Terms of Service
Effective Date: December 7, 2024
Welcome to 3DCarParts.org, a platform dedicated to hosting, sharing, aggregating, and distributing 3D-printable car part models. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to these Terms of Service ("TOS"). You must be at least 13 years old to use our services. If you do not agree to these terms or are under 13, please do not use our services.
1. User Responsibilities
1.1 Accurate Information
- Users must provide accurate and complete information during registration.
- Users are responsible for maintaining the security of their accounts.
1.2 Legal Compliance
- Users must comply with all applicable laws and regulations when uploading, downloading, or sharing content.
- Users outside the U.S. are responsible for ensuring compliance with their local laws when accessing and using 3DCarParts.org.
- 3DCarParts.org is not responsible for any legal disputes arising from user-uploaded content.
1.3 Content Ownership
- Users retain ownership of their uploaded content.
- Users must have the legal right to upload, share, and distribute content.
2. Intellectual Property Rights
2.1 User Content
- Users retain full ownership of their uploaded 3D models.
- By uploading, you grant 3DCarParts.org a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:
- Store, display, and distribute the content.
- Promote content within the platform.
- Offer content for free and/or paid downloads where applicable.
- 3DCarParts.org does not verify, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, legality, or usability of any uploaded content.
- Use all files at your own risk.
2.2 Platform Content
- All non-user-generated content (branding, UI, code, and site structure) is owned by 3DCarParts.org or its licensors.
- Users may not copy, distribute, or modify platform elements without permission.
2.3 Trademark & Brand Disclaimer
3DCarParts.org is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any automotive manufacturer. Any references to vehicle makes, models, or brands are for identification purposes only.
All trademarks, brand names, and logos appearing on this platform remain the property of their respective owners. If you believe content on this platform infringes on intellectual property rights, please submit a Takedown Request through our Content Removal Page.
3. Third-Party Content & Aggregation
3.1 Aggregated Content
- We aggregate publicly available 3D models from platforms like Thingiverse® through their official APIs.
- All aggregated content is clearly marked with its source and original creator attribution.
- We only aggregate content licensed under Creative Commons licenses that permit redistribution (CC-BY, CC-BY-SA, CC0).
- Original creators retain all rights to their content.
3.2 Creative Commons Compliance
- Users must respect all Creative Commons license terms when downloading and using content.
- Attribution must be maintained when sharing or modifying CC-licensed content.
- Share-Alike (SA) licensed content requires derivative works to use the same license.
- We do not accept or display content with Non-Commercial (NC) or No-Derivatives (ND) restrictions.
3.3 Content Removal Rights
- Original creators can request removal of their aggregated content at any time.
- Submit removal requests through our Content Removal Form.
- We will process legitimate removal requests within 72 hours.
- Creators can opt-out from future aggregation by contacting api@3dcarparts.org.
4. Prohibited Content
4.1 Forbidden Uploads
Users may not upload content that:
- ❌ Violates copyright, trademark, or intellectual property laws.
- ❌ Safety-critical automotive components (brake systems, steering, suspension, drivetrain, structural/load-bearing parts, engine internals, or safety systems).
- ❌ Contains offensive, harmful, or illegal material.
- ❌ Attempts to distribute malware, spam, or fraudulent content.
4.2 Enforcement
🚨 Violation of these rules may result in:
- Content removal.
- Account suspension or permanent ban.
- Legal action if applicable.
🔗 To report violations or file a takedown request, visit our Content Removal Page.
5. Privacy & Data Security
5.1 Data Collection & Storage
- We collect personal information (name, email) when you register an account.
- We store user-generated content (3D models, comments) you upload to the platform.
- We automatically collect usage data and technical information to improve our services.
- We do not sell user data to third parties.
- For aggregated content, we only store publicly available information necessary for attribution.
5.2 Security Measures
- We implement SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit.
- Sensitive data is encrypted at rest.
- In case of a data breach, we will notify affected users within 72 hours.
- Users must ensure their uploaded content complies with applicable privacy laws.
5.3 Age Requirements
- Our service is intended for users aged 13 and older.
- We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
- If we discover we have collected data from a child under 13, we will delete it immediately.
