1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Jigsaw Explorer (“Jigsaw Explorer,” “JE,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), operated by Carolina Road Media, LLC (“CRM”).

By accessing or using the Jigsaw Explorer website, puzzle platform, multiplayer features, email subscriptions, or related services (collectively, the “Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”).

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Service.

2. Eligibility

The Service is intended for users who are at least 13 years old.

By using the Service, you represent that you are at least 13 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement.

Supervised Use by Children Under 13 (Custom Puzzles Only)

Children under 13 may access custom puzzle links only in a supervised educational or parental setting, provided that:

• The custom puzzle was created by an adult;
• The child is supervised by a parent or teacher;
• No personal information is submitted;
• The child does not access other areas of the Service beyond the custom puzzle link.

Custom puzzle pages do not display advertisements. Public, ad-supported areas of the Service are not intended for children under 13.

3. Description of the Service

Jigsaw Explorer is a browser-based jigsaw puzzle platform that includes:

• Curated public puzzles selected or curated by JE and made available under applicable ownership or license terms;
• Custom puzzles created by users by specifying an image URL (and, in the future, by uploading images);
• Multiplayer sessions for collaborative puzzle solving;
• Optional email subscriptions and future account features.

Custom Puzzle Links: “Private” but Not Access-Controlled

Custom puzzles are accessible via links that JE does not publish or index. However, custom puzzle links are not access-controlled, and anyone with the link may access the puzzle. You are responsible for whom you share custom puzzle links with.

Future enhancements may allow custom puzzle access to be gated (for example, by password), but such features are not currently available.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time, including adding, removing, or changing features, content, or availability.

4. Custom Puzzles

4.1 Image Rights and User Representations

When creating a custom puzzle, you represent and warrant that:

• You own the image used, or
• You have obtained all necessary rights and permissions from the image owner to use the image for online display and sharing through the Service.

If you own the image, you grant JE a non-exclusive, worldwide license to render the image as an online jigsaw puzzle and make it accessible via the generated link. This license may be revoked by written notice to [email protected] with at least fourteen (14) days’ notice.

If you do not own the image, you represent that you have permission from the rights holder sufficient to allow the image to be displayed and shared through the Service.

JE does not verify copyright ownership of user-specified images and disclaims responsibility for disputes between users and rights holders.

4.2 Image Handling

JE does not permanently store custom puzzle images. Images are retrieved from their original source for rendering purposes. Limited network-level caching may occur for performance optimization.

4.3 Removal and Disabling

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to disable access to any custom puzzle, block image URLs, or terminate related multiplayer sessions at any time, including in response to legal complaints, user reports, or policy violations.

You may also disable a custom puzzle yourself by deleting or moving the source image from its specified URL. Due to network-level caching, it may take up to four (4) hours for the associated custom puzzle to become unavailable after the source image is removed or relocated.

5. Multiplayer (and Planned Chat)

Multiplayer functionality is provided through third-party infrastructure.

Users who participate in multiplayer sessions may be required to choose a nickname. Nicknames must not include personal information or violate these Terms.

5.1 Planned Chat and Player Controls

Multiplayer sessions may include text-based chat visible only to participants in that puzzle instance. The Service may also provide the multiplayer session creator with controls to remove or ban participants. These features are planned and do not currently exist. When implemented, they are expected to be introduced together.

5.2 Chat Persistence (When Implemented)

When multiplayer chat is available, chat messages will be session-scoped to that multiplayer puzzle instance:

• Chat messages may persist for the duration of the multiplayer puzzle lifecycle;
• Multiplayer puzzle state and associated chat may be deleted after approximately 90 days of inactivity;
• Chat is not intended to be permanently archived.

5.3 Moderation and Reporting

JE does not actively monitor multiplayer communications but reserves the right to access, review, remove, or restrict content or participation if abuse is reported or if necessary to enforce these Terms, comply with law, or protect users and the Service.

6. User Conduct

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for unlawful purposes;
• Upload, display, or share content that infringes intellectual property rights;
• Use offensive, harassing, hateful, or impersonating nicknames in multiplayer sessions;
• Engage in harassment or abuse in multiplayer sessions;
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service;
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service's systems or infrastructure;
• Copy, modify, decompile, disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer, create a derivative work of, or transfer any portion of the puzzle platform, or attempt to extract source code from the Service;
• Scrape or extract puzzle engine code, internal APIs, or other non-public technical elements of the Service;
• Bulk download, extract, or redistribute curated image assets, except as permitted by applicable license terms;
• Use bots, automation, scripts, or other means to manipulate gameplay, disrupt multiplayer integrity, or unfairly affect game outcomes;
• Exploit bugs, vulnerabilities, or unintended mechanics, or encourage others to do so, including in ways that harm the Service or other users;
• Use the Service in connection with content that JE determines, in its sole discretion, to be illegal, harmful, or inappropriate. Examples include, but are not limited to, depictions of pornography or sexually explicit material, animal cruelty, violence, threats of violence, and expressions of hate or harassment targeting marginalized groups.

Search engine indexing and ordinary web crawling consistent with applicable technical standards are permitted. However, these Terms prohibit extraction of the puzzle platform’s code and bulk extraction of image assets as described above.

JE may enforce these rules at its discretion, and may choose to prioritize enforcement based on reports, context, and risk.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 The Platform

The puzzle platform, software, design, and related materials are owned by Carolina Road Media, LLC and are protected by copyright and other laws. No ownership rights are transferred to users.

7.2 Curated Puzzles and Images

Curated puzzle images may be owned by JE, licensed, used under Creative Commons terms, or otherwise used with permission from the image owner. Except as permitted under applicable license terms, users may not reproduce, redistribute, extract, or reuse curated images outside the normal functionality of the Service.

7.3 Custom Puzzle Configuration

JE owns the configuration and technical parameters used to define and render custom puzzles (for example, the puzzle instance settings and layout). Users retain any rights they may have in the underlying images they own, subject to the license grants and representations in these Terms.

8. Advertising and Third Parties

Advertising appears only on curated public puzzle pages and general site pages. JE is not responsible for the content, claims, offers, or practices of third-party advertisers or linked websites.

Custom puzzle pages do not display advertising.

9. Copyright Policy (DMCA)

JE respects the intellectual property rights of others.

If you believe content accessible through the Service infringes your copyright, you may submit a notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to our designated agent:

DMCA Agent: Copyright Officer
Email: [email protected]   (recommended)
Mailing Address: Carolina Road Media, Attn: Copyright Officer, 964 High House Rd #3025, Cary, NC 27513
Phone Number: (336) 221-7358

The notice must comply with the requirements of 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3) and should include:

• Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed;
• Identification of the material claimed to be infringing and information sufficient to locate it;
• Your contact information (address, telephone number, and email address);
• A statement that you have a good faith belief the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner’s behalf;
• Your physical or electronic signature.

JE may remove or disable access to allegedly infringing material and may terminate repeat infringers where appropriate.

10. Privacy

Your use of the Service is also governed by the Jigsaw Explorer Privacy Policy.

11. Accounts and Membership Features (Current and Future)

JE may offer account functionality and optional membership features. Accounts and memberships may be free initially, and JE may add optional paid tiers in the future. Certain features may require registration or payment and may be subject to additional terms presented at the time of purchase or enrollment.

If paid features are introduced, JE may require that you are at least 18 years old or have authorization from the payment method holder to purchase or subscribe.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms. Refunds may be provided at JE’s discretion or as required by applicable law.

Future Image Uploads (Planned)

JE may introduce the ability for users to upload images for custom puzzles. Uploaded images will not be publicly indexed, searchable, or browsable by JE and are intended to be accessible via a user’s private account, and publicly viewable only as a jigsaw puzzle via a custom puzzle link shared by the user.

12. Accessibility

Jigsaw Explorer is committed to improving accessibility and is actively working to enhance usability for all users. Accessibility improvements are ongoing, including planned reviews and audits.

If you encounter accessibility barriers, please contact [email protected].

13. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Service is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind. JE disclaims all express and implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and uninterrupted availability.

Puzzle Progress and Data Loss

Puzzle progress for single-player puzzles is typically stored in your browser’s local storage and may persist until completion; however, it may be lost due to browser settings, device changes, storage clearing, software updates, or other factors beyond JE’s control.

Multiplayer puzzle state (and associated data, such as chat when implemented) may be deleted after approximately 90 days of inactivity. JE does not guarantee that progress, session state, or related data will be preserved.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, JE and CRM shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising out of or relating to the Service.

JE’s total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Service shall not exceed one hundred U.S. dollars (US $100).

15. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Carolina Road Media, LLC and its affiliates from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your use of the Service;
• Your violation of these Terms;
• Your infringement of intellectual property or other rights, including claims related to images you use for custom puzzles.

16. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any dispute shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in North Carolina. You consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in those courts.

You waive any right to a jury trial and agree that disputes may not be brought as part of a class action.

Nothing in these Terms limits rights that cannot be waived under applicable law.

International Users

The Service is operated from the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, you are responsible for complying with applicable local laws. Nothing in these Terms is intended to limit any consumer protections that cannot be disclaimed under your local law.

17. Export and Sanctions Compliance

You may not use the Service in violation of U.S. export control or sanctions laws. You represent that you are not located in, or a resident of, any country subject to U.S. embargoes and are not on any U.S. government restricted-party list.

18. Force Majeure

JE will not be liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from causes outside its reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil disturbances, labor disputes, internet or infrastructure failures, or actions by government authorities.

19. Beta and Experimental Features

From time to time, JE may offer features labeled as beta, experimental, preview, or similar. These features may change, be discontinued, or be unstable, and are offered without any guarantees regarding continued availability or performance.

20. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If changes are significant, we will update the effective date, and where appropriate, provide notice through the Service or by email if users have chosen to subscribe to updates to these Terms.

Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

21. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

22. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Jigsaw Explorer Privacy Policy and any additional terms presented for specific features, constitute the entire agreement between you and CRM regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements or understandings on the subject.

23. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact:

[email protected]
Jigsaw Explorer
Operated by Carolina Road Media, LLC

Change History

March 19, 2026

The entire privacy policy was rewritten to provide better clarity and transparency regarding the types of information collected, how it is used, and how it is shared. The policy was also restructured to improve readability and organization. There were no significant changes to our policy concerning privacy. It should be noted that the most important clarification made is that Jigsaw Explorer is restricted to users aged 13 and older only, except for limited supervised use of custom puzzles as detailed in the "Children's Privacy" section.