The agreement that governs your access to and use of StenoDesk.
These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a binding agreement between you and StenoDesk LLC ("StenoDesk," "we," "us," "our") governing your access to and use of the StenoDesk platform at stenodesk.com and related applications, services, and subdomains (the "Service"). By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
You must be at least 18 and able to form a binding contract. You are responsible for the accuracy of your registration information, for safeguarding your credentials, and for all activity under your account. Notify us promptly of any unauthorized use. You are responsible for the acts and omissions of users you invite (e.g., subcontractors) to your workspace, including their compliance with these Terms, and you will indemnify StenoDesk for any violations by such users. We reserve the right to deny or restrict your account at our discretion. StenoDesk will not be liable for any losses you incur as a result of someone else using your password or account, either with or without your knowledge. If you are creating an account on behalf of a business, organization or other entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms. That entity shall be responsible for each user's use of the Service under your account; "you" refers to both you individually and that entity.
StenoDesk provides business-management tools for court reporters and legal-support professionals, including task management, client management, scheduling, document-generation, proofing, invoicing, messaging, email/calendar integration, and a Marketplace for professional connections.
Marketplace — no payment processing. The Marketplace is a discovery and connection network only. StenoDesk does not process, hold, escrow, or facilitate payments between Marketplace participants; any engagement, payment, and settlement between users occurs off-platform and directly between them. StenoDesk is not a party to those arrangements and is not responsible for them. StenoDesk does not screen, verify, or endorse the qualifications, certifications, or work product of any Marketplace participant, and disclaims all liability for the quality, timeliness, or legality of services arranged through the Marketplace or for any disputes between participants.
We may modify, add, or discontinue features at any time without liability to you. Some features depend on third-party services (§7) and may be unavailable if those services change.
Certain features or tiers may require a paid subscription, and certain features may incur metered usage-based charges (such as per-page proofing overage). If you purchase a subscription:
You own your User Content. We do not claim ownership of it. You grant StenoDesk a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, process, transmit, display, and create derivative works of your User Content solely to operate, provide, secure, and improve the Service for you (including generating the documents and AI-assisted outputs you request and routing content to subprocessors per the Privacy Policy). This license ends when you delete the content or close your account, except for residual backups retained in accordance with our standard backup-rotation schedule and anonymized/aggregated data.
Your responsibilities for User Content. You represent and warrant that you have all rights and lawful bases necessary to upload and process your User Content using the Services — including but not limited to transcripts, case files, contacts, and connected-mailbox data that may contain third parties' personal or sensitive information — and to grant us the license above. You are solely responsible for the legality, accuracy, and handling of your User Content and for complying with confidentiality obligations (e.g., protective orders) and applicable privacy laws. Where StenoDesk processes personal data on your behalf, it does so as your processor (see Privacy Policy §9).
You agree not to, and will not permit or authorize any third party to:
You are also subject to the Acceptable Use Policy. We may suspend or terminate access for violations as determined in our sole discretion.
The Service integrates with third-party services, such as Supabase, Cloudflare R2, Firebase (Google), Nylas, Google, Microsoft, Dropbox, Stripe, Anthropic (Claude), AssemblyAI, Resend, Sentry, and PostHog; any such integration and availability of a third-party service may change at any time in our sole discretion. Your use of connected third-party services (e.g., your Google/Microsoft mailbox, or your Dropbox or Google Drive account) is governed by those providers' own terms and policies. We are not responsible for third-party services and do not control them. Connecting an email/calendar account is optional and revocable in Settings.