🔗 For complete details, review our Privacy Policy.
6. Platform Usage Guidelines
6.1 Intended Use
- 3DCarParts.org is exclusively for sharing 3D models of car parts.
- Uploaded models must not exceed 25MB in size.
6.2 Safety & Intended Use
Important: 3DCarParts.org is exclusively for non-critical automotive parts.
- Acceptable parts: Interior trim, cosmetic components, dashboard accessories, console parts, decorative elements, and convenience features.
- Users must not repurpose or modify downloaded designs for safety-critical applications.
- All parts are provided as-is without warranty of fitness for any particular purpose.
- Always consult a professional mechanic for critical vehicle components.
6.3 Community Conduct
- Users must engage respectfully in comments and discussions.
- Hate speech, harassment, and inappropriate content will not be tolerated.
7. User Accounts
7.1 Account Creation & Termination
- Email verification is required to create an account.
- Users may delete their accounts at any time through account settings.
7.2 Violations & Suspensions
- Accounts found in violation of these terms may be suspended or terminated without prior notice.
8. API Usage & Compliance
8.1 API Integration
- We use third-party APIs (including Thingiverse®) in compliance with their terms of service.
- We respect rate limits (300 requests per 5 minutes for Thingiverse).
- We only access publicly available content through authorized API endpoints.
8.2 Attribution Requirements
- All aggregated content maintains proper attribution to original creators.
- Source platforms are clearly identified on aggregated content.
- Direct links to original content are preserved and displayed.
9. Dispute Resolution
9.1 Content Disputes
- Flagged content will be reviewed and removed if it violates these terms.
- Users can file an appeal if they believe content was wrongfully removed.
9.2 Governing Law
- 3DCarParts.org operates under the laws of the State of California.
- Users outside the U.S. are responsible for ensuring compliance with their local laws.
- Any legal disputes will be handled under California jurisdiction.
10. Limitations of Liability
10.1 No Warranty
- 3DCarParts.org does not guarantee platform uptime, availability, or accuracy of user-uploaded content.
10.2 Indemnity
Users agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless 3DCarParts.org and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from:
- Uploaded content
- Use of platform services
- Violation of these terms
11. Disclaimer of Affiliation & Limitation of Liability
11.1 No Affiliation with Manufacturers
- 3DCarParts.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by any car manufacturer or automotive brand.
- Any references to car models, manufacturers, or brand names are solely for the purpose of identifying compatible parts or vehicle-related designs.
11.2 User Responsibility
Users acknowledge that:
- Uploaded 3D models must not contain trademarked logos or branding unless the user owns the rights.
- 3DCarParts.org does not verify or certify compatibility, safety, or legality of user-uploaded files.
- Users assume full responsibility for the use of downloaded files and should ensure their legal compliance with applicable intellectual property laws.
11.3 No Liability for Third-Party Content
🚨 3DCarParts.org is not responsible for intellectual property violations committed by users.
🛑 Users are solely responsible for ensuring that their uploaded content does not infringe on:
- Trademarks (logos, brand names, vehicle badges, etc.).
- Copyrighted material (original designs, marketing images, manuals, etc.).
- Other intellectual property rights (patents, trade dress, or proprietary designs).
3DCarParts.org uses advanced AI tools to assist in content verification before publication. However:
- AI moderation is not perfect—some infringing content may still pass through.
- Users remain fully responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to upload content.
- Detected violations may result in content removal, account suspension, or bans.
We actively monitor for violations and respond promptly to takedown requests. If a rights holder believes their IP has been infringed, they should file a claim through our Content Removal Policy. We take takedown requests seriously and will remove content that violates intellectual property rights.
12. Updates to Terms
- We may update these Terms of Service periodically to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements.
- Significant changes will be announced on our platform with at least 30 days notice.
- Your continued use of 3DCarParts.org after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
- If you disagree with the changes, you may terminate your account before they take effect.
13. Contact Information
For questions or concerns about these Terms of Service:
- General inquiries: Contact Form
- Content removal: Content Removal Form
- API-related matters: api@3dcarparts.org
- Security issues: security@3dcarparts.org
By using 3DCarParts.org, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.