Terms of Use

Last Updated: 14 May 2026

Welcome to Pearl Street Studio, Inc. ("Pearl Street Studio," "we," "our," or "us"). Pearl Street Studio is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Pearl Street Studio's mission is to advance education, workforce development, and informed dialogue within the electricity and energy industries. Through courses, seminars, written materials, podcasts, interviews, and related resources (collectively, the "Services"), we seek to provide accessible, structured, and professionally grounded educational content for engineers, economists, policymakers, students, and other stakeholders in the electricity and energy sectors.

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website and Services. By browsing, accessing, or using the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Services.

All content provided by Pearl Street Studio is offered for educational and informational purposes only in furtherance of our charitable mission. Nothing on this website constitutes legal, financial, engineering, regulatory, or professional advice. You are responsible for independently verifying information before relying on it in professional or commercial contexts.

As a 501(c)(3) organization:

Pearl Street Studio does not operate for private benefit or personal profit.
Any revenue generated through donations, subscriptions, grants, or program services is used to support our educational mission.
We do not endorse specific commercial products, market participants, regulatory positions, or political candidates.
We do not participate or intervene in any political campaign for or against any candidate for political office. Any lobbying activity, if conducted, will be limited to an insubstantial amount and structured as nonpartisan analysis, study, or research in compliance with applicable law.
Content is provided in a nonpartisan, educational capacity consistent with applicable nonprofit law.

We are committed to fostering a respectful, intellectually rigorous, and mission-driven learning environment. Your use of the Services must align with these principles.

If you have questions regarding these Terms, please contact us via our Contact page or at contact@pearlstreetstudio.org.

1. Eligibility

To access or use the Services, you must meet the following requirements:

1.1 Minimum Age

By using the Services, you represent that you are: (i) at least eighteen (18) years of age if you are a United States resident; or (ii) the legal age of consent in the country in which you reside in order to use our Services, open an account, register for courses, make donations, or otherwise engage with interactive features of the Services.

Individuals under the applicable age of consent may access publicly available educational materials only with the supervision and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

1.2 Legal Capacity

You represent and warrant that you have the legal capacity and authority to enter into these Terms.

If you use the Services on behalf of an organization, educational institution, company, or other entity, you represent and warrant that you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

1.3 Compliance with Laws

You agree to use the Services in compliance with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations, including laws governing intellectual property, data protection, and nonprofit use restrictions.

1.4 Non-Sanctioned Use

You may not access or use the Services if you are subject to economic sanctions or located in a jurisdiction where access to the Services would violate U.S. law or other applicable regulations.

2. Lecture Content Licensing (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Certain lecture materials, courses, and related educational content made available through the Services (the "Lecture Content") are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution–Non-Commercial–ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

You may review the full legal terms of this license at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode.en

The following is a summary of key terms of this license for convenience only. In the event of any conflict, the official Creative Commons license terms shall control.

2.1 Permitted Uses

Subject to non-commercial use and attribution, explained by the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license, you may:

Copy and redistribute the Lecture Content in any medium or format;
Adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the Lecture Content.

These rights are granted on a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free basis.

2.2 Attribution Requirement

"Attribution" (BY) means that you must give appropriate credit to Pearl Street Studio and associated contributors when using or referencing Lecture Content.

Attribution must:

Identify Pearl Street Studio as the source;
Identify the contributors who created the Lecture Content;
Include the title of the course and lecture (if applicable);
Provide a link to the original material (if available);
Include a reference to the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license;
Indicate if changes were made.

An example of proper attribution is:

Course: "Introduction to the Electricity Industry," Lecture: "Grid Components: Transmission Lines" by Pearl Street Studio (Alessia K. Levante), available at https://pearlstreetstudio.org/introduction-to-the-electricity-industry, is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

You may adapt the attribution format as appropriate for the medium, provided that the above elements are included where reasonably practicable.

2.3 Non-Commercial Use

"Non-Commercial" (or "NC") means that you may not use the Lecture Content for purposes intended for or directed toward commercial advantage or monetary compensation.

Without limiting the foregoing, the following activities are considered commercial use and are not permitted without a separate written license from Pearl Street Studio:

The sale, licensing, or monetization of Lecture Content or derivative works;
Use of Lecture Content in paid courses, training programs, or subscription-based services;
Placement of advertisements, sponsorships, promotions, or other revenue-generating content in connection with Lecture Content;
Hosting Lecture Content on websites, platforms, or applications that display advertising, sponsored content, or promotional materials, including but not limited to banner advertisements, embedded ads, or pop-up advertisements;
Use of Lecture Content to promote or market products, services, or commercial activities;
Any use by a for-profit entity that is primarily intended to support revenue-generating operations;
Any use by a nonprofit organization as part of a paid training program, certification, or fee-based educational offering.

