Terms of Use

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THESE TERMS OF USE AND TERMS OF SALE BEFORE USING THIS WEBSITE, THE SERVICE, OR ANY OTHER CONTENT ACCESSIBLE ON OR THROUGH THIS WEBSITE.

By using this site (the “Site”), you (“you” or the “End User”) agree to the terms and conditions that we (“Gosawa”) have provided.

Section 1. Our Service

1.1. Gosawa (the “Site”) is owned and operated by Gosawa Inc. registered in the BVI as company number 1975083. (“Gosawa” or “we”, “our” or “us”). We offer a service (the “Service”) which connects buyers of services and goods (“Buyers”) with sellers of services and goods (“Merchants”). Merchants provide us with certain promotional offers (each an “Offer”), usually offering a discount if enough Buyers are willing to buy a service or good within a certain time period. We make these Offers available through the Site. When enough Buyers agree to purchase the good or service promoted in the Offer, the Merchant is bound to fulfill it. Gosawa oversees collection of payment on behalf of the Merchant from the Buyer. Upon confirmation of payment, Gosawa, again on behalf of the Merchant, issues the Buyer a coupon (“Coupon”) redeemable for the applicable service or good.
1.2. Whether you are a Merchant or a Buyer, these Terms apply to you. Therefore, Merchants and Buyers are referred to as “you” or “User” hereafter. Where the Terms are only applicable to one subset of Users or the other, we have so indicated.
1.3. These Terms incorporate the Privacy Policy and details in the FAQ which taken together describe the rules that must be followed by any person who establishes a connection for access to and use of the Site. You may not use or access the Site or the Service if you do not agree to these Terms.
1.4. Because we are constantly innovating in order to provide better experiences for our users, we reserve the right to modify or discontinue any feature or aspect of the Site or the Service at anytime. We must also, therefore, reserve the right to change the Terms governing any User’s use of the Site and Service at any time. Any change in the Terms will be effective upon posting the changes to this Terms page. Any use by you subsequent to these changes will constitute your acceptance of such changes. Therefore, we suggest that you check back frequently to make sure you are always familiar with the current Terms.

Section 2. Terms Applicable Only to Buyers

2.1. Offers often come with limitations. Buyers need to read the applicable terms of the relevant Offer. For example, Offers for goods or services purchased at discount prices are often also subject to time limits or other restrictions which may require the Buyer to complete the transaction within a certain timeframe or in a certain manner in order to receive the benefit of the Offer. We will use reasonable efforts to make any limitations known to you when we post the Offer. You will not be able to redeem any Coupon in violation of the restrictions governing the Offer, and funds paid for such a Coupon will be non-refundable.
2.2. Gosawa does not knowingly collect any information from persons under the age of 13. If we determine that any content has been uploaded to the Site by someone under the age of 13, it will be removed. If you are between the ages of 13 and 18, please ask your parent’s permission before using the Site and the Service. Some Offers may be subject to further age limitations.
2.3. Unless expressly stated otherwise in the Offer, (i) there is a limit of one Coupon per person per Offer and (ii) Coupons are not redeemable in partial amounts. To the extent allowed by law, Coupons may be gifted or sold. However, Users purchasing multiple Coupons for the purpose of reselling may have their accounts frozen and may be banned from participating in future Offers. Each Coupon authentication number is only usable once. You are responsible for keeping your Coupon number secure. Neither the Merchant nor Gosawa will be liable if your Coupon is lost or stolen.
2.4. The value of each Coupon is the cash amount the Buyer actually paid for it. It is NOT the promotional value stated on the face of the Coupon (for example, but not by way of limitation, if the Buyer paid $50 for a Coupon which gives $100 value at the Merchant, the cash value that the Buyer paid is $50, not $100). While the expiration date on the Coupon dictates the last date that the Buyer can use the Coupon at the Merchant for the promotional value stated on the face of the Coupon, certain laws may provide that the Merchant is responsible for honoring the cash value paid by the Buyer beyond the expiration date stated on the Coupon. If applicable, these laws pertain to the Merchant, and it is the Merchant’s sole responsibility (and not the responsibility of Gosawa) to meet the obligations imposed by law upon the Merchant. Amounts paid are non-refundable except to the extent which may be required by applicable law.
2.5. Gosawa is an intermediary and agent of the Merchant, and merely sells promotional Coupons on behalf of the Merchant. If the Buyer has problems with the Coupon or the goods and services, we will use reasonable efforts to assist the Buyer in dealing with the Merchant. However, we cannot and will not guarantee any issuance of refunds or credits. Buyers will have to obtain those from the Merchant, if applicable.
2.6. Gosawa will determine Buyer’s compliance with these Terms in its sole discretion. Gosawa reserves the right to restrict, suspend, deny or terminate access to all or part of the Site or Service by any Buyer and to deny access to any Buyer in its sole discretion without notice or liability of any kind.
2.7. Your Coupon does not include any applicable gratuities — please remember and tip accordingly.

Section 3. Terms Applicable Only to Merchants

3.1. Each Merchant is required to submit a "Merchant Offering" for each Offer the Merchant wishes to promote through Gosawa's advertising and promotional services. Details of each "Merchant Offering" may be transacted through various media including digital and handwritten exchange. Any provision of a Merchant Agreement which has been signed by us and expressly overrides these Terms will take precedence over these Terms, but these Terms will otherwise govern the relationship between the Merchant and Gosawa.
3.2. Merchant hereby appoints Gosawa as its limited agent, solely for the purposes of (i) promoting the "Merchant Offering", (ii) collecting payment on behalf of Merchant, and (iii) for issuing Coupons in accordance with the terms specified in the Order agreement to paid up Buyers.
3.3. Merchant agrees that Gosawa may use the Merchant’s name and brand information in connection with making available and promoting the "Merchant Offering" and identifying Merchant as a party that sells or has sold goods or services through the Site. The Merchant agrees to allow Gosawa to use photographs and published descriptions of the Merchant’s business or merchandise for all media/publicity purposes including personal reviews and Gosawa's take on the merchant's business. Gosawa will reasonably comply with any trademark guidelines provided by the merchant to Gosawa. Any goodwill resulting from Gosawa’s use of the Merchant’s trademarks shall inure to the benefit of Merchant.
3.4. Merchant represents and warrants that: (i) it will honor, without limitation, alteration or amendment, the advertised "Merchant Offering" with all its terms in a professional manner, (ii) it will not impose any term on any "Merchant Offering" which was not expressly stated in any communication related to the "Merchant Offering", or which is in violation of applicable law, (iii) it will have and grant sufficient intellectual property rights in any content which it provides to Gosawa (including, without limitation any logo or photograph) to allow Gosawa to copy, publish, disclose and display such content on the Site and as otherwise necessary to promote and fulfill the "Merchant Offering", (iv) it shall collect and use personal information from Buyers only in accordance with applicable law and the terms and conditions the Privacy Policy and (v) Gosawa shall not be liable to the merchant for any special, consequential, punitive, incidental, or indirect damages, or any damages for lost data, business interruption, lost profits, lost revenue or lost business, arising out of or in connection with the "Merchant Offering", however caused and based on any theory of liability, arising out of the "Merchant Offering", (vi) Gosawa will not be liable for any person that gets injured when receiving or while using their product or services at the merchant’s venue or any other location, and (vii) the merchant agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified Gosawa for all costs incurred by it for any claims that relate to injuries and liabilities.
3.5. The merchant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Gosawa from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses, judgments, costs, and attorneys’ fees arising directly out of, or relating to gross negligence or wilful misconduct in engaging in the marketing and promotional activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Gosawa shall have the right, in its absolute discretion and at its sole cost, to employ attorneys of its own choice and to institute or defend any claim for which Gosawa has a right to be indemnified.
3.6. Gosawa and Merchant will pay one another any applicable fees as set forth in the "Merchant Offering". Each party shall otherwise bear any and all of its own costs in performing or receiving the Services and fulfilling any "Merchant Offering".
3.7. With the sole exception of taxes on Gosawa’s net income, Merchant is responsible for paying any and all taxes and fees, including, without limitation, sales, use, gross income and value added taxes, associated with the Services or the fulfillment of any "Merchant Offering".
3.8. The Merchant acknowledges that the availability of Services shall be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gosawa shall not, under any circumstance, be liable to the Merchant for lack of availability of the Site. Merchant further acknowledges that Gosawa is under no obligation to publish or keep opened any "Merchant Offering".
3.9. The Merchant acknowledges that to terminate the Merchant Offering or Merchant Agreement, no less than seven (7) days written notice must be given to Gosawa prior to scheduled publishing of any "Merchant Offering". The Merchant Agreement shall be terminated if either party becomes insolvent or shuts down business operations. Gosawa will not be obliged to honour any financial commitments to the merchant if the "Merchant Offering" or "Merchant Agreement" is terminated by the merchant. Gosawa reserves the right to seek financial compensation for all costs incurred in relation to promotions, loss of potential income and damages related to our brand image.
3.10. The Merchant acknowledges that it is bound to honour the "Merchant Offering" to all bearers holding a valid Gosawa coupon (regardless of name) and agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified Gosawa for all costs incurred by it for any claims that relate to a failure by Merchant to honour the terms of the "Merchant Agreement". Failure to honour valid coupons will result in the withholding of payment for non-honoured coupons and the right for Gosawa to seek financial compensation from the merchant. Gosawa commission will not be discharged for any non-honoured or refunded coupons.
3.11. Notification in writing must be given by the merchant to Gosawa no later than 7 working days after any change of the proprietor, address or contact details.
3.12. It is the merchants’ responsibility to perform proper ID checks (drivers licence, or credit card) for each coupon that is redeemed. It is the merchants’ responsibility to keep sufficient record keeping when a coupon has been redeemed and provide this information to Gosawa at any time upon request. Failure to do so may result in the withholding of payment for any disputed coupons.
3.13. The Merchant agrees that the "Merchant Offering" will be published by Gosawa for a suitable period and at a time where the Merchant will best benefit, while keeping within the term (period) of the "Merchant Offering".

Section 4. User Information and Account Security

4.1. In order to use the Site or to access the Service, you may be required to provide personal information (such as identification or contact information) as part of the registration process, or as part of your continued use of the Site and the Service. You agree that any registration information you give to Gosawa will be accurate, correct and up to date. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for information regarding our collection and use of your personal information.
4.2. You agree and understand that you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords associated with your Account. You agree that you will be solely responsible for all activities that occur by any user logged in using your account credentials. If you become aware of any unauthorized use of your password or of your account, you agree to notify Gosawa immediately at support@gosawa.com.
4.3. Gosawa will generally communicate with its Users by electronic means, such as email. As a User, you give consent that all agreements, notices, disclosures and other communications that we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

Section 5. Acceptable Use and Third Party Links

5.1. User shall not use this Site or the Service for any unlawful purpose. Strictly prohibited actions include, but are not limited to, transmitting material: (i) that is unlawful, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, abusive, threatening, profane, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, or otherwise objectionable, (ii) that violates, misappropriates or infringes upon the rights of others in any way, (iii) that encourages others to commit unlawful acts, (iv) that contains advertising, publicity, or solicitation for a product or services that did not receive prior written approval from Gosawa, or (v) that inhibits other Users from using or enjoying the Site.
5.2. The Site may contain hyperlinks to third party websites (“Other Sites”). If you use the hyperlinks to access these Other Sites, you will leave the Site and your browser will be re-directed to the Other Sites. The Other Sites may have their own terms of service and privacy policy and may have different practices and requirements than the Site. Gosawa has no knowledge of, and is not responsible for, the content, information, services, products or advertisements presented by any Other Site which you use at your own risk. The terms of service and privacy policy of any Other Sites shall apply to your access and use of them and you should familiarize yourself with those documents. Gosawa accepts no responsibility for the content or conduct of Other Sites.

Section 6. Intellectual Property

6.1. All content and software on the Site is the property of Gosawa, affiliated companies, partners, or content suppliers. This includes, but is not limited to, all text, images, graphics, logos, and software code. You may not modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute or create derivative works based on this content (either in whole or in part) unless you receive specific permission to do so in a separate written agreement from Gosawa or the owners of the content. Unauthorized use of any content displayed by Gosawa is a violation of Lebanon and international copyright laws.
6.2. User acknowledges and agrees that “Gosawa” is the sole owner of the Brand marks “Gosawa”, “Sawa Power”, “The Power of Sawa”, “The Power of Together”, “Power in Numbers”, and “Sawa-commerce”, and that its ownership extends to all rights generally affiliated with ownership, including but not limited to any and all copyright and trademark rights, all rights of possession and all rights of use of the Brand.

Section 7. Limited Warranty

7.1.THE SITE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE SERVICE, ALL CONTENT, AND THE OFFERS AND COUPONS MADE AVAILABLE ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THE SITE, ARE PROVIDED “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE,” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS.” TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, Gosawa AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OR ENDORSEMENTS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (EXPRESS OR IMPLIED) WITH RESPECT TO: (A) THE SITE; (B) THE SERVICE; (C) THE OFFERS OR COUPONS MADE AVAILABLE ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THE SITE; (D) THE LEGALITY, ACCURACY, QUALITY OR AUTHENTICITY OF CONTENT, INFORMATION, ADVERTISEMENTS, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS PROVIDED BY ANY PARTY; (E) THE TREATMENT OF ANY INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIAL, OR DATA TRANSMITTED BY USERS TO THE SITE; OR (F) THE SECURITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION THROUGH THE SITE OR ANY LINKED SITE. Gosawa DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE OR SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THE SITE OR THE SERVERS THAT MAKE THE SITE AVAILABLE WILL ALWAYS BE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.
7.2. Gosawa DOES NOT WARRANT THAT YOUR ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH OR USE OF THE SITE OR THE SERVICE IS LAWFUL IN ANY PARTICULAR JURISDICTION AND, IN ANY EVENT, Gosawa SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS SUCH WARRANTIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. BY USING THE SITE OR THE SERVICE, YOU ACT AT YOUR OWN RISK, AND YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOUR ACCESS AND ACTIVITIES ARE LAWFUL IN EVERY JURISDICTION WHERE YOU ACCESS OR USE THE SITE OR THE SERVICES, OR THE OFFERS AND COUPONS MADE AVAILABLE ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THE SITE. FURTHER, Gosawa AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES DISCLAIM, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND TITLE, AS WELL AS IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF THE COURSE OF DEALING OR PERFORMANCE.
7.3. WHERE ANY JURISDICTIONS LIMIT OR DO NOT ALLOW THE DISCLAIMER OF IMPLIED OR OTHER WARRANTIES AS SET FORTH ABOVE, THE DISCLAIMER WILL NOT APPLY TO THE EXTENT LIMITED BY THE APPLICABLE LAW OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

Section 8. Limitation of Liability

8.1. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF ANYTHING ELSE SET FORTH IN THESE TERMS OF SERVICE, Gosawa FURTHER LIMITS ITS LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR SERVICE AS SET FORTH BELOW:
8.1.1. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL Gosawa, ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES, OR THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH OF THEM (COLLECTIVELY, THE “Gosawa ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS”) BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INDIRECT LOSS OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, ECONOMIC, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO: (1) THE SITE OR THE SERVICE OR ANY OFFER; (2) THE USE OF, INABILITY TO USE, OR PERFORMANCE OF ANY THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES; (3) THE LEGALITY, ACCURACY, QUALITY OR AUTHENTICITY OF CONTENT, INFORMATION, ADVERTISEMENTS, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS PROVIDED BY ANY THIRD PARTY; (4) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE TECHNICAL OPERATION OF THE SITE OR SERVICE, EVEN IF FORESEEABLE OR EVEN IF ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY. IN ADDITION, Gosawa’S LIABILITY TO YOU FOR DIRECT DAMAGES FOR ANY CLAIM RELATED TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING SHALL BE CAPPED AT THE AMOUNT WHICH YOU HAVE ACTUALLY PAID TO Gosawa IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFER UNDER WHICH SUCH CLAIM FIRST AROSE. NOTHING IN THESE TERMS OF SERVICE LIMITS OR EXCLUDES Gosawa’S LIABILITY FOR: (A) DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY CAUSED BY ITS PROVEN NEGLIGENCE; (B) THE TORT OF DECEIT; OR (C) ANY LIABILITY TO THE EXTENT IT CANNOT BE LIMITED OR EXCLUDED BY LAW.
8.1.2. THE Gosawa ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO ANY USER’S COMPUTER, HARDWARE, COMPUTER SOFTWARE, OR OTHER EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGE FROM ANY SECURITY BREACH OR FROM ANY VIRUS, BUGS, TAMPERING, FRAUD, ERROR, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DEFECT, DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER LINE OR NETWORK FAILURE OR ANY OTHER TECHNICAL OR OTHER MALFUNCTION.
8.1.3. YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SITE AND SERVICE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE SITE OR THE SERVICE, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO DISCONTINUE ACCESSING AND USING THE SITE AND THE SERVICES.
8.1.4. YOU RECOGNIZE AND CONFIRM THAT IF YOU INCUR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES OR INJURIES THAT ARISE OUT OF Gosawa’S ACTS OR OMISSIONS, THE DAMAGES, IF ANY, CAUSED TO YOU ARE NOT IRREPARABLE OR SUFFICIENT TO ENTITLE YOU TO AN INJUNCTION, AND YOU WILL HAVE NO RIGHTS TO ENJOIN OR RESTRAIN THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, ADVERTISING, EXHIBITION OR EXPLOITATION OF THE SITE OR THE SERVICE.

