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Terms of Service

Last updated: January 3, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the NIKOLA Chess Engine software, website, and related services (collectively, the "Service") provided by STARGA, Inc. ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

2. Description of Service

NIKOLA is a supercomputer-class chess engine designed for modern data-center GPUs. The Service includes the chess engine software, neural network evaluation components (NNUE), opening book databases, endgame tablebases, and associated documentation. The software is written in Mind Language and utilizes Mind IR for computational operations.

3. License Grant

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

  • Download, install, and use the NIKOLA Chess Engine for personal, non-commercial purposes
  • Use the engine for chess analysis, training, and recreational play
  • Integrate the engine with compatible chess interfaces via the UCI protocol
  • Participate in computer chess tournaments subject to tournament rules

4. Restrictions

You agree not to:

  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the software except as permitted by law
  • Modify, adapt, or create derivative works of the software without authorization
  • Use the Service for any illegal purpose or in violation of any laws
  • Use the engine to cheat in human chess competitions or misrepresent computer analysis as human play
  • Distribute, sublicense, or sell the software without express written permission
  • Remove or alter any proprietary notices, labels, or marks on the software
  • Use the Service to harm, threaten, or harass any person or entity
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers connected to the Service

5. Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by STARGA, Inc. and are protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws. The NIKOLA name, logo, Mind Language, Mind IR, MIC, and MAP are trademarks of STARGA, Inc. The neural network weights, training data, and evaluation algorithms are proprietary and confidential.

6. Open Source Components

Certain components of the Service may be released under open source licenses. Where applicable, the terms of such licenses will govern your use of those specific components. Open source license terms are available in the software repository and documentation.

7. Third-Party Services

The Service may integrate with third-party services such as Lichess, chess databases, and cloud computing platforms. Your use of such third-party services is subject to their respective terms of service and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party services.

8. Data Services

The Service may connect to remote data services for opening book queries, NNUE cache synchronization, and tablebase probing. These data services are provided on an "as available" basis. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue data services at any time without notice.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.

10. Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL STARGA, INC., ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless STARGA, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Service or your violation of these Terms.

12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including without limitation if you breach these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. All provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive.

13. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Delaware.

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be struck and the remaining provisions shall be enforced to the fullest extent under law.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and STARGA, Inc. regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

17. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

STARGA, Inc.
Email: info@star.ga