Terms & Conditions for provision of a TaxPOD.ie service

These terms and conditions apply to any offer to TaxPOD.ie, order from a customer and agreement between a customer and TaxPOD.ie relating to the provision of the service by TaxPOD.ie.

1. Definitions
Definitions in these terms and conditions, whether in singular or plural form, starting with a capital letter shall have the meaning as set out in this clause:

1. Agreement: every agreement between a customer and TaxPOD.ie that relates to the provision of the service by TaxPOD.ie. These terms and conditions, the Service Level Agreement and any other documents referred to in these terms and conditions form an integral part of such agreement.
2. Confidential Information: means any and all information and material of a party (the “Disclosing Party”) which has or shall come into the possession, control or knowledge of the other party (the “Recipient Party”) in connection with or as a result of entering into the agreement, including information concerning the disclosing party’s past, present and future customers, suppliers, technology, and business. For the purposes of this definition, “information” and “material” includes, without limitation, know-how, data, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, processes, techniques, programs, designs, formulae, marketing, advertising, financial, commercial, sales or programming materials, written materials, compositions, drawings, diagrams, computer programs, studies, work in progress, visual demonstrations, ideas, concepts, business, financial and operational information and other data, in oral, written, graphic, electronic, or any other form or medium whatsoever. Contact: a party designated contact.
3. Customer Data: all works and materials uploaded to, stored on, processed using or transmitted via the service by or on behalf of the customer or by any person or application or automated system using the customer’s account; and otherwise provided by the customer to the TaxPOD.ie in connection with the agreement;
4. Effective Date: the date the offer has been concluded in accordance with Clause 2 of the terms and conditions.
5. Manual: means the documentation produced by the TaxPOD.ie and made available to the customer specifying how the service should be used, as may be amended by TaxPOD.ie from time to time;
6. Offer: the offer provided by TaxPOD.ie to customer, which, inter alia, includes a description of the service and the commercial terms for the provision of the Service (such as the price and the number of users). The offer forms an integral part of the agreement.
7. Personal Data: personal data within the meaning of Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, or any subsequent or other applicable data protection law.
8. TaxPOD.ie: Whose registered office is at: Parklands Office Park, 16 Southern Cross Road, Bray, County Wicklow.
9. Service: means the software known as ShopShape that is owned and operated by the TaxPOD.ie, and that will be made available to the customer as a web-based service (i.e. via the internet) under the agreement and that can (also) be accessed through mobile applications, all as described in the offer;
10. Service Level Agreement (SLA): the service level agreement that applies to the service and specifies the availability of the service and support services provided by the TaxPOD.ie, as may be amended from time to time.
11. Support Services: means support services provided or to be provided by the TaxPOD.ie to the customer in accordance to the offer.
12. Terms and Conditions: these general terms and conditions for provision of the service.
13. Upgrades: new versions of, and updates to, the online service, whether for the purpose of fixing an error, bug or other issues in the service or enhancing the functionality of the service.
14. User: an employee, a contracter or client of the customer.

2. Formation of Agreement
1. TaxPOD.ie will be chosen based on their referenced case study material or by an TaxPOD.ie employee for the provision of their services to a customer. The offer will be deemed accepted by the customer once the introduction fee has been paid to TaxPOD.ie. Payment will be considered an irrevocable offer of the customer to conclude an introduction based on the terms and conditions thereof and will not constitute a binding agreement between TaxPOD.ie and the customer. TaxPOD.ie will only be bound by the offer if the offer has been counter-signed for acceptance by a duly authorized person of TaxPOD.ie.
2. These terms and conditions will be applicable to the offer, the agreement and all subsequent orders for the service by the customer.
3. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions contained in the offer (excluding its appendices) and these terms and conditions, the former will prevail. In any event, these terms and conditions will override any different or additional terms or conditions contained or referred to in the offer by the customer or any other document or correspondence from the customer. No addition, alteration or substitution of these terms and conditions will bind the TaxPOD.ie or form part of any agreement unless they are expressly accepted in writing by a person authorised to sign on the TaxPOD.ie’s behalf. TaxPOD.ie explicitly rejects the applicability of the customer’s (general) terms and conditions.

3. Description of the Service
1. The service consists of the availability of and access to one of our connectors known as TaxPOD.ie as further described in the offer.
2. The service will be hosted in the manner specified in the SLA.
3. TaxPOD.ie will provide a service in accordance with the service levels that are included in the SLA. If TaxPOD.ie does not meet these service levels, the SLA stipulates the consequences thereof.
4. The customer acknowledges that the service is provided as an introduction to customers of TaxPOD.ie. TaxPOD.ie therefore does not guarantee that the service meets the specific requirements and objectives of the customer.

4. Access to the Service
1. Upon conclusion of the agreement, TaxPOD.ie will provide the introduction to the relevant third parties deemed best suited to meet the challenge of the customer.
2. Customer’s contact is responsible for authorisation of any meetings as part of the service. The customer hereby warrants that only authorised contacts will make use of the service.
3. An Internet connection is necessary for obtaining access to the case studies of our connectors. The customer is solely responsible for having an internet connection and/or other telecommunications networks. Sending data and information via the Internet and/or other telecommunications networks is the sole responsibility and risk of the customer.

