Terms of Service

This English version is provided for reference only. The Japanese version is the legally binding text. In case of any discrepancy, the Japanese version shall prevail.

Article 1. Introduction

  1. These Terms of Service (the "Terms") apply to all activities of Users when using the Service.
  2. The Terms set forth the conditions for using the Service. Users must agree to and comply with the Terms when using the Service.
  3. By using the Service, Users are deemed to have agreed to all provisions of the Terms.

Article 2. Definitions

The terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth below.

  1. "User" means any person who uses the Service.
  2. "Service" means the recipe management application "Recipe Note" and related websites and applications operated by the Company.
  3. "Paid Plan" means subscription plans (Basic and Premium) that provide certain Service features for a fee.
  4. "Subscription" means the recurring monthly or annual purchase of a Paid Plan.
  5. "Store" means the App Store operated by Apple Inc. and the Google Play Store operated by Google LLC.

Article 3. Application

  1. Before using the Service, Users shall review and agree to the Terms. When a User starts using the Service, the User is deemed to have confirmed and agreed to the Terms. Upon the User's agreement, a service contract is concluded between the Company and the User. If a User does not agree to the Terms, the User must not use the Service.
  2. Minors must obtain consent from their legal guardians (such as parents) before using the Service. The Service is intended for users of all ages, but children under 13 must use the Service under the supervision and consent of a guardian.

Article 4. Changes to the Terms

  1. The Company may change the Terms at any time at its discretion.
  2. Unless otherwise provided, the revised Terms take effect at the time they are posted on the Company's website or related sites.
  3. If a User uses the Service after the revised Terms take effect, the User is deemed to have agreed to all the revised Terms.

Article 5. Handling of Personal Information

  1. The Company will handle personal information appropriately in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

Article 6. Account

  1. Users may create an account to use certain features of the Service via Google OAuth or Sign in with Apple.
  2. Users are responsible for managing their own account information (email address, authentication credentials, etc.). The Company is not liable for any unauthorized use by third parties.
  3. When children under 13 create or use an account, this shall be done with the consent of a guardian, in accordance with Article 3, Paragraph 2.
  4. Users may request deletion of their account from the in-app account deletion menu under My Page, or by emailing the Company at makitsystem@gmail.com.
  5. Upon account deletion, the User's data stored on the Company's servers will be deleted within 30 days. A grace period until backup media are automatically purged may apply before the deletion is fully complete. Backup data stored in Google Drive is not automatically deleted when the User deletes their account.

Article 7. Paid Plans

  1. The Company provides Paid Plans (Basic and Premium) for some Service features in the form of monthly or annual subscriptions.
  2. The price, feature differences, and other terms of each plan are as displayed in the in-app Service screen and the "Notation based on the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions".
  3. Unless otherwise indicated, the price of Paid Plans includes consumption tax.

Article 8. Auto-Renewal and Cancellation of Subscriptions

  1. Paid Plans are automatically renewed at the same rate at the end of each period (monthly or annual) unless the User cancels at least 24 hours before the end of the period. The fee will be charged from the payment method registered with the Store.
  2. To cancel a subscription, Users must do so via the subscription management screen of their device's OS (iOS: Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions; Android: Play Store app > Menu > Subscriptions).
  3. The Company does not directly process subscription cancellations on behalf of Users.
  4. During the free trial period, the subscription will automatically convert to a paid plan and charges will begin unless the User cancels at least 24 hours before the trial ends.
  5. Refund requests for subscription fees must be made directly to the relevant Store operator (Apple Inc. or Google LLC) in accordance with each Store's refund policy. The Company does not process refunds directly.

Article 9. Relationship with Store Operators

  1. Payment for Paid Plans is processed on behalf of the Company by Apple Inc. or Google LLC (collectively, "Store Operators"). All purchase procedures and payments are conducted in accordance with the terms and privacy policies of each Store Operator.
  2. Inquiries and complaints regarding purchases, billing, and refunds should, in principle, be directed to the relevant Store Operator. However, the Company remains responsible for the content of the Service.
  3. If changes to a Store Operator's terms create inconsistencies with these Terms, the Store Operator's provisions shall prevail.

Article 10. AI Features, Third-Party Services, and Cross-Border Data Transfers

  1. When a User uses the recipe extraction AI feature of the Service, uploaded images or HTML text from the Web page specified by the User will be sent to Google's Gemini API (provided by Google LLC, USA) for processing.
  2. The AI features are provided on a best-effort basis. The Company does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of extraction results.
  3. The Company entrusts data handling to providers including Supabase Inc., Cloudflare, Inc., Google LLC, RevenueCat, Inc., and Apple Inc. While data storage regions are configured to Japan (Tokyo) wherever possible, these providers are headquartered outside Japan (primarily the United States), so this constitutes a provision to a third party located in a foreign country under the Japanese Act on the Protection of Personal Information.
  4. By using the Service, the User consents in advance to the entrustment and provision of data to the foreign third parties described in the preceding paragraph. See the Privacy Policy for details.

Article 11. Use of the Service

  1. Users use the Service at their own responsibility, and bear sole responsibility for all actions and consequences arising from data retrieval and storage from the Internet via the Service.
  2. Users shall provide and maintain at their own expense and responsibility the computers, software, devices, communication lines, and communication environments necessary to use the Service.
  3. Users shall implement at their own expense and responsibility the security measures appropriate to their use of the Service, including measures to prevent computer virus infections, unauthorized access, and information leakage.
  4. Users acknowledge that the Company may display advertisements through Google AdMob and other ad networks during the Service (particularly while using the Free or Basic plans). No advertisements are displayed when using the Premium plan.
  5. Users acknowledge that the Company may, based on its own criteria, select information to deliver via the Service and may at its discretion suspend or remove information delivered or provided through the Service.
  6. The Company shall not be liable to Users for any of the actions described in the preceding paragraph.

Article 12. Intellectual Property Rights

All rights, including copyrights, trademarks, and rights of likeness, relating to the data, text, audio, video, illustrations, and information provided through the Service and the application belong to the Company or the third parties holding such rights.

Article 13. Rights and Use of Stored Recipe Data

  1. Responsibility for storing recipe data lies with the User. The Company is not liable for the content of recipe information stored by Users via the Service.
  2. Recipe data stored on the Company's servers under a User's account is generally retained while the account is active. However, on the Free plan, if the User does not use the Service for one year after their last activity, the account and server-side recipe data, images, and other data may be deleted. While a Basic or Premium subscription is active, this long-inactivity automatic deletion does not apply. Server-side data will be deleted within 30 days of an account deletion request. A grace period until backup media are automatically purged may apply before deletion is fully complete.
  3. The Company may determine the storage period and method for recipe data at its discretion, and Users may not object to such determinations.
  4. If a User defames another person, infringes the privacy of others, discloses third-party personal information without authorization, violates copyright law, or otherwise infringes the rights of others, the User must resolve the matter at their own responsibility and expense, and the Company shall bear no responsibility.

Article 14. Prohibited Acts

Users shall not engage in any of the following acts when using the Service.

  1. Acts that infringe or may infringe the intellectual property rights (copyrights, design rights, etc.) or other rights of the Company or third parties.
  2. Republishing posted content uploaded to the Company's site or related sites without the consent of the relevant author (creator).
  3. Acts that infringe or may infringe the property, privacy, or right of likeness of the Company or third parties.
  4. Acts that unfairly discriminate against, slander, or damage the reputation or credit of the Company or third parties, or that encourage discrimination against third parties.
  5. Misrepresentation.
  6. Acts connected to or that may lead to fraud or other crimes.
  7. Acts that may glorify, induce, or encourage suicide, self-harm, drug abuse, etc.
  8. Impersonating the operator.
  9. Posting content for the purpose of commercial advertising, promotion, or solicitation (except as specifically permitted by the Company), content containing affiliate links, content soliciting others such as MLM or chain emails, content directing users to sites the Company deems inappropriate (including by linking only), or any other posts the Company deems inappropriate.
  10. Using expressions that lead to discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, ideology, etc.
  11. Acts that place a load on the Service's servers beyond normal ranges, that interfere with the operation of the Service or its network and systems, or that may do so.
  12. Improperly altering or deleting information stored on the Company's equipment.
  13. Sending or posting harmful computer programs such as viruses.
  14. Acts that violate laws, public order and morals, the Terms, or other terms of use, or that the Company determines infringe the rights of others.
  15. Other acts that the Company deems inappropriate.

Article 15. Suspension of the Service

  1. The Company may, without prior notice to Users, suspend or interrupt all or part of the Service in any of the following cases.
    • When performing periodic or emergency inspection or maintenance of computer systems related to the Service.
    • When computers, communication lines, etc. are stopped due to accidents.
    • When the Service cannot be operated due to force majeure such as fire, power failure, earthquake, or natural disaster.
    • When external SNS services experience problems, suspension or termination of service, suspension of integration with the Service, or specification changes.
    • In any other case where the Company determines suspension or interruption is necessary.
  2. The Company may modify, temporarily suspend, or terminate all or part of the Service when the Company deems necessary.
  3. The Company shall not be liable for any damages incurred by Users due to actions taken under this Article.
  4. The Company may add to, modify, suspend, or terminate the Service at any time and for any reason without prior notice.
  5. The Company shall not bear any responsibility regarding additions, changes, suspensions, or terminations of the Service.

Article 16. Viewing and Use of Usage History

  1. The Company may create statistical data, attribute information, etc. by processing Users' usage history of the Service (including but not limited to page views, clicks, and usage of each Service), registration information, and other information acquired by the Company in connection with Users' use of the Service so that individuals cannot be identified or specified, and may use such history or statistical data within the scope necessary for operating the Service. Users consent to such use in advance.
  2. The Company may provide usage history to third parties within the scope necessary for delivering appropriate advertisements to Users. Such usage history shall not allow identification of individuals, and third parties shall not acquire Users' personal information through such provision.

Article 17. Disclaimer

  1. The Company is not involved in communications between Users. In the event of disputes between Users, the Users involved shall resolve them, and the Company bears no responsibility.
  2. The Company may modify, suspend, or terminate the Service at any time without notice when it deems necessary. In such cases, the Company shall not be liable for any damages arising from the changes to the Service. The same applies in the event of performance degradation or failures due to excessive access or other unforeseen factors.
  3. The Company has no obligation to manage or store information obtained by Users.
  4. The Company bears no responsibility regarding the legality, accuracy, etc. of information obtained by Users. The Company also bears no responsibility regarding whether information obtained by a User complies with the internal rules of any corporation or organization to which the User belongs.
  5. The Company may view, store, or disclose to third parties the contents of information stored on the Service in the following cases. The Company shall not be liable for any damages incurred by Users as a result.
    • When the User consents to such viewing, etc.
    • When no email reply from the User reaches the Company's mail server within 7 days after the Company sends an email requesting consent for viewing, except in cases of urgency.
    • When necessary to investigate and resolve technical defects of the Service.
    • When the Company receives a formal inquiry under law from a court, police, or other public authority.
    • When the Company determines that an act in violation of the Terms or other terms of use, or an act that may constitute such violation, has occurred and that confirming the contents of stored information is necessary.
    • When there is imminent danger to a person's life, body, or property, and the Company determines that urgency is required.
    • When otherwise necessary for the appropriate operation of the site, related sites, and applications.

Article 18. Validity of the Terms

  1. Even if part of the Terms or other terms of use is deemed invalid based on law, the remaining provisions of the Terms and other terms of use shall remain valid.
  2. Even if part of the terms of use is deemed invalid or canceled in relation to a particular User, the terms of use shall remain valid in relation to other Users.

Article 19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

  1. The Terms shall be governed by the laws of Japan.
  2. Any disputes arising between the Company and Users in connection with the Terms or the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo Summary Court or the Tokyo District Court as the court of first instance, depending on the amount in controversy.

Supplementary Provisions

  1. The Terms came into effect on July 1, 2020.
  2. The Terms apply to acts performed by Users before the effective date.
  3. Effective 2026-05-14, the Terms have been revised in connection with the introduction of Paid Plans and server-side data storage features (expansion of Article 2 definitions, addition of Articles 6-10, clarification of advertising in Article 11(4), specification of retention period in Article 13(2), and addition of jurisdiction clause in Article 19(2)).