1. Acceptance of Terms

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

2. Description of Service

The Big Bang Events provides an AI-powered platform connecting event planners with verified vendors and service providers. We facilitate discovery, communication, and booking but are not directly responsible for vendor services.

3. User Accounts

To use our platform, you must:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Maintain the security of your account credentials
• Be at least 18 years old or have parental consent
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access

4. User Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Use the platform for illegal purposes
• Impersonate others or provide false information
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users or vendors
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Scrape, copy, or misuse platform content
• Spam or send unsolicited communications

5. Vendor Relationships

The Big Bang Events acts as a marketplace connecting planners and vendors. We do not guarantee vendor performance, quality, or availability. Contracts and agreements are between you and the vendor directly.

6. Payments and Fees

Service fees and payment terms will be clearly displayed before any transaction. We use secure third-party payment processors. Refund policies vary by vendor.

6.5. Vendor Marketplace Addendum

This addendum applies to any user who creates a vendor account and lists services on the platform. It supplements, and in case of conflict supersedes, the general terms above.

• Commission: Beta vendors pay 0% commission on bookings processed through the platform during the founding period. Post-beta commission rates will be set out in a separate Founding Vendor Agreement signed at onboarding. [TODO_LEGAL_REVIEW: confirm post-beta rate]
• Payment hold: Funds collected from planners are held for 3 business days after event completion before being released to the vendor, to allow time for dispute initiation.
• Cancellation policy: Unless a vendor sets a more lenient policy in their listing, the default cancellation schedule is: 14+ days before event = 100% refund; 7–13 days = 50% refund; less than 24 hours = no refund. Force-majeure cancellations are negotiated case-by-case.
• No-show: A confirmed vendor no-show without prior written notice (24+ hours) results in a 100% refund to the planner, recovery from the vendor's held funds, and a marketplace strike on the vendor profile.
• Vendor warranties: Vendors warrant that they hold all licenses required by law for the services they offer in Ontario, and carry no less than CA$2,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance. The Big Bang Events may request proof of either at any time.
• Disputes between planners and vendors: Initial dispute resolution is platform-mediated through our support channel. If mediation fails within 14 days, either party may proceed to arbitration under section 11. The Big Bang Events is not a party to vendor-planner disputes.
• Platform liability carve-out: The Big Bang Events' role is limited to discovery, communication, and payment facilitation. We do not warrant vendor performance, safety, quality, or availability. The limitation of liability in section 8 applies.

7. Intellectual Property

All content, features, and functionality of The Big Bang Events platform are owned by us and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

8. Limitation of Liability

The Big Bang Events is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the platform. Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the twelve months preceding the claim.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Big Bang Events and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any and all claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including attorney's fees) arising from or related to your use of the platform, your violation of these Terms of Service, or your infringement of any third-party rights.

10. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ontario, Canada, without regard to its conflict of law principles. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Ontario, Canada.

11. Dispute Resolution

Before initiating any legal proceedings, you and The Big Bang Events agree to attempt to resolve disputes through good faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Act of Ontario, Canada, rather than in court.

Arbitration opt-out (30 days): You may opt out of the binding arbitration provision above by emailing legal@thebigbangevents.com within 30 days of first agreeing to these Terms of Service. If you opt out, disputes are resolved in the courts of Ontario, Canada per section 10. Opting out does not affect any other terms.

11.5. CASL — Commercial Electronic Messages

Marketing emails we send to you are governed by Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). When you create an account, you provide implied consent to receive transactional and onboarding messages. Marketing or promotional emails require either continuing implied consent (active business relationship within the past 24 months) or express consent (opt-in). Every commercial email we send identifies The Big Bang Events as the sender, includes our contact information, and contains a working unsubscribe mechanism that is honoured within 10 business days of receipt. To withdraw consent, click the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or email privacy@thebigbangevents.com.

12. Termination

The Big Bang Events may terminate or suspend your account and access to the platform immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach any provision of these Terms of Service. You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us. Upon termination, you remain liable for all outstanding obligations.

13. Changes to Terms

The Big Bang Events reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to the platform. Your continued use of the platform following the posting of revised Terms of Service means that you accept and agree to the changes. We encourage you to review these terms regularly.

14. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms of Service:

Email: legal@thebigbangevents.com

Address: Vaughan, Ontario, Canada