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This Agreement defines the standard terms and conditions under which TECH-IS INC. agrees to provide the Services defined below to the Client.
In this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly defined or the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Agreement” means this services agreement, any Service Schedules and all related amendments.
(b) “Client” means the individual, company or other legal entity that has signed the Service Schedule and has agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
(c) “Confidential Information” means any oral, written or electronic data and information now or hereafter existing during the currency of this Agreement, relating to the business and management of either party which is treated by such party as confidential, to which access is granted or obtained by the other party, but does not include any data or information which (i) was known to the recipient prior to the disclosure to it by the other party; or (ii) was independently developed by the recipient as evidenced by records; or (iii) is subsequently lawfully obtained by the recipient from a third party, without breach of this Agreement by the recipient; or (iv) becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement; or (v) is disclosed where the other party has provided its prior written consent to such disclosure by the recipient; or (vi) is disclosed by legal requirement.
(d) “Data” means all information in hard copy or in electronic form, which is used in the performance of Services under this Agreement.
(e) “Intellectual Property Rights” means all right, title and interest in and to any and all intellectual and industrial property, including: (a) any and all patents and applications therefore; (b) any and all inventions, trade secrets, design, methods, processes and know-how; (c) any and all copyrights, copyrights registrations and applications therefore, and all other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world; (d) any and all trade names, corporate names, logos, common law trademarks, trademark registrations and applications therefore; and (e) any and all computer programs, applications or Software whether in source, object or executable code and any proprietary rights in such programs, applications or software, including documentation and other materials or documents related thereto.
(f) “Service” means a service as specified in a Service Schedule, which TECH-IS INC. provides to Client under this Agreement.
(g) “Service Schedule” means the Schedule “A” attached to this Agreement, or the quote or fee estimate signed by the Client, as amended or modified between the parties from time to time, which describes a Service to be provided by TECH-IS INC. to Client and any additional terms and conditions relating specifically to such Service.
(h) “Software” means computer programs, regardless of format or medium, their documentation and specifications.
In this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly provided or as the context otherwise requires: (a) headings are solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to be complete or accurate descriptions of content or to be guides to interpretation of this Agreement or any part of it; (b) an accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to it, and every calculation to be made under this Agreement is to be made, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada applied on a consistent basis; (c) a reference to currency means Canadian currency; (d) a reference to a statute includes all regulations made thereunder, all amendments to the statute or regulations in force from time to time, and every statute or regulation that supplements or supersedes such statute or regulations; (e) a reference to an entity includes any successor to that entity; (f) a word importing the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter, a word in the singular includes the plural, a word importing a corporate entity includes an individual, and vice versa; (g) a reference to “approval”, “authorization” or “consent” means written approval, authorization or consent; (h) if there is any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the body of this Agreement and a Service Schedule, the terms of the Service Schedule will prevail; (i) the word “including”, when following a general statement or term, is not to be construed as limiting the general statement or term to any specific item or matter set forth or to similar items or matters, but rather as permitting the general statement or term to refer also to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within its broadest possible scope; and (j) a reference to a Part or Section is to a Part or Section of this Agreement.
(1) Agreement to Perform Services. TECH-IS INC. agrees to perform and Client agrees to accept the Services described in the Service Schedule in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The parties agree that TECH-IS INC. will perform the Services as an independent contractor and not as an employee, joint venturer or partner of Client.
(2) Early Service. If TECH-IS INC. commences any Services prior to the signing of the related Service Schedule, Client agrees to pay TECH-IS INC. charges for such Services in accordance with the terms of the Service Schedules or any amendments in writing thereto.
(3) Change Orders. Additions or modifications to the Services may be accomplished through the use of a “Change Order”. A Change Order must be in writing and signed by each party in order to be effective. The procedure for creating a Change Order is as follows: (a) Client shall submit a written request to TECH-IS INC. specifying the additions or modifications to the Services desired (the “Change Notice”); and (b) if TECH-IS INC. is prepared to add to or modify the Services as requested by the Client, it shall prepare and submit an amendment to the Service Schedule (the “Change Order”) to Client which shall include a description of the changes to the Services and any additional fees. On obtaining the Client’s written signature to the Change Order, the Change Order will become part of the Service Schedules.
(4) Right to Subcontract. TECH-IS INC. may, without the written consent of the Client, subcontract to any third party any of the Services to be provided to the Client hereunder. In the event TECH-IS INC. subcontracts any of the Services to a third party service provider, TECH-IS INC. shall be and remain fully responsible for any acts of such subcontractors.
(5) No Exclusivity. Client acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement obliges TECH-IS INC. to devote all or substantially all of its time or attention to the Services and that nothing shall restrict or prevent TECH-IS INC. from entering into agreements with other persons concerning the provision of similar services.
(1) Term. The term and any renewal terms (collectively, the “Term”) relating to the Services provided by TECH-IS INC. to the Client under this Agreement are as specified in the Service Schedule.
(2) Termination by Client. Client may terminate this Agreement before the end of the Term without liability (except for amounts due for Services provided up to the effective date of the termination) if TECH-IS INC.: (a) fails to provide the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such failure causes material harm to Client and TECH-IS INC. does not cure the failure within 10 days of receipt of notice in writing from Client describing the failure in reasonable detail; or (b) materially violates any other provision of this Agreement and fails to cure the violation within 30 days of receipt of notice in writing from the Client describing the violation in reasonable detail.
(3) Termination by TECH-IS INC. TECH-IS INC. may terminate this Agreement before the end of the Term without liability (a) on 4 business days’ notice to Client if Client is overdue on the payment of any amount due under this Agreement; (b) if Client materially violates any other provision of this Agreement and fails to cure the violation within 10 days’ notice in writing from TECH-IS INC. describing the violation in reasonable detail; (c) upon at least 90 days’ notice if TECH-IS INC. is threatened with a legal claim for copyright or patent infringement related to the provision of the Services and is unable to modify the Services in a way that avoids an ongoing risk of liability; or (d) immediately on written notice upon Client becoming insolvent or bankrupt within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).
(4) Suspension of Service. TECH-IS INC. will be entitled to suspend the Service without liability if (a) TECH-IS INC., acting reasonably, believes that the Service is being used in violation of this Agreement or any applicable law; (b) Client is in breach of any material term of this Agreement including, without limitation, failing to pay invoiced amounts in full within 30 days of the Due Date (defined in section 5(1) below); or (c) TECH-IS INC. is requested to do so by any law enforcement or governmental agency. The Customer will not be able to access any files on TECH-IS INC.’s servers during a suspension of Service. TECH-IS INC. will use commercially reasonable efforts to give the Customer advance notice in writing of a suspension of Service unless a law enforcement or governmental agency directs otherwise or suspension without notice is necessary to protect TECH-IS INC. or its other customers. A suspension of Service under this subsection will not be considered a breach by TECH-IS INC. of the terms of this Agreement.
(1) Fees, Payment and Dispute. Fees for TECH-IS INC.’s Services will be specified in the Service Schedule. Unless otherwise stated within a Service Schedule, TECH-IS INC. may invoice Client in advance 30 days prior to the beginning of each month for charges for the Services to be provided in that forthcoming month. Payment of invoiced amounts will be due on the first day of the month in which Services will be provided (the “Due Date”). Amounts remaining unpaid will bear interest from the Due Date at 2% per month. If Client wishes to dispute an amount that has been invoiced by TECH-IS INC., it will none the less make payment on the Due Date to TECH-IS INC. as invoiced. If it is determined that the invoiced amount was excessive, any payment by Client in excess of the amount TECH-IS INC. is entitled to, will be refunded to the Client.
(2) Additional Fees. Client will also be responsible to TECH-IS INC. for all fees and charges associated with any additional services or incremental costs incurred by TECH-IS INC. in providing the Services caused by Client’s failure to: (a) provide accurate Data in a prescribed format; (b) perform any of its obligations under this Agreement; or (c) provide Data at the time required for processing.
(3) Payment by Credit Card. If Client pays any fees by credit card, Client expressly authorizes TECH-IS INC. or its agents to charge all fees, charges and expenses incurred under this Agreement to such card, and such authorization will survive termination of this Agreement until there are no fees, charges or expenses owing by Client under this Agreement. If Client uses a credit card and TECH-IS INC. does not receive payment from the card issuer, Client will pay all amounts due, upon demand by TECH-IS INC. Client must notify TECH-IS INC. of any changes to the card account including, without limitation, applicable account number or cancellation or expiration of the account, billing address or any other information that may prevent TECH-IS INC. from charging the account.
(4) Taxes. Client acknowledges that the all applicable taxes, duties or government levies whatsoever are not included in the fees and expenses charged under this Agreement. Client will make timely payment of all such taxes, duties or government levies related to this Agreement.
(1) Agreements. In the performance of Services, TECH-IS INC. agrees to:
(2) Reasonable Attempts to Correct Errors on Notice. TECH-IS INC. warrants that it will at its expense make commercially reasonable attempts to correct any errors for which TECH-IS INC. is directly and solely responsible by rerunning the Service, provided that the Data necessary to correct such errors is available to TECH-IS INC.; or at TECH-IS INC.’s option provide a credit to Client equivalent to the charge that would have been applicable for correcting that portion of the Service that is in error, such credit will be only for errors due solely to malfunction of a system or Software provided by TECH-IS INC. or any error made by TECH-IS INC.’s personnel in the performance of the Service. To obtain the rerun Service or the credit, Client must notify TECH-IS INC. in writing of such errors within thirty days of receipt of the Services believed to contain the errors.
(1) Agreements. Client agrees to:
(2) Client Representations. Client represents and warrants to TECH-IS INC. that: (a) if Client is an individual, that he or she is at least 18 years of age and has the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement, (b) if Client is not an individual, it has the power, capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement and this Agreement is enforceable in accordance with its terms, (c) the information Client has provided for the purpose of establishing an account with TECH-IS INC. is accurate, and (d) Client has complied with and will continue to comply with all applicable privacy laws and has obtained and will continue to obtain the requisite privacy consents in the collection and use of all information that may be collected on any website or maintained on any server hosted by TECH-IS INC..
(1) Ownership, Compatibility and Security. All Data supplied by Client related to the performance of a Service remains Client’s exclusive property. All supplied Data must be on media compatible with TECH-IS INC. processing equipment and, where applicable, in the format which TECH-IS INC., acting reasonably, prescribes. TECH-IS INC. will not be responsible or liable for the security or integrity of Client’s Data during transmission via public telecommunications facilities (including the Internet) or services. TECH-IS INC. recommends that Client make its own arrangements to regularly backup all Data files and has no liability if any precautionary backups made by TECH-IS INC. fail in whole or in part.
(2) Privacy Laws. The parties are each responsible for complying with any obligations applying respectively to them under the applicable data protection and personal information protection laws (“Privacy Laws”) governing the Client’s Data.
(3) Handling of Data after Termination or Suspension. Client shall provide TECH-IS INC. with instructions for the disposition of Client’s Data at least 10 business days prior to the termination of this Agreement. If Client does not provide such instructions in writing to TECH-IS INC. within 14 business days from the date in which this Agreement is terminated or, if the Services have been suspended under Section 4(4), then 14 business days from the date in which the Services have been suspended, TECH-IS INC. may dispose of the Client’s Data without liability to Client. Client agrees to pay all costs and expenses associated with disposing of Client’s Data.
(4) Accuracy of Data Provided by TECH-IS INC. Any Data which TECH-IS INC. provides under this Agreement is compiled from sources which TECH-IS INC. considers to be reliable, however, TECH-IS INC. does not represent or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of Data provided to Client for use.
(1) Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights. All Intellectual Property Rights, including any Software, owned by a party, its licensors or subcontractors as at the effective date of this Agreement shall continue to be owned by such party, its licensors or subcontractors and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the other party shall not acquire any right, title or interest in or to such Intellectual Property Rights. TECH-IS INC. shall own all right, title and interest in and to any materials created or developed by TECH-IS INC. or its subcontractors for its internal use or for assisting Client in the provision of the Services and Client shall own all right, title and interest in and to any Intellectual Property Rights resulting or based on any work product created or developed exclusively for Client under this Agreement if fully paid for by Client.
(2) License of Client Software and Intellectual Property. Client grants to TECH-IS INC., solely for TECH-IS INC.’s provision of the Services, a license during the Term to use any Intellectual Property Rights, including any Software, owned by or licensed to Client by third parties and that is necessary for providing the Services to Client and otherwise performing its obligations under this Agreement. With respect to any Intellectual Property Rights and Software used by TECH-IS INC. to provide the Services, Client represents and warrants that: (a) Client is either the owner of such Intellectual Property Rights or Software or is authorized by its owner to include it under this Agreement; and (b) TECH-IS INC. has the right during the Term to use such Intellectual Property Rights and Software for the purpose of providing the Services to Client as contemplated by this Agreement.
(3) No Assurance of Compatibility. Client acknowledges that TECH-IS INC. makes no representation, warranty or assurance that the Client’s equipment and Software will be compatible with TECH-IS INC.’s equipment, Software and systems or the Services.
(4) Inspection. TECH-IS INC. may inspect any of Client’s Software which requires access to system control program instructions, system libraries or other secure Data, and may deny such access on systems which are under TECH-IS INC.’s control.
(1) TECH-IS INC. will not use any of Client’s Confidential Information except in connection with the performance of the Services or the exercise of its rights under this Agreement and will take all reasonable precautions to maintain the confidentiality of Client’s Confidential Information and to prevent the unauthorized disclosure to others of the Confidential Information. TECH-IS INC. shall implement industry standard security procedures, such as appropriate firewall, encryption and access security measures but shall not be liable for damages caused to Client by inadvertent breaches of confidentiality.
(2) TECH-IS INC. shall only disclose the Confidential Information to those of its employees and permitted agents and subcontractors who have a need to know and require access to the Confidential Information as may be reasonably necessary in the exercise of TECH-IS INC.’s rights and performance of the Services under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, TECH-IS INC. will not be required to keep confidential, and may use or license without restriction, any ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques related to information processing which are developed by TECH-IS INC. in the performance of Services.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, TECH-IS INC. shall be permitted to: (i) monitor Client’s use of the Services; (ii) report to the appropriate authorities any conduct by Client (or Client’s customers or end users) that TECH-IS INC. reasonably believes violates any applicable law, (iii) provide any information, including Confidential Information, required by law or regulation to be disclosed, or in response to a formal or informal request from a law enforcement or government agency; and (iv) disclose that TECH-IS INC. is providing the Services to Client and may include Client’s name in promotional materials including press releases and on TECH-IS INC.’s website.
(1) TECH-IS INC.’s liability under this Agreement is limited to direct and actual damages that arise as a result of events within its direct and sole control in the following amount: (a) damages for physical harm to persons or tangible personal property and real property caused by TECH-IS INC.’s negligence or its wilful or wanton misconduct will be limited to a cumulative maximum of $25,000; and (b) any other direct and actual damages, including without limitation loss of Data, as may be established by Client will be limited to the lesser of $5,000 or the charges paid to TECH-IS INC. for the two-month period immediately before the month in which the Services which are the subject of the claim were provided or to be provided. In no event will TECH-IS INC.’s cumulative liability for damages for all claims relating to a Service during any calendar year exceed the charges paid by Client to TECH-IS INC. for that Service during that calendar year.
(2) Under no circumstances is TECH-IS INC. liable for damages of third parties claims against Client for any reason, or for special, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost profits, lost business revenue or failure to realize expected savings, even if Client has informed TECH-IS INC. of possibility thereof, or for any liability to Client with respect to anything done or omitted to be done in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or instructions properly received pursuant to this Agreement, if done in good faith and with reasonable care and without wilful or wanton misconduct on TECH-IS INC.’s part.
(3) The limitations and exclusions of liability in this Part 11 apply (a) regardless of the basis on which Client is entitled to claim, including but not limited to breach of contract, even if a fundamental breach, or tort, including but not limited to negligence or misrepresentation; (b) to TECH-IS INC., its directors, officers, employees, agents, subcontractors and personnel; and (c) to all claims that Client may have against TECH-IS INC. including without limitation, claims under Parts 10, 12 and 14. The remedies of Client in connection with any matter relating to this Agreement will be limited to those set forth in this Part 10.
(4) No claims or actions regardless of form may be brought by Client more than twelve months after the facts giving rise to such claim or action have occurred, regardless of whether those facts by that time are known to, or ought reasonably to have been discovered by Client.
(5) Exclusions. Client acknowledges and agrees that the representations, warranties and covenants expressly contained in this Agreement are the only representations, warranties and covenants provided by TECH-IS INC. concerning the Services, and there are no other representations, covenants, warranties or conditions, express or implied, including implied warranties or conditions of merchantable quality or fitness for a particular purpose, warranties of non-infringement or that the provision of the Services will be completely secure, uninterrupted or error-free, and those arising by statue or otherwise in law or from a course of dealing or usage of trade, all of which are expressly denied and disclaimed. Client acknowledges that there are risks inherent in use of the Internet that could result in the loss of privacy, confidential information and property, including any Data or information transmitted by any server designated as “secure”. Client is solely responsible for the suitability of the Service chosen, and acknowledges that the Service is provided on an “as is” basis except as expressly stated in this Agreement. Client confirms that it has not relied on any representation, warranty, condition or promise made by TECH-IS INC. which has not been expressly stated in this Agreement.
(1) Client Indemnity. Client will indemnify and hold harmless TECH-IS INC. its affiliates, and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, agents and employees from and against any costs, losses, claims, damages, judgments, penalties, liabilities, expenses and other amounts of any kind or nature whatsoever (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) arising out of or related to or resulting from (a) action taken or permitted to be taken by TECH-IS INC. in good faith in reliance on instructions or orders received from Client as to anything arising in connection with TECH-IS INC.’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement; (b) actual or alleged use of the Service in violation of this Agreement or any applicable law, including without limitation infringement of third party intellectual property rights, by any person regardless of whether such person has been authorized to use the Service by Client, except for unauthorized use that is a direct result of TECH-IS INC.’s negligence or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) actual or alleged breach by Client of any of its obligations, whether contractual, statutory or implied, to its customers or end users; (d) any dispute between persons who claim to have authority to act for Client in connection with the control of the Customer’s account with TECH-IS INC.; and (e) the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by Client under the terms of this Agreement.
(2) TECH-IS INC. Indemnity. Subject to Part 11 of this Agreement, TECH-IS INC. will indemnify and hold harmless Client its affiliates, and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, agents and employees from and against any costs, losses, claims, damages, judgments, penalties, liabilities, expenses and other amounts of any kind or nature whatsoever (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) arising out of or related to or resulting from action taken or permitted to be taken by Client in good faith in reliance on instructions or orders received from TECH-IS INC. as to anything arising in connection with Client’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
(1) Any notice or demand to be given by either party to the other under this Agreement will be in writing and may be delivered personally, by email or by first class prepaid mail to the following addresses:
(2) Notices delivered in person, or email will be effective on the date of such delivery. Notices issued by mail will be effective on the third business day following the date that the envelope containing the notice is post-marked unless between the time of mailing and the time the notice is deemed effective there is an interruption in postal service, in which case, the notice will not be effective until actually received. In the event of a postal strike or lockout, notices or demands under this Agreement must be delivered personally.
Except as otherwise provided in this Part 14, all disputes, controversies, claims or disagreements arising out of or relating to this Agreement that cannot be resolved independently between the parties within thirty (30) days (singularly, a “Dispute” and collectively, “Disputes”), will be settled by arbitration as follows:
(1) Such Dispute may be submitted to arbitration by either party giving written notice to the other party that the party giving the notice has elected to have the Dispute submitted to arbitration. Such arbitration will be carried out by a single arbitrator mutually agreed upon by the parties and conducted pursuant to the rules and procedures set out in the International Commercial Arbitration Act (“ICAA”), as amended, or successor legislation. If the parties fail to agree upon an arbitrator within 15 days after a party has notified the other party of the name of the person it nominates to carry out the arbitration, then the appointment of an arbitrator will be determined in accordance with the rules and procedures of the ICAA. Any arbitrator nominated or selected will be independent of each of the parties to the Dispute;
(2) it is the intention of the parties that the arbitration will be conducted, and that the determination or award of the arbitrator be made and communicated in writing to the parties, as expeditiously as possible and this will be reflected in choice of and directions given to and by the arbitrator. The arbitrator will conduct the arbitration of the dispute as expeditiously as reasonably possible and will provide written reasons for his or her decision. The decision of the arbitrator duly appointed pursuant to this Part 14 will be final and binding upon the parties hereto;
(3) The arbitration will be held in Toronto, Ontario; and
(4) No limitation imposed by or pursuant to the ICAA on the remuneration of the arbitrator will apply. The arbitrator is authorized to include in his or her determination or award an award in favor of either party in respect of any costs incurred in connection with or in respect of the arbitration, including the cost of the arbitrator and the arbitration and all legal and other professional costs and disbursements and although such an award must be made on a judicial basis, it need not be based on any court-approved tariff bases and may be on a complete indemnity basis. In all other respects the arbitration will be governed by the Commercial Arbitration Act (British Columbia), as the same may be amended or replaced from time to time.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Part 14, each of the parties hereto will be entitled to (i) commence legal proceedings seeking such equitable, mandatory, declaratory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to define or protect the rights and enforce the obligations contained herein pending the settlement of a Dispute, (ii) commence legal proceedings involving the enforcement of an arbitration decision or award arising out of this Agreement, or (iii) join any arbitration proceeding arising out of this Agreement with any other arbitration proceeding arising out of this Agreement.
(1) Neither party will be responsible for any failure to fulfil its respective obligations under this Agreement due to causes beyond its reasonable ability to control (such as due to an event of fire, flood, earthquake, element of nature or act of God, civil disorders or any similar events commonly referred to as “force majeure”) provided that the party affected by such cause has used and continues to use all reasonable efforts to perform its obligations and makes reasonable attempts to notify the other party in writing within five business days of its inability to fulfil its obligations under this Agreement.
(2) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning all the matters herein and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, letters of intent, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral or written. This Agreement cannot be amended or modified other than by a change made in writing and executed by the parties. No delay or omission by a party to exercise any right or power it has under this Agreement or to object to the failure of any covenant of the other party to be performed in a timely and complete manner, shall impair any such right or power or be construed as a waiver of any succeeding breach or any other covenant. All waivers must be in writing and signed by the party waiving its rights.
(3) In the event that any portion of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, in any respect, then the remaining provisions of this Agreement, or the application of such provisions to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and each such provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the extent granted by law.
(4) The provisions of Sections 7(2), 10, 11 and 12 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by email transmission, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.