Terms of Service

You may use The Sound Approach in Guest Mode without creating an account. In Guest Mode, you can:

• Browse and listen to audio recordings
• Search for species and recordings

Guest Mode limitations:

• Favorites sync and account-backed favorites are not available in Guest Mode
• Downloaded content for offline playback is not available in Guest Mode
• If you uninstall the mobile app or clear browser storage, local guest preferences will be lost

For full functionality, you may create a free account using your email address. With a registered account, you can:

• Sync your favorites across multiple devices
• Download recordings for offline playback (mobile)
• Access your content from both the mobile and web app

If you use the mobile or web app with a registered account, we may collect first-party usage analytics as described in our Privacy Policy. Analytics help us understand how the apps are used, improve features and content, and monitor service health. Guest Mode does not send usage analytics to our servers. We do not use third-party advertising or analytics SDKs. The legal basis for this processing is set out in the Privacy Policy (and is not obtained merely by accepting these Terms).

You must be at least 13 years of age to create an account or use this app. The service is not directed at children under 13. By using the app, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement. Where applicable law requires a higher minimum age or parental consent for information-society services, those requirements apply and you must not use the service unless you meet them.

• You must provide a valid email address to create an account
• You will authenticate using one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to your email
• Each account can be accessed on multiple devices simultaneously
• No password is required — we use passwordless authentication for security

• You are responsible for maintaining access to the email address associated with your account
• You must not share your account or login emails with others
• You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account
• You must notify us immediately at sales@soundapproach.co.uk of any unauthorized use of your account

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, The Sound Approach grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• Download and install the app on your personal devices
• Access and use the audio content for personal, non-commercial use
• Download audio files for offline playback within the mobile app

This license remains in effect while the service is available and while you comply with these Terms.

• Share, distribute, or make available the audio recordings outside of the app
• Copy, reproduce, or extract audio files from the app for use in other applications or platforms
• Share your account access with others
• Use the app or its content for any commercial purpose
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the app
• Remove or alter any copyright notices or proprietary markings
• Attempt to circumvent any security measures or access restrictions
• Use the app in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations

While you may access your account on multiple devices, excessive simultaneous access across an unreasonable number of devices may result in account suspension or termination.

The Sound Approach owns or has the necessary rights and licences to provide the app, its features and functionality, and the audio recordings and other content made available through the service. Those materials are protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

The Sound Approach to birding second edition is published by Harper Collins. The audio recordings are mostly the property of The Sound Approach; a few have been licensed from other recordists.

You do not acquire any ownership rights to the audio content or app through your use of the service. Your access is limited to the license granted in these Terms.

We reserve the right to:

• Add new audio recordings to the app
• Modify or update existing recordings
• Remove recordings from the app at our discretion
• Update app features and functionality

No guarantee is made regarding the permanent availability of any specific recording or feature.

You may download audio recordings for offline playback within the mobile app:

• Downloaded content remains accessible only through the app interface
• Downloads may consume significant device storage space
• Downloaded content is subject to the same usage restrictions as streamed content
• Downloaded content cannot be exported or used outside the app

We strive to maintain consistent service availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The app may be temporarily unavailable due to:

• Maintenance and updates
• Technical difficulties
• Circumstances beyond our reasonable control

You may delete your account at any time through our Delete Account page or in the mobile app under Settings → Delete account. Contact sales@soundapproach.co.uk only if you need help.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the app at our sole discretion, without prior notice, if:

• You violate these Terms
• You abuse the device access limitations
• You share your account access with others
• Your use of the app poses security or legal concerns
• We discontinue the service (see Service Discontinuation below)

Accounts that have been inactive for 12 months will be automatically deleted. We will send you two warning emails before taking action:

• A first warning at approximately 11 months of inactivity
• A final warning approximately 2 weeks later, with a 14-day grace period

Simply logging in on mobile or web at any point resets the inactivity timer. If you do not log in during the notice period, your account and associated data held in our active systems will be deleted, subject to any data we are legally required to retain and ordinary backup retention as described in the Privacy Policy.

Upon termination (whether by you, by us, or due to inactivity):

• Your access to the app and all content will be immediately revoked
• Downloaded offline content will become inaccessible
• You will lose access to any saved favorites or preferences stored with your account
• No refunds will be provided (as the app itself is free)

THE APP IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS-IS" AND "AS-AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE SOUND APPROACH MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties that the app will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• Warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability of content
• Warranties that defects will be corrected

You acknowledge that your use of the app is at your sole risk. We do not warrant that:

• The app will meet your specific requirements
• Audio quality will meet your expectations
• The app will be compatible with all devices or operating systems
• The service will be available at all times

Subject to the non-excludable liabilities above, and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, our total aggregate liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to the service shall not exceed £0 (zero pounds), reflecting that the app is provided free of charge. If applicable mandatory consumer law requires a higher minimum, that higher amount applies instead.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles. Nothing in these Terms deprives you of any mandatory protections you are entitled to under the laws of the country in which you reside.

Subject to mandatory consumer protections in your country of residence, you agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the app. If you are a consumer in the EEA or another jurisdiction that allows you to bring proceedings in your home courts, you may do so to the extent required by applicable law.

Before initiating any formal legal proceedings, you agree to first contact us at sales@soundapproach.co.uk to attempt to resolve the dispute informally.