Affiliate Agreement

  1. Definitions
    “Affiliate” – The business, individual, or entity applying to or participating in the Affiliate
    Program, or that displays Provider services and/or promotions on the Affiliate Site, or other
    means, using an affiliate tracking code in exchange for receiving a commission from Provider
    for sales directly resulting from such display.
    “Affiliate Dashboard” – The Affiliate Dashboard is used by Affiliates to track commissions,
    view reports, and update contact information and payment preferences.
    “Affiliate Site” – The Affiliate’s website which displays Provider Services and/or promotions.
    “Provider Services” – The services that are available for purchase from Provider.
    “Commission Fees” – The amount you will be paid for each Qualified Purchase by a Referred
    Customer subject to any applicable Commission Threshold and pursuant to the terms of this
    Agreement.
    “Commission Threshold” – The amount of Commission Fees as determined by Provider in
    its sole discretion an Affiliate must accrue prior to receiving a payment from Provider.
    “Qualified Purchase” – A sale of Provider Services by Provider, with a term of one (1) month
    or longer, to a Referred Customer that is not excluded under the Agreement.
    “Referred Customer” – Each new and unique customer referred from Affiliate through a Link or Coupon Code (as defined in the Agreement) that provides valid account and billing information.
    “Terms of Service” – The terms of service agreed upon between Provider and a Referred
    Customer relating to the Provider Services.
    “Provider’s Website” – The Provider designated website that Affiliate shall link to from
    Affiliate Site.
  2. Enrolling in our Program
    a) To enroll, you must submit a completed Affiliate Program signup form.
    b) We may reject your application if we determine (in our sole discretion)
    that your website or promotional method is not suitable for the Affiliate Program for
    any reason, including, but not limited to, its inclusion of content that is unlawful or
    otherwise violates Provider’s Acceptable Use Policy, as determined in our sole
    discretion.
    c) If we reject your application, for any reason, you may not re-apply to the Affiliate
    Program utilizing the same domain name/URL or reapply using a different
    domain/URL name and then add the previously rejected domain name/URL to your
    Affiliate Dashboard. Provider, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to reject or
    remove any prospective affiliate from the Affiliate Program at any time, with or without
    notice.
  3. Promotion of our Affiliate Relationship
    a) Use of Links. If you qualify and agree to participate as an Affiliate, we may provide you with access to graphic and textual links and JavaScript code or a Coupon code (each referred to herein as a “Link” or collectively, as the “Links”) that you may use to promote Provider Services. Links will serve to identify your website as a member of the Affiliate Program and will establish a link from your website or e-mail to Provider Website. You agree to cooperate fully with us to establish, display, and maintain such Links. You further agree that your use of the Links must be in compliance with this Agreement at all times. Provider may modify the Links from time to time in its sole discretion. You will not use graphic or textual images (indicating a Link) or text messages to promote Provider that are not approved in advance by Provider. Furthermore, you agree not to use cookie stuffing techniques that set the affiliate tracking cookie without the Referred Customer’s knowledge (e.g. iframe).
    b) Keyword Noncompete. For so long as you are an Affiliate, you may not purchase,
    either directly or indirectly, or bid, either directly or indirectly, on any Keywords owned
    or offered through an internet search engine (including Google, Yahoo, or Bing) that
    compete with Provider’s name, trademarks, or product names. In addition, you will not,
    directly or indirectly, engage in any activities that could result in confusion among
    consumers as to the source of an ad (including the overuse of an authorized
    trademark, trademark cyber-stuffing or other similar activities). “Keywords” shall mean
    a word used in a search request by an internet search engine user which, when used
    in such internet search engine, causes a particular sponsor’s ad to appear next to the
    search results.