5. Use of the Service
1. Users may use the service during the term of the agreement within the customer’s organisation and for internal purposes of the customer only. The customer may only allow use of the service by its own employees and external parties who are, based on a written protocol, participating in the realisation of the goals of the customer. Such external parties are restricted to clients of the customer if and to the extent they participate in the visual merchandising activities of the customer. Employees of the customer also include temporary employees and individual contractors who are performing services for the customer. The customer is not permitted to allow use of the service by any third party not covered by this clause.
2. In exchange for the payment of the fee or fees for the use of the service as specified in offer, the customer has the right to standard use of the service. Any use of the service that exceeds the standard use, will – in accordance with clause 11 of these terms and conditions – be charged additionally.
3. The customer is not permitted to:

• (a) grant or otherwise allow access to parties other than those referred to in clause 5.1;
• (b) use the service for purposes other than those laid down in these terms and conditions and the offer;
• (c) adapt, change or otherwise modify the service;
• (d) lease, timeshare, host or outsource the service or to provide the service to unauthorised users on a subscription basis;
• (e) delete or modify any trademark, logo or other indication from TaxPOD.ie;
• (f) allow any third party to use and / or access the service, unless a TaxPOD.ie employee has explicitly allowed to do so; or
• (g) reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the service, except to the extent expressly permitted based on the applicable laws and regulations.

6. Intellectual Property
1. Other than as expressly granted herein, all right, title and interest in and to all intellectual property rights, including but not limited to any copyright, trademark and data base right, vested in the service, including the content therein and the selection and arrangement thereof, shall at all times remain with TaxPOD.ie. Nothing in these terms and conditions and/or the agreement is intended to transfer all or part of such rights.
2. Other than as expressly granted herein, all right, title and interest in and to the customer data shall at all times remain with the customer. Where necessary for the implementation of the agreement, the customer provides TaxPOD.ie a non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use the customer data for the duration of the agreement. The customer will indemnify the TaxPOD.ie for any claim of an alleged infringement of the rights of a third party to the extent that the violation is caused by customer data.

7. Upgrades
The software used for the service is standard and is, at TaxPOD.ie’s discretion, regularly updated. TaxPOD.ie will timely inform the customer if an upgrade leads to adverse consequences for the customer. Updates are subject to the service levels described in the SLA.

8. Audit
1. TaxPOD.ie has a right to verify compliance of the agreement by the customer, including but not limited tothe use of the service pursuant to clause 5, through an audit during the term of the agreement.
2. The customer will fully cooperate with an audit and shall provide access to all required information as part thereof. The cost of the audit shall be borne by TaxPOD.ie if the audit shows that the agreement is complied with. The cost of the audit shall be borne by the customer if the audit shows that the agreement is not complied with.

9. Liability
1. The liability of TaxPOD.ie under the agreement is limited to direct damages up to the amount of the amount of fees (excluding VAT) received by TaxPOD.ie under the agreement during three (3) months prior to the event giving rise to liability.
2. Liability of TaxPOD.ie for indirect damage, including but not limited to consequential damages, lost profits, lost savings, loss of goodwill, damage through business interruptions, damage ensuing from claims of customers of the customer, corruption or loss of data, damage relating to objects, materials or software of third parties prescribed by the customer, damage relating to the engagement of suppliers prescribed by the customer, is excluded.
3. The liability caps referred to in clauses 9.1 and 9.2 will not apply if and insofar the damage is the result of the wilful misconduct or gross negligence by TaxPOD.ie.

10. Force majeure
1. No delay or failure to perform on the part of TaxPOD.ie will be considered a breach of the agreement if it is shown to be due to any event or cause beyond the reasonable control of TaxPOD.ie failing to perform, including without limitation, strikes, riots, failures of sub-contractors, civil disturbances, actions or inactions concerning governmental authorities, epidemics, wars, embargoes, severe weather, fire, earthquakes or acts of God.
2. TaxPOD.ie strives to establish and implement a work-around plan for the delay which minimizes disruptions to the customer resulting from the delay or failure to perform due to any of causes mentioned in clause 10.1. If such delay or failure to perform continues for a period of two (2) or more months, either party may terminate the agreement.

11. Fees
1. In consideration for the provision of the service, the customer shall pay the introduction fee to TaxPOD.ie. These fees are set out in the offer in accordance with this clause 11 of these T&C’s..
2. Possible types of payments are: (a) One-time payment deemed refundable once any offer has been accepted. (b) Payment of other fees mentioned in the offer.
3. TaxPOD.ie may adjust its fees annually according to the index for business services. Adjustment of the fees shall be made by giving notice to the customer in writing or by electronic means (email). Notice shall be provided at least two (2) months before the changed fees take effect.
4. All fees are payable within fourteen (14) days from the date of invoice presented to the customer by TaxPOD.ie. All amounts due shall be paid in full without any deduction, abatement, set off or withholding of any kind by the customer.
5. Any payments owing to the TaxPOD.ie pursuant to the fees not remitted within the period specified in clause 11.3 shall be subject to the statutory interest rate in Ireland.
6. If the customer fails to pay the fees in accordance with the terms of this clause 11, the TaxPOD.ie may, at its sole discretion, suspend delivery of the service and/or support services until the overdue amounts have been paid in full. The rights granted in this clause 11.6 are in addition to any other rights that TaxPOD.ie may have under the agreement or at law.
7. The fees as set out in this clause 11 are exclusive of all taxes. The customer shall pay all taxes arising in respect of the service for which a customer would usually be responsible subject to the applicable tax legislation.