Cloud backup. If you connect a supported cloud storage account (currently Dropbox or Google Drive), StenoDesk will copy your job files into that account as a convenience backup. Cloud backup is a supplemental copy, not an archival or disaster-recovery service: it is provided as-is, may be delayed, interrupted, or incomplete (including because your cloud account is full, disconnected, or its authorization has expired), and does not replace your own retention obligations or backup practices. StenoDesk is the working system of record; files in your cloud account are copies under your control. You are responsible for your cloud account's security and for ensuring that copying particular materials to it (for example, transcripts subject to a protective order or confidentiality obligation) is permitted; §5 and §6 of these Terms apply to backed-up content in your cloud account just as they do within the Service. Disconnecting stops future backups and revokes StenoDesk's access; it does not remove files already copied, which you can delete in your own account at any time.
Recording transcription. If your account is enabled for it, you may submit an audio or video recording you have uploaded for machine transcription so that you can search the recording and align it with your transcript. You represent that you have the right to process the recording in this way, including under any protective order, confidentiality agreement, or court rule that applies to the proceeding. The result is a navigation aid inside the Service and is not a transcript. StenoDesk does not certify it, does not provide it as a document, and is not responsible for its accuracy.
Shared credits. A reporter may allow a linked editor to run certain features against the reporter's own usage allowance. Shared credits are a permission to spend the reporter's allowance on that reporter's assignments; they are not transferred to the editor, have no cash value, do not carry over, may be reduced or withdrawn by the reporter at any time, and do not offset any amount owed between the reporter and the editor.
AI-assisted features (such as transcript proofing, data extraction, glossary generation, and machine transcription of recordings) are assistive tools only. Outputs may be incomplete or incorrect and must be independently verified by a qualified professional before reliance. StenoDesk does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or fitness of AI outputs and is not liable for decisions made in reliance on them. AI features do not constitute legal advice or certified reporting. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any AI-assisted output meets applicable court rules, certification standards, and professional obligations before submission or use in any proceeding. Machine transcription produces a search and playback aid inside the Service, not a transcript; it must not be represented as a certified transcript or filed in any proceeding.
We apply reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect User Content (see Privacy Policy §7). You are responsible for configuring access (e.g., which subcontractors you connect and what they can see) appropriately and for maintaining the security of your own systems, devices, and credentials. No system is perfectly secure, and you acknowledge and assume the inherent risks of transmitting data over the internet. StenoDesk shall not be liable for any unauthorized access or data loss resulting from your failure to maintain appropriate security measures or access configurations.
a. Ownership of the Service. As between the parties, StenoDesk and its licensors retain all right, title and interest, including all worldwide intellectual property rights in and to the Service, the software applications, algorithms, user interfaces, designs, documentation and all modifications or derivative works thereof (collectively, "StenoDesk IP"). Except for the limited license expressly granted in this Section, no implied licenses are granted, and StenoDesk reserves all rights not expressly granted to you.
b. License Grant. Subject to your compliance with these Terms, StenoDesk grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to access and use the Service solely for your internal business or professional purposes during the term of your subscription.
c. Trademarks. The "StenoDesk LLC" name, logos, product names, and branding are trademarks of StenoDesk. No license or right to use any StenoDesk trademark is granted under these Terms. You may not use StenoDesk's branding in any marketing, advertising, press releases, or client testimonials without StenoDesk's prior written consent.
d. Feedback. If you provide StenoDesk with any suggestions, enhancement requests, recommendations, or other feedback relating to the Service ("Feedback"), you hereby grant StenoDesk a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up license to use, incorporate, and exploit such Feedback for any purpose, without restriction or obligation to you.
These Terms apply while you use the Service. You may stop using and close your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access for any reason, including without limitation, if you breach these Terms (subject to a 15-day cure period for breaches reasonably capable of cure, except that no cure period applies to violations of the Acceptable Use Policy (including §6 of these Terms)), if required by law, or to protect the Service or other users. On termination, your license to use the Service ends and you will not be automatically billed for the next billing cycle; you may export your data before closure where the Service provides such tools. Sections that by their nature should survive (e.g., 4 (accrued payment obligations), 5 (license to residual data), 8, 9, 10, 12–15) survive termination.
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE, OR BE FREE OF VIRUSES, WORMS, TROJAN HORSES OR OTHER DESTRUCTIVE PROGRAMMING, OR THAT ANY OUTPUT (INCLUDING AI OUTPUT) WILL BE ACCURATE. THIS SERVICE IS AN EARLY-STAGE PRODUCT UNDER ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND MAY CONTAIN DEFECTS OR UNDERGO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, STENODESK AND ITS OFFICERS, MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AND SUPPLIERS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOST PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. SPECIFICALLY, IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS WHERE SUCH LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DO NOT DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR: (1) DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY CAUSED BY OUR NEGLIGENCE OR THAT OF ANY OF STENODESK'S OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS; (2) FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION; OR (3) ANY LIABILITY WHICH IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO EXCLUDE EITHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SERVICE WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID US IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) US $100.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless StenoDesk and its affiliates, and their respective officers, members, employees, and agents, from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from (a) your User Content, (b) your use of the Service, (c) your violation of these Terms or applicable law, or (d) your violation of any third party's rights (including but not limited to copyright, property rights, contractual rights, privacy/confidentiality of case materials). StenoDesk will have the right to control the defense of any claim subject to indemnification, including selection of counsel, at your expense. You will not settle any claim without StenoDesk's prior written consent.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules.
These Terms and any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of the Service ("Dispute") shall be subject to arbitration as follows. You agree that any Dispute shall be submitted to confidential binding arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual property rights, confidentiality obligations, or data security requirements. If there is a dispute about whether this arbitration provision can be enforced or applies to the Dispute, you and StenoDesk agree that the arbitrator will decide that issue. However, any claim that all or part of the Class Action Waiver (as defined below) is unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable may be determined only by a court of competent jurisdiction and not by an arbitrator.
Arbitration under these Terms is under the Federal Arbitration Act which governs the interpretation and enforcement of this provision. The arbitration will be administered by JAMS Arbitration in accordance with their Streamlined Arbitration Rules (the "Rules") then in effect, found at https://www.jamsadr.com/. Arbitration shall be conducted by one (1) arbitrator as selected pursuant to the Rules; the arbitrator's award shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any claim or cause of action arising out of, related to or connected with the use of the Service or these Terms must be filed within 1 year after such claim or cause of action arose, or the minimum period permitted by applicable law if longer, or be forever banned. In the event that the law does not permit the abovementioned dispute to be resolved through arbitration, you agree that any actions shall be brought solely in a court of competent jurisdiction located within Sacramento, California.
You have the right to opt out of binding arbitration within 30 days of the date you first accepted these Terms by notifying us by email at legal@stenodesk.com with the subject line "Arbitration Opt-Out." In order to be effective, the opt out notice must include your full name, any account information, and must clearly indicate your intent to opt out of binding arbitration. If you have decided to opt-out of binding arbitration, all Disputes shall be heard in a court of competent jurisdiction located within Sacramento, California.
You and StenoDesk agree that any proceedings to resolve or litigate any dispute whether through a court of law or arbitration shall be solely conducted on an individual basis. You agree that you will not seek to have any dispute heard as a class action, representative action, collective action, or private attorney general action ("Class Action Waiver").
We may update these Terms. We will post the updated version with a new "Last updated" date and, for material changes, provide at least 30 days' advance notice (e.g., by email or in-app notification). Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you may close your account before they take effect.
These Terms (with the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Acceptable Use Policy and Refund & Cancellation Policy) are the entire agreement between you and StenoDesk regarding the Service. If any provision is unenforceable, the rest remains in effect. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. You may not assign these Terms without our consent; we may assign them in connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale. Neither party will be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, internet or infrastructure outages, or third-party service failures; provided, however, that this provision does not excuse your obligation to make payments that have accrued under these Terms. All notices under these Terms must be in writing and sent to the contact information in §18 (for StenoDesk) or your account email (for you).
StenoDesk LLC · Email: legal@stenodesk.com