    c) Prohibited Activities. Except as permitted herein, you shall not and are not authorized
    to (i) use Provider’s trademark or other intellectual property, including without
    limitation, the Links (collectively, “Provider’s IP”) without Provider’s express prior
    written permission; (ii) use Provider’s name (or any variation or misspelling thereof or
    other terms that are confusingly similar to any of the foregoing) in a domain name, any
    metatags, advertising, search terms, code, or otherwise; or (iii) act in any way that
    causes or could cause any confusion concerning the source of, or your association
    with Provider’s Services. Your use of Provider’s IP in any manner, other than as
    expressly permitted hereunder shall constitute unlawful infringement of Provider’s
    intellectual property rights and may subject you to liability (including potential treble
    damages for knowing or willful infringement), and the obligation to pay Provider’s legal
    fees and costs in connection with Provider’s enforcement of its rights.
    d) Discounts and Coupons. You are not allowed to post any refunds, credits or discounts
    on Provider Services, or other content concerning Provider without our prior written
    consent in each instance. Affiliates may only use active coupons and discounts that
    are provided exclusively through the Affiliate Program using banners and links. Each
    Link connecting users of the Affiliate Site to the pertinent area of the Provider Website
    will in no way alter the look, feel, or functionality of the Provider Website. Any violations
    of the terms surrounding links, coupons, refunds, credits or discounts shall constitute
    a material breach of this Agreement and may result in your termination from the
    Affiliate Program or the withholding of Commission Fees.
  4. Disclosures
    a) It is the intent of Provider to treat all customers fairly. Accordingly, we require all
    Affiliates to comply with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines, including without
    limitation, those concerning advertising and marketing which further includes as
    applicable the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guides, which require
    that material connections between advertisers and endorsers be disclosed. This
    means that all Affiliate Sites (e.g. directories, review/rating websites, blogs, and other
    websites) and any email or collateral that provide an endorsement or assessment of
    Provider’s Services must clearly and conspicuously disclose the fact that you receive
    compensation for Referred Customers. In addition, disclosures must (i) be made as
    close as possible to the claims, (ii) be made on each page of the Affiliate Site
    containing a Link or referencing Provider, and (iii) be immediately evident and not
    require scrolling, clicking or any other user action to learn you receive compensation.
    You can read more about how the FTC guidelines apply to you here. FTC guidelines
    are subject to change over time and it is your responsibility to review and comply with
    current guidelines as they may change over time. You are advised to seek and obtain
    your own legal advice on how these rules apply to the Affiliate Site or other promotional
    activities for which you receive compensation.
    b) Provider reserves the right to withhold Commission Fees and cancel your participation
    in the Affiliate Program should we determine, in our sole discretion, that you are not in
    compliance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.
  5. Commission Determination; Qualified Purchases
    Commission Fees will be calculated based on the commission rates stated on the Affiliate
    Dashboard for each Qualified Purchase (as defined herein) subject to commission accruing
    pursuant to the Agreement. A “Qualified Purchase” does NOT include any of the following:
    i. A purchase by a Referred Customer that has transferred from any Provider
    partner or entity that owns, is owned by, or is under common ownership with
    Provider.
    ii. A purchase by a Referred Customer who is also associated with any Provider
    reseller, referral, or other program.
    iii. A purchase by a Referred Customer that is not up to date on its payments or
    is subject to a refund, referral, or other program.
    iv. A purchase that was completed prior to the Affiliate joining the Affiliate Program
    or was not tracked properly through a Link.
    v. A purchase by a Referred Customer that has not been in good standing for a
    period of at least thirty (30) days or is in violation of Provider’s Terms of Service
    or other applicable policies at the time the Commission Fees accrue.
    vi. A purchase that Provider suspects, in its sole discretion, is the result of fraud,
    which shall include but is not limited to, the use of software that generates real
    and fictitious information, multiple accounts from the same customer, or the
    referral of accounts that do not comply with this Agreement.
    vii. A purchase referred by an Affiliate that has an excessive cancellation rate as
    determined in Provider’s sole discretion.
    viii. A purchase by a Referred Customer who received a popup with a discounted
    offer, while leaving Provider’s Website during their purchase.
    ix. A purchase by a Referred Customer who, prior to such purchase, clicked
    through a Link established by another affiliate under this Affiliate Program.
    a) Provider reserves the right to withhold payment of Commission Fees to Affiliates who
    are new to the Affiliate Program, or who have referrals that are potentially the result of
    fraud as determined by Provider in its sole discretion, to determine the legitimacy and
    cancellation rates of Referred Customers.
    b) Provider reserves the right to suspend the payment of Commission Fees at any time
    and indefinitely, if it suspects fraud or other improper activity or a potential breach of
    any of the terms of this Agreement or the Provider Terms and Conditions by the
    Affiliate or a Referred Customer. Provider reserves the right to deduct from Affiliate’s
    current and future Commission Fees any and all Commission Fees corresponding to
    any fraudulent, questionable, or cancelled purchases. If no subsequent Commission
    Fees are due and owing, Provider may send Affiliate a bill for the balance of such
    refunded purchase upon termination of Affiliate’s participation in the Affiliate Program
    or termination of the Referred Customer.
    c) Provider reserves the right to immediately cancel or withhold for later review any
    Commission Fees that fail to meet the criteria of a “Qualified Purchase.” Affiliate is
    responsible for monitoring the payment, denial, and withholding of Commission Fees.
    Provider is not obligated to actively notify Affiliates of the status of Commission Fees.
    If Affiliate has a question about a Commission Fee that has been cancelled or withheld,
    Affiliate has thirty (30) days from the day the payment would have been due to contact
    Provider to request that the Commission Fee be paid. Any changes to decisions about
    cancelled or withheld Commission Fees are strictly made in Provider’s sole discretion.
    d) Commissions for any Referred Customer who is associated with any Provider reseller,
    referral or other program may not be considered a Qualified Purchase, as determined
    by Provider in its sole discretion. In other words, you may not receive double
    commissions or compensation.
    e) In the event that the Referred Customers that are referred to Provider by an Affiliate
    are determined to have an excessive cancellation rate, as determined by Provider in
    its sole discretion, Provider reserves the right to withhold or decline pending and future
    Commission Fees to such Affiliate.
    f) Any attempt by an Affiliate to manipulate, falsify or inflate Referred Customers,
    Qualified Purchases, or Commission Fees to intentionally defraud Provider or any
    violation of the terms of this Agreement constitutes immediate grounds for Provider to
    terminate the Affiliate’s participation in the Affiliate Program and will result in the
    forfeiture of any Commission Fees due to the Affiliate.
  6. Commission Payments
    a) Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any applicable Affiliate
    Platform, Commission Fees will be calculated according to the specified percentage
    or dollar amount set forth in the commission report in your Affiliate Dashboard for each
    Qualified Purchase that accrues during the period for which such Commission Fees
    are being calculated.
    b) Commission Fees will be processed when you submit a payout request provided that the Commission Fees are eligible for payout.
    c) Provider will only compensate you for Qualified Purchases made in accordance with
    the terms of this Agreement.
    d) Commission Fees shall be paid based on the current information in your Affiliate
    Dashboard. You are required to notify the Affiliate Platform promptly of any change in
    your address by updating your profile information in the Affiliate Dashboard. You are
    responsible for informing the Affiliate Platform of your desired payment form/type. You
    can update or change your desired payment method at any time by updating your
    affiliate profile located in the Affiliate Dashboard.
    e) You may view the currently available payment methods by logging into your Affiliate
    Dashboard for the applicable Affiliate Platform. If PayPal is offered as a payment method, please refer to PayPal’s policy to ensure you are eligible to receive payment if you reside outside of the United States.
    f) Provider and the Affiliate Platform, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify
    the available payment methods or payment schedule at any time. Such changes shall
    take effect when posted.
    g) Disputes: Affiliate agrees to file any disputes within forty-five (45) days of the date on
    which a disputed sale or event occurred. Disputes filed after forty-five (45) days of the
    date on which the disputed sale or event occurred will not be accepted by Provider
    and Affiliate forfeits forever any rights to a potential claim.
    h) Commission Fees will accrue and only become payable once you (i) provide all
    relevant tax and address documentation pursuant to this Section, and (ii) reach the
    Commission Threshold based on the commission rates stated in the Affiliate
    Dashboard, solely as applied to Qualified Purchases which occurred within ninety (90)
    days of the end of the calendar month in which the first of such Qualified Purchases
    occurred. Provider reserves the right to change the Commission Threshold and will
    notify you as may be required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
    i) It is solely your responsibility to provide Provider with accurate tax and payment
    information that is necessary to issue Commission Fees to you. Each Affiliate is
    required to submit a W8 (for Affiliates located outside of the U.S.) or W9 (for Affiliates
    located in the U.S.) tax form as applicable before any Commission Fees shall accrue.
    You are responsible for the payment of all taxes related to the Commission Fees you
    receive under this Agreement. In compliance with U.S. tax laws, Provider
    will issue a Form 1099 to Affiliates whose earnings meet or exceed the applicable
    threshold. If Provider does not receive the necessary tax or payment information within
    ninety (90) days of a Qualified Purchase which would otherwise trigger Commission
    Fees, the applicable commissions shall not accrue and no Commission Fees will be
    owed with respect to such Qualified Purchase.
    j) Provider is not responsible for paying any third-party fees, including any fees charged
    by PayPal or banks, in order for you to receive Commission Fees.
    k) Provider, in its sole discretion, may offer you the ability to receive Commission Fees
    through PayPal Payouts, standard PayPal, wire or ACH transfer.
  7. Data Security
    Affiliate shall comply with all applicable data protection laws regarding the transmission of
    data exported to or from the United States or the country in which Affiliate resides, including
    without limitation, the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 of European Parliament
    and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (the “GDPR”). Affiliate, as a controller under the GDPR,
    shall also implement appropriate technical measures to ensure a level of security appropriate
    to the risk, taking into account the nature, scope, context, and purpose of processing any
    personal data. Affiliate agrees to promptly assist Provider in complying with any data subject
    rights request under the GDPR that Provider may receive from any individuals referred to
    Provider by Affiliate. Affiliate further agrees to promptly assist Provider in complying with any
    duties to cooperate with supervisory authorities under the GDPR.
  8. Order Processing
    Provider will process orders placed by Referred Customers who follow the Links from an Affiliate
    Site to Provider. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to reject orders that do not comply
    with certain requirements that we may establish from time to time. All aspects of order processing
    and fulfillment, including Provider’s services, cancellation, processing, refunds and payment
    processing will be our responsibility. We will track the Qualified Purchases generated by your
    Affiliate Site and will make this information available to you through our website and/or the
    applicable Affiliate Platform. To permit accurate tracking, reporting, and commission accrual, you
    must ensure that the Links between the Affiliate Site and the Provider Website are properly
    formatted.
  9. Obligations Regarding Your Affiliate Site
    a) You are solely responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of your
    Affiliate Site and for all materials that appear on your Affiliate Site. Such responsibilities
    include, but are not limited to, the technical operation of your Affiliate Site and all
    related equipment; creating and posting product reviews, descriptions, and references
    on your Affiliate Site and linking those descriptions to the Provider Website; the
    accuracy of materials posted on your Affiliate Site (including, but not limited to, all
    materials related to Provider Services); ensuring that materials posted on your Affiliate
    Site do not violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party and are not libelous or
    otherwise illegal. We disclaim all liability and responsibility for such matters.
    b) We have the right in our sole discretion to monitor signups through your Affiliate Site
    from time to time to determine if you are in compliance with the terms of this
    Agreement. Affiliate shall reasonably cooperate with any Provider audit of the Affiliate
    Site, including but not limited to the provision of documentation or information
    reasonably requested by Provider. If you are not in compliance, we may terminate
    your participation in the Affiliate Program effective immediately.
  10. Provider Responsibilities
    We will provide all information necessary for you to make Links from your Affiliate Site to
    Provider Website. Provider will be solely responsible for order processing (including payment
    processing, cancellations, and refunds) for orders for Provider Services placed by a Referred
    Customer, for tracking the volume and amount of Qualified Purchases generated by your
    Affiliate Site, for providing information to Affiliates regarding Qualified Purchase statistics, and
    for providing Referred Customers with the services purchased.
  11. Policies and Pricing
    Referred Customers who buy Provider Services through our affiliate network are deemed to
    be Provider’s customers. Provider’s Terms and Conditions, rules, policies, and operating
    procedures will apply to such customers. We may change our policies, pricing, and operating
    procedures at any time. For example, Provider determines the prices to be charged for
    Provider Services sold through the affiliate network in accordance with our own pricing
    policies. Prices and availability of Provider Services may vary from time to time, from affiliate
    to affiliate, and from region to region. Because price changes may affect products that you
    have listed on your Affiliate Site, you may or may not be able to include price information in
    your product descriptions. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to present accurate
    information on Provider Website, but we cannot guarantee the availability or price of any
    particular Provider Service.
  12. E-mails and Publicity
    You shall not create, publish, transmit or distribute, under any circumstances, any bulk email
    messages without Provider’s prior written consent, to be granted or denied in Provider’s sole
    discretion, in each instance. Additionally, you may only send emails containing a Link and or
    a message regarding Provider or the Affiliate Program to people who have previously
    consented to receiving such communications from you. Your failure to abide by this Section
    and all applicable laws relating to email communications, in any manner, will be deemed a
    material breach of this Agreement by you and will result in the forfeiture by you of any and all
    rights you may have to any Commission Fees and the termination of your participation in the
    Affiliate Program. Further, if your Affiliate account has excessive clicks in a very short period
    of time as determined by Provider in its sole discretion, the Affiliate relationship may be
    terminated.
  13. IP Licenses and Use
    a) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, we grant you a non-exclusive,
    non-transferable, non-assignable, revocable license to (i) provide access to the
    Provider Website through the Links solely in accordance with the terms of this
    Agreement; and (ii) use Provider’s IP for the sole purpose of promoting Provider’s
    Services on your Affiliate Site. You may not alter, modify, or change Provider’s IP in
    any way or use Provider’s IP in any manner that is disparaging or that otherwise
    portrays Provider, any Provider employee, representative or customer in a negative
    light. You are only entitled to use Provider’s IP in compliance with the terms of this
    Agreement. Your license to use Provider’s IP shall immediately terminate upon the
    termination of your participation in the Affiliate Program for any reason. We reserve
    all of our rights in Provider’s IP and your license to use Provider’s IP is limited to the
    manner described herein. Provider may review the Affiliate Site to ensure compliance
    with this Agreement at any time.
    b) You grant to us a non-exclusive, worldwide license to utilize your name, title,
    trademarks, and logos (the “Affiliate Trademarks”) in any advertisement or other
    materials used to promote Provider and the Affiliate Program. For the avoidance of
    doubt, Provider may, but is not obligated to use the Affiliate Trademarks at is sole
    discretion. This license shall terminate upon the termination of your participation in the
    Affiliate Program.
  14. Term and Termination
    a) The terms of this Agreement are effective upon your submission of an application to
    the Affiliate Program and shall remain in effect until either party terminates your
    participation in the Affiliate Program (the “Term”). Your participation in the Affiliate
    Program may be terminated at any time by either party, with or without notice or cause.
    b) You are only eligible to earn Commission Fees on Qualified Purchases occurring
    during the Term. Commission Fees earned prior to the date of termination will be
    eligible for Commission Fees only if the orders for the related Provider Services are
    not cancelled within (30) days and comply with all the terms of this Agreement. We
    may withhold your final payment of Commission Fees for a reasonable time to ensure
    that all Qualified Purchases are valid and payment from Referred Customers are
    legitimate as determined by the Provider in its sole discretion.
    c) Any Affiliate who violates this Agreement, Provider’s Terms of Service, or any
    applicable law or regulation will immediately forfeit any right to any and all accrued,
    but not yet received, Commission Fees and will be immediately removed from the
    Affiliate Program.
    d) Provider reserves the right to remove an Affiliate from the Affiliate Program, and to
    terminate or suspend this Agreement, at any time for any reason, in Provider’s sole
    discretion.
  15. Modification
    We may modify this Agreement at any time in our sole discretion, and any modifications shall
    take effect when posted on our website. Your continued participation in the Affiliate Program
    following the posting of any modification on our website will constitute your binding
    acceptance of the modified terms. Modifications may include, but are not limited to, changes
    in the scope of Provider Services eligible for Commission Fees, Commission Fee amounts or
    percentages, payment procedures, Commission Fee payment schedules, and Affiliate
    Program rules. If any modification is unacceptable to you, your only recourse is to terminate
    this Agreement, in which event you shall be entitled to your rights under the unmodified
    Agreement in effect prior to the date of the applicable modification.
  16. Disclaimers
    We make no express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the Affiliate or
    any Provider Services sold through the Affiliate Program (including, without limitation,
    WARRANTIES OF FITNESS, MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ANY
    IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF THE COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, DEALING,
    OR TRADE USAGE). In addition, we make no representation that the operation of our
    website will be uninterrupted or error free, and we will not be liable for the consequences of
    any interruptions or errors, including the tracking of information concerning Referred
    Customers during any period of interruption.
  17. Relationship of Parties
    You and Provider are independent contractors, and nothing in this Agreement will create any
    partnership, joint venture, agency, franchise, sales representative, or employment
    relationship between the parties. You will have no authority to make or accept any offers or
    representations on our behalf. You will not make any statement, whether on your Affiliate Site
    or otherwise, that contradicts anything in this Section.
  18. Representations and Warranties
    You hereby represent and warrant to us as follows:
    a) You have reviewed and understand this Agreement and agree to be bound by its
    terms.
    b) Your acceptance of this Agreement and participation in the Affiliate Program will not
    violate (i) any provision of law, rule, or regulation to which you are subject, (ii) any
    order, judgment, or decree applicable to you or binding upon your assets or properties,
    (iii) any provision of your by-laws or certificate of incorporation, or (iv) any agreement
    or other instrument applicable to you or binding upon your assets or properties.
    c) You are the sole and exclusive owner of the Affiliate Trademarks and have the power
    to grant to Provider the license to use such marks in the manner contemplated herein,
    and such grant will not (i) breach, conflict with, or constitute a default under any
    agreement or other instrument applicable to you or binding upon your assets or
    properties, or (ii) infringe upon any trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, or
    other proprietary right of any third person or entity.
    d) You are not required to obtain consent, approval, or authorization of, or exemption by,
    or filing with, any governmental authority or any third party in connection with your
    entrance into this Agreement.
    e) There is no pending or threatened claim, action, or proceeding against you, or any
    affiliate of yours with respect to the Affiliate Trademarks, and, to the best of your
    knowledge, there is no basis for any such claim, action, or proceeding.
    f) During the Term, you will not include in your Affiliate Site content that is, in our opinion,
    unlawful, harmful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, harassing, racially, ethically, or
    otherwise objectionable or in violation of our Terms of Service.
    g) You are at least eighteen (18) years of age.
    h) Each Referred Customer is valid, genuine, and unique and meets the criteria of a
    Qualified Purchase for generating a Commission Fee as provided in this Agreement.
