Terms of Use
Last updated: 2 September 2026
These terms cover the Gomoku - Caro app and its online play service, both made and run by an independent developer. They are short on purpose. Questions go to contact@gomoku.com.
1. Acceptance
By installing or using the app you agree to these terms and to the Privacy Policy. If you are not old enough to agree to terms like these where you live, a parent or guardian must agree for you.
2. License
The app is free. You receive a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use it on devices you own or control, for non-commercial purposes. You may not copy, modify, decompile, reverse-engineer or redistribute the app, or reach the online service through bots, scripts, modified clients or anything other than the unmodified app from the App Store or Google Play.
3. Fair play
Online play only works if people play honestly. You agree not to:
- use engines or any outside help during a rated game;
- disconnect on purpose to dodge a loss or stall an opponent;
- exploit bugs to gain rating or break other people's games;
- use a nickname that is abusive, impersonates someone or contains personal information.
If you do, your rating may be reset and your account blocked from the online service without notice.
4. Online service
The online service is provided as-is and may be unavailable, changed or shut down at any time. The server is the referee: it checks every move and its record of a game is final. If you lose your connection you can reconnect and continue, but a disconnect that is not resolved by reconnecting counts as a loss, the same as running out the clock.
5. Accounts
You are signed in anonymously by default and can optionally link a Google or Apple account so your player code and rating survive a new phone. You are responsible for the account you link and for what is done under your nickname. To delete your account and online data, email contact@gomoku.com; requests are handled within 30 days.
6. Third-party services
Sign-in relies on Firebase (Google LLC); account linking uses Google Sign-In or Sign in with Apple. Your use of those services is also governed by their own terms, and distribution through the App Store and Google Play is subject to Apple's and Google's terms.
7. Intellectual property
The rules of Gomoku and Caro are in the public domain and belong to everyone. The app itself — its code, its Neon Ink, Paper & Ink and Retro Arcade themes, its puzzles, artwork, text and name — belongs to the developer and is protected by copyright. Nothing here gives you more than the license in section 2.
8. Disclaimer and liability
The app is free and provided "as is", without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose or error-free operation. To the extent permitted by law, the developer is not liable for indirect, incidental or consequential loss arising from the app or the online service, and total liability is limited to what you paid for the app — nothing. Where the law does not allow these limits, they apply only as far as it permits.
9. Changes
These terms may change as the app evolves; the date at the top is updated with every change, and material changes are mentioned in the release notes. Continuing to use the app afterwards means you accept the new terms.
10. Contact
Questions about these terms: contact@gomoku.com.