Section 9. Indemnification

9.1. Merchant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Gosawa and each of its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from and against all third party actions, suits, losses, liabilities, claims, expenses, damages, and costs of every kind and description including reasonable legal fees (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of (i) a material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants set forth these Terms; (ii) any claim resulting from injury or death as a result of services or goods offered by the Merchant, or (iii) any claim resulting from the Merchant’s breach of applicable law, negligence or willful misconduct. This obligation survives the termination or expiration of all Offers.
9.2. You hereby release Gosawa, its subsidiaries, affiliates, sponsors and advertisers, and their respective owners, officers, managers, members, agents and employees from any liability in connection with, and shall indemnify, defend and hold all of them harmless with respect to, any and all costs, claims, demands, investigations, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, settlements, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees arising out of or in connection with your violation of these Terms or any law, rule or regulation. You will cooperate as fully and reasonably as required by Gosawa in the defense of any claim.

Section 10. Miscellaneous

10.1. These Terms of Service and the interpretation of these Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Lebanon, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. You irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts located in the Beirut, Lebanon. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of Lebanon, but without giving effect to its laws or rules relating to conflicts of laws.
10.2. Any other rules, restrictions, guidelines and terms and conditions that may be posted or made available in connection with a particular feature on the Site or Service are incorporated by this reference into these Terms for all purposes.
10.3. You are solely responsible for compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations in connection with your use of the Site and Service.
10.4. These Terms of Service, the Privacy Policy, the FAQ and, for Merchant’s only, any signed Merchant Agreement contain the sole and entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Site and the Service and supersedes any and all other prior written or oral agreements between them. In the event of the termination or expiration of the Terms, any obligation of a party which must by its nature survive such expiration or termination in order to be given full effect, shall survive such expiration or termination.
10.5. The section titles in these Terms are for your convenience only and do not have any legal or contractual effect. These Terms will not be construed against Gosawa by virtue of having drafted them.
10.6. If any provision of these Terms shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction or as a result of future legislative action, such provision shall be deemed severable, and such holding or action shall be strictly construed and shall not affect the validity or effect of any other provision of these Terms.
10.7. No waiver on the part of Gosawa of any of these Terms will be of any force or effect unless made in writing and signed by a duly authorized officer of Gosawa.
10.8. Nothing in these Terms are intended to confer on any third party (whether referred to in the Terms by name, class, description or otherwise) any benefit or any right under any legislation in any country to enforce any provisions of these Terms. This means that Buyer’s may not sue Merchants directly for breach of these Terms and vice versa.

Section 11. Notice And Procedure For Making Claims Of Copyright Or Intellectual Property Infringement

11.1. Gosawa respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our Users to do the same. Gosawa may, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, disable and/or terminate the accounts of Users who may be repeat infringers. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, or your intellectual property rights have been otherwise violated, please provide Gosawa’s copyright agent the following information:

  • an electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright or other intellectual property interest;
  • a description of the copyrighted work or other intellectual property that you claim has been infringed;
  • a description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on the site;
  • your address, telephone number, and email address;
  • a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
  • a statement by you, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright or intellectual property owner or authorized to act on the copyright or intellectual property owner's behalf.

Gosawa's agent for notice of claims of copyright or other intellectual property infringement can be reached as follows: