifications to the Services at any time, including adding or removing some features or functionality. If we make major changes to the Services, we will use reasonable efforts to a service announcement. If the “service” is significantly changed or suspended, the “member” may be compensated for unused paid lesson credits according to the conditions notified in advance by the “company”.
Company can divide the service into a certain sections and specify the available time for each sections separately.
In the event of system maintenance, replacement, breakdown of computers, etc., communication interruption, or significant operational reasons, the administrator may arbitrarily set the date and time to suspend the provision of the service
The Company may request acceptance of the update of the application installed by the Member on his or her mobile device in order to use the Service.
Article 13 Credits and cancellations
Article 14 Point and Coupons rewards program
RINGLE has established a rewards program for its Members and may issue points and coupons to Members in accordance with its policies. Under the rewards program, Members can earn points and coupons which can be exchanged for discounts on Services or other products the company provides. In the future, the Company may add additional rewards that can be purchased with points and coupons.
Points or rewards earned in Ringle Plus platform can only be used within Ringle Plus and can not be used in or transferred to Ringle Teens platform.
The types of points and coupons, acquisition, use, and validity period are according to the separate guide page on the Ringle Platform. Points and coupons will expire when the membership is deleted.
The “Company” considers any of the following to be an abusive act regarding the acquisition and use of points and coupons.
1) The act of creating multiple IDs through illegal programs (e.g., consecutive array IDs, only different domains)
2) Acts of illegally or unfairly using other people's personal information (e.g., stealing personal information and making payments)
3) Acts of transacting “Company” points and coupons with others and pre- or post-acts related to transactions, including advertisements
4) Acquisition and use of “Company” points and coupons in other illegal or unusual ways
If a “member” is found to have acquired or used points and coupons in an illegal way as described in paragraph 3 above, the “company” will refund the points and coupons in full without prior notice and cancel the purchase request of the “member”.
In the event that a “member” purchases a “lesson credit” or receives a product provided by the “company” using the points and coupons acquired through an illegal method in paragraph 3 above, the “company” can ask the “member” for reimbursement or compensation for damages, restrict the use of the “Service” (block access, delete the member’s account, etc.), and take necessary legal actions.
Article 15 Pricing and Refund Policy for 1:1 lesson credits
1) Fees for “service” including “lesson credits” are applied based on the fee system set by the “company” in advance and are announced on the Ringle platform.
2) The price currency is displayed in USD or other currency depending on the country where the member is located. The company does not show prices in other currencies.
3) The “Company” may apply some adjustments to the fee scheme before the “Member” pays for the “lesson credits” in order to reflect the rapid exchange rate fluctuations.
4) Depending on the region where the member is located, the prices displayed may include sales tax, goods, and services tax or VAT; or tax may be added at checkout.
5) Refunds are not permitted under the following conditions:
6) In cases not specified in the aforementioned clauses, refunds will be processed based on the following criteria:
Additional Notes:
Article 16 Pricing and Refund Policy for AI Tutor Membership
The fees for using the Paid Services, including the AI Tutor Membership, are based on the prices pre-announced on the Ringle Platform in accordance with the Company's predetermined pricing system.
The price currency is displayed in USD or in accordance with the country where the Member is located. The Company does not display prices in other currencies.
The Company may make some adjustments to the pricing plan until the Member pays for the Class Ticket to reflect sudden fluctuations in exchange rates.
depending on the Member's location, the prices displayed may include sales tax, goods and services tax or value-added tax, or taxes may be added at checkout.
The subscription withdrawal and refund policy for “Paid Service (AI Tutor Membership)” purchased through Google Play Store “In-App Purchase” and other payment methods is as follows.
The rules for withdrawal of subscription and refund of purchase price for “Paid Service” purchased through “In-App Payment” in Apple App Store are as follows.
The rules for withdrawing the subscription and refunding the purchase price of the “AI Tutor Membership” purchased directly from the Ringle website (PC/mobile web) are as follows (applicable to both the purchase as a stand-alone product and the purchase in combination with the 1:1 lesson ticket)
Article 17 Extension and Termination
1. The "Company" shall proceed with the deduction and extension of the course period of the "Credit" according to the following subparagraphs.
1) The period of the "Credit" purchased by the member is automatically calculated from the time when the first lesson is completed within three months (90 days) after the purchase of the "class ticket" or when the lesson is not used after the purchase, the course period is automatically counted from 91 days.
2) However, the period deduction method differs depending on the type of "Credit".
3) The validity period of the free "Credit" will be deducted from the date of issuance.
2. Only "Flexible Credit" can be extended. The extension of the duration of the period is necessary for the "members" to access the Ringle webpage and proceed directly within the "1:1 Lesson" menu from the time the remaining duration of the validity period becomes less than half for the first time. (For example, in the case of a 12th 90-day "Flexible Credit" on the ", the duration of the course can be extended from the time the remaining period becomes 45 days or less). The amount payable to extend the duration of the "Flexible Credit" can be found in the "Notice", which is posted at the top of the Extend Credits page.
3. "Credits" that have already expired cannot be restored. However, only for separate events held by the "Company", “member” may be able to recover the expired paid "Credit". If you purchase a new "Credit" and receive the benefits of restoring the existing "Credit" through the event, and if the duration of the existing "Credit" is extended or restored due to the purchase of a new "Credit", both the new "Credit" and the existing "Credit" are not refundable.
Article 18 Restrictions on Use and Restriction of Copyright
The Company shall at all times retain all right, title and interest in and to all intellectual property rights associated with or incorporated in the Services and any software or other technology used to provide the Services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all copyrights and all other intellectual property rights with respect to any works of authorship created by the Company or any of its personnel shall be and remain the exclusive property of the Company.
The Member shall not acquire any intellectual property rights as a result of any use of the Services.
The Services are provided solely for the Member’s personal educational use. You shall not reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, distribute, broadcast, create derivative works of, or otherwise use all or any portion of the materials presented, accessed or otherwise obtained through use of or access to any of the Services.
The Company implements its non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with tutors on the outcome of the lesson and service activities to ensure that the data / data are not exposed outside the customer information. However, data / materials are stored in a form that is not personally identifiable, and the company has the right to use the data / data for research and product development purposes. The products are available for marketing and promotional purposes, with the member's consent, or for features provided free of charge.
The management and use of “posts” left by “members” on the Ringle platform are done as the following:
1) When a “member” publishes a “post” on the Ringle platform, it is deemed that the “company” or other “member” has been permitted the rights to use and re-use the post. The “posts” can be used on search engine results, promotion for services as well as be partially modified, duplicated, edited within the scope necessary for such exposure. Members can take actions such as deletion of the post at any time through the customer consultation channel of the company or the management function within the Ringle Platform.
2) The “Company” may change or transfer the placement of the “Post” for reasons such as the “Service” policy or the operating policy of the “Ringle Platform” operated by the “Company”.
3) The “Company” may take restrictive measures such as deleting the “post” if the ”post” contains the content that
(a) Infringes privacy, causes defamation, contains language abusive or offensive to others
(b) Causes displeasure to others by hindering public order and morals or demeaning certain groups or religions
(c) infringes on the rights of others with unconfirmed or unfounded content
(d) infringes another's copyright
(e) contains other people's personal information
(f) are repetition of other posts
(g) interferes with the smooth provision of the “service” of the “company” by posting malicious codes, etc.
Article 19 Termination of Contract and Restriction on Use of Services
If a Member wishes to terminate their access and use of the Services, then the Member must apply for termination through the Service.
Also to stop using any of Ringle’s other services you were using with your “Ringle Account,” you must sign into the service platform to terminate your membership and delete your account on the platform.
The Company may terminate a Member’s use of or access to the Services as provided in Article 4 and Article 10. Further, the Company may suspend or restrict a Member’s use of or access to the Services. If the Company intends to restrict use of or access to the Services, the Company shall notify the Member by e-mail or other means by setting the reason, date and other matters. However, the Company reserves the right to restrict or suspend use of or access to the Services without notice and with immediate effect if the Company deems such immediate restriction or suspension necessary to protect the Company, the Services, the Member or any other Member.
A Member who has been notified of a restriction or suspension may appeal such restriction or suspension by providing written notice to the Company as set forth in the notice. In the appeal, the Member shall use reasonable efforts to respond to the stated reasons for the restriction or suspension, including providing relevant evidence. However, the Company retains sole discretion whether to continue or remove any restriction or suspension.
If the reason for suspension of use is resolved during the period of suspension of use of the “member”, the “company” may cancel the suspension of use.
Article 20 Services Availability and Warranties
While we endeavor to make our Site and Services are safe, accurate error-free, complete, and available to you, we cannot guarantee that our Site or Services will always be safe, secure, or error-free.
We will use all commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the Site and Services are available 24 hours day, 7 days a week, except in the event of scheduled maintenance or special circumstances, such as service interruptions affecting our Site hosts or our service providers, or other causes including natural disaster, governmental orders, or similar causes which are beyond our reasonable control.
Our site, services and all content available therein are provided "as is" and "as available", and you use them at your own risk. We provide all services without any representation or warranty of any kind, whether express or implied. Without limiting the foregoing, and to the fullest extent of the law, we expressly disclaim any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, continuous operation or non-infringement, including any warranties arising out of course of dealing or usage or trade. we make no representation or warranty that any part of the services will meet your requirements or be available on an uninterrupted, secure, or error-free basis. we make no warranty regarding the quality of any part of the services or the accuracy, timeliness, truthfulness, completeness or reliability of any content.
We, including our affiliates, and each of our respective officers, employees, and other personnel cannot be responsible for the actions, content, information, or data of third-parties, and you agree that you are solely responsible for, and assume all risks of, your interactions with other users of our services as well as your interactions with tutors. We make no representation or warranty of any kind regarding other users or their conduct. You agree to take reasonable precautions in all communications and interactions with other users of our services.
We also cannot be responsible for your conflict with tutors, nor do we take responsibility for any conflict and damages arising out of your interaction with tutors outside of the service platform.
By agreeing to our terms, you release us, and our owners, officers, employees, and agents from any claims and damages, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with any claim you have against any such third parties.
If you are a California resident, you expressly waive California civil code §1542, which says: "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor".
Article 21 Limitations on Liability and Release
In no event shall the company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, owners, employees, agents, successors and assigns be liable to you for any indirect, incidental, exemplary, punitive, special or consequential damages including, but not limited to, damages for lost data, lost profits, or for service interruptions, however arising, and whether based in contract, tort, or otherwise, which arise out of or in connection with the services or these terms, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages, and even if the remedies under these terms fail of their essential purpose.
Out total aggregate liability to you arising out of or in connection with the services or there terms shall not exceed: (A) any amounts actually paid to us for which a claim arises; or (B) one hundred dollars ($100), whichever is greatest.
Except as expressly set out in there terms, we will not be liable to you for any compensation, reimbursement, or damages arising in connection with your inability to use the services or any other part of the site or any content available therein as a result of suspension or termination of your account or access to the services, or for any unanticipated or unscheduled downtime, unavailability or inoperability of the services from any cause beyond our reasonable control.
Limitations of liability or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages may not apply by law where you reside, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. In such cases, our liability will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
Article 22 Indemnity
The Company shall not be liable for any damages incurred by the Member in connection with the use of any of the services provided free of charge.
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Company, its affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, managers, owners, employees, agents, successors and assigns harmless from and against any claims, actions, suits, losses, costs, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, relating to, or arising out of, or in any way connected to, (a) your access, use or misuse of the Services or any Content available therein, (b) your breach of these Terms or any document or policy incorporated by reference into these Terms, or (c) any third-party website or services which is linked to our Services. Notwithstanding your obligation to indemnify us, we will have sole control of the defense to any claim brought against us, in which case you agree to assist us and cooperate in the defense to the claim.
Article 23 Force Majeure
The Company shall not have any liability arising out of any force majeure events including, without limitation, natural disasters, war, terrorism, insurrection, acts of God, pandemics, strikes, telecommunications failures as well as other events and circumstances outside of the control of the Company.
Article 24 Governing Law; Venue for Disputes
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California, USA, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.
Any lawsuit, action or proceeding concerning the Services, their use, these Terms, or any other policy or procedure of the Company, must be brought any federal or state court located in San Francisco, California (each, a “Specified Court”). You hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of a Specified Court (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding; and you irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which you may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such lawsuit, action or proceeding in any such Specified Court or that any such lawsuit, action or proceeding which is brought in any such Specified Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Article 25 Severability
Except as otherwise stated in these Terms, if a court of competent jurisdiction finds that any provision of these Terms, or compliance with any of its provisions, is unlawful or unenforceable, then the provision will be modified to the extent required to make it lawful and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, then the unlawful or unenforceable provision will be severed from the Terms and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.
Article 26 Questions, Comments & Support
If you have any questions or comments about these Terms or the Services, please contact RINGLE support by email at contact@ringleplus.com. You can receive our current mailing address and phone number for any questions by emailing support.
Article 27 Special Notices
For Users Outside the United States: We strive to create a protected community with consistent standards for everyone, but we also respect local laws. The following provisions apply to users and non‐users who interact with us and the Services outside the United States:
You consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. If you are located in a country embargoed by the United States, or are on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals you agree that you will not engage in commercial activities through our Services (such as advertising or payments) or operate any application or website in connection with our Services. You may not use our Services if you are prohibited from receiving products, services, or software originating from the United States.
For California Users: Under California Civil Code Section 1789.3, California users are entitled to the following specific consumer rights notice: The Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs may be contacted in writing at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, CA 95834, or by telephone at +1(916) 445-1254 or +1(800) 952-5210.
OUR POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
Our Terms incorporate the following:
our Lessons Policy, which governs lessons with tutors, as well as lesson cancellations, changes, credits, and refunds;
our Privacy Policy, which governs how we collect and use your personal information;
our Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy, which governs how we deal with Content that is alleged to infringe any third-party’s rights; and
our Community Guidelines Policy, which governs how we expect and require our users to interact with others.