TERMS OF SERVICE

1. Introduction

Welcome to gaugewerk (the "Platform," "we," "us," or "our"). Gaugewerk is an online marketplace that connects clients ("Clients") who need engineering and quality services with independent freelance engineers, design firms, and accredited inspection, calibration and testing labs ("Providers").

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" means the gaugewerk.com website, mobile applications, APIs and related services.

• "User" means any individual or organisation that accesses the Platform.

• "Client" means a User who posts a project and engages a Provider.

• "Provider" means a freelance engineer, design firm, or accredited lab listed on the Platform.

• "Project" means any work engagement created through the Platform.

• "Milestone" means a defined deliverable with an associated payment amount.

• "Escrow" means funds held by our payment processor until release conditions are met.

• "Deliverables" means all work product created by a Provider for a Client under a Project.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into a binding contract to use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet these requirements and that you are not barred from using our services under the laws of your jurisdiction.

Organisations registering as Clients or Providers must do so through an authorised representative.

4. Account Registration

To post Projects, submit proposals or transact, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current and complete information

• Maintain the security of your password and account

• Promptly notify us of any unauthorised use

• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that contain false information, are inactive, or violate these Terms.

5. Provider Vetting

We review every Provider application through a multi-step process that may include portfolio review, reference checks, ID verification and (for labs) accreditation verification. Vetting does not constitute a guarantee of any specific Provider's competence, reliability, or output quality. Clients are responsible for their own due diligence before hiring.

6. Project Posting and Proposals

Clients may post Projects describing scope, deliverables, deadlines and budget. Providers may submit proposals or be invited based on automated matching.

We do not warrant that any Project will receive proposals, or that any Provider will be available.

7. Independent Relationship

gaugewerk.com is not the employer of Providers, nor an agency of Clients. Providers are independent contractors. The Platform facilitates connections only. The actual contract for services is between the Client and the Provider, with IndustryX.ai acting as the technology and payment intermediary.

We do not:

• Direct or supervise the work

• Set Provider hours, methods or rates

• Provide employee benefits to Providers

• Withhold taxes on behalf of Providers (each party is responsible for their own taxes)

8. Payments and Escrow

8.1 Funding

Clients fund each Milestone into an escrow account managed by our payment processor (Stripe Connect, Razorpay Route, or similar) before work commences.

8.2 Release

Funds release to the Provider when:

• The Client clicks "Approve" on a submitted Milestone, OR

• 7 calendar days pass after a Milestone is submitted without Client action (automatic release), OR

• A dispute is resolved in favour of the Provider

8.3 Fees

• Provider service fee: 10% of each released Milestone, deducted at release.

• Client processing fee: 3% of each funded Milestone, added at funding.

• Productized service margins, subscription fees and add-on prices are listed on the Pricing page and may be updated with 30 days' notice.

8.4 Refunds

No refund policy.

8.5 Currency, Taxes and Withdrawals

All transactions are denominated in USD by default. Local currency conversion is handled by the payment processor and may include FX fees. Providers are responsible for declaring income and paying taxes in their jurisdiction. GST/VAT may be added where applicable.

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Provider Deliverables

On full payment of all Milestones in a Project, all intellectual property rights — including but not limited to source files, CAD models, drawings, reports, raw data, simulation results and inspection certificates — transfer fully and irrevocably to the Client, except for:

• Background IP the Provider owned before the Project

• Generic know-how and methodologies

Providers grant the Client a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free licence to use any Provider background IP that is incorporated into the Deliverables.

9.2 Pre-Payment

Before full payment, all Deliverables remain the property of the Provider.

9.3 Platform Content

All trademarks, logos, content, software and code associated with IndustryX.ai are the property of IndustryX.ai or its licensors. You may not copy, modify or reuse them without written permission.

10. Non-Disclosure

When a Client toggles "NDA required" on a Project, an electronic Non-Disclosure Agreement is automatically generated and made binding on both parties once accepted. The NDA covers all files, scopes and communications related to the Project.

You agree not to disclose any confidential information shared through the Platform to any third party without the disclosing party's written consent.

11. Off-Platform Engagement

Both Clients and Providers agree not to circumvent the Platform by transacting off-Platform for any engagement that originated through gaugewerk.com, for a period of 24 months after first contact.

Violation gives gaugewerk.com the right to:

• Suspend or terminate the offending account

• Recover lost service fees as liquidated damages

• Pursue legal remedies

12. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Post fraudulent, illegal, harmful or misleading content

• Infringe any intellectual property or privacy rights

• Upload viruses, malware or harmful code

• Solicit Users for unrelated services

• Manipulate ratings, reviews or matching algorithms

• Use the Platform for money laundering, terrorism financing, sanctions evasion, or any unlawful purpose

• Scrape or extract data from the Platform without written permission

We reserve the right to remove content and suspend accounts at our discretion.

13. Disputes Between Users

If a Client and Provider disagree about a Milestone, either party may open a Dispute. Both parties submit evidence within 72 hours. IndustryX.ai mediates and issues a decision within 72 hours of evidence submission.

Resolution may include full release, partial release, refund, mandated rework, or any reasonable combination. The decision is final for the purposes of escrow release, but does not prevent either party from pursuing legal remedies independently.

14. Reviews and Ratings

Clients and Providers may leave honest, factual reviews after Project completion. We reserve the right to remove reviews that are abusive, false, irrelevant or violate these Terms.

15. Accuracy Guarantee

The 30-day Accuracy Guarantee covers verifiable technical errors in Deliverables — not changes in scope, opinion-based preferences, or work outside the agreed deliverables. Details are in the Refund Policy.

16. Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate any account, with or without notice, for violation of these Terms, suspected fraud, legal compliance reasons, or extended inactivity.

You may close your account at any time by contacting support. Closure does not relieve you of obligations for ongoing Projects, escrowed funds or fees due.

17. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available." To the maximum extent permitted by law, IndustryX.ai disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

We do not guarantee:

• That any Project will be successful

• The quality, accuracy or fitness of any Deliverable

• Continuous uptime or error-free operation

18. Limitation of Liability

gaugewerk.com is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary or punitive damages.

19. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold IndustryX.ai, its affiliates, officers, employees and partners harmless from any claim, loss, liability or expense (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform

• Your breach of these Terms

• Your infringement of third-party rights

• Any Project or Deliverable you posted, created, or received

20. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of India, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Indore, India, conducted in English.

21. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

22. Contact

Questions about these Terms?
📧 info@gaugehow.com