Terms of service (overview)
How ChatFormats desktop software is licensed, used, and governed. This page summarises key commercial and usage terms for legal professionals, litigation support teams, and compliance professionals.
1. About ChatFormats and these terms
ChatFormats is a desktop software application for Windows that converts WhatsApp chat exports (ZIP files) into professional evidence deliverables: Bates‑stamped PDF exhibits, HTML review sets, full‑text CSVs, privilege logs, Concordance (.dat/.opt) load files, Relativity load files, JSON transcripts, and organised media folders. The software runs locally and processes evidence offline unless the user voluntarily shares data with support.
By purchasing a license, downloading the software, or using ChatFormats, you agree to the applicable license terms. These terms form a binding legal agreement between you (the licensee) and ChatFormats (the company). If you do not agree, do not install or use the software.
2. License grant and restrictions
What we grant
ChatFormats grants you a limited, non‑exclusive, non‑transferable, personal license to install and use the software in accordance with the license tier you have purchased (Solo Legal, Small Firm, or Litigation Support/Enterprise). The license is for your internal business use (or personal use for Solo Legal) and strictly subject to the usage limits described on the pricing page.
- Solo Legal: single named user.
- Small Firm: up to five (5) users within the same firm/entity.
- Enterprise: custom seat count and deployment terms defined in the order document.
Restrictions
You may not:
- Resell, sublicense, rent, lease, or distribute the software (or any derivative) to third parties.
- Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive source code, except as permitted by mandatory law.
- Remove or obscure proprietary notices, trademarks, or copyright statements.
- Use the software for any unlawful purpose, including the violation of discovery rules, evidence tampering, or to mislead a court or tribunal.
- Circumvent license key mechanisms or share activation credentials beyond authorised users.
3. Permitted use and legal responsibilities
Not legal advice; professional judgment required. ChatFormats is a productivity and evidence‑processing tool. It does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, or any representation that its outputs are automatically admissible, complete, or sufficient for any legal proceeding. You — as a legal professional or litigation support specialist — remain solely responsible for:
- Reviewing all outputs (including privilege flags, redactions, OCR text, entity extractions, and load files) for accuracy.
- Making independent privilege determinations and complying with discovery obligations.
- Ensuring the authenticity and chain of custody of evidence under applicable court rules.
- Compliance with data protection laws when processing WhatsApp exports (e.g., GDPR, state privacy laws).
You further agree to use ChatFormats only on WhatsApp exports that you have lawful authority to process (e.g., client authorisation, lawful discovery, or internal investigations).
4. Updates, support, and maintenance
🔄 Updates & versioning
Depending on your license type, you receive a defined period of software updates (typically 1 year for Solo Legal, 2 years for Small Firm, and custom for Enterprise). Updates include bug fixes, security patches, format improvements, and may include new features at the company's discretion. After the update period ends, you may continue using the last available version, but support and new updates will not be provided unless you renew maintenance.
🛠️ Technical support
Technical support is offered based on your plan. Solo Legal includes standard email support; Small Firm includes priority email support and setup assistance; Enterprise includes dedicated support with SLAs. Support does not include custom development or modification of the software. We will make reasonable efforts to respond to support inquiries within business days but do not guarantee resolution of every issue.
5. Intellectual property rights
ChatFormats ownership: All rights, title, and interest in the software, its code, user interface, documentation, and associated intellectual property belong to ChatFormats (or its licensors). The license grants you a right to use the software; it does not transfer ownership. You may not copy the software except as necessary for normal operation or backup.
Your data and evidence: You retain all ownership rights to your WhatsApp exports, case data, generated exhibits, CSV files, load files, and any other outputs. ChatFormats claims no intellectual property rights over your evidence or case‑specific work product. Our privacy and security commitment means we never access your evidence by default (see our Privacy overview).
6. Disclaimers & limitation of liability
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CHATFORMATS PROVIDES THE SOFTWARE "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON‑INFRINGEMENT, OR ERROR‑FREE OPERATION. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR SPECIFIC LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OR THAT OUTPUTS WILL BE ACCURATE, COMPLETE, OR ADMISSIBLE IN ANY COURT. YOU ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE AND THE RELIANCE ON ITS OUTPUTS.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL CHATFORMATS (INCLUDING ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, OR LEGAL COSTS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF CHATFORMATS FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR THE SOFTWARE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE LICENSE FEES PAID BY YOU DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.
These disclaimers and limitations reflect the commercial bargain between the parties. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitations of liability, so these provisions may not apply to you in full. In such cases, liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
7. Data protection and privacy
Our Privacy overview describes how we collect website data, how the offline software processes evidence, and your rights. For customers located in the European Union or UK, additional GDPR‑related terms (including data processing addenda) can be provided on request and, where applicable, will be incorporated into a separate data processing agreement. ChatFormats does not access client evidence stored on your machines as part of normal software operation.
8. Governing law and dispute resolution
(To be finalised with legal counsel) — The binding terms will specify the governing law (e.g., the law of the jurisdiction where ChatFormats is established) and the exclusive forum for disputes, such as arbitration or competent courts. For users in jurisdictions with mandatory consumer protections, separate provisions may apply. This overview does not elect a specific governing law; the final agreement will provide clarity.
Before initiating any claim, you agree to attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting legal@chatformats.com.
9. Changes to these terms
📢 Modifications
We may revise these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, feature updates, or business practices. For active license holders, we will provide notice (e.g., by email or through the application) before material changes take effect. Continued use of the software after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised terms, except where your consent is required by law.
📅 Version control
The "last updated" date indicates the latest revision. For major changes, we will also update this webpage and, where feasible, notify you via the communication channels associated with your license. If you do not agree to a material modification, you may stop using the software and, if applicable, request a refund according to our refund policy.
10. Contact and commercial enquiries
If you have questions about these terms, licensing, or would like to request an enterprise‑ready data processing agreement, please contact us:
✉️ legal@chatformats.com | 🌐 Contact form
For general sales and demo scheduling, visit https://chatformats.com/schedule-demo.
ChatFormats is desktop software for legal professionals. By using this software, you acknowledge that it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with your jurisdiction's legal practice rules, evidence codes, and data protection laws.
This document is a summary prepared for informational purposes. The final, legally binding Terms of Service will be provided upon purchase or via a separate agreement. Nothing in this summary creates enforceable contractual obligations.
Last updated: May 26, 2026