The presence of Lecture Content on a platform, website, or service that generates revenue through advertising, sponsorships, subscriptions, or other commercial mechanisms may be considered a commercial use, even if access to the Lecture Content itself is provided without charge.

If you are uncertain whether a particular use is permitted, you must obtain written permission from Pearl Street Studio prior to use. If you wish to use Lecture Content for commercial purposes, you must obtain a separate written commercial license from Pearl Street Studio.

Pearl Street Studio reserves the right to determine, in its reasonable discretion, whether a particular use qualifies as Non-Commercial under these Terms.

Requests for commercial licensing may be submitted through our Contact page. Fees for commercial licenses will support the continued development of educational content in furtherance of our nonprofit mission. Any fees collected for commercial licenses are used to support Pearl Street Studio's exempt purposes and will be structured to preserve its tax-exempt status.

2.4 Share-Alike Requirement

"Share-Alike" (or "SA") means that if you remix, transform, or build upon the Lecture Content, you must distribute your contributions under the same license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

You may not apply additional legal terms or technological measures that restrict others from exercising the rights granted under the license.

2.5 No Additional Rights Granted

The Creative Commons license applies only to Lecture Content explicitly designated as licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

It does not apply to:

Pearl Street Studio's name, logo, or trademarks;
Website design, software, or platform features;
Third-party content;
Materials designated as "all rights reserved."

2.6 No Warranties

Lecture Content is provided under the Creative Commons license on an "as is" basis without warranties of any kind, consistent with the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

2.7 Educational Purpose

Lecture Content is provided for educational and informational purposes only in furtherance of Pearl Street Studio's charitable mission. Nothing in the license or in the Lecture Content constitutes legal, financial, engineering, regulatory, or other professional advice.

3. User Accounts (Future)

3.1 Future Account Functionality

Pearl Street Studio does not require user accounts to access educational materials. However, we will be introducing account registration features for learners ("Users"), including access to discussion channels, live interview sessions, saved materials, subscription services, or other interactive features (collectively, "Account Services"). This section governs any Account Services when they become available.

3.2 Account Registration and Security

When Account Services become available, you will be able to create an account by providing accurate, current, and complete information.

You are responsible for safeguarding your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to notify Pearl Street Studio promptly of any unauthorized use of your account or breach of security via our Contact page or accounts@pearlstreetstudio.org.

3.3 Professional and Educational Integrity

You agree that any account use will:

Be truthful and professional;
Not misrepresent credentials, affiliations, or professional experience;
Not impersonate another individual or organization; and
Not use the platform for commercial solicitation unrelated to our mission.

3.4 Suspension, Termination, and Deactivation

Pearl Street Studio may suspend or terminate accounts or restrict access to Account Services consistent with our charitable and educational mission, including for violations of these Terms or violations of our Community Guidelines.

When Account Services become available, you may request account deactivation by emailing accounts@pearlstreetstudio.org. We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate nonprofit operational purposes, consistent with our Privacy Policy.

4. Library Content and Third-Party Educational Materials

Pearl Street Studio provides a curated "Library" of recommended textbooks, books, academic papers, white papers, and other third-party materials (collectively, "Library Materials") to support education and professional development within the electricity industry.

4.1 Educational Purpose Only

Library Materials are selected by Pearl Street Studio contributors and are provided solely for educational and informational purposes in furtherance of Pearl Street Studio's charitable mission. Library Materials are selected and reviewed consistent with Pearl Street Studio's conflict of interest policies and to avoid private inurement or undue private benefit.

The inclusion of any Library Materials does not constitute legal, financial, engineering, regulatory, investment, or other professional advice.

4.2 No Endorsement or Verification

The inclusion of any book, paper, or other material in the Library:

Does not constitute endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the author, publisher, institution, or viewpoints expressed;
Does not represent that Pearl Street Studio has independently verified the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the material;
Does not indicate agreement with any conclusions, methodologies, or policy positions presented.

Library Materials may reflect a range of perspectives, methodologies, and analytical approaches.

4.3 Third-Party Content and Opinions

All statements, opinions, analyses, conclusions, and representations contained in Library Materials are solely those of the respective authors and do not reflect the views of Pearl Street Studio, its directors, officers, contributors, or affiliates.

Pearl Street Studio is not responsible for:

The accuracy or completeness of third-party content;
Errors or omissions in such materials;
The continued availability of such materials;
Any reliance placed on such materials by users.

4.4 No Professional or Investment Reliance

Library Materials may include discussions of:

Electricity markets and pricing
Regulatory frameworks
Engineering practices
Financial or investment considerations
Environmental and policy issues

Such discussions are provided for general educational purposes only.

You should not rely on Library Materials as a substitute for:

Professional engineering advice
Legal or regulatory counsel
Financial or investment advice
Compliance guidance

You are solely responsible for independently evaluating any third-party materials before relying on them in professional, commercial, or operational contexts.

4.5 Intellectual Property

Library Materials are owned by their respective authors, publishers, or rights holders.

Pearl Street Studio does not claim ownership of third-party materials and provides references or links for informational purposes only. Users are responsible for complying with applicable copyright and licensing requirements when accessing or using such materials.

4.6 Evolving Content and Industry Context

The electricity industry is dynamic, and regulatory frameworks, market rules, technologies, and best practices evolve over time.

Library Materials may:

Become outdated;
Reflect conditions at the time of publication;
Not reflect current laws, regulations, or market conditions.

Pearl Street Studio makes no representation that Library Materials are current or applicable to present-day circumstances.

4.7 External Links and Access

Access to Library Materials may require:

Purchase from third-party vendors
Subscription access
Institutional credentials

Pearl Street Studio is not responsible for third-party platforms, pricing, access restrictions, or availability.

5. Privacy Policy and Supplemental Terms

5.1 Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to Pearl Street Studio. Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, process, store, and protect information obtained through your use of the Services.

The Privacy Policy explains, among other things:

What information we collect (such as contact information, account information if applicable, usage data, and communications);
How we use that information to operate, improve, and support our educational mission;
How and where information is stored and processed, including processing in the United States;
How we may share information with service providers or as required by law;
Your choices and rights regarding personal information; and
How we safeguard data using reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures.

The Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Terms by reference and forms part of this agreement.

5.2 Supplemental Terms

Certain features may be subject to additional terms, guidelines, or policies ("Supplemental Terms"), including for:

Account enrollment
Course enrollment or certification programs;
Live interviews, webinars, or events;
Contributor participation and content submissions;
Donations and payment processing;
Subscription-based features (if offered);
Community participation or discussion features.

In the event of a conflict between these Terms and any Supplemental Terms, the Supplemental Terms will control for the specific feature to which they apply.

5.3 Updates

We may update the Privacy Policy and Supplemental Terms from time to time. Updates will be posted with a revised effective date. Continued use of the Services after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policies.

5.4 Separate Agreements for Volunteers and Contributors

These Terms of Use govern access to and use of the Services. Individuals who serve as volunteers, contributors, or participants in Pearl Street Studio programs may also be subject to separate written agreements governing those roles. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and any such separate agreement, the terms of the separate agreement shall control with respect to the subject matter of that agreement.

6. Donations and Subscriptions (as applicable)

Pearl Street Studio may accept donations or offer subscription-based or paid services in the future.

6.1 Tax Deductibility

Donations to Pearl Street Studio are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Pearl Street Studio is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We will provide contemporaneous written acknowledgments for all donations as required by applicable law.

6.2 Use of Funds

All funds received are used to support Pearl Street Studio's charitable and educational mission.

6.3 Refund Policy

Donations are generally non-refundable unless otherwise required by law or stated at the time of the donation.

6.4 Recurring Donations and Subscriptions

If recurring donations or subscriptions are offered, you will be presented with clear and conspicuous disclosure of billing terms, including frequency and amount, prior to enrollment; you must provide affirmative consent before recurring charges are applied; you may cancel at any time through a simple and accessible mechanism; and renewal reminders will be provided where required by law.

6.5 State Law Disclosures

Pearl Street Studio will comply with applicable charitable solicitation and consumer protection laws, including required state-level disclosures where applicable.

7. International Use

Pearl Street Studio operates the Services in the United States. The Services are controlled, operated, and administered from within the United States.

Although educational materials may be accessible internationally, we make no representation that the Services are appropriate, available, or compliant with the laws of every jurisdiction.

By accessing or using the Services from outside the United States, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

7.1 Responsibility for Local Compliance

You are solely responsible for ensuring that your access to and use of the Services complies with all applicable laws and professional standards in your jurisdiction, including laws relating to online content distribution, consumer protection, data privacy and cross-border transfers, professional licensing, and sanctions/trade restrictions.

7.2 Data Processing in the United States

If you access the Services from outside the United States, you acknowledge and agree that your information—including personal information, account information (if applicable), usage data, communications, and user-generated content—will be collected, transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. This transfer is necessary to provide the Services to you in accordance with these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

7.3 Additional Consumer Rights

If you are located in a jurisdiction that provides mandatory consumer protections or non-waivable statutory rights, including California residents, nothing in these Terms is intended to limit or exclude those rights to the extent prohibited by law.

7.4 Geographic Restrictions and Circumvention

We may restrict or limit access to certain Services or features based on geographic location, legal requirements, or operational considerations. You agree not to use VPNs, proxy servers, anonymization tools, IP spoofing techniques, or other measures to misrepresent your location or circumvent access restrictions.

7.5 Export Controls and Sanctions

The Services are subject to U.S. export control and economic sanctions laws. You may not access or use the Services in violation of applicable U.S. laws or regulations administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of Commerce. You represent and warrant that you are not located in a country subject to U.S. embargoes and are not listed on any U.S. government restricted party list.

7.6 No Creation of Local Regulatory Presence

Accessing the Services from outside the United States does not create a local business presence or any regulated advisory, engineering, legal, or financial services relationship. All content is provided solely for educational and informational purposes.

8. Proprietary Materials and "All Rights Reserved"

8.1 Ownership of Platform Content

Unless expressly stated otherwise, all content made available through the Services—including but not limited to written materials, summaries, graphics, visual elements, design, branding, logos, software, website functionality, and other materials (collectively, "Platform Content")—is owned by Pearl Street Studio or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

The name "Pearl Street Studio," associated logos, trademarks, and branding elements are proprietary and may not be used without prior written permission.

8.2 Reference to Creative Commons License

Unless expressly stated otherwise, any reference in these Terms to "Creative Commons," "Creative Commons License," or "CC" shall mean the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

Where content is made available under a Creative Commons license, such content will be explicitly identified as such. In the absence of such designation, the content shall be considered subject to the "all rights reserved" provisions set forth in this Section 8.

8.3 All Rights Reserved

This means that you may not, without prior written permission from Pearl Street Studio or the applicable rights holder:

Copy, reproduce, distribute, or publicly display such content;
Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works;
Use such content for commercial or non-commercial purposes beyond what is permitted under applicable law (e.g., fair use).

8.4 Third-Party Content

The Services may include content owned by third parties ("Third-Party Content"), including but not limited to books, articles, research papers, images, or other materials.

All Third-Party Content remains the property of its respective owners and is subject to the terms and conditions imposed by those owners.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, Third-Party Content is also provided on an "all rights reserved" basis. You are solely responsible for complying with any applicable third-party licenses, permissions, or usage restrictions.

8.5 No Implied Licenses

No rights or licenses are granted to you by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, except for those rights expressly granted:

Under a Creative Commons license (where explicitly indicated); or
Through a separate written agreement with Pearl Street Studio.

8.6 Commercial and Other Licensed Use

Any use of Platform Content or Third-Party Content beyond what is expressly permitted under these Terms requires a separate written agreement with Pearl Street Studio or the applicable rights holder.

Pearl Street Studio may, in its sole discretion, grant licenses for certain uses, including commercial or institutional applications, subject to written terms and applicable fees.

8.7 Reservation of Rights

All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved by Pearl Street Studio and its licensors.

9. User Content and License Grant

9.1 User Content

"User Content" means any content you post, submit, upload, transmit, or otherwise make available through the Services (including written submissions, comments, discussion posts, assignments, research summaries, audio/video recordings, interview participation, contributor materials, and feedback).

9.2 Ownership of User Content

You retain ownership of intellectual property rights you hold in User Content. Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of your User Content to Pearl Street Studio.

9.3 License Grant

By posting, submitting, or distributing User Content on or through the Services, you grant Pearl Street Studio a worldwide, non-exclusive, transferable, assignable, fully paid-up, sublicensable, and royalty-free right and license to host, transfer, display, perform, reproduce, distribute, publish, prepare derivative works of, adapt, modify, translate, use, make, have made, import, and otherwise exploit your User Content (in whole or in part), in any media formats and through any media channels now known or later developed, to the extent consistent with applicable law and our Privacy Policy.

This includes the right to edit for formatting/clarity/accessibility, incorporate content into educational materials and nonprofit programming, archive for recordkeeping, and use excerpts for mission-related communications.

This license is perpetual and irrevocable, except to the extent required to comply with applicable privacy or data protection laws relating to personal information.

9.4 Educational and Mission-Based Use

The license granted herein allows Pearl Street Studio to use User Content in furtherance of its nonprofit educational mission. Pearl Street Studio is not obligated to publish or use any User Content.

9.5 Your Assurances

By submitting User Content, you represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights and permissions to grant the above license and that your submission complies with applicable law and these Terms. If you are submitting User Content on behalf of a minor, you represent that you have obtained all necessary parental or guardian consents.

9.6 Removal

Pearl Street Studio may review, remove, edit, or decline to publish User Content that violates these Terms, infringes third-party rights, is unlawful, or undermines the educational environment. Where required by law, users may request deletion or modification of personal information consistent with the Privacy Policy. Deletion of information can be requested at privacy@pearlstreetstudio.org or at accounts@pearlstreetstudio.org if it is information related to a specific account.

9.7 Feedback

If you provide feedback, you grant Pearl Street Studio a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free right to use and incorporate it without compensation.

10. Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") Policy

Pearl Street Studio respects intellectual property rights and expects users to do the same. In accordance with the DMCA, 17 U.S.C. § 512, we respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement.

DMCA notices should be sent to our designated agent:

Email: violations@pearlstreetstudio.org

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 68

Lafayette, CA 94549

A valid notice should include:

A physical or electronic signature;
Identification of the copyrighted work (or a representative list if multiple works);
Identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location (e.g., URL);
Your name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address;
A statement that you have a good faith belief that use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
A statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorized to act.

Upon receipt of a valid DMCA notice, Pearl Street Studio may promptly remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material, notify the user who posted the material (if applicable), and take reasonable steps consistent with the DMCA, including terminating repeat infringers where appropriate.

A counter-notification may be submitted consistent with the DMCA, including:

Identification of the removed material and its prior location;
A statement under penalty of perjury that removal was due to mistake or misidentification;
Contact information; and
Consent to jurisdiction as required by the DMCA.

If a valid counter-notification is received, we may restore the removed content in accordance with the timelines set forth in the DMCA unless the original complainant files a court action.

Any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material is infringing (or was removed by mistake) may be subject to liability under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.

11. Prohibited Conduct

You agree that you will not access or use the Services in any manner that violates these Terms, applicable law, or the integrity of Pearl Street Studio's educational mission. The code of conduct is also explained in the Community Guidelines.

Without limiting the foregoing, you agree that you will not:

11.1 Unlawful or Unauthorized Use

Use the Services in violation of any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation;
Use the Services in connection with any fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful activity;
Use the Services in violation of export control or economic sanctions laws.

11.2 Intellectual Property Violations

Copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from Platform Content except as expressly permitted under these Terms or applicable licenses;
Use Lecture Content or other materials in violation of Creative Commons licensing terms;
Remove, obscure, or alter copyright, trademark, or attribution notices;
Misrepresent the source or ownership of any content.

11.3 Misuse of Educational Content

Present educational materials as personalized professional advice (including engineering, legal, regulatory, or financial advice);
Use content in safety-critical, regulatory, or operational environments without independent verification;
Misrepresent Pearl Street Studio content as official regulatory guidance or professional certification;
Use content in a manner that is misleading, deceptive, or likely to cause harm.

11.4 Circumvention of Restrictions

Attempt to bypass or circumvent any technical, geographic, subscription, or access restrictions;
Use virtual private networks (VPNs), proxy servers, anonymization tools, IP spoofing, or other methods to evade restrictions;
Access the Services from jurisdictions where such access is prohibited.

11.5 Interference with the Services

Interfere with or disrupt the operation, security, or functionality of the Services;
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems, accounts, or data;
Introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful code;
Engage in denial-of-service attacks or similar conduct.

11.6 Data Scraping and Automated Use

Use automated systems (including bots, crawlers, scrapers, or data-mining tools) to access, extract, or collect content or data from the Services without prior written permission;
Systematically download or harvest content for the purpose of creating competing products or services;
Use the Services to train machine learning or artificial intelligence systems without express written authorization from Pearl Street Studio.

11.7 Misrepresentation and Impersonation

Impersonate any person or entity, including a Pearl Street Studio representative, contributor, or another user;
Misrepresent your identity, credentials, affiliations, or professional qualifications;
Falsely imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation with Pearl Street Studio.

11.8 Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct

Engage in harassment, intimidation, or abusive behavior toward contributors, users, or staff;
Post or transmit defamatory, obscene, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate content;
Disrupt educational discussions or undermine the integrity of the learning environment.

11.9 Commercial Misuse

Use the Services or Lecture Content in violation of the Non-Commercial licensing restrictions;
Sell, sublicense, or commercially exploit Platform Content without authorization;
Use the Services to promote or advertise products or services without permission.

11.10 Violation of Third-Party Rights or Obligations

Upload or share content that violates third-party intellectual property, confidentiality, or contractual obligations;
Participate in the Services in violation of your employer's policies, regulatory obligations, or professional duties;
Disclose confidential or proprietary information without authorization.

11.11 Abuse of Platform Integrity

Attempt to manipulate, misrepresent, or misuse content in a way that undermines Pearl Street Studio's educational mission;
Engage in conduct that could damage the reputation, neutrality, or credibility of Pearl Street Studio;
Use the Services to spread knowingly false or misleading information.

11.12 Enforcement

Pearl Street Studio reserves the right, in its sole discretion and consistent with its charitable mission, to:

Suspend or terminate access to the Services;
Remove or restrict access to content;
Take appropriate legal action where necessary.

Enforcement may occur without prior notice where required to protect the integrity, security, or operation of the Services.

12. Third-Party Sites, Products, Services, and Links

The Services may contain links to third-party websites, products, services, or resources not owned or controlled by Pearl Street Studio ("Third-Party Services"). These may include academic publishers, journals, regulatory or government websites, market operators, educational institutions, payment processors, event hosting platforms, software tools, and external research materials.

Pearl Street Studio does not control and is not responsible for Third-Party Services, including their content, accuracy, legality, availability, or practices. Links do not imply endorsement unless expressly stated.

Your use of Third-Party Services is at your own risk and subject to their terms and privacy policies. Pearl Street Studio is not liable for losses arising from third-party content, transactions, data practices, or platform availability/security.

If Pearl Street Studio includes sponsor acknowledgements or testimonials in the future, such content will be identified and will not constitute endorsements. Any material relationships shall be disclosed as required by law.

13. Disclaimer of Professional Advice

Pearl Street Studio provides educational content for informational purposes only in furtherance of its charitable and educational mission.

The Services—including lectures, written materials, research summaries, podcasts, interviews, commentary, and other resources—are intended to support learning and professional development within the electricity industry. They are not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, engineering, financial, regulatory, investment, compliance, tax, or other professional advice.

No professional-client relationship is created by your use of the Services.

The electricity industry is complex and highly regulated. Decisions relating to engineering design, grid operations, market participation, regulatory compliance, environmental obligations, investment strategies, or policy interpretation should be made only after consultation with qualified professionals licensed or authorized in the relevant jurisdiction.

While Pearl Street Studio strives to provide accurate and thoughtfully developed educational materials, we do not warrant that the information provided is complete, current, error-free, or applicable to any specific situation. Industry regulations, market rules, and technical standards may change over time and may vary by jurisdiction.

You assume full responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided through the Services.

14. Warranty Disclaimers

14.1 "As Is," "As Available," and "With All Faults"

The Services, website, lecture materials, course content, research summaries, podcasts, user content, third-party content, third-party websites, applications, software, downloadable materials, data, and all information made available through or in connection with the Services (collectively, the "Offerings") are provided on an "as is," "as available," and "with all faults" basis.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Pearl Street Studio and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, contributors, affiliates, licensors, and service providers (collectively, the "Pearl Street Studio Parties") make no warranties or representations of any kind, whether express, implied, statutory, or otherwise.

Without limiting the foregoing, the Pearl Street Studio Parties do not warrant that the Offerings:

Will meet your requirements or expectations;
Will be suitable for any particular professional, engineering, regulatory, financial, or commercial purpose;
Will be timely, secure, accurate, complete, or reliable;
Will be uninterrupted or error-free;
Will be free from viruses, malware, or other harmful components;
Will be corrected if defects are identified.

14.2 Use at Your Own Risk

You understand and agree that your access to and use of the Offerings, including any download, streaming, API access, or other obtaining of content, software, or data, is at your own discretion and risk.

You are solely responsible for any damage to your computer system, network, data, or other property that results from your use of the Services or from downloading or accessing materials through the Services.

14.3 No Implied Warranties

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Pearl Street Studio Parties disclaim all warranties and conditions of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, including but not limited to:

Implied warranties of merchantability;
Fitness for a particular purpose;
Non-infringement;
Title;
Accuracy;
Quality;
Performance;
Availability;
Satisfactory quality.

14.4 Educational Context

Pearl Street Studio operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Offerings are designed to support education and professional development within the electricity industry.

The Offerings are not warranted to be suitable for regulatory compliance, engineering implementation, financial decision-making, policy interpretation, or operational deployment. Users are responsible for independently verifying information before relying on it in any real-world application.

14.5 Jurisdictional Limitations

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties. To the extent that applicable law prohibits the exclusion of specific warranties, such warranties are limited to the minimum scope and duration permitted by law.

15. Limitation of Liability and Damages

15.1 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, under no circumstances shall Pearl Street Studio or its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, contributors, affiliates, licensors, or service providers (collectively, the "Pearl Street Studio Parties") be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, punitive, reliance, or business interruption damages, including without limitation:

Lost profits;
Lost revenue;
Loss of data;
Loss of business opportunity;
Loss of goodwill;
Regulatory penalties;
Engineering, operational, or market losses; or
Any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary loss

arising out of or relating to:

(i) these Terms;
(ii) your access to, use of, or inability to use the Services or any Offerings;
(iii) your reliance on educational materials;
(iv) your interactions with other users or third parties through the Services; or
(v) any content made available through the Services,

even if Pearl Street Studio has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. In such jurisdictions, liability shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Nothing in this section limits or excludes liability to the extent such limitation or exclusion is prohibited by applicable law.

15.2 Limitation of Damages (Aggregate Cap)

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the total aggregate liability of the Pearl Street Studio Parties for all claims arising out of or relating to the Services or these Terms, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), warranty, statute, or otherwise, shall not exceed the total amount paid by you to Pearl Street Studio, if any, during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

If you access the Services on behalf of an organization, educational institution, or company, the aggregate cap shall be measured by the total amount paid by that organization during the preceding twelve (12) months and shall apply collectively to all claims brought by you and that organization.

15.3 Basis of the Bargain

You acknowledge and agree that Pearl Street Studio has made the Services available, including free and low-cost educational content, in reliance upon the disclaimers and limitations of liability set forth in these Terms.

You further acknowledge that these disclaimers and limitations reflect a reasonable and fair allocation of risk between you and Pearl Street Studio and form an essential basis of the agreement between the parties.

Pearl Street Studio would not be able to provide the Services on an educational and nonprofit basis without these limitations.

15.4 User Interactions and Release

15.4.1 User Interactions

Pearl Street Studio is not responsible for the conduct, content, or actions of users or third parties. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users and any third parties with whom you interact through the Services.

We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to monitor, mediate, or become involved in disputes between users.

15.4.2 Release

If you have a dispute with one or more users or third parties arising out of or relating to the Services, you release Pearl Street Studio and the Pearl Street Studio Parties from any and all claims, demands, and damages (both actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes.

If you are a resident of California, you waive California Civil Code § 1542, which provides:

"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 would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor."

If you are not a California resident, you waive any similar protections under applicable law to the fullest extent permitted. Nothing in this Section limits or excludes liability where such limitation or exclusion is prohibited by applicable law, including non-waivable consumer protections.

16. Representations and Warranties

By accessing or using the Services, you represent and warrant that:

16.1 Authority and Capacity

You have the legal capacity and authority to enter into these Terms. If you are using the Services on behalf of an organization, company, educational institution, or other entity, you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

16.2 Compliance with Law

Your use of the Services will comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations.

You will not use the Services in violation of export control, sanctions, or trade restrictions.
You will not use the Services in a manner that violates professional licensing, regulatory, or compliance obligations applicable to you.

16.3 Accurate Information

Any information you provide to Pearl Street Studio is accurate, current, and complete.
You will not misrepresent your identity, credentials, affiliations, or professional qualifications.
You will not impersonate any person or entity.

16.4 Intellectual Property Rights

With respect to any User Content you submit:

You own or have secured all necessary rights to submit the content.
Your content does not infringe, misappropriate, or violate any third-party intellectual property rights.
Your content does not violate confidentiality obligations, contractual restrictions, or proprietary rights of any employer or third party.

16.5 Professional and Educational Integrity

You agree that you will not:

Present educational materials as personalized professional advice or misuse course materials in regulated or safety-critical environments without proper independent verification.
Use the Services in a manner that undermines their educational purpose or disrupts the integrity of the learning environment.

16.6 No Reliance Beyond Educational Purpose

You acknowledge that the Services are provided solely for educational and informational purposes and that you will not rely on the Services as a substitute for professional advice or regulatory compliance guidance.

16.7 Non-Circumvention

You represent and warrant that you will not circumvent geographic, technical, subscription, or access controls, including by using VPNs, proxy servers, or similar tools to evade restrictions imposed by Pearl Street Studio.

16.8 No Harmful Conduct

You agree that you will not introduce malicious code, viruses, or harmful technology, attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Services, or interfere with the operation or security of the platform.

17. Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Pearl Street Studio, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, contributors, affiliates, licensors, service providers, and agents (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal costs) arising out of or relating to:

Your access to or use of the Services, including any reliance on educational materials;
Any User Content you submit, post, or distribute;
Your breach of these Terms, including your representations and warranties;
Your violation of any applicable law, regulation, or professional standard;
Any engineering, operational, regulatory, financial, or compliance decisions you make based on or in connection with the Services; or
Your interactions, agreements, or transactions with third parties arising from your use of the Services.

