Terms and Conditions

Overview

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the ProjectBist platform, operated by ProjectBist Ltd ("ProjectBist", "we", "us", or "our"). By registering or using ProjectBist, you agree to be bound by these Terms in full.

1. About ProjectBist

ProjectBist is a global research marketplace platform that connects clients seeking research services with verified independent researchers, research consultants, data collectors, and research firms (collectively "Researchers"). ProjectBist is a platform intermediary only. It does not employ Researchers, commission research, or guarantee the outcome of any engagement conducted through the platform.

2. Eligibility

By creating an account, you confirm that:

• You have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement in your jurisdiction;
• You are not prohibited from using the platform under any applicable law or regulation;
• If registering on behalf of an organisation, you have authority to bind that organisation to these Terms.

ProjectBist reserves the right to verify eligibility at any time and to suspend accounts where eligibility cannot be reasonably established.

3. Account Registration and Responsibilities

• Provide accurate, complete, and current information at registration and keep it updated;
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials;
• All activity conducted under your account, whether authorised by you or not.

4. User Conduct

All users agree not to:

• Submit false credentials, fabricated reviews, or misrepresent qualifications, identity, or affiliation;
• Harass, threaten, abuse, or discriminate against any other user;
• Use the platform to commit fraud, including false project postings or identity deception;
• Infringe intellectual property rights, including submitting plagiarised or unlicensed content;
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, scrape, or exploit any part of the platform’s infrastructure or data;
• Violate any applicable local, national, or international law or regulation;
• Engage in any conduct that is harmful to other users or to the integrity of the platform.

5. Researcher Verification

ProjectBist offers profile verification features including credential submission, portfolio uploads, and client reviews. Verification confirms that submitted information has been received and reviewed — it does not constitute professional certification or a guarantee of competence or performance. Users are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before engaging any Researcher.

6. Projects and Engagements

ProjectBist facilitates connections between clients and Researchers. It is not a party to any agreement formed between them.

• Clients are responsible for defining clear project scopes, timelines, and expectations;
• Researchers are responsible for delivering work consistent with agreed terms;
• All contracts and obligations arising from an engagement are solely between the client and the Researcher.

ProjectBist bears no liability for disputes, non-delivery, substandard work, or any outcome arising from a client‑Researcher engagement.

7. Payments

ProjectBist does not currently process, hold, or facilitate any payments between users. All financial arrangements are managed entirely outside the platform and are solely the responsibility of the parties involved. ProjectBist has no commercial interest in transactions between users and administers no refund or compensation mechanism.

8. Intellectual Property — Platform Content

All content, branding, design, and technology forming part of the ProjectBist platform is owned by or licensed to ProjectBist Ltd and is protected under applicable intellectual property law. Users may not reproduce, distribute, or commercialise any platform content without prior written consent.

9. Intellectual Property — Research Deliverables

ProjectBist claims no ownership over research work produced through engagements on the platform. IP rights in any deliverable are a matter solely for negotiation between the client and Researcher. ProjectBist accepts no responsibility for IP disputes arising between users.

10. Data and Privacy

ProjectBist collects and processes personal data as described in our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms. By using the platform, you consent to such processing. Where users are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, ProjectBist acknowledges its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR respectively, and processes such data accordingly.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, ProjectBist expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non‑infringement. ProjectBist does not warrant that the platform will be uninterrupted, error‑free, or free of harmful components.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ProjectBist shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of data, revenue, goodwill, or business opportunity, arising out of or in connection with your use of the platform. Where liability cannot be excluded, ProjectBist's total aggregate liability shall not exceed USD 100 or the equivalent amount paid by the user to ProjectBist in the twelve months preceding the claim, whichever is greater.

13. Account Suspension and Termination

ProjectBist reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account where a user:

• Submits false or misleading credentials or identity information;
• Engages in harassment, abuse, or conduct harmful to other users;
• Uses the platform to facilitate fraud or financial misconduct;
• Infringes the intellectual property rights of any party;
• Violates any provision of these Terms or applicable law;
• Engages in conduct that, in ProjectBist's reasonable judgment, is harmful to the platform or its users.

Users who believe their account has been suspended in error may contact ProjectBist at support@projectbist.com to request a review. ProjectBist will endeavour to respond within 10 business days. Termination does not affect any rights or liabilities accrued prior to termination.

14. Force Majeure

ProjectBist shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to internet outages, third‑party service failures, natural disasters, or government actions.

15. Modifications

ProjectBist may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the platform following notice of changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent platform notice with reasonable advance notice where practicable.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or severed if modification is not possible. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which ProjectBist Ltd is registered, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall first be subject to good‑faith negotiation for a period of 30 days. If unresolved, disputes shall be referred to binding arbitration conducted in English under internationally recognized arbitration rules. Nothing in this clause prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.

18. Contact

For questions, complaints, or legal notices: ProjectBist Ltd · support@projectbist.com · www.projectbist.com

By using ProjectBist, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.