These plain-language terms govern the current public website and submission process. A separate written agreement controls whenever it expressly says it replaces or supplements these website terms.
Public problem submissions
WTF invites descriptions of real-world problems involving products, services, businesses, workplaces, apps, public services, home/property systems and other everyday experiences. Submitters should distinguish firsthand experience from information they only heard from others. Do not submit confidential invention details, unpublished technical drawings, patent-sensitive mechanisms, trade secrets, private medical information, government ID numbers, passwords, confidential employer information, exact home addresses, live location, family schedules, or unnecessary personal information about other people.
Submissions are leads, not verified facts
WTF may treat a public complaint or problem as a lead for research. Receipt does not mean WTF agrees that every statement is accurate or that any person or organization did something wrong. WTF may seek corroborating information, consider alternative explanations, decline the matter, develop an improvement opportunity, or contact an organization professionally when appropriate.
How the website sends a submission
Problem Line and Partner Inquiry forms are reviewed on-screen first when JavaScript is available. Nothing is intentionally submitted through those forms until you choose Send to WTF. The final form submission is processed through Netlify Forms. If JavaScript is unavailable, submitting the form sends it directly through the same hosting form service.
Ownership and permission to review
Submitting through the public website does not by itself transfer ownership of intellectual property you already own. Because these public routes are non-confidential, you give WTF permission to receive, store, review and research the information you intentionally submit, and to follow up or contact an identified organization when your selected permission allows it. Do not use the public website to disclose confidential invention details or trade secrets.
No paid engagement from a public submission
Using the public Problem Line, sending a Partner Inquiry, or submitting the separate Stage-1 Service Fit Request does not by itself create a charge, invoice, paid service, or obligation to buy anything. The Stage-1 fit request is free and nonbinding. If WTF determines that available evidence can support a useful bounded review, WTF may propose a separate written Stage-1 scope at a fixed $495 commitment fee. No paid work begins unless that separate scope and commercial terms are expressly accepted and payment is confirmed.
No automatic relationship
Submitting a problem or contacting WTF does not by itself create an inventor, partner, employee, consultant, agent, fiduciary, licensee, licensor, compensation, confidentiality or other special relationship with WTF Product Development LLC.
No promise to develop or pay
Receipt of a submission does not mean WTF accepts the submission, agrees that it is new, agrees to develop it, promises compensation, or agrees to enter a business relationship.
Controlled technical disclosure
Confidential or proprietary technical discussions should occur only after the appropriate written confidentiality or evaluation process is established.
Authority to bind WTF
Any binding agreement, price, royalty, license, NDA, purchase, payment, commitment, acceptance, rejection or commercial term on behalf of WTF Product Development LLC must be contained in a separate written agreement or written approval expressly authorized by an authorized WTF Product Development LLC representative. Website forms, automated messages, drafts, general correspondence or informal discussions do not bind WTF.
Project status
Public project-stage labels are informational. They do not mean a product is patented, certified, tested, production-ready, commercially available or approved by a regulator unless expressly stated.
Updates
WTF may update these terms when website functionality, submission practices, or business operations materially change. The effective date on this page identifies the current public version.