12. Data Protection
1. The use of the Service will entail the processing of personal data. The parties will comply with Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (as implemented in the applicable national law) (“Data Protection Laws” or “DPL”) and any subsequent applicable data protection legislation.
2. TaxPOD.ie, acting as the data processor, will process personal data in the context of the service on behalf of and upon the instructions of the customer, acting as the data controller. Any further processing by TaxPOD.ie will only take place upon the customer’s instructions or upon a legal obligation.
3. TaxPOD.ie will process personal data in accordance with the DPL and will provide all relevant technical, organizational and security measures to protect personal data and prevent unauthorised access to personal data.
4. The customer warrants to adhere to the DPL and any other laws protecting privacy. The customer guarantees the legality of the use of personal data processed by TaxPOD.ie in the context of the service.
5. The customer indemnifies TaxPOD.ie for claims by persons whose personal data are processed by TaxPOD.ie on behalf of the customer in the context of the service, unless the customer proves that the facts on which the claim is based are attributable to TaxPOD.ie

13. Confidentiality
1. Each Party shall at all times, both during the term of the agreement and thereafter, keep and hold all confidential information of the other party in the strictest confidence, and shall not use such confidential information for any purpose, other than as may be reasonably necessary for the performance of its duties pursuant to the agreement, without the other party’s prior written consent.
2. Each party agrees: (a) that it will not disclose to any third party or use any confidential information disclosed to it by the other except as expressly permitted in these terms and conditions; and (b) that it will take all reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential information of the other party in its possession or control, which will in no event be less than the measures it uses to maintain the confidentiality of its own information of similar importance.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party may disclose confidential information: (a) to the extent required by a court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental authority or otherwise as required by law; or (b) on a “need-to-know” basis under an obligation of confidentiality to its authorised agents, contractors, legal counsel, accountants, banks and other financing sources and their advisors.

14. Term and Termination
1. The agreement will commence on the effective date and shall remain in force for a minimum term of one year as from the effective date, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this clause 14. After expiry of the initial period, and any subsequent period, the agreement will be automatically renewed for periods of one (1) year each, unless terminated in writing at least three (3) months prior to the end of the then-current term.
2. Either party may terminate the agreement if the other party breaches any material obligation under the agreement and fails to cure such breach within thirty (30) days after reasonable notice of the breach has been delivered to such party. For the purpose of this clause, a breach of clauses 4.3 and 5 of these terms and conditions will be considered material.
3. The parties may terminate the agreement with immediate effect upon written notice, if one or more of the following situations arise: (i) the other party is declared insolvent or has asked suspension of payment; (ii) the other party’s business is wound up or discontinued; or (iii) the other party lost control of its assets or parts thereof due to receivership or otherwise and has not regained control thereof within one (1) month.
4. The parties explicitly exclude the possibility to prematurely terminate the agreement prior to the minimum term under clause 14.1 or any extended term agreed upon between the parties.
5. Upon the termination or expiry of the agreement: the customer shall pay to TaxPOD.ie all amounts due on the date of termination; the customer shall immediately and permanently cease to use, in any manner whatsoever, the service and the manual; each party will immediately return to the other party, or at the other’s party request, destroy all confidential information of the other party;
6. Termination of the agreement shall not affect any rights or liabilities of either party accrued as of the date of termination. For the avoidance of doubt, termination of the agreement, for whatever reason, shall not affect any payments received under the Agreement by TaxPOD.ie for the service performed up to the date of termination. 7. Clause 6 (Intellectual Property), clause 9 (Liability), clause 13 (Confidentiality), and clause 15 (Governing law and jurisdiction) hereof and all other provisions of the terms and conditions necessary to give effect thereto will survive the termination of all or any part of the agreement.

15. Governing law and jurisdiction
1. These terms and conditions, the offer and the agreement are governed by Irish law. The applicability of the Vienna Sales Convention 1980 is excluded.
2. Any dispute arising between the parties in relation to the agreement, the service and/or the terms and conditions shall be exclusively submitted to the competent court in Dublin, Ireland.

16. Miscellaneous
1. TaxPOD.ie may make use of third parties for the implementation and execution of the agreement without prior permission of the customer.
2. The customer may assign the agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder solely to an affiliate or to a purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets of the customer.
3. Any provision of these terms and conditions which is invalid or unenforceable, will be severed from these terms and conditions, all without affecting the remaining provisions of the terms and conditions. In that event, the parties will negotiate in good faith such changes to these terms and conditions as will best preserve for the parties the benefits and obligations of such invalid or unenforceable portion.