Gladstone Connect Supplier Platform Terms of Use

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Gladstone Connect Supplier Platform (the "Platform") owned by Gladstone Engineering Alliance Inc (GEA). By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms. If you do not agree with these Terms, please refrain from using the Platform.

For the purposes of these Supplier Platform Terms of Use, the word “User” will refer to both buyers and/or suppliers.

1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the Platform, you signify your agreement to these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you should not use the Platform.

2. Registration and User Accounts
a. To access certain features of the Platform, you will need to create a user account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.
b. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.
c. GEA reserves the right to:
i. accept or reject any new registration request by a User to join the Platform.
ii. Limit or remove access of the Platform to any User from time to time if believed to be in the best interests of maintaining the integrity of the Platform.

3. Use of the Platform
a. You agree to use the Platform in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and these Terms..
b. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users of the Platform, whether buyers or suppliers. GEA is not responsible for any disputes or disagreements that may arise.

4. Information Collection, Privacy, and Confidentiality
a. Information Collection and Usage: Your use of the Platform is governed by our Privacy Policy, outlining the collection, usage, and protection of data. The Platform is designed to facilitate transparency in procurement processes and does not operate under the premise of confidentiality.
b. Expectation of Confidentiality: the Platform does not operate under the premise of confidentiality for buyer requests. Any information you provide, including but not limited to profiles, requests, request attachments, should not be considered confidential. Sharing sensitive data, including financial records, proprietary business strategies, trade secrets, or any confidential information, is discouraged.
c. Examples of Non-Confidential Information: Non-sensitive personal information such as first names, last names, and business email addresses is exposed to matching suppliers and buyers through profile contact information. Users should refrain from sharing any sensitive or confidential details.
d. User Responsibility: Users are solely responsible for exercising due diligence and caution when sharing information on the Platform. If you choose to exchange confidential information with other participants, you do so at your own risk. GEA assumes no responsibility for the consequences of such exchanges.

5. Content Ownership and Rights
a. All content submitted to the Platform, including but not limited to profiles, requests, responses, messages, and documents, remains the property of the user who submitted it.
b. By submitting content to the Platform, you grant GEA:
i. the right to analyse such information for the purpose of data analytics; and/or
ii. to identify opportunities for enhancement of the Platform.

6. Restrictions
You agree not to:
a. Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in any way that violates these Terms.
b. Post, upload, or distribute any content that is harmful, offensive, abusive, or violates the rights of others.
c. Engage in any fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading activities.
d. Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or its systems.
e. Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Platform.
f. Secure Communication and Data Storage: Do not use the platform as a secure communication channel to exchange confidential and sensitive information. Additionally, refrain from using the Gladstone Connect Supplier Platform (GCSP) system as a secure storage facility for confidential data. GCSP is not designed or intended to be used as a secure storage facility. 

7. Intellectual Property
The Platform and its content, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, and software, are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not use, reproduce, or distribute any content from the Platform without prior written permission.

8. Termination
GEA reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the Platform at any time at its sole discretion.

9. Limitation of Liability
a. The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. GEA makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the availability, reliability, or accuracy of the Platform.
b. To the extent permitted by law, and in no event shall GEA be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues.

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
GEA conducts the Platform on a no-dispute policy, meaning that disputes are not resolved through legal proceedings, if possible. If disputes are not able to be resolved in this manner then the law applicable is the laws of the State of Queensland.

11. Changes to Terms
a. GEA reserves the right to modify or revise these Terms at any time. Any changes will be effective upon posting the updated Terms on the Platform.
By using the Platform, you agree to abide by these Terms of Use. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our support team. These Terms are effective from the date of your acceptance and will remain in effect until updated or terminated by GEA.