1. Definitions
1.1 Client: An individual, company, or organization using the platform to seek services from Consultants in the life sciences sector.
1.2 Consultant: An independent professional offering services on the platform, who may have primary employment outside of Connect Research.
1.3 Project: A service request posted by a Client, detailing the required scope, deliverables, timelines, and other project-specific information.
1.4 Milestone: A deliverable agreed upon as part of a Project, serving as a progress checkpoint.
1.5 Confidential Information: Any non-public information shared during the project, including project details, deliverables, communications, research, and data.
1.6 Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual, including names, email addresses, professional details, or other information processed on the platform.
2. Eligibility and Compliance
2.1 Eligibility Requirements:
- Users must.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have the legal capacity to enter binding contracts.
- Comply with applicable local, national, and international laws.
2.2 Compliance with Employment Agreements:
- Consultants must ensure that their participation on the platform does not conflict with any employment contracts or intellectual property (IP) obligations with their primary employers. Connect Research disclaims liability for any breaches of such agreements.
2.3 Platform Usage:
- Connect Research is to be used solely for professional purposes related to the life sciences sector. Misuse of the platform may result in account suspension or termination.
3. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Obligations
3.1 Automatic NDA:
An NDA is automatically enforced upon project acceptance, protecting all project-related information.
3.2 Use of External Tools:
- Users must use secure methods (e.g., encrypted email) for communication and file sharing. Connect Research disclaims liability for breaches resulting from external tools.
3.3 Obligations:
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Users agree not to disclose Confidential Information to unauthorized third parties without prior written consent, except as necessary for dispute resolution or legal compliance.
3.4 Duration:
Confidentiality obligations remain in effect for five (5) years after project completion for general project-related information and indefinitely for trade secrets or sensitive research data, unless otherwise required by law.
4. Intellectual Property (IP) Rights
4.1 Ownership of IP:
All deliverables created during a project are the exclusive property of the Client upon full payment.
4.2 Consultant Warranty of Originality:
Consultants must deliver original work free of third-party claims.
- Any pre-existing IP must be disclosed upfront and remains the Consultant’s property unless explicitly assigned to the Client.
4.3 Prohibited Actions:
Consultants may not retain, share, or reuse deliverables outside the agreed project scope without written permission.
5. Payment, Commission, and Fees
5.1 Payment Holding and Release:
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All project payments must be fully funded by the Client before the project begins. Payments are held securely in escrow by Connect Research until the completion of the project.
Funds in escrow are released:
- Upon Client confirmation of project completion.
- Following resolution of a dispute.
5.2 Commission and Fees:
Connect Research deducts a commission from each project payment, charging fees to both Clients and Consultants, along with applicable taxes calculated and collected by Stripe.
Fees for disputes and platform services are exclusive of applicable taxes.
5.3 Refunds and Cancellation:
Refunds are governed by the Refund and Cancellation Policy.
6. Dispute Resolution
6.1 Dispute Process:
- Users should first attempt to resolve disputes through direct communication
- If unresolved, Connect Research will facilitate mediation to help both parties reach an agreement.
6.2 Review Window:
Disputes must be raised within five (5) days of project completion.
7. Data Protection
7.1 Sensitive Data:
- Sensitive life sciences data is treated with additional care:
- Such data is not stored on the platform.
- Users are encouraged to exchange sensitive files via encrypted emails.
7.2 Penalties for Mishandling:
- Mishandling sensitive data includes unauthorized sharing or failure to protect during transmission.
- Penalties:
- First Offense: Formal warning and forfeiture of funds in escrow.
- Second Offense: Account suspension for 30 days and forfeiture of funds in escrow.
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Severe Violations: Permanent account termination and possible legal action.
7.3 Platform Disclaimer:
- Connect Research is not liable for data breaches resulting from user negligence or third-party tools.
8. Termination of Services
8.1 Account Termination:
- Accounts may be terminated for breaches of these Terms or other platform policies.
8.2 Impact on Ongoing Projects:
- Escrowed funds will remain held until:
- The project is completed and approved, or
- A resolution is reached through mediation.
8.3 Appeal Process:
- Appeals must be submitted to admin@connectresearch.ca within 14 days of termination notice.
- Appeals are reviewed within 14 business days.
9. Policy Updates
9.1 Notification of Major Changes:
- For significant updates, Connect Research will:
- Notify users via email at least 30 days before changes take effect, or
- Display prominent notices on the platform dashboard, or both.
9.2 Automatic Opt-In Process:
- Users are deemed to have accepted updates unless they object within 14 days by emailing admin@connectresearch.ca.
- Connect Research reserves the right to limit access to features affected by disputed changes.
10. Limitations of Liability and Indemnification
10.1 Platform Role:
- Connect Research acts as a neutral intermediary and does not guarantee project outcomes.
10.2 Indemnification:
- Users agree to indemnify Connect Research against claims arising from:
- Breaches of these Terms.
- IP infringement or misuse of deliverables.
- Breaches of platform security protocols.
10.3 Force Mejeure:
- Connect Research is not liable for delays or failure caused by unforeseen events beyond its control
11. Governing Law and Arbitration
11.1 Governing Law:
- These Terms are governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada
11.2 Arbitration:
- Disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Ontario, Canada.
12. Acknowledgment and Acceptance
By using Connect Research, you agree to these Terms. If you have questions, contact us at contact-us@connectresearch.ca