This page clarifies the legal relationship between Wethenorth Market Link and WeTheNorth Market. We are an independent verification directory that provides verified .onion mirrors and historical context about the market's operation. Our terms explain how we handle user-submitted content, trademark usage, and jurisdiction for this informational resource.
Last updated: September 2026
It was late 2021 when the first wave of clone sites hit the darknet. Users of WeTheNorth Market woke up to find their usual .onion address unresponsive, only to discover a near-identical site at a different address—one that stole credentials and drained wallets. That's when this directory was born. We built a system to verify each mirror against WeTheNorth's documented PGP signing key, creating a public ledger of authentic access points. But with that role comes legal responsibility, which is what this notice addresses.
WeTheNorth Market Link operates independently from the marketplace itself. We don't host any market content, process transactions, or handle user data. Our sole purpose is to document verified mirrors and provide historical context about the market's evolution. This legal notice explains how we handle intellectual property, user submissions, and jurisdictional questions that arise from maintaining such a directory.
Editorial Independence and Verification Process
Wethenorth Market Link is an independent research project that tracks verified mirrors of WeTheNorth Market. We use cryptographic verification (PGP signatures) to confirm each mirror's authenticity, a process that became standard after the 2021 phishing attacks that targeted users of similar platforms. Our verification system checks each .onion address against WeTheNorth's canonical signing key, which is publicly documented in the market's documented communications.
Our verification process is purely technical. We don't endorse any market activity, nor do we have access to user accounts or transaction data. The PGP signature check ensures only that the mirror is cryptographically linked to WeTheNorth's documented operations.
This independence is crucial. WeTheNorth Market has its own terms of service, escrow policies, and vendor rules—none of which we control or enforce. Our role is limited to verifying access points and documenting the market's operational history, including uptime records and service disruptions. When we report that a mirror is "verified," we mean only that its PGP signature matches the expected key, not that it's safe for transactions or free from potential law enforcement monitoring.
User-Submitted Content and DMCA Compliance
While most of our content is generated through automated verification processes, we occasionally receive user reports about mirror status or potential phishing attempts. These submissions are reviewed manually and cross-checked against our PGP verification system before being published. We maintain a strict no-logs policy for these submissions—no IP addresses, timestamps, or personal information are stored.
DMCA Safe Harbor
As an informational directory, we qualify for DMCA safe harbor protection under 17 U.S.C. § 512. We respond promptly to properly formatted DMCA takedown notices regarding any user-submitted content that may infringe copyright. However, our core verification data (PGP-signed mirror addresses) is factual information not subject to copyright protection.
Abuse Reporting
For legal or abuse concerns, contact us via PGP-encrypted email. Our abuse contact is published on the Contact & Support page. We respond to valid legal process from law enforcement agencies, but we don't have access to user data or market transactions.
(see Privacy Guides for more on safe harbor protections)
Trademark and Nominative Use
The names "WeTheNorth Market," "WeTheNorth," and any associated logos are trademarks of their respective owners. We use these marks nominatively to refer to the specific darknet marketplace we document. This use qualifies as fair use under trademark law because:
We don't suggest any affiliation with the trademark owner
We only use as much of the mark as necessary to identify the market
Our use doesn't imply endorsement by the trademark owner
This nominative use principle is well-established in internet law, particularly for directories and informational resources. We don't claim any ownership over WeTheNorth's branding, nor do we grant permission for others to use these marks.
(see the Internet Archive's trademark policy for similar nominative use examples)
Jurisdiction and Governing Law
Wethenorth Market Link is operated from a jurisdiction that recognizes the legitimacy of harm reduction resources. We comply with all applicable laws in our jurisdiction regarding the publication of verified .onion addresses. However, we don't control how these addresses are used once accessed, nor do we endorse any activity that may occur on the market itself.
The legal status of darknet markets varies significantly by country. While we operate legally in our jurisdiction, users are responsible for understanding the laws in their own location regarding accessing .onion services or engaging in market transactions.
Our jurisdiction was chosen specifically for its strong protections for informational resources and harm reduction documentation. We don't process payments, handle user data, or facilitate transactions—our role is purely informational. This legal structure allows us to maintain independence while providing a valuable public service.
Changes to These Terms
We may update this legal notice from time to time. Significant changes will be announced through our blog and on the homepage. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the current version was published. Continued use of our site after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
Our verification practices remain consistent even as legal terms evolve. The core principle—that we verify mirrors through PGP signatures and document market history—won't change. What may change are the specific legal disclaimers we include to reflect evolving internet law or our operational practices.
(see Wikipedia's Tor entry for context on how legal frameworks apply to onion services)
This primary endpoint was last verified by the Wethenorth Market Link on 2026-09-05 05:45 UTC. PGP signature fingerprint matched: ED54 E86B 5F99 F599 9584. Confirmed responsive over the last verification cycle. Identified in this directory as the Main.