  19. Limitation of Liability
    WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
    CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF REVENUE, PROFITS, OR DATA,
    ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE AFFILIATE PROGRAM,
    EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
    FURTHER, OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING WITH RESPECT TO THIS
    AGREEMENT AND THE AFFILIATE PROGRAM WILL NOT EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED
    DOLLARS ($500.00).
  20. Indemnification
    You hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless Provider and its subsidiaries and affiliates,
    and their directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders, partners, members, and other
    owners, against any and all claims, actions, demands, liabilities, losses, damages,
    judgments, settlements, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) (any or
    all of the foregoing hereinafter referred to as “Losses”) insofar as such Losses (or actions in
    respect thereof) arise out of or are based on (i) any claim that our use of the Affiliate
    Trademarks infringes on any trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, license,
    intellectual property, or other proprietary right of any third party, (ii) any misrepresentation of
    a representation or warranty or breach of a covenant and agreement made by you herein, or
    (iii) any claim related to your Affiliate Site, including, without limitation, its development,
    operation, maintenance and content therein not attributable to us.
  21. Confidentiality
    Each of the parties hereto agrees that all information including, without limitation, the terms
    of this Agreement, business and financial information, Provider customer and vendor lists, or
    pricing and sales information (including without limitation commission rates), shall remain
    strictly confidential and shall not be utilized for any purpose outside the terms of this
    Agreement except and solely to the extent that any such information is (a) already lawfully
    known to or independently developed by the receiving party, (b) disclosed in published
    materials, (c) generally known to the public, or (d) lawfully obtained from any third party not
    under any obligation of confidentiality to the discloser hereunder. Notwithstanding the
    foregoing, each party is hereby authorized to deliver a copy of any such information (a)
    pursuant to a valid subpoena or order issued by a court or administrative agency of competent
    jurisdiction, (b) to its accountants, attorneys, or other agents on a confidential basis, and (c)
    otherwise as required by applicable law, rule, regulation, or legal process including, without
    limitation, the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
    promulgated thereunder, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
    rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In the event of such disclosure, the receiving
    party shall give the disclosing party prior notice before releasing any information unless giving
    such notice is prohibited.
  22. Independent Investigation
    You understand that we may at any time (directly or indirectly) solicit Provider relationships
    on terms that may differ from those contained in this Agreement. We may also solicit
    relationships with entities that operate websites that are similar to or compete with your
    Affiliate Site. You have independently evaluated the desirability of participating in the Affiliate
    Program and are not relying on any representation, guarantee, or statement other than as set
    forth in this Agreement.
  23. Miscellaneous
    a) Governing Law. The laws of the State of Illinois will govern this Agreement, without
    reference to rules governing choice of laws. Any action relating to this Agreement must
    be brought in the federal or state courts located in Illinois and you
    irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such court.
    b) Binding Arbitration. By participating in this Affiliate Program, you agree to binding
    arbitration for any disputes or claims that arise against Provider or its subsidiaries in
    conjunction with this Affiliate Program. An arbitration firm selected by Provider will be
    the sole and final arbitrator for any and all disputes or claims related or resulting from
    participation in this Affiliate Program. All decisions rendered are final. You also are
    responsible for any and all costs related to such arbitration.
    c) Assignment. You may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise,
    without our prior written consent. Subject to that restriction, this Agreement will be
    binding on, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable against the parties and their
    respective successors and assigns. Provider may assign its rights and obligations under
    this Agreement.
    d) Waiver. Our failure to enforce your strict performance of any provision of this
    Agreement will not constitute a waiver of our right to subsequently enforce such a
    provision or any other provision of this Agreement.
    e) Force Majeure. Provider is not liable for any default or delay in the performance of any
    of its obligations under this Agreement caused, directly or indirectly, by forces beyond
    Provider’s reasonable control, including without limitation, earthquake, flood, fire,
    storm, natural disaster, act of God, war, terrorism, armed conflict, labor strike,
    pandemics or epidemics, lockout or boycott.

    Last modified on February 18, 2023