Pearl Street Studio reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you. In such event, you agree to cooperate fully in the defense of such claim.

This indemnification obligation will survive termination of these Terms and your use of the Services.

18. Modification of the Terms

Pearl Street Studio reserves the right to modify, update, or revise these Terms at any time in its sole discretion, consistent with its charitable and educational mission.

If we make changes, we will post the revised Terms on the website and update the "Effective Date" at the top of the document. Changes will become effective upon posting unless otherwise stated.

For material changes that significantly affect user rights or obligations, we may provide additional notice, such as by posting a prominent notice on the website or, when accounts are available in the future, by sending notification to registered users.

Your continued access to or use of the Services after the updated Terms become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must discontinue use of the Services.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, modifications will not apply retroactively to disputes that arose prior to the effective date of the revised Terms unless required by law.

19. Term and Termination

19.1 Term

These Terms become effective on the date you first access or use the Services and remain in effect for as long as you continue to access or use the Services. When user accounts are introduced in the future, these Terms remain in effect for as long as your account remains active or you continue to access the Services.

19.2 Termination by You

You may stop using the Services at any time. When account functionality becomes available, you may request account deactivation by contacting us at privacy@pearlstreetstudio.org, subject to any applicable Supplemental Terms.

Termination of your use of the Services does not relieve you of obligations incurred prior to termination, including obligations relating to intellectual property, license grants, indemnification, or payment (if applicable).

19.3 Termination or Suspension by Pearl Street Studio

Pearl Street Studio may suspend, restrict, or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without notice, if:

You violate these Terms;
You engage in unlawful, fraudulent, or abusive conduct;
Your actions pose a risk to the integrity, security, or operation of the Services;
You infringe intellectual property rights;
Your conduct undermines the educational mission or professional environment of Pearl Street Studio; or
We are required to do so by law.

We may also modify, suspend, or discontinue all or part of the Services at any time without liability.

19.4 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

Your right to access and use the Services will immediately cease;
Any licenses granted to you under these Terms will terminate, except for rights granted under applicable Creative Commons licenses that are irrevocable under their terms;
Pearl Street Studio may remove or disable access to User Content, subject to applicable law and our Privacy Policy.

19.5 Survival

Provisions that by their nature should survive termination will survive, including:

User Content and License Grant;
Proprietary Materials and Licenses;
Disclaimer of Professional Advice;
Warranty Disclaimers;
Limitation of Liability and Damages;
Indemnification;
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution; and
Any other provisions intended to survive.

20. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

20.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any claim, dispute, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services (collectively, a "Dispute") shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply.

20.2 Exclusive Venue

You agree that any Dispute shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of California. You and Pearl Street Studio consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objection based on improper venue or forum non conveniens.

20.3 Informal Resolution

Before initiating a legal proceeding, the parties agree to make a good faith effort to resolve any dispute informally. This provision shall apply only to the extent permitted by applicable law and shall not prevent either party from seeking immediate relief where necessary.

You agree to provide written notice of the Dispute to Pearl Street Studio via our Contact page or contact@pearlstreetstudio.org, including:

Your name and contact information;
A description of the issue; and
The relief you are seeking.

The parties agree to attempt informal resolution for at least thirty (30) days before initiating litigation, unless immediate injunctive relief is required.

20.4 Time Limitation on Claims

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any Dispute must be filed within one (1) year after the claim arises; provided that this limitation shall not apply where prohibited by applicable law or to claims subject to non-waivable statutory rights. If a claim is not filed within that time period, it is permanently barred.

21. Miscellaneous

21.1 Notices

Pearl Street Studio may provide notices to you regarding these Terms or the Services by email, postings on the website, or other reasonable means.

Unless otherwise specified:

Notices sent by email will be deemed given twenty-four (24) hours after transmission, unless we receive notice that the email address is invalid.
Notices posted on the website will be deemed given thirty (30) days after initial posting.

Notices to Pearl Street Studio must be sent by email to: contact@pearlstreetstudio.org

21.2 Waiver

The failure of Pearl Street Studio to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Pearl Street Studio.

21.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

21.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without the prior written consent of Pearl Street Studio. Pearl Street Studio may assign these Terms without restriction, including in connection with a merger, reorganization, or transfer of assets. Any attempted assignment in violation of this section is void.

21.5 Headings

Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these Terms.

21.6 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any Supplemental Terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and Pearl Street Studio regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements or understandings.

These Terms may only be modified as provided in the Modification of the Terms section or through written agreement signed by an authorized representative of Pearl Street Studio.

21.7 Disclosures / Contact

The Services are hosted in the United States and are offered by:

Email: contact@pearlstreetstudio.org