Terms of service

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Terms of Service

Last updated: 30 August 2026

1. About AY & TAIYŌ

AY & TAIYŌ is an independently operated cultural and editorial project based in Germany. The platform is currently in development and combines journalistic and cultural content with a small online shop.

Information about the operator can be found in our Legal Notice.

2. Scope of These Terms

These Terms apply to the use of this website and to purchases made through the AY & TAIYŌ online shop.

Mandatory consumer rights under applicable law remain unaffected.

3. Website and Editorial Content

We aim to provide carefully prepared and accurate content. However, the website is an evolving project and information may be corrected, expanded or updated.

Editorial content is provided for general information and cultural documentation. It does not constitute legal, medical, financial or other professional advice.

4. Products and Availability

Product availability may be limited. Some products may be made to order, produced in small quantities or fulfilled by external production partners.

We aim to present products, colours and dimensions as accurately as possible. Actual colours may vary slightly depending on the screen or device used.

We may update product descriptions, prices or availability before an order is placed. Changes do not affect orders that have already been accepted.

5. Orders and Contract Formation

By placing an order, you submit an offer to purchase the selected products.

An automated acknowledgment of your order does not by itself constitute acceptance unless expressly stated. A purchase contract is concluded when we confirm acceptance of the order, dispatch the goods or provide access to a digital product.

We may decline or cancel an order if a product is unavailable, payment cannot be processed, information is clearly incorrect or there is a reasonable indication of fraud or misuse. Any payment already received for a cancelled order will be refunded.

Please review your order carefully before submitting it. If you need to request a change or cancellation, contact us as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that an order can be changed after processing has begun. Your statutory right of withdrawal remains unaffected.

6. Prices and Payment

The total price, including applicable taxes and any shipping charges, is displayed before you place your order.

Available payment methods are shown during checkout. Payments are processed through Shopify and the payment providers offered at checkout.

You must provide complete and accurate billing, payment and contact information.

7. Shipping and Delivery

Available shipping destinations, shipping costs and estimated delivery times are displayed on the relevant product page or during checkout.

Delivery times are estimates and may vary depending on the product, destination, production time and shipping provider. If a delay materially affects your order, please contact us.

Where required by consumer law, the risk of loss or damage remains with us until the goods are delivered to you or to a person designated by you.

Further information is available in our Shipping Policy.

8. Returns and Right of Withdrawal

Consumers may have a statutory right to withdraw from an online purchase within 14 days.

Details, exceptions and return instructions are provided in our Refund Policy.

9. Digital Products

Digital products are supplied electronically using the method described on the relevant product page or in the order confirmation.

If you expressly request immediate access to digital content and acknowledge that your right of withdrawal will be lost once delivery begins, the right of withdrawal may expire in accordance with applicable law.

Unless otherwise stated, digital products are licensed for personal, non-commercial use only and may not be reproduced, resold or distributed.

10. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, the texts, photographs, graphics, designs, branding and other original content published on this website are owned by or licensed to AY & TAIYŌ and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

You may access the website for personal use. Content may not be copied, republished, sold, commercially exploited or used to create derivative works without prior permission, except where permitted by law.

11. External Links

The website may contain links to third-party websites. These websites are operated independently and are subject to their own terms and privacy policies.

We are not responsible for third-party content or services. A link does not automatically constitute an endorsement.

12. Prohibited Use

You must not use the website to:

violate applicable law or the rights of another person;
transmit malicious software, spam or fraudulent content;
attempt to gain unauthorised access to accounts, systems or data;
interfere with the security or operation of the website;
copy or commercially exploit protected content without permission.

13. Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law, including liability for intent, gross negligence, injury to life, body or health, statutory product liability and mandatory consumer rights.

For ordinary negligence, we are liable only for the breach of an essential contractual obligation. In such cases, liability is limited to the foreseeable damage typical for the contract, to the extent permitted by law.

14. Privacy

Information about how personal data is collected and processed is available in our Privacy Policy.

The shop is hosted by Shopify, and payments may be processed by the payment providers displayed during checkout.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms when the website, services or applicable legal requirements change.

Updates apply from the date on which they are published. They do not retroactively alter orders that were already accepted.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you are a consumer, this choice of law does not deprive you of mandatory consumer protection rights available under the laws of your country of residence.