Acceptable Use Policy

Purpose

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") describes permitted and prohibited uses of StokeForge's platform and Services. It applies to all users and supplements our Terms of Service. By accessing or using the Services, you agree to comply with this AUP.

Our goal is to keep the platform safe, reliable, and focused on its intended purpose: helping small and mid-size manufacturers plan better, quote faster, and operate with more confidence.

Permitted Use

You may use the Services to:

• Conduct internal business strategy, planning, and SWOT analysis for your manufacturing operation
• Create, manage, and issue quotes for commercial manufacturing projects
• Monitor and manage production schedules, work orders, and shop floor operations
• Manage supplier relationships and procurement workflows
• Allow authorized employees and contractors within your organization to access features relevant to their role
• Export reports, analyses, and data for internal business use

Prohibited Activities

Illegal or Harmful Activities

• Violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation
• Facilitate or conceal fraud, money laundering, or any financial crime
• Infringe on any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property right
• Defame, harass, threaten, or harm any individual or organization

Unauthorized Access & Security

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any account, system, or network
• Probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Services without explicit written authorization from StokeForge
• Introduce malware, viruses, trojans, or any malicious code
• Conduct denial-of-service attacks or any activity that degrades performance for other users
• Circumvent authentication, access controls, or security measures

Misuse of Platform

• Resell, sublicense, or provide commercial access to the Services to third parties without written consent
• Use automated scripts, bots, or scrapers to extract bulk data from the platform
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Services
• Use the Services to build a competing product or service
• Impersonate another person or entity, or misrepresent your affiliation
• Transmit unsolicited bulk messages or spam

Export Control & ITAR Notice

You may not use StokeForge to store, process, transmit, or share:

• Technical data, drawings, designs, or specifications for defense articles listed on the U.S. Munitions List (USML)
• Controlled technical information subject to EAR export controls
• Classified or sensitive government contract information
• Data subject to DFARS cybersecurity requirements (CMMC, NIST SP 800-171)
• Information whose export or transfer to foreign nationals is restricted under U.S. or international law

If your manufacturing work involves defense contracts, ITAR-controlled designs, or export-controlled technical data, you must use a platform specifically certified for that purpose. Use of StokeForge for such data is a violation of this AUP and may expose you to legal liability.

Data Restrictions

You may not upload or process the following categories of sensitive data through the Services:

• Personal health information (PHI) subject to HIPAA
• Social Security numbers or government identification numbers in bulk
• Biometric data
• Data belonging to individuals under age 18
• Regulated financial account data

StokeForge is designed to handle business operational data — production metrics, cost models, supplier records, strategic plans. Use it for that purpose.

Technical Restrictions

To preserve platform stability and fairness for all users:

• Do not make API calls that materially exceed normal usage patterns or documented rate limits
• Do not attempt to access resources beyond your authorized subscription tier
• Do not modify or remove copyright notices, proprietary markings, or legal notices within the Services
• Do not use the Services in a manner that imposes unreasonable or disproportionate load on our infrastructure

Enforcement

StokeForge reserves the right to investigate suspected violations of this AUP. If we determine that a violation has occurred or is likely, we may, at our sole discretion:

• Remove or disable access to specific content or features
• Suspend your account temporarily pending investigation
• Terminate your subscription immediately without refund
• Report violations to law enforcement or regulatory authorities where required

We will generally attempt to notify you of violations and give you an opportunity to cure, except where immediate action is necessary to protect the platform or other users.

Reporting Violations

If you observe or suspect a violation of this AUP — including unauthorized access, data misuse, or ITAR-related concerns — please report it promptly.

Contact

Questions about this Acceptable Use Policy: