Rinkya Authentication — Terms of Service

1. Definitions

For purposes of these Terms:

• "Authentication" means an expert opinion rendered by Rinkya based on the evidence available at the time of inspection.
• "Item" means the physical object submitted by a user for review under the Service.
• "User" means any individual or entity that submits an Item to the Service or otherwise uses the Service.
• "Authentication Result" means Rinkya's conclusion regarding an Item, which may include Authenticated, Not Authenticated, or Inconclusive / Unable to Authenticate.
• "Inconclusive" means that, based on the available evidence, Rinkya cannot reasonably reach a definitive conclusion.
• "Record" means the digital verification record created by Rinkya, which may include photographs, imaging data, descriptive metadata, hashes, timestamps, and verification status.
• "Seal" means a tamper‑evident label or other physical indicator applied to an Item or its packaging.

2. Nature of the Service

2.1 The Service consists of the physical inspection of submitted Items, evidence capture, documentation, and issuance of an Authentication Result and Record.

2.2 Authentication is an expert opinion based on the evidence reasonably available at the time of inspection. It is not a statement of absolute fact, warranty, guarantee, or promise of authenticity, value, provenance, or condition. Authentication Opinions are rendered using the fine-art attribution scale (By / Attributed to / Studio of / Workshop of / Circle of / etc.) described in Rinkya's published Methodology.

2.3 The Service does not certify monetary value, appraised value, investment performance, insurability, merchantability, or future market acceptance.

2.4 No Authentication Result shall be construed as legal advice, appraisal, or title verification.

3. Appraisal Services

3.1 Rinkya may offer appraisal services as a separate engagement from authentication. An appraisal is an independent opinion of value and is a distinct deliverable from an Authentication Result.

3.2 Appraisal fees are based solely on the scope and complexity of the engagement and are never contingent upon, or calculated as a percentage of, the appraised value.

3.3 Appraisals are prepared in conformance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and applicable professional guidelines.

3.4 Appraisal opinions are rendered independently and are not influenced by the authentication outcome, the User's expectations, or the intended use of the appraisal.

4. Service Timeline

4.1 An estimated turnaround time will be provided at intake. Estimates are not guaranteed and do not create a binding commitment to deliver by a specific date.

4.2 Items requiring external analysis, specialist consultation, or additional research may require extended processing time.

4.3 Rinkya will communicate material delays promptly and provide updated estimates when reasonably possible.

5. Eligibility and Submission

5.1 Rinkya may limit the categories of Items eligible for the Service and may reject any submission at its discretion.

5.2 Users represent and warrant that:

• They have the legal right to submit the Item.
• The Item submitted is the same Item described in the application.
• All information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge.

5.3 Items submitted in a condition materially different from what was represented may be rejected or result in cancellation of the Service.

6. Handling, Inspection, and Repackaging

6.1 Users authorize Rinkya to handle, inspect, photograph, image, and document the Item as reasonably necessary to perform the Service.

6.2 Certain Services may require opening, unsealing, or removing Items from existing packaging. Users acknowledge that Items may not be returnable to their original unopened state.

6.3 Except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, Rinkya is not responsible for changes in value resulting from necessary inspection or resealing.

7. Authentication Results and Reliance

7.1 Possible outcomes include: Authenticated, Not Authenticated, Inconclusive / Unable to Authenticate.

7.2 An Inconclusive result is not a failure and does not imply that an Item is inauthentic.

7.3 Authentication Results reflect Rinkya's opinion at the time rendered. Users acknowledge that reasonable experts may disagree and that conclusions may change if new or contradictory evidence becomes available.

7.4 Users agree not to rely on Authentication Results as the sole basis for any purchase, sale, insurance placement, valuation, or investment decision.

7.5 Independent Certifier Opinions. Where an Authentication Result is rendered by an Independent Certifier (see Section 16), the opinion represents the professional judgment of the Certifier named on the Record and not a corporate position of Rinkya. Users acknowledge that different Certifiers may reach different conclusions on the same Item, and that Rinkya does not warrant uniformity across independent professional opinions. Users are encouraged to review the Certifier's profile, credentials, and methodology before relying on any Authentication Result.

8. Fees, Refunds, and No Chargebacks

8.1 Users must pay all applicable Service fees as specified by Rinkya.

8.2 Except where expressly stated otherwise, fees are non-refundable once inspection, evidence capture, or analysis has begun.

8.3 Users agree not to initiate chargebacks or payment disputes for Services properly rendered. Improper chargebacks may result in denial of future services.

9. Shipping, Insurance, and Risk of Loss

9.1 Users are responsible for proper packaging, declared value accuracy, and insurance coverage when shipping Items to Rinkya.

9.2 Risk of loss transfers to Rinkya only upon confirmed physical receipt and transfers back to the User upon tender to the outbound carrier.

9.3 Rinkya is not an insurer and assumes no responsibility for carrier loss, customs seizure, delay, or damage except to the extent required by law.

9.4 While Items are in Rinkya's physical custody, Rinkya shall exercise reasonable professional care consistent with industry standards for handling collectibles and fine art. Rinkya's liability for loss of or damage to an Item during custody shall not exceed the lesser of (a) the documented replacement cost or (b) the declared value at the time of submission, and only to the extent such loss or damage is not covered by the User's own insurance.

9.5 Rinkya maintains appropriate bailee insurance coverage for Items in its physical custody. Users are encouraged to maintain their own insurance coverage at all times.

10. Seals, Records, Verification, and Intellectual Property

10.1 If applied, Seals link an Item to its Record solely at the time of certification.

10.2 Any removal, damage, alteration, transfer, or attempted reuse of a Seal immediately voids the certified state of the Item.

10.3 Records may be publicly viewable. Rinkya makes no representation regarding third-party interpretation, acceptance, or reliance on Records.

10.4 All photographs, imaging, documentation, and Records created as part of the Service are the intellectual property of Rinkya. Users are granted a non-exclusive, revocable license to display Records only in direct connection with the certified Item and without modification.

11. Cancellations, Refusals, and Incomplete Submissions

11.1 Rinkya may cancel or refuse the Service at any stage if:

• The Item does not meet eligibility requirements.
• The Item differs materially from the submission description.
• Required information, access, or documentation is missing.
• Fraud, misrepresentation, or prohibited conduct is suspected.

11.2 If inspection has not yet begun, Rinkya may refund fees at its discretion. Once inspection or evidence capture has begun, fees are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.

11.3 Returned Items shall be shipped at the User's expense unless otherwise agreed.

12. Prohibited Conduct

Users may not:

• Submit Items solely to obtain documentation, images, or Records without intent to retain certification.
• Submit altered, substituted, or intentionally misrepresented Items.
• Remove, transfer, or reuse Seals or labels on different items.
• Misuse Authentication Results or Records to deceive others or misrepresent scope, certainty, or endorsement.
• Represent Rinkya Authentication as a guarantee of value, provenance, or future resale success.

15. Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Rinkya, its officers, directors, employees, advisors, and contractors from any claims, losses, damages, or expenses arising out of:

• Submission of the Item;
• Use or misuse of Authentication Results or Records;
• Breach of these Terms; or
• Violation of any law or third-party rights.

16. Independent Certifiers and Partner Authenticators

16.1 The Rinkya Authentication Platform (the "Platform") publishes Authentication Opinions rendered by two categories of experts: (a) Rinkya Staff Certifiers, who are employees of Rinkya and render opinions directly under Rinkya's supervision; and (b) Independent Certifiers (also referred to as "Partners"), who are qualified professional authenticators operating independently under their own brand and who use the Platform to publish their Authentication Opinions. Independent Certifiers are independent contractors and are not employees, agents, joint venturers, or representatives of Rinkya.

16.2 The name and credentials of the Certifier responsible for any given Authentication Opinion are displayed on each Record and on the Certifier's public profile page. Users should review this information before relying on any Authentication Opinion.

16.3 Certifier Responsibility. Each Independent Certifier is solely responsible for: (a) the professional content of their Authentication Opinions, including attribution, condition grading, catalogue notes, and commentary; (b) the accuracy of the credentials and biographical information published on their Certifier profile; (c) the handling of any Item while in the Certifier's physical custody; and (d) their own professional conduct in performing authentication services.

16.4 Rinkya Responsibility. Rinkya is solely responsible for: (a) the operation, security, and availability of the Platform; (b) the issuance and integrity of physical seals, QR hologram labels, and label numbering; (c) the blockchain anchoring and digital preservation of published Records; and (d) the Record publication workflow, including verification, transfer, and dispute flows.

16.5 Claims Against Authentication Opinions. Any claim, complaint, or dispute arising from the professional content of an Authentication Opinion rendered by an Independent Certifier — including but not limited to claims of incorrect attribution, incorrect grading, or professional negligence — must be directed to the Certifier named on the relevant Record, who is the author of that opinion. Rinkya may, at its discretion, assist in mediating such disputes but assumes no liability for the professional content of Authentication Opinions rendered by Independent Certifiers.

16.6 Claims Against the Platform. Any claim, complaint, or dispute arising from the operation of the Platform itself — including data loss, security incidents, failure to publish, blockchain anchoring errors, or misuse of seals — must be directed to Rinkya. Independent Certifiers are not liable for the operation of the Platform.

16.7 Rinkya provides the technology platform, infrastructure, and verification system only. Rinkya is not a party to any agreement between a User and an Independent Certifier. The Independent Certifier's rendering of professional opinion under its own brand shall not be construed as a statement, warranty, endorsement, or supervised work product of Rinkya.

16.8 Mutual Non-Imputation. In no event shall Rinkya be liable for any act, error, or omission of an Independent Certifier, and in no event shall any Independent Certifier be liable for any act, error, or omission of Rinkya or of any other Certifier operating on the Platform.

16.9 Professional Liability Insurance. Independent Certifiers are required under their agreement with Rinkya to maintain professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance. Rinkya does not guarantee the sufficiency, coverage, or enforceability of any individual Certifier's insurance, and Users are encouraged to consider a Certifier's credentials, track record, and available recourse when relying on any Authentication Opinion.

16.10 Independent Certifiers are solely responsible for maintaining any professional licenses, credentials, and compliance with applicable laws required to perform their services. Users acknowledge that any claim arising from an Independent Certifier's authentication opinion, handling of Items, or professional conduct must be directed solely to that Certifier, and Users agree to hold Rinkya harmless from any such claims except to the extent arising from Rinkya's own negligence or willful misconduct in operating the Platform.

17. Privacy

Rinkya's handling of personal information and submission data is governed by its Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference.

19. Force Majeure and Changes to Terms

19.1 Rinkya shall not be liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, labor disruptions, carrier failures, customs actions, or governmental orders.

19.2 Rinkya may update these Terms at any time by posting revised Terms. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

20. Abandoned Items

20.1 If a User fails to arrange return shipment, pay required fees, or accept delivery within thirty (30) days after notice, the Item may be deemed abandoned.

20.2 Rinkya may, at its sole discretion, store, dispose of, donate, or otherwise handle abandoned Items without liability.

21. Assignment, Severability, and Survival

21.1 Users may not assign these Terms without Rinkya's prior written consent. Rinkya may assign these Terms freely.

21.2 If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

21.3 Sections relating to liability, intellectual property, indemnification, dispute resolution, and abandoned Items shall survive termination.

22. Contact Information

Rinkya, Inc.
10105 E Via Linda Ste 103, PMB 3067
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
authentic@rinkya.com