Intellectual Property Policy

01 Introduction

This Intellectual Property Policy ("Policy") describes the ownership, licensing, and protection of all intellectual property associated with Castel Code Ltd ("Castel Code," "we," "us," or "our"), a software development company based in Lusaka, Zambia. It applies to our website (castelcode.tech), our source code, our brand assets, and every application we develop and publish.

By downloading, installing, or using any Castel Code product, or by accessing castelcode.tech, you acknowledge and agree to the terms set out in this Policy.

02 Ownership of Our Software

All source code, object code, software architecture, algorithms, user interface designs, graphics, illustrations, icons, animations, audio, and documentation created by Castel Code Ltd (collectively, "Castel Code IP") are the exclusive property of Castel Code Ltd, protected under Zambian copyright law and applicable international copyright treaties.

Ownership of Castel Code IP is not transferred to you by downloading, purchasing a subscription, or otherwise using any of our products. You are granted only the limited license described in Section 4.

03 Trademarks & Brand Names

The names "Castel Code," "Castel Meet," "Pothole Guard AI," "MZ Shop," "MZ ToBeat," our logo (the castle-and-brackets mark), and associated taglines including "Center of App and Software" are trademarks of Castel Code Ltd, whether or not formally registered.

You may not use our name, logo, or product names in a way that suggests endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation without our prior written consent. This includes use in app store listings, marketing materials, domain names, or social media handles.

04 License Granted to You

Subject to your compliance with this Policy and our Terms & Conditions, Castel Code Ltd grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• Download and install our applications for personal or authorized business use;
• Use the features of our software as intended and documented;
• Access content within our apps in accordance with your account tier (free or paid).

This license does not grant you any ownership rights in the underlying software, source code, or brand assets.

05 Restrictions on Use

Unless explicitly authorized in writing by Castel Code Ltd, you may not:

• Copy, modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works of any Castel Code IP;
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any Castel Code application or attempt to extract source code;
• Remove, obscure, or alter any copyright, trademark, or proprietary notice;
• Redistribute, resell, sublicense, rent, or lease any Castel Code product or its source code;
• Use automated tools to scrape, mirror, or republish substantial portions of castelcode.tech or its content;
• Use our brand assets, app names, or logo to create a competing or confusingly similar product or service.

06 Third-Party & Open-Source Components

Some Castel Code products incorporate third-party libraries and open-source components (for example, Jetpack Compose, Firebase SDKs, Retrofit, and similar tools), each governed by its own respective license. Use of these components within our products does not grant you rights beyond what is described in this Policy for the Castel Code IP as a whole. A list of major third-party components used in a given app is available on request.

07 User-Generated Content

Certain products allow you to create or upload content — for example, product listings on MZ Shop, playlists on MZ ToBeat, or notes and messages within Castel Meet. You retain ownership of content you personally create. By submitting such content, you grant Castel Code Ltd a limited, non-exclusive license to host, store, transmit, and display that content solely for the purpose of operating and improving the relevant product.

Castel Code Ltd does not claim ownership over your personal listings, playlists, or messages, but reserves the right to remove content that violates our Terms & Conditions or infringes on the rights of others.

08 Feedback & Suggestions

If you submit feedback, feature requests, or suggestions about any Castel Code product, you agree that Castel Code Ltd may use, implement, and commercialize that feedback without obligation or compensation to you.

09 Reporting Infringement

If you believe that content on castelcode.tech or within one of our applications infringes your intellectual property rights, please notify us with the following information:

• A description of the copyrighted work or trademark you believe has been infringed;
• The specific location (URL or in-app location) of the allegedly infringing material;
• Your contact information;
• A statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is unauthorized;
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information provided is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the rights holder.

Send infringement notices to castelcode.tech@gmail.com with the subject line "IP Infringement Notice." We investigate all valid reports and take appropriate action, which may include removal of content or suspension of accounts.

10 Enforcement of Our Rights

Castel Code Ltd actively monitors for unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of its software and brand assets. Violations of this Policy may result in suspension or termination of your account or access, removal of infringing content, and legal action where appropriate under Zambian law and applicable international frameworks.

11 Covered Products

This table will be updated as Castel Code Ltd releases new products. This Policy automatically extends to any future software published under the Castel Code name.

12 Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Intellectual Property Policy from time to time to reflect new products, legal requirements, or business practices. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Continued use of our products after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

13 Contact Us

For licensing inquiries, permission requests, or intellectual property concerns, please reach out:

• Email: castelcode.tech@gmail.com
• WhatsApp: +260 760 951 176
• Website: castelcode.tech
• Location: Lusaka, Zambia