Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the New York Appraisal Association website (the "Site") and our certification, verification, and related services (collectively, the "Services"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not access or use the Site or Services.

2. Description of Services

The New York Appraisal Association ("NYAA," "we," or "us") provides watch and jewelry examination, authentication, grading, and valuation services. We issue numbered certificates stating authenticity, condition, gemmological findings, and appraised value based on the examination described in our published standards. A certificate states findings as of the examination date. It is not a guarantee of future value, a warranty of the item, a representation of title or ownership, and it does not substitute for the manufacturer's own documentation. Our services do not replace the advice of a qualified jeweler, gemologist, or legal professional. You are advised to consult with appropriate professionals before purchasing, selling, insuring, or otherwise transacting with any item.

3. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site, including text, graphics, logos, images, certificate designs, and the arrangement thereof, is the property of the New York Appraisal Association and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. The name "New York Appraisal Association," the NYAA seal, and report format are trademarks of NYAA. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works of any Site content without our express written permission. The public register on the Site is provided for verification of certificate numbers only; automated scraping, bulk querying, or systematic retrieval of register data is prohibited.

4. User Conduct

You agree not to: (a) use the Site for any unlawful purpose; (b) submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information through any form on the Site; (c) interfere with or disrupt the Site, servers, or networks connected to the Site; (d) attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site, including the certificate register, through hacking, password mining, or any other means; (e) use any automated means to access, scrape, or index any portion of the Site without our prior written consent; (f) impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity; (g) post or transmit any material that contains viruses, malware, or harmful code.

5. Submissions

When you submit an item for examination or send any communication to us, you represent that the item is owned by you or that you have the owner's full authority to submit it. You agree that findings stated in our reports are determined solely by our examination process and published standards. We do not modify findings at a submitter's request. We reserve the right to decline any submission for any reason.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the New York Appraisal Association and its officers, employees, examiners, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill, arising out of or in connection with (a) your use or inability to use the Site or Services; (b) any certificate, report, or finding issued by us; (c) any conduct or content of any third party on the Site; or (d) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data. Our total liability for any claim arising out of these Terms or the Services shall not exceed the fees paid by you for the specific service giving rise to the claim, or fifty dollars ($50) if no such fees were paid.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or accuracy of information. We do not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free, or that any defects will be corrected. Certificate findings are based on examination at a point in time using the instruments and methods described in our published standards. We do not warrant that all counterfeits, treatments, or alterations will be detected in every case.

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the New York Appraisal Association and its officers, employees, examiners, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in any way connected with (a) your access to or use of the Site and Services; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any third-party right, including any intellectual property or privacy right; or (d) any claim that your submission caused damage to a third party.

9. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by the New York Appraisal Association. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. You acknowledge and agree that NYAA shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of any such content, goods, or services available on or through any third-party websites.

10. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New York County, New York, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.

11. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be posted on this page and the effective date will be revised. By continuing to access or use the Site and Services after any revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the new Terms, you must stop using the Site and Services.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms should be sent to:

New York Appraisal Association
20 West 47th Street, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10036
EML legal@nyappraisalsassociation.com