Important
By using KatChamp, you agree to these terms. This is a legally binding agreement. Please read it carefully, especially the sections on payments, tournament rules, and dispute resolution.
1. Agreement to Terms
These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Circle Hook Productions LLC ("KatChamp," "we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of the KatChamp application and website (the "Service").
By creating an account, accessing, or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you may not use the Service.
We may modify these Terms at any time. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes will be notified via email or in-app notice.
2. Eligibility
2.1 Age Requirements
- 18 years or older – Required to participate in tournaments with entry fees or cash prizes
- 13-17 years old – May use the Service with parental/guardian consent for free tournaments only
- Under 13 – Not permitted to use the Service
2.2 Legal Compliance
You represent that:
- You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms
- You are not prohibited from using the Service under applicable laws
- Fishing tournaments with entry fees are legal in your jurisdiction
- You will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
Note: Some states regulate fishing tournaments with entry fees. You are responsible for ensuring tournament participation is legal in your location.
3. Account Registration
3.1 Account Creation
To use certain features, you must create an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information
- Maintain and update your information as needed
- Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
- Not share your account or credentials with others
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
3.2 Account Types
- Angler – Can register for tournaments, submit catches, and receive prizes
- Tournament Director – Can create and manage tournaments, verify catches, and distribute payouts
3.3 Account Termination
We may suspend or terminate your account at our discretion for:
- Violation of these Terms
- Fraudulent or illegal activity
- Cheating or manipulation
- Abusive behavior toward other users
- Extended inactivity (with notice)
4. KatChamp Wallet & Payments
4.1 Wallet Funds
- Your KatChamp wallet stores funds for tournament entry fees and receives prize winnings
- Wallet funds are not a bank account and earn no interest
- Wallet funds are not insured by the FDIC or any government agency
- You may deposit funds via credit/debit card through our payment processor, Stripe
- Minimum deposit amount is $5.00 USD
4.2 Entry Fees
- Tournament entry fees are deducted from your wallet upon registration
- Entry fees are non-refundable except as specified in Section 5.5
- You must have sufficient wallet balance to register for tournaments
4.3 Prize Payouts
- Prize winnings are credited to your wallet after tournament finalization
- Tournament Directors finalize results and initiate payouts
- Payout distribution follows the tournament's stated prize structure
4.4 Withdrawals
- Only tournament winnings may be withdrawn; deposits cannot be withdrawn
- Withdrawals are processed via PayPal to your linked PayPal email address
- Minimum withdrawal amount is $10.00 USD
- A $0.25 processing fee is deducted from each withdrawal
- Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-3 business days
- We may require identity verification for withdrawals over $600
4.5 Taxes
You are solely responsible for reporting and paying any taxes on your tournament winnings. For U.S. users, winnings over $600 in a calendar year may be reported to the IRS. We may request a W-9 form for tax reporting purposes.
Important: All financial transactions are final. Chargebacks or payment disputes for legitimate transactions may result in account suspension and forfeiture of wallet funds.
5. Tournament Rules & Participation
5.1 General Rules
By entering a tournament, you agree to:
- Follow all rules established by the Tournament Director
- Submit only legitimate, unaltered catch photos
- Provide accurate measurements and species identification
- Fish only during official tournament hours
- Fish only within designated tournament boundaries (if applicable)
- Comply with all applicable fishing regulations and licensing requirements
5.2 Catch Submission
- Catches must be submitted through the KatChamp app with required photo and measurements
- GPS location data may be required by the Tournament Director
- Photos must clearly show the fish and measuring device
- Submissions must occur within tournament hours
- Late submissions may be disqualified at the Tournament Director's discretion
5.3 Catch Verification
- Tournament Directors review and verify all catch submissions
- The Tournament Director's verification decision is final
- Catches may be rejected for unclear photos, missing data, or rule violations
- Verified catches may be revoked if fraud or manipulation is discovered
5.4 Challenges & Disputes
- Other anglers may challenge a catch they believe violates rules
- Tournament Directors review challenges and make final decisions
- Challenge decisions are final and binding
- Frivolous or harassing challenges may result in account penalties
5.5 Refunds & Cancellations
- Before tournament starts: Refunds at Tournament Director's discretion
- Tournament cancelled by Director: Full refund to wallet
- After tournament starts: No refunds
- Disqualification for rule violation: No refund
Fair Play: Cheating, photo manipulation, or any form of fraud will result in immediate disqualification, forfeiture of entry fees and prizes, and permanent account ban.
