Terms of use

Last updated October 29, 2026. Pen Blossom is in alpha (v0.1.0).

In short: Pen Blossom is free while in alpha and still being built. Your class runs on your computer, so its data is yours, and so is keeping a copy. Use it for teaching, and don't misuse the service that connects your students.

1. These terms

These terms cover your use of Pen Blossom at app.penblossom.com and this website, penblossom.com. By using Pen Blossom you agree to them. How we handle data is in our privacy policy, which is part of these terms.

2. Who may use it

Pen Blossom is for teachers and the students in their classes. A teacher who uses it with students is responsible for doing so within their school's or district's rules, including any approval the school requires for classroom software. Students use Pen Blossom only in a class their teacher opens.

3. Alpha, and free while in alpha

Pen Blossom is an early version. Features will change, some are still being tested, and things may break. It is free while in alpha. If we later charge for any part of it, we will say so on this site first, and nothing you are using will start costing money without your agreeing to it.

4. Your class's data is yours

• Your classes, rosters, assignments and students' writing are stored in your browser, on your computer. We do not hold them and claim no rights to them.
• Because they live only there, clearing your browser's data, losing the computer or switching computers can lose them, and we cannot recover them. Keep a copy by downloading the essays or saving them to Google Drive.
• Your computer runs the class: keep Pen Blossom open while students write.

5. Evidence, not verdicts

Pen Blossom records how each essay was written: when the page was left, what paste was tried, which supports were used. It does not decide whether a student cheated, and it can't see a phone on the desk. Any judgment about a student's work is yours.

6. Fair use of the service

Pen Blossom's introduction service and relay exist to connect your students' browsers to yours. Please don't:

• use them to connect anything other than a Pen Blossom class, or try to get around the relay's limits or the browser check;
• attack, overload, probe or disrupt the service, or try to read other classes' traffic (report a security problem to [email protected] instead, and thank you);
• use Pen Blossom to break the law or harm students.

Each room's relay has an hourly limit set well above what a real class uses. We may pause or block use that breaks these terms.

7. Google Drive

"Save to Google Drive" is optional. When you use it, Google's own terms cover your Google account and Drive, and Pen Blossom's access is limited as our privacy policy describes.

8. Our name and the app

The Pen Blossom name, mark and app belong to Pen Blossom. You may use the app as these terms allow, and link to this site freely.

9. No warranty

Pen Blossom is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, to the extent the law allows. We do our best to keep it working and your students' writing safe, but we can't promise it will always be available, free of errors, or that no writing will ever be lost.

10. Limits on liability

To the extent the law allows, Pen Blossom is not liable for indirect or consequential losses, or for lost data, arising from your use of it. While Pen Blossom is free, our total liability to you for any claim is limited to $50.

11. Stopping

You can stop using Pen Blossom at any time; to remove your class, clear the browser's data for app.penblossom.com. We may change or end the service, and will give notice on this site where we can, so you have time to save copies.

12. Changes and contact

We may update these terms as Pen Blossom grows. When we do, we change the date at the top; using Pen Blossom after a change means you accept it. Questions: [email protected].