Terms of Service
Effective Date: November 13, 2025
Last Updated: November 13, 2025
1. Acceptance of Terms
By downloading, installing, or using the SmartThings Gree Air Conditioner Driver (“the Driver”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Driver.
2. Description of Service
The Driver is an open-source SmartThings Edge driver that enables local control of Gree air conditioner units equipped with the ME31-00/C7 WiFi dongle module. The Driver is provided free of charge under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
3. License Grant
Subject to your compliance with these Terms, you are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:
- Install and use the Driver for personal, non-commercial purposes
- Modify the Driver’s source code for your own use
- Share modifications under the same Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 license
4. Restrictions
You agree NOT to:
- Use the Driver for commercial purposes without written permission
- Remove or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices
- Claim ownership of the original work
- Hold the developer liable for any damages or losses
- Reverse engineer any encrypted communications without authorization
- Use the Driver in violation of applicable laws or regulations
5. No Warranty
THE DRIVER IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- Warranties of merchantability
- Fitness for a particular purpose
- Non-infringement
- Uninterrupted or error-free operation
- Compatibility with all devices or systems
You acknowledge that:
- The Driver is experimental software under active development
- Use of the Driver is at your own risk
- The developer makes no guarantees about functionality, reliability, or safety
6. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:
The developer shall NOT be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:
- Property damage (including damage to air conditioning equipment)
- Data loss or corruption
- Loss of use or functionality
- Service interruptions
- Any damages arising from use or inability to use the Driver
- Damages resulting from unauthorised access to your network or devices
This limitation applies even if the developer has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
7. Device Compatibility and Risk
You acknowledge that:
- The Driver works by reverse-engineering Gree’s proprietary WiFi protocol
- Compatibility is not guaranteed for all Gree models or firmware versions
- Use of the Driver may void manufacturer warranties
- Improper configuration may result in device malfunction
- You are solely responsible for verifying compatibility with your equipment
8. Security and Privacy
Your Responsibilities:
- Secure your local network and SmartThings hub
- Use strong passwords and encryption
- Do not share device credentials publicly
- Keep the Driver and SmartThings hub firmware updated
Developer Commitment:
- No data is collected, transmitted, or stored by the developer
- All communications are local between your hub and AC unit
- Encryption keys are stored only on your SmartThings hub
- Source code is open for security review
9. Support and Updates
The developer provides:
- Community support on a voluntary, best-effort basis
- Updates and bug fixes at the developer’s discretion
- No guaranteed response times or resolution of issues
The developer reserves the right to:
- Discontinue development or support at any time
- Make breaking changes to the Driver
- Remove the Driver from distribution channels
10. Third-Party Services
The Driver integrates with:
- Samsung SmartThings: Subject to [SmartThings Terms of Service]
- Gree Air Conditioners: Subject to manufacturer terms and warranties
You are responsible for compliance with all third-party terms.
11. Intellectual Property
- The Driver is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
- “SmartThings” is a trademark of Samsung Electronics
- “Gree” is a trademark of Gree Electric Appliances, Inc.
- This Driver is not endorsed by or affiliated with Samsung or Gree
12. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the developer from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:
- Your use or misuse of the Driver
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any third-party rights
- Damage to your equipment or property
13. Modifications to Terms
The developer reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to the GitHub repository or website. Continued use of the Driver after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
14. Termination
Your license to use the Driver automatically terminates if you:
– Violate any provision of these Terms
– Use the Driver for commercial purposes without permission
– Fail to comply with the CC BY-NC 4.0 license terms
Upon termination, you must cease all use and delete all copies of the Driver.
15. Geographic Restrictions
The Driver is provided for worldwide use, but:
– You are responsible for compliance with local laws and regulations
– Some jurisdictions may prohibit reverse engineering or protocol analysis
– Export controls may apply to encryption technologies
16. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
17. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 license, constitute the entire agreement between you and the developer regarding the Driver.
18. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of your jurisdiction, without regard to conflict of law principles.
19. No Professional Advice
The Driver and associated documentation do not constitute professional advice. Consult qualified professionals for:
– HVAC system design and installation
– Electrical safety concerns
– Home automation security best practices
20. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms:
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/crashtestoz/st-gree-driver
- Issues: Submit via GitHub Issues
- License Questions: Refer to CC BY-NC 4.0 documentation
Acknowledgment
BY USING THE DRIVER, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE.