Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Client," "you," or "your") and AnswerTick ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") regarding the use of our app development services and website.

By engaging our services, accessing our website, or entering into a service agreement with us, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services.

2. Description of Services

AnswerTick provides mobile application development services, including but not limited to:

• iOS and Android native app development
• Cross-platform app development
• UI/UX design and prototyping
• App maintenance and support
• App store submission assistance
• Consulting and technical advisory services

Specific services, deliverables, timelines, and costs will be outlined in individual project agreements or statements of work.

3. Service Agreements and Project Scope

3.1 Project Documentation

Each project will be governed by a separate service agreement, statement of work, or project proposal that includes:

• Detailed project scope and deliverables
• Timeline and milestones
• Payment terms and pricing
• Specific terms and conditions
• Intellectual property arrangements

3.2 Scope Changes

Changes to the agreed project scope must be documented in writing and may result in additional costs and timeline adjustments. We will provide estimates for scope changes before implementation.

4. Client Responsibilities

To ensure successful project completion, clients agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete project requirements
• Supply necessary content, assets, and information in a timely manner
• Respond promptly to requests for feedback and approvals
• Make timely payments according to agreed terms
• Comply with app store guidelines and applicable laws
• Obtain necessary licenses for third-party components or content

5. Payment Terms

5.1 Payment Structure

Payment terms will be specified in individual project agreements and may include:

• Upfront deposits or retainers
• Milestone-based payments
• Monthly recurring payments for ongoing services
• Fixed project fees

5.2 Payment Processing

Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt unless otherwise specified. Late payments may incur interest charges at a rate of 1.5% per month and may result in suspension of services after 60 days of non-payment.

5.3 Refund Policy

Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis and depend on the specific circumstances and project stage. Completed work and delivered milestones are generally non-refundable.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 Client-Owned IP

Upon full payment of all fees for the specific project, clients will own the intellectual property rights to:

• Custom application code developed specifically for the client
• Custom designs and user interfaces created for the project
• Client-provided content, branding, and assets

6.2 Company-Retained IP

AnswerTick retains ownership of:

• Pre-existing tools, frameworks, and methodologies
• Generic code libraries and reusable components
• Development processes and know-how
• The right to use project experience for portfolio and marketing purposes

6.3 Third-Party Components

Applications may include third-party libraries, frameworks, or services subject to their own licensing terms. Clients are responsible for compliance with third-party licenses.

7. Confidentiality

We respect the confidential nature of client information and agree to:

• Keep all client information and project details confidential
• Use client information solely for project purposes
• Implement appropriate security measures to protect confidential information
• Return or destroy confidential information upon project completion (upon request)

Confidentiality obligations survive termination of the service relationship.

8. Warranties and Disclaimers

8.1 Service Warranty

We warrant that our services will be performed in a professional manner consistent with industry standards. We will correct any defects in deliverables at no additional cost for 90 days after delivery.

8.2 Disclaimers

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED, OUR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Guarantees of app store approval or market success
• Warranties regarding third-party services or platforms
• Guarantees of performance or uptime for deployed applications

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• Our total liability for any project shall not exceed the total fees paid by the client for that specific project
• We shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• We are not responsible for losses due to third-party services, app store rejections, or market factors
• Clients assume responsibility for the commercial success of their applications

10. Termination

10.1 Termination by Client

Clients may terminate services with written notice. Clients remain responsible for payment of completed work and incurred expenses.

10.2 Termination by Company

We may terminate services for:

• Non-payment of fees
• Material breach of terms
• Client's failure to provide necessary cooperation
• Illegal or unethical project requirements

10.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• All unpaid fees become immediately due
• We will deliver work completed to the termination date
• Confidentiality and intellectual property terms remain in effect

11. App Store Submissions

When providing app store submission services:

• We will make reasonable efforts to comply with app store guidelines
• App store approval is not guaranteed and is subject to platform policies
• Clients are responsible for ongoing app store account management
• We will assist with resubmissions for technical issues but not policy violations

12. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for delays or failure to perform due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, labor disputes, technical failures of third-party services, pandemic or health emergencies (including COVID-19), government policy changes, or internet service disruptions.

13. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of Hong Kong SAR. Any disputes will be resolved through:

1. Good faith negotiation
2. Mediation if negotiation fails
3. Binding arbitration as a final resort

14. Indemnification

Clients agree to indemnify and hold AnswerTick harmless from claims arising from:

• Client-provided content or materials
• Client's use of the delivered application
• Client's violation of third-party rights
• Client's non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations

15. Miscellaneous Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with specific project agreements, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior negotiations and agreements.

15.2 Modifications

These Terms may be updated periodically. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of modified terms.

15.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

15.4 Assignment

Clients may not assign their rights or obligations without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to qualified successors.

15.5 Data Backup and Handover

Upon project completion or termination, we will provide clients with:

• Final source code and project files in industry-standard formats
• Documentation necessary for maintenance and updates
• Reasonable assistance in transferring project assets

Client data backups will be maintained for 90 days after project completion, after which data may be permanently deleted unless otherwise agreed.

16. Contact Information

For questions regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:

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These Terms of Service are designed to protect both AnswerTick and our clients while ensuring clear expectations for our professional relationship. For specific legal advice, please consult with qualified legal counsel.