Terms and Conditions of Service

Last updated: April 30, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms & Age Restriction

By accessing the website at https://antnook.net/, you are agreeing to be bound by these terms of service and all applicable laws and regulations. AntNook provides precision-engineered formicaria and ethically sourced live colonies to enthusiasts across North America and Europe.

Age Restriction: By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence (typically 18 years old). We do not knowingly collect or accept transactions from minors without explicit, verifiable parental consent. Unauthorized purchases made by minors using a parent's payment method are a violation of these terms.

2. Use License & Intellectual Property

Permission is granted to temporarily download materials for personal, non-commercial viewing. AntNook prides itself on original 3D-printed modular hardware designs. Under this license, you may not:

Modify, copy, or replicate our proprietary designs;
Use our materials or designs for any commercial purpose or public display;
Attempt to reverse engineer any software or physical hardware designs (Formicaria) contained on AntNook's website;
Transfer the materials to another person or "mirror" the content.

Any violation of intellectual property rights will lead to immediate legal termination of service and potential legal action.

3. Biological Disclaimer & Indemnification

At AntNook, we strive for the highest health standards prior to dispatch. However, materials on our website are provided on an 'as is' basis.

Important Biological Notice: AntNook does not guarantee future fertility, egg-laying, or specific colony behavior post-arrival. The biological success and expansion of the colony are entirely subject to the keeper's specific environment, husbandry skills, feeding, and care.

Assumption of Risk & Indemnification: By purchasing live biological subjects, you assume all risks associated with handling live insects. You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AntNook from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from allergic reactions, bites, biological escapes, environmental impact, or any misuse of the live subjects.

4. Customs Compliance & International Delivery

AntNook operates global fulfillment hubs in the UK and Hong Kong to manage international transit via Air Express. However, importing live subjects and specialized hardware is subject to strict local agricultural laws.

Buyer's Absolute Liability: The buyer explicitly assumes 100% legal and financial responsibility for complying with their jurisdiction's import laws. If a package is delayed, opened, confiscated, or destroyed by local Customs or Agricultural authorities (e.g., USDA), AntNook holds zero liability. We will not issue replacements, store credit, or refunds for seized shipments.

5. Payments, Refunds & Anti-Fraud

To protect our community against fraudulent activity, AntNook utilizes Alternative Secure Gateways and Cryptocurrency for all transactions. Automated direct financial refunds are not supported. Compensations for valid claims are issued via Store Credit or Free Replacements.

Cancellations: If a cancellation is requested before dispatch, any approved refund will be issued minus the non-refundable third-party payment gateway processing fees.

Anti-Fraud Protocol: We thoroughly document and video-record the packing process of every order. Any fraudulent chargeback (Dispute) attempts will be aggressively contested with your bank/payment provider using our evidence, resulting in a permanent ban from our network.

6. Incorporation of Global Protection Protocol

Our detailed shipping rules, Tier 1 and Tier 2 regional coverages, hardware protection rules, and Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG) evidentiary requirements are governed by our Global Protection Protocol. By agreeing to these Terms, you explicitly acknowledge and agree to be bound by all terms, dynamic time limits, and voidances stated within the Global Protection Protocol.

7. User-Generated Content (Reviews & Media)

If you submit product reviews, unboxing videos, or photographs of your setups to AntNook via email or social media, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, and irrevocable right to use, reproduce, and display such content for marketing and promotional purposes.

8. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Binding Arbitration & Class Action Waiver: Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration rather than in court. You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

9. Governing Law & Severability

Any claim relating to AntNook's website or services shall be governed by our operating jurisdiction's laws. If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid under any applicable law, such invalidity shall not render these Terms unenforceable as a whole, and such provisions shall be deleted without affecting the remaining provisions.