Terms of Service

Please read these Terms of Service ("Terms", "Terms of Service") carefully before using the Combinate platform ("Service") operated by Combinate Ltd ("us", "we", "our").

Your access to and use of the Service is conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms. These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service.

By accessing or using the Service you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the terms, you may not access the Service.

Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal data. It includes information about marketing short links (for example on QR codes or NFC tags) and how we measure aggregate use of those links.

To access or use the Service, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts under the laws of your jurisdiction.
• If you are registering on behalf of a business, organisation, or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms, in which case "you" and "your" shall refer to that entity.
• You must be resident in, or operate a business registered in, a jurisdiction where the Service is available.

By creating an account and using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet all of the above eligibility requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, you must not access or use the Service. Combinate reserves the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, or cancel orders at its discretion if it has reasonable grounds to believe that any of these eligibility requirements are not met.

When you create an account with us, you must provide information that is accurate, complete, and current at all times. Failure to do so constitutes a breach of the Terms, which may result in immediate termination of your account on our Service.

You are responsible for safeguarding the password that you use to access the Service and for any activities or actions under your password, whether your password is with our Service or a third-party service.

You agree not to disclose your password to any third party. You must notify us immediately upon becoming aware of any breach of security or unauthorised use of your account.

We may provide short URLs to the Service on promotional materials (including QR codes, NFC tags, flyers, or digital ads). When you open such a link, we may record how many times each link is used in the aggregate, as described in our Privacy Policy. That measurement is not used to identify you individually in our application database for marketing link analytics.

3.1 Product Creators

As someone seeking help making something, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information in all quote requests
• Respect the intellectual property rights of all parties
• Communicate professionally and respond to inquiries in a timely manner
• Honor commitments made to Production Partners
• Pay all agreed upon fees for services rendered

3.2 Production Partners

As someone helping bring ideas to life, you agree to:

• Provide accurate representation of your manufacturing capabilities
• Deliver services as specified in accepted quotes and agreements
• Maintain confidentiality regarding Product Creator designs and specifications
• Communicate professionally and respond to inquiries in a timely manner
• Honor commitments made to Product Creators

Combinate operates as a platform facilitator and marketplace intermediary only. We are not a party to any contract, agreement, or arrangement formed between Product Creators and Production Partners through the platform.

3A.1 What Combinate Does Not Do

Combinate does not:

• Manufacture, supply, inspect, test, certify, or guarantee any products or services
• Verify the accuracy, capability, legality, or identity of any user
• Act as agent, contractor, or representative for any user
• Provide legal, financial, or professional advice

3A.2 What Combinate Is Not Responsible For

Combinate is not responsible for and expressly disclaims all liability in respect of:

• The quality, safety, legality, or fitness for purpose of any products or services
• Delivery failures, delays, or non-performance by any user
• The accuracy or completeness of information provided by any user on the platform
• Payment disputes between users
• Intellectual property disputes between users
• The outcome of any transaction, negotiation, or business relationship formed through the platform
• Whether any introduction made through the platform will result in a successful agreement or production outcome

3A.3 Direct Contracts Between Users

All contracts for the supply of goods or services are entered into directly and solely between Product Creators and Production Partners. Combinate is not a party to any such contract and has no obligations or liability arising from it.

Users are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence before entering into any agreement with another user on the platform.

4.1 Combinate's Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Combinate and its licensors. The Service is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws of the United Kingdom and other applicable jurisdictions. Our trademarks and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service without the prior written consent of Combinate.

4.2 Your Content

You retain all intellectual property rights in any content you upload to the platform.

By uploading content, you grant Combinate a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, store, reproduce, and display that content solely as necessary to operate, provide, and improve the Service.

This includes making your content available to relevant manufacturers or users in accordance with your settings (e.g. public or private projects).

Combinate does not claim ownership of your content and will not use it for any purpose unrelated to providing the Service.

4.3 Reporting Intellectual Property Infringement

If you believe that content on the platform infringes your intellectual property rights, you may report it to us at [email protected] with the following information:

• A description of the intellectual property right you believe has been infringed
• Identification of the content you believe is infringing, including its location on the platform
• Your contact information
• A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use is not authorised by the rights owner

Upon receiving a valid report, we will investigate and may, at our sole discretion:

• Remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content
• Notify the user who posted the content
• Suspend or terminate the account of users who repeatedly infringe intellectual property rights

4.4 Repeat Infringers

We maintain a policy of terminating, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of users who are repeat infringers of intellectual property rights.

5.1 User Obligations

Users agree to treat any proprietary or sensitive information shared through the platform with reasonable care. This includes, but is not limited to, designs, specifications, manufacturing processes, pricing, and business strategies.

5.2 Platform Limitations

The Combinate platform is not a substitute for a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or any other confidentiality agreement. Users are solely responsible for protecting their own confidential information, including by entering into appropriate legal agreements directly with other users before sharing sensitive materials.

Combinate:

• Implements reasonable security measures to protect information stored on the platform, but cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality
• Is not liable for any misuse, disclosure, or unauthorised sharing of information by other users
• May access content for the purposes of moderation, security, legal compliance, or providing the Service

We strongly recommend that users execute separate NDAs or confidentiality agreements directly with other parties before sharing commercially sensitive designs, trade secrets, or proprietary specifications through the platform.

Certain aspects of the Service may be subject to fees. You agree to pay all fees associated with your use of the Service.

Payment processing services are provided by third-party payment processors (Stripe). By using our payment services, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of these payment processors.

6A.1 Subscription Tiers

Combinate offers various subscription tiers with different usage limits. Plan features and limits are clearly displayed on our pricing page and may be updated from time to time with reasonable notice.

6A.2 "Unlimited" Features

Some premium plans include features described as "Unlimited." While these features do not have hard usage caps, they are subject to our Fair Usage Policy to ensure platform stability and quality of service for all users.

6A.3 Fair Usage Policy

"Unlimited" features are intended for normal business use consistent with your account type and business size. Fair usage means:

• Usage that is reasonable and proportionate to your business operations
• Usage that does not negatively impact platform performance or other users
• Usage that is not for the purpose of data mining, scraping, or reselling services
• Usage that is not automated or generated by bots or scripts

6A.4 Excessive Usage

We reserve the right to review accounts with usage patterns that significantly exceed normal business operations. If we identify excessive or abusive usage, we will:

1. First contact you to discuss your usage patterns and business needs
2. Work with you to find an appropriate solution, which may include:
   • Optimisation recommendations to reduce unnecessary usage
   • A custom enterprise plan better suited to your volume
   • Temporary usage restrictions if abuse is suspected
3. Only in cases of clear abuse or failure to cooperate, suspend or terminate access

6A.5 Examples of Fair Usage

Typical fair usage examples:

• A Product Creator posting multiple quote requests per week for their product lines
• A Production Partner bidding on dozens of projects monthly within their capabilities
• Regular messaging with multiple partners across active projects
• Maintaining an extensive portfolio showcasing your work

Examples that may be considered excessive:

• Automated bot activity creating hundreds of requests or bids daily
• Using the platform to collect data for resale or competitive intelligence
• Creating duplicate accounts to circumvent plan limits
• Usage patterns inconsistent with legitimate business operations

6A.6 Plan Changes and Downgrades

If you downgrade to a plan with lower limits, your access to unlimited features will be restricted according to the new plan's limits. Content created during unlimited access will be preserved but may become read-only if it exceeds new plan limits.

6A.7 Auto-Renewal and Billing

Paid subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period (monthly or annual, depending on the plan you selected) unless you cancel before the renewal date. You will be charged the applicable subscription fee at the start of each new billing period using the payment method on file.

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings or by contacting us at [email protected]. If you cancel:

• Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period
• You will not be charged for the next billing period
• No partial refunds are given for unused time within a billing period (subject to your statutory right to cancel — see Section 7)

6A.8 Free Trials

If we offer a free trial, you may be required to provide payment details when signing up. At the end of the trial period, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid plan unless you cancel before the trial ends. We will clearly indicate the trial duration and the price that will apply upon conversion.

6A.9 Price Changes

We may change subscription prices from time to time. If we do, we will give you at least 30 days' advance notice by email before any price increase takes effect. The new price will apply from your next billing period after the notice period. If you do not agree to the new price, you may cancel your subscription before the change takes effect.

We are committed to transparency and will always contact you before taking any action that affects your service. Our goal is to support your business growth, not restrict legitimate usage.

Files uploaded to the platform are stored securely and remain accessible according to your plan limits. If you downgrade or cancel your subscription:

• Files will remain accessible for 30 days to allow for download and export
• After 30 days, files may be archived or deleted
• You are responsible for maintaining your own backups of important files

For UK Consumers: You have the right to cancel your subscription within 14 days of signing up, for any reason or no reason at all, in accordance with the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 (UK).

How to Cancel

To exercise your right to cancel, you must inform us of your decision by a clear statement. You can:

• Email us at: [email protected]
• Use the cancellation form provided below
• Cancel through your account settings

Cancellation Period

The 14-day cancellation period begins:

• For subscriptions: From the date you confirm your subscription
• For one-off purchases: From the date of purchase

Refunds

If you cancel within the 14-day period, we will refund all payments received from you without undue delay and in any event within 14 days from the day on which we receive your cancellation notice.

The refund will be processed using the same payment method you used for the original transaction, unless you expressly agree otherwise. You will not incur any fees as a result of the refund.

Starting services during the cooling-off period: If you request that we begin providing services during the 14-day cooling-off period and the service is fully performed within that period, you acknowledge that you lose the right to cancel once the service has been completed. If the service has been partially performed at the time of cancellation, we may deduct an amount proportionate to the services already supplied.

Cancellation Form

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

As outlined in Section 7, you have an automatic 14-day cooling-off period for full refunds.

After 14 Days

After the 14-day period, subscriptions are non-refundable. However, you may cancel at any time and will retain access until the end of your current billing period.

Processing Refunds

Refunds are typically processed within 5-10 business days of approval. The time for the refund to appear in your account depends on your payment provider.

Exceptional Circumstances

In exceptional circumstances (e.g., technical issues preventing use of the service), we may issue refunds at our discretion. Contact us at [email protected] to discuss your situation.

Nothing in this section affects your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

We are committed to providing excellent service. If you have a complaint about our service, we want to hear from you.

How to Complain

1. Contact us: Email [email protected] with full details of your complaint
2. Acknowledgment: We will acknowledge your complaint within 2 business days
3. Investigation: We will investigate your complaint thoroughly
4. Resolution: We aim to resolve complaints within 14 days
5. Final response: If we cannot resolve within 14 days, we will update you on progress

Alternative Dispute Resolution

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may use the following dispute resolution services:

• UK Consumers: Contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/
• CEDR: Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution at https://www.cedr.com/consumer/

This does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.

You may not use the Service for any purpose that is illegal or prohibited by these Terms. You are specifically prohibited from:

• Using the Service for any illegal activity or to facilitate illegal activities
• Listing, soliciting, or facilitating the manufacture of illegal, counterfeit, or regulated goods without appropriate licences or authorisations
• Uploading, sharing, or distributing content that infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party
• Posting or transmitting malicious code, viruses, or harmful content
• Impersonating others, creating fake accounts, or providing false or misleading information
• Creating duplicate accounts to circumvent plan limits, bans, or restrictions
• Interfering with or disrupting the integrity, security, or performance of the Service
• Scraping, data mining, harvesting, or otherwise collecting data from the Service without explicit written permission
• Using the Service to spam, harass, threaten, or abuse other users
• Misusing the messaging or video calling features for purposes unrelated to legitimate platform activity
• Submitting fraudulent quote requests, bids, or reviews
• Excessive or abusive usage of "unlimited" features that violates our Fair Usage Policy (see Section 6A)
• Using the platform to collect information about other users for unsolicited marketing or competitive intelligence purposes

To maintain the quality, safety, and integrity of the platform, Combinate reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

• Remove, edit, or disable access to any content that violates these Terms or that we consider harmful, misleading, or inappropriate
• Suspend or terminate user accounts, with or without notice, for violations of these Terms
• Refuse, remove, or deprioritise any listing, profile, or quote request
• Request verification of business credentials, identity, or manufacturing capabilities
• Moderate, edit, or remove user reviews that are fraudulent, defamatory, or in breach of these Terms
• Restrict or revoke access to specific platform features

We are not obligated to monitor all content on the platform, but we may do so at our discretion. The presence of content on the platform does not imply our endorsement, verification, or approval of that content.

If we take action against your account or content, we will endeavour to notify you and provide an explanation, except where doing so would compromise platform security or an ongoing investigation.

In addition to the Prohibited Uses in Section 10, you may not use the platform to list, solicit, facilitate, or submit quote requests for the manufacture or supply of the following:

10B.1 Weapons, Firearms, and Explosives

• Firearms, firearm component parts, or ammunition, including any device designed or readily convertible to expel a projectile by means of an explosive
• Crossbows, crossbow bolts, or other projectile weapons
• Bladed weapons, edged weapons, or any item designed or intended to cause bodily harm, and any component parts thereof
• Explosive devices, explosive components, or pyrotechnic materials
• Replica weapons, toy guns, or items with a weapon-like appearance that may reasonably be mistaken for functional weapons
• Digital files (including 3D printing files) for the manufacture of firearms, firearm components, or ammunition
• Weapon accessories, attachments, or modifications, including parts or components that contribute to the functioning of a weapon

10B.2 Controlled Substances and Drug Paraphernalia

• Illegal drugs or controlled substances under UK law (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971) or the law of the country in which the project is to be performed
• Materials, equipment, or components designed or intended for manufacturing illegal drugs or controlled substances
• Drug paraphernalia as defined under applicable law

10B.3 Regulated Products Without Required Certification

• Medical devices without appropriate regulatory certification (MHRA, UKCA, CE marking, or equivalent as required by the destination market)
• Pharmaceuticals, medicinal products, or therapeutic devices
• Items that will be implanted in the human body without appropriate medical device certification and professional supervision
• Food-contact products that do not meet applicable food safety regulations
• Items requiring professional licensing, certification, or type approval for legal manufacture or sale, where such certification has not been obtained

10B.4 Intellectual Property Infringement

• Items infringing third-party copyright, trade marks, registered designs, trade secrets, or patents
• Counterfeit goods or goods containing counterfeit components
• Unauthorised reproductions or derivative works of protected content

See also Section 4 (Intellectual Property) for reporting and enforcement procedures.

10B.5 Harmful and Dangerous Items

• Items specifically designed, intended, or readily convertible to cause harm, injury, or death to persons
• Items containing hazardous biological, chemical, or radioactive agents in breach of applicable safety regulations
• Products that fail to comply with applicable product safety standards (e.g. UK General Product Safety Regulations, REACH) where such standards apply

10B.6 Export-Controlled Items

• Items subject to UK export controls (Export Control Act 2002, UK Strategic Export Controls) without the required licences
• Dual-use items as defined by applicable export control regulations, where the necessary authorisations have not been obtained
• Items in violation of applicable international sanctions or trade embargoes

10B.7 Obscene, Illegal, and Exploitative Content

• Obscene material as defined by UK law (Obscene Publications Act 1959)
• Content that sexualises, exploits, or endangers minors in any way
• Items created for illegal purposes or that facilitate the commission of a criminal offence

10B.8 Defamatory and Fraudulent Content

• Content that defames, disparages, or harasses any person or entity
• Items created with intent to defraud or deceive
• Content that violates the privacy rights or publicity rights of any person

10B.9 User Responsibility and Enforcement

Users are solely responsible for ensuring their projects and content comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including product safety standards, manufacturing regulations, intellectual property laws, and export control laws.

Combinate reserves the right to remove any project, content, or listing at its sole discretion if it has reasonable grounds to believe that prohibited content has been submitted. In such cases, Combinate may:

• Remove or disable access to the content without prior notice
• Suspend or terminate the account of the user responsible
• Report the matter to relevant UK law enforcement or regulatory authorities

If you become aware of prohibited content on the platform, please report it to [email protected].

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. If you wish to terminate your account, you may simply discontinue using the Service or contact us to request account deletion.

If you delete your account while on a paid subscription, your subscription will be cancelled automatically at the end of your current billing period, consistent with Section 6A.7. You will not be charged for any subsequent billing period. No partial refunds will be issued for the remaining time in the current period, unless you are within the 14-day cooling-off period described in Section 7.

The Service is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Combinate expressly disclaims all warranties, whether statutory, express, or implied, including but not limited to:

• Implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement
• Any warranty that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free from viruses or other harmful components
• Any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content or information available through the Service
• Any warranty that defects in the Service will be corrected

No advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained from Combinate or through the Service shall create any warranty not expressly stated in these Terms.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Combinate, nor its directors, employees, partners, agents, suppliers, or affiliates, be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including without limitation, loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of data, loss of goodwill, business interruption, or other intangible losses, resulting from:

• Your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the Service
• Any conduct or content of any third party on the Service, including any transactions between users
• Any content obtained from the Service
• Unauthorised access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content
• Any failure by a Production Partner to deliver goods or services as agreed with a Product Creator
• Any dispute arising between users of the platform

Monetary cap: In any event, Combinate's total aggregate liability to you for all claims arising under or in connection with these Terms or your use of the Service shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the total fees paid by you to Combinate in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim; or (b) one hundred pounds sterling (£100).

Nothing in this section limits or excludes Combinate's liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Combinate Ltd and its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and third-party processors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your wilful or negligent violation of these Terms
• Any content you post, upload, or submit to the Service that infringes a third party's rights
• Any breach of any representations or warranties made by you under these Terms
• Any transaction, contract, or agreement entered into between you and another user of the Service
• Your violation of any applicable law, regulation, or third-party right

Consumer protection: This indemnification obligation applies only to losses arising from your wilful breach of these Terms, negligence, or unlawful conduct — not from your normal, good-faith use of the Service. Nothing in this section requires you to indemnify Combinate for losses that are disproportionate to your actions or that arise from Combinate's own negligence or breach of these Terms. Your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 are not affected.

Combinate reserves the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defence and control of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us, and you agree to cooperate with our defence of these claims.

Combinate shall not be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from any cause beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Acts of God, natural disasters, fire, flood, earthquake, storm, or other natural phenomena
• Pandemic, epidemic, or public health emergency
• Acts of government, regulatory authority, or changes in applicable law
• War, civil unrest, terrorism, riot, or armed conflict
• Failure or disruption of telecommunications infrastructure, internet services, or power supplies
• Failure or unavailability of third-party processors or suppliers, including hosting, payment processing, cloud storage, or communications services (such as AWS, Stripe, or Render)
• Cyber attacks, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or other malicious acts by third parties

In the event of a force majeure event, we will use reasonable endeavours to notify you and to resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable.

The platform allows users to upload and share files, including but not limited to designs, specifications, documents, and images. Combinate does not review, verify, scan, or warrant the safety, accuracy, or legality of files uploaded by users.

You acknowledge and agree that:

• Any files you download or access through the platform are at your own risk
• Combinate is not responsible for any damage to your computer systems, devices, or data that may result from downloading or accessing files shared by other users, including but not limited to damage caused by viruses, malware, ransomware, or other harmful code
• Combinate does not guarantee that user-uploaded files are free from viruses, malicious code, or other harmful components
• You are solely responsible for maintaining appropriate security measures on your own systems, including up-to-date antivirus software

While we implement reasonable security measures on our infrastructure, Combinate expressly disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, or harm arising from files uploaded, shared, or downloaded through the platform by users.

13.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a dispute with Combinate arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service, we encourage you to contact us first at [email protected] so that we can try to resolve it informally.

13.2 Mediation

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, either party may choose to refer the dispute to mediation in accordance with the rules of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). Mediation is voluntary and will only proceed if both parties agree to participate.

13.3 Courts

Nothing in this section prevents either party from bringing proceedings in the courts of England and Wales at any time. If you are a consumer, you retain any right to bring proceedings in the courts of the jurisdiction where you are resident.

13.4 Disputes Between Users

Disputes between Product Creators and Production Partners are matters between those users. Combinate is not a party to any such dispute and has no obligation to mediate, adjudicate, or resolve disputes between users. See Section 3A for further details on our role as a platform facilitator.

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will try to provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion.

By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, please stop using the Service.

These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights. If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, the remaining provisions of these Terms will remain in effect.

For any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

• All inquiries: [email protected]

Postal Address:
Combinate Ltd
86-90 Paul Street
London, EC2A 4NE
United Kingdom

Company registered in England and Wales. Company No: 16941389