Terms of Use
1. Definitions
1.1 “Service” means the website located at middleearthjourney.com and any of its subdomains, pages, and editorial content.
1.2 “User,” “you” means any person who accesses the Service.
1.3 “Content” means all text, images, code, and other material published on the Service.
1.4 “Operator,” “we,” “us” means the publisher of the Service, based at 38 Smith Street, Matamata 3400, New Zealand, contactable at hello@middleearthjourney.com.
2. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service. The Service is intended for general audiences aged 13 and older. Users under 18 should review these Terms with a parent or legal guardian.
3. Description of Service
The Service is an independent, fan-made editorial site about the Hobbiton filming location in Matamata, New Zealand. We do not sell tours, take bookings, or transact on behalf of any third party. The Service is provided free of charge for informational and editorial purposes.
The Service is not affiliated with the official tour operator, the property owners, the film productions, or the rights holders to the underlying literary and cinematic works.
4. User Conduct & Prohibited Uses
You agree not to:
- Use the Service in any way that violates applicable law;
- Scrape, mirror, or republish substantial portions of the Content without written permission;
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any systems supporting the Service;
- Misrepresent your identity or affiliation when contacting us;
- Use the Service to harass, defame, or impersonate any person or entity.
5. Intellectual Property
5.1 The original editorial text and design of the Service are the property of the Operator and are protected by copyright. You may quote brief excerpts with attribution; broader reuse requires permission.
5.2 Third-party trademarks referenced in editorial context — including but not limited to “Hobbiton,” “Bag End,” “The Shire,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Hobbit,” and “Middle-earth” — are the property of their respective owners and are referenced solely for descriptive, editorial use under principles of nominative fair use.
5.3 Photographs and illustrations on the Service are either created by the Operator, generated by AI tools used by the Operator, or used under licence. None are sourced from the rights holders to the films or books.
6. Termination
We may suspend or restrict access to the Service, in whole or in part, at any time and without notice, including for users who violate these Terms. The editorial Content may continue to exist in archived form even after a user’s access is restricted.
7. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SERVICE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ACCURACY, OR FREEDOM FROM ERROR. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT ANY HISTORICAL FACT PRESENTED HEREIN IS COMPLETE OR FREE FROM REVISION.
8. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE OPERATOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE SERVICE. THE OPERATOR’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (USD $100).
9. Changes to Terms
We may update these Terms periodically. The updated version will be posted at this URL with a revised Effective Date. Material changes will be flagged in the site footer for at least thirty (30) days.
10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in California, USA.
11. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
12. Contact
Questions, takedown requests, or correction notices: hello@middleearthjourney.com.
See also: Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy