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Shielders®  Website Terms & Conditions

The Terms And Conditions here govern the use of the Shielders® website and all pages within it and apply in full force and effect to the Users of the Shielders® website. 

General Terms
Visitors and Users are granted limited licenses for viewing or use of the Shielders® website contents for learning and purchasing purposes only and at the sole discretion of the licensors under all the terms and conditions herein. In all circumstances, Shielders® wholly reserves all legal rights and privileges over all proprietary content published on this, the Shielders® website, now and the future. Shielders® and its licensors wholly own and reserve all rights to the intellectual property on this Shielders® website. Shielders® reserves the exclusive right to refuse access, registration and use of the Shielders®  website, its learning products, and its services in accordance with prevailing law.

Shielders® reserves the right to change or improve any and all of its products and services on the Shielders® website and our terms as it sees fit, at any time. For updated information about any of those changes, please be advised to reread this and other legal pages of our website periodically.

User Acceptance of This Agreement
By visiting or using this Shielders® website, you are actively accepting our Terms and Conditions as here expressed. Continued use of the Shielders® website is implicit consent to this Terms and Conditions Agreement. 

Intellectal Property
Whether access is paid or free-of-charge, Users are expressly restricted from any activity in violation of its copyright, trademark, or contractual agreements, including the following activities regarding the Shielders® website and its contents, including ideas, text, illustrations, learning activities and materials, products, services, related communications, and any and all of its and its licensors’ registered copyrights, trademarks, logos, and design elements. Users are and may be restricted from specific areas of the Shielders® website for either educational or commercial reasons, and Shielders® may further restrict access to those or any other areas of the website at any time at its sole and singular discretion. Users may NOT engage in any of the following activities:

• duplicate, copy, publish, sell, sublicense, or otherwise commercialize, publicly perform or offer representations without the express contractual permission of Shielders® or its licensors;

• damage, restrict, or limit User access to the Shielders® website, its contents, or gain access to its proprietary or contractual financial services information or providers in any other method than that which is provided on or through the Shielders® website;

• data mine, harvest, extract, or any similar activity on this website without the express contractual permission of Shielders®, its licensors;
• use or operate this website in any way contrary to any Shielders® User Agreements, explicit or implied; nor
• access or use of the Shielders® website in any way contrary to those provided by Shielders® and supported by applicable state and federal laws and regulations, or in that or any other way that might or does cause harm to the website, the websites of its contracted financial service providers or any other websites, or to any other User, person, or business entity is expressly prohibited under all available statutes of federal, state, and municipal law.

All original illustrations appearing in the Shielders® courses and on this website and related media are copyrighted, with full rights reserved.Shielders®, The Shield Method Weight Loss Breakthrough!®, The Shielders Shield logo and Id the Dragon® (both name and image), which are used frequently in the Shielders® courses, products, advertising and marketing, etc. are registered trademarks licensed to the Shielders® Company.

User Content
“User Content” here refers to any audio, video, photographs, illustrations, text, other images, ideas, data, or other materials that Users encounter on Shielders® website and may choose to use from or contribute to the Shielders® website. By providing User Content, all Users grant Shielders® and its licensors non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, and sublicensable licenses to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, translate, and distribute through any or all media. User Content can be removed from any portion of the Shielders® website at the discretion of Shielders® licensors without notice to the User for any reason and at any time.

Course Participation and Progression:
Our primary course is the Shield Method Weight Loss Course, which is often referred to in this document as “the” course. Our primary objective in teaching this course is to enable students to activate and use the natural “Mental Shielding” ability of their minds for comfortable and reliable eating control. 

In an effort to duplicate the exceptional results that were obtained in our clinical tests, we have structured the online course to follow the clinical practices that we used, as closely as possible. We use tests, as we did in the clinic, to catch any misunderstandings and correct them right away. The tests also help give students confidence that they really do understand the concepts that they are learning. 

The rules and techniques of the Shield Method are easy, but the underlying concepts are quite complex and each lesson builds on information from previous lessons. For this reason, course takers may not progress to the next lesson until they pass the test for the current one. We encourage students to read each lesson thoroughly, at least twice, to be sure they understand the concepts so that they can pass the tests. Most have no trouble passing the tests. In fact, they usually find them fun and get addicted to trying to get every answer right – which is usually pretty easy. 

However, if a person does not pass a test, they will receive a failed test message that will direct them to review the questions they got wrong, reread the lesson if necessary, and retake the test. If they cannot pass the test after several attempts, a fail message will suggest that they seek external help, such as having someone help translate the lesson to them or talking to a Shielder graduate through chat (not yet available), or a mental health care provider (preferably one who has taken this Shield Method course). 

In the clinic, time was scheduled between lessons so that students had time to absorb what they were learning and practice the techniques. So we have programmed time between the online lessons (usually 48 hours) and the application is set to notify students by email when their next lesson is accessible. 

Students in the clinic also did not retake lessons, and we believe that this helped maintain an important momentum. So we have programmed the lessons so that students take the lessons in a linear fashion, rather than skipping ahead or backwards. However, graduates who join our Sterling Shielders community (at no charge) are given opportunities to retake some or all of the lessons. There is no cost to be accepted into the Sterling Shielders community. Graduates must simply agree to retake a yearly evaluation and to send us periodic updates of their long-term progress.

Once you enroll in a course, we highly recommend that you take at least 2 lessons a week until you complete the course. Those who don’t take the lessons at the recommended pace may lose their momentum or forget some of what they learn and this may prevent them from succeeding. Ordinarily, students “can’t wait” to take the next lesson! But we reserve the right to drop any student who doesn’t take the lessons at the recommended pace; or, if their results are lower than average, not to include them in our statistical reports.

We recommending using a desktop or tablet for taking the lessons, if possible, since the tests and some charts are easier to read on a larger screen.

Note: It is not possible for us to have a support database, since each lesson contains new information that builds on information from the previous lessons. Providing information that is beyond a Shielder’s current lesson level would not help them and could be very confusing. It’s much better to absorb the information from the lessons in the order they are given. The tests are designed to help make sure that students understand the information in each lesson and to catch and correct misunderstandings before they proceed to the next lesson.

Comprehensive evaluations are built into this course, which confidentially record each participants statuses regarding their eating habits and how these affect them, and track changes to these statuses as they progress through the course. 

Please be aware that we will not be responsible to act, in any way, on any information that you divulge during your participation in any of our courses, communications, events, etc. For example, if you record that you have a certain medical condition, we will not be responsible to advise you about it or report it to your doctor. We do not have doctors who are responsible to review your answers for this purpose. Our purpose for obtaining your health and other statuses is solely to document how your starting statuses change as you progress through our courses. If you have now or later discover that you have any medical or psychological condition, you, alone, are responsible to report it to your own doctors.

Note: As with all portion control methods, your weight loss may slow as you continue on this program. This is your body’s natural way of preventing you from losing too much weight. (it’s the same thing your body would do if you were starving – it would slow down your metabolism to help you last longer.) Research shows that as long as your new eating habits are consistent, this can result in a more efficient metabolism. 

We reserve the right to decline or dismiss any individual for any reason. We may dismiss individuals whose test answers indicate an insufficient understanding of the vital concepts, or if they are not progressing through the course in a manner that we feel, at our sole discretion, will enable them to achieve a positive result. 

Additionally, we reserve the right to close accounts manually in accordance with our account closure policies, such as if a participant doesn’t take the lessons at the recommended pace; if they fail to complete the course within the allotted 90 day access period after registering; or for impolite, unethical, pornographic or other unacceptable behaviors or activities. In these cases, a refund will not be issued.

Those individuals who state that they do not eat excessively or are not taking the course for personal weight loss (such as doctors and researchers who are taking the course simply to learn about the Shield Method) will not be included in the statistics of those who are taking the course for eating control and/or weight loss.

Parental Advisement
The Shield Method often improves personal control, which can have a very beneficial effect on both adults and children; but it is, of course, the parents responsibility to protect, monitor, and choose their children’s learning activities. We leave it up to a child’s parents or legal guardians to decide when their child is capable of learning and understanding the concepts and techniques of any particular Shield Method course or product.

It is usually very easy and fun for children to learn the lessons and maintain their control. However, some of the concepts are complex and the techniques cannot work (especially over the long-term) if a child cannot yet completely understand and retain them. Therefore, we suggest that parents first take the same Shielders® course that they are considering enrolling their child in (this can also help them support their child in the learning process); or consult with a doctor who is familiar with the child and this course (preferably one who has taken the course). 

We reserve the right to decline or dismiss any child whose test answers indicate an insufficient understanding of the vital concepts, or if they are not progressing through the course in a manner that we feel, at our sole discretion, will enable them to achieve a positive outcome.

Shielders® and the Shielders® website cannot in any way provide, accept, or assume any form of in loco parentis service. Shielders does not accept any responsibility for verifying the age or identity of any child (or other person), nor for any alleged adverse effects that any Shield Method course or product may have on them.

Certificates of Course Completion: Those who successfully complete this course and are in good standing with the Shielders® Company may download a registered Certificate of Completion. Authenticity of Certificates may currently be verified through the Certificate Verifier menu from the Home Page of this site. We reserve the right to decline to issue or to revoke any certificate for any reason, at our sole discretion, such as if we receive reports or information of misuse, damage to the Shielders® company, false representations or impolite or unethical behavior.

List of doctors who have taken Shield Method courses: We may include on the Shielders® website a list of doctors (and perhaps other professionals) who have taken one or more of our courses, to make it easier for people who are interested to find them. However, caution should be taken, as we are not responsible to vet or verify the credentials of any individual on this list, and we do not accept any responsibility for injuries or damages that may result from any and all contact with them, directly or indirectly. (We encourage users to inform us and the proper authorities of incorrect information and negative experiences with those on our list.) 

We reserve the exclusive right to allow or disallow inclusion on any of our lists and to remove any individual for any reason, at our sole discretion.

Closing Account and Refund Policy for Paying Participants:
Paying participants may take up to 4 (of 20) lessons and receive a full refund, for any reason, as long as they do not proceed to Lesson 5.  Lessons 5 through 20 are reserved exclusively for fully-paid students. However, in the event that you do not wish to continue, we do encourage you to take the Baseline Evaluation (after Lesson 4, but before Lesson 5) which can give you a glimpse of the ways in which Shielders typically change.

To close your account and request a refund, simply notify us that you wish to close your account (through the Upload Portal menu from the home page) and request a refund. If we see from your records that you have not opened Lesson 5, we will issue you a full refund. However, if we see that you have opened Lesson 5, you will not be eligible for a refund. Refunds are ordinarily remitted within 30 days of notifying us, via the same payment method that was used for the purchase

Warning about closing your account before completing this course:  
We highly discourage anyone from taking this course if they don’t personally want to. That would be counterproductive, since it would cause their mind to fight learning and applying the techniques, which simply wouldn’t work. Also, students who are taking the course should not continue if they reach a point in which they feel uncomfortable taking it.  

However, those who don’t complete the course may not expect to attain lasting results. The lessons first build reliable control, then consistent control. Without reliable and consistent control, you cannot expect to succeed. In addition, those who do not complete the entire course will not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion or to take our other courses, which build on the techniques taught in our weight loss course. Furthermore, they may not be eligible to work for us in some capacities, such as chat counselors, which require a full knowledge of the rules and techniques of Shielding. Doctors and other professionals will not be eligible for a certificate of completion or a listing in our directory of those who have taken the course and use the techniques.

Refunds in the event of website disruption or closure: Although we take precautions to prevent disruptions of services, we reserve the right to temporarily or permanently close this website if, for example, its security is compromise, or for any other reason that we deem appropriate. In case of a permanent closure, refunds for any non-completed courses will be issued within 60 days of a written request.

No Warranty
The Shielders® website is provided to the User “as is” with all its inherent flaws and Shielders® makes no express or implied warranties of any kind related to this website or its contents. The learning materials and activities represented on this site are designed for the use of adults with appropriate discretion (and children, under adult supervision). 

Limitation of Liability
Shielders®, its creator, officers, directors, management company (named below), licensor(s) or employees shall not be liable to the User for any event or outcome arising from or in connection with the User’s use of the Shielders® website or its contents, whether such event or outcome be construed as in reference to contract, tort, or any otherwise, including indirect, consequential, or special liability claims arising from or related to the User’s misunderstanding or inability to engage in appropriate use of this website or its contents.

Disclaimers
Our studies have shown that the Shield Method can help individuals gain much more reliable and consistent personal control of their eating behaviors, which can have a beneficial effect on their mental and physical health. However, it is not intended, and does not claim, to diagnose or treat any specific condition(s). Statements made in the lessons and content of this website are Dr. Deborah Hill, D.C.’s own theories and opinions and have not been evaluated by federal health agencies. No portion of this website shall be construed as offering or providing professional, medical or psychological consultation or advice to the User. 

Results of past participants do not guarantee that future participants will obtain the same results. Your results may vary. Always consult with your doctor about any weight loss method you are considering.

Shielders® cannot be held responsible for verifying the age or identity of any participant. Shielders® accepts no responsibility for the fraudulent or illicit actions of any other organization, agency, or commercial or personal entity acting to interfere or harm any participant of this website.

Prices and promotional offers are subject to change at any time, without notice.

Indemnification
The User hereby indemnifies to the fullest extent Shielders®, its creator, officers, directors, management company, licensor(s) or employees from and against any and all liabilities, costs, demands, causes of action, damages and expenses, including attorney’s fees, which arise from or as a result of using this website or User breach of these or other Terms & Conditions published on the Shielders® website. Shielders®, its management company, and its users must be willing to resolve all legal issues, controversies, and other conflicts through appropriate forms of arbitration prior to considering any form of direct litigation.

Severability
If any provision included in the Terms & Conditions of Terms of Use on the Shielders® website is or becomes unenforceable or invalid under any state or federal law, such shall not invalidate them or imply any automatic removal from the Shielders® website unless that use has become prohibited by law. The full contents of Shielders® Terms & Conditions and Shielders® Terms of Use remain on this website at the sole discretion of Shielders® who reserves sole rights to remove or change any of their provisions at any time without diminishing those that remain.

Variation of Terms
All Shielders® website Users are expected to review regularly the terms, conditions, and all other terms of use herein and in the Shielders® Terms of Use also provided on this Shielders® website.

Governing Law Statement
This contract is governed by the laws of the State of Nevada.

Assignment
Users may not assign, transfer, or subcontract any rights of access or other rights or obligations to any third party. Shielders® is solely permitted to assign, transfer, and subcontract user rights and obligations without any notification or consent of any user or third-party.

Entire Agreement
These Terms & Conditions, the Terms of Use elsewhere on this Shielders® website, any other legal notices and disclaimers also contained on the Shielders® website comprise the entire agreement between the Shielders® website and its Shielders® website Users and supersede all prior agreements and previous understandings explicitly agreed upon by the User(s) and their use of the Shielders® website.

Inquiries & Other Communications 

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the state of Nevada, USA. For any legal or business questions regarding this document, please direct all correspondence to Underscore Management, Inc., DBA Shielders, at 3225 McLeod Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada 89121.