6. Tournament Director Responsibilities
If you create and host tournaments as a Tournament Director, you agree to:
- Provide clear, complete tournament rules before registration opens
- Accurately describe entry fees, prize structures, and payout schedules
- Verify catches fairly and consistently
- Finalize results and process payouts promptly after tournament completion
- Respond to angler inquiries and challenges in good faith
- Comply with all applicable laws regarding tournament operation
- Not participate as an angler in tournaments you direct (conflict of interest)
6.1 Platform Fees
KatChamp charges a platform fee on tournament entry fees. The fee percentage is disclosed when creating a tournament. Tournament Directors may set additional director fees.
6.2 Director Liability
Tournament Directors are responsible for their tournament operations. KatChamp is not liable for Tournament Director decisions, disputes between Directors and anglers, or issues arising from tournament rules.
7. Prohibited Conduct
You agree NOT to:
- Submit false, manipulated, or fraudulent catch information
- Use photos of fish caught outside tournament hours or boundaries
- Edit, alter, or digitally manipulate catch photos
- Create multiple accounts to enter the same tournament
- Collude with other anglers to manipulate results
- Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
- Attempt to hack, exploit, or disrupt the Service
- Use bots, scripts, or automated tools
- Circumvent any security or access controls
- Violate any applicable fishing laws or regulations
- Use the Service for any illegal purpose
- Infringe on intellectual property rights
8. Skill-Based Competition
Not Gambling: KatChamp tournaments are skill-based fishing competitions, not games of chance. Tournament outcomes are determined by participants' fishing skill, knowledge, and effort—not random chance. This distinction is important for legal compliance in most jurisdictions.
Tournament success depends on factors including:
- Fishing skill and technique
- Knowledge of fish behavior and habitats
- Equipment selection and preparation
- Time management during tournament hours
- Strategic decision-making
9. Intellectual Property
9.1 KatChamp Content
The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Circle Hook Productions LLC and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
9.2 User Content
You retain ownership of content you submit (photos, etc.). By submitting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content in connection with the Service, including:
- Displaying catches on leaderboards and feeds
- Promotional materials for KatChamp
- Social media posts about tournaments
You represent that you own or have rights to any content you submit.
10. Disclaimers
10.1 Service Provided "As Is"
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
10.2 No Guarantee
We do not guarantee that:
- The Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
- Results or information will be accurate or reliable
- Any defects will be corrected
- Tournament Directors will fulfill their obligations
10.3 Fishing Risks
Fishing involves inherent risks. You participate in tournaments at your own risk. We are not responsible for any injuries, accidents, property damage, or other harm that may occur while fishing.
11. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:
- KATCHAMP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
- KATCHAMP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, OR GOODWILL
- KATCHAMP'S TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, OR $100, WHICHEVER IS GREATER
These limitations apply regardless of the theory of liability and even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
12. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Circle Hook Productions LLC, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from:
- Your use of the Service
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any rights of another party
- Your participation in tournaments
- Content you submit to the Service
13. Dispute Resolution
13.1 Informal Resolution
Before filing any legal claim, you agree to contact us at legal@katchamp.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days.
13.2 Arbitration Agreement
If we cannot resolve a dispute informally, you and KatChamp agree to resolve any disputes through binding individual arbitration rather than in court, except that either party may bring claims in small claims court if eligible.
13.3 Class Action Waiver
YOU AND KATCHAMP AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION.
13.4 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law principles.
14. General Provisions
14.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and EULA, constitute the entire agreement between you and KatChamp.
14.2 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect.
14.3 Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.
14.4 Assignment
You may not assign or transfer these Terms. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.
14.5 Contact
Questions about these Terms should be sent to: