Terms of service
Effective 1 January 2026. Plain-language summaries head each section; the section text is the binding part.
1. The service
Summary: this covers the website, store and publishing platform. These terms govern lighthousepublication.com, the bookstore, reader and author dashboards, and journal platforms operated by Lighthouse Publication Pvt. Ltd. Publishing engagements are additionally governed by their individual contracts, which prevail where they differ.
2. Accounts
Summary: keep your password safe; one human per account. You are responsible for activity under your credentials. Two-factor authentication is available and recommended. We may suspend accounts used for fraud, scraping or abuse of staff.
3. Purchases
Summary: prices include GST; broken books get replaced. Prices are in INR unless shown otherwise. Risk passes on delivery. Returns per the published policy: damaged copies replaced within 30 days; unread returns within 14 days for credit; digital refunds within 48 hours if under 10% read.
4. Author submissions
Summary: your manuscript stays yours. Submitting grants us only the licence needed to evaluate it. You warrant the work is yours and doesn't infringe others' rights. Publication happens only under a signed contract; nothing on this site constitutes an offer to publish.
5. Intellectual property
Summary: don't republish our books or our website. Site content, covers and catalogue text are protected. Sample chapters may be shared with attribution and a link. Bulk scraping of catalogue data, including for AI training, is prohibited without written licence.
6. Journals & ethics
Summary: academic misconduct has academic consequences. Journal submissions are governed by the relevant journal's policies (COPE-aligned). Fabrication, plagiarism or duplicate submission may result in rejection, retraction with notice, and notification of institutions.
7. Liability
Summary: we're liable for what the law says; not for lost profits from a delayed paperback. To the extent permitted by law, our aggregate liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the twelve months preceding the claim. Nothing limits liability that cannot be limited.
8. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of India; courts of New Delhi have exclusive jurisdiction. Disputes go to good-faith negotiation first — chai included.