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Last Updated: August 8, 2026
These Terms of Service ("Agreement") govern your access to and use of the Node platform, website, and services (collectively, the "Platform"). The Platform is owned and operated by SWADHA INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, trading as "Node Technologies" ("Company", "we", "us", or "our").
By registering an account, posting a bounty, applying for a bounty, or otherwise accessing the Platform, you ("User", "Recruiter", or "Developer") expressly agree to be bound by this Agreement. If you do not agree to this Agreement, you may not use the Platform.
1.1 Purpose. The Platform invests substantial resources in vetting, curating, and presenting elite technical talent. To protect this investment, Users agree to the following non-circumvention terms.
1.2 Non-Circumvention Period. For a period of twelve (12) months following the most recent interaction between a Recruiter (or any associated corporate entity) and a Developer introduced through the Platform, the Recruiter shall not directly or indirectly solicit, recruit, hire, or engage the Developer outside of the Platform to avoid the payment of placement fees or marketplace take-rates.
1.3 Liquidated Damages (Placement Fee). In the event of a breach of Section 1.2, the Recruiter agrees that the Company will suffer material financial harm. The Recruiter shall immediately owe the Company a placement fee equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Developer's annualized compensation (salary, contractor fees, and equity value) for the first year of the engagement. This fee is due within fifteen (15) days of the off-platform engagement commencing.
2.1 Strict Acceptance Criteria. All bounties posted on the Platform must define strict, objective Acceptance Criteria. The Developer's right to payment is solely contingent upon satisfying the published Acceptance Criteria.
2.2 Escrow Facilitation. The Company utilizes third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe) to facilitate the holding of funds in escrow. The Company is a facilitator and is not a party to the independent contractor agreement between the Recruiter and Developer.
2.3 Disputes. In the event a Recruiter refuses to release escrowed funds, the Company reserves the right to unilaterally review the submitted code against the Acceptance Criteria. If the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that the Acceptance Criteria were met, the Company may force the release of funds to the Developer. Both parties agree that the Company's arbitration is final and binding.
Upon the successful approval of a bounty submission by the Recruiter and the subsequent release of funds from escrow to the Developer, the Developer irrevocably transfers, assigns, and conveys to the Recruiter all right, title, and interest, including all Intellectual Property rights, in and to the submitted code and materials. Prior to the release of funds, all IP rights remain solely with the Developer.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Ottawa, Ontario, and the parties hereby irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue therein.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL SWADHA INC. BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM (A) YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE PLATFORM; (B) ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE PLATFORM; OR (C) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR CONTENT.
For legal inquiries, please contact legal@nodeout.io.