These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Client", "you") and DevStepX ("Company", "we", "us") governing your access to and use of our website at devstepx.com and the professional software development services we provide. Please read these Terms carefully before engaging our services.
1. Acceptance of Terms
By visiting our website, submitting a contact or quote form, or entering into a project agreement with DevStepX, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our website or services.
If you are accepting these Terms on behalf of a company or organisation, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity.
2. Services
DevStepX provides professional software development services including, but not limited to:
- Mobile application development (iOS, Android, cross-platform)
- Web application and SaaS platform development
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions
- Backend API and microservices development
- C# / .NET enterprise application development
- PHP / Laravel web development
- Database design, architecture, and optimisation
- Digital signature, PKI, and security solutions
- Technical consultation and code review
- Maintenance, support, and feature enhancements
The specific scope, deliverables, timeline, and pricing for each project are defined in a separate written Statement of Work (SOW) or project agreement agreed between the parties prior to commencement of work.
3. Project Agreements
3.1 Statement of Work
Each project will be governed by a mutually agreed SOW that specifies the project scope, deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, timeline, and fees. In the event of conflict between these Terms and an SOW, the SOW shall prevail for that specific project.
3.2 Change Requests
Any changes to the agreed project scope must be requested in writing. We will provide a written change order detailing the impact on cost and timeline. Work on any change will not commence until the change order is approved in writing by both parties.
3.3 Acceptance
Upon delivery of each milestone or final deliverable, the Client has 7 business days to review and either accept or provide written notice of defects. If no notice is received within 7 business days, the deliverable is deemed accepted.
4. Client Obligations
The Client agrees to:
- Provide accurate, complete, and timely requirements, content, and feedback
- Designate a project point of contact with authority to approve decisions
- Respond to queries within 2 business days to avoid project delays
- Provide timely access to necessary systems, credentials, and third-party services
- Ensure all content provided to DevStepX does not infringe third-party rights
- Make payments in accordance with the agreed payment schedule
- Obtain any required third-party licences, consents, or regulatory approvals
DevStepX shall not be liable for project delays caused by the Client's failure to fulfil these obligations. Timeline extensions resulting from Client delays will be agreed in writing.
5. Payment Terms
5.1 Fees
Project fees are set out in the applicable SOW. DevStepX typically requires a deposit before project commencement, with the balance payable at agreed milestones. All fees are quoted in USD unless otherwise specified.
5.2 Invoicing
Invoices are payable within 14 days of the invoice date unless otherwise agreed in the SOW. Overdue payments will accrue interest at 1.5% per month (or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower).
5.3 Disputes
Fee disputes must be raised in writing within 7 days of the invoice date. Undisputed portions of invoices remain payable by the due date.
5.4 Expenses
Reasonable pre-approved expenses (e.g. third-party licences, cloud hosting, APIs) incurred on the Client's behalf will be invoiced at cost with supporting documentation.
6. Intellectual Property
6.1 Client-Owned Deliverables
Upon receipt of full payment for a project, DevStepX assigns to the Client all intellectual property rights in the custom code, designs, and deliverables created specifically for that project, to the extent permitted by law.
6.2 DevStepX IP and Tools
DevStepX retains ownership of all pre-existing intellectual property, proprietary frameworks, tools, libraries, and methodologies used in delivering the project. Where such IP is incorporated into deliverables, DevStepX grants the Client a perpetual, non-exclusive licence to use it as part of the deliverable.
6.3 Open-Source Components
Some deliverables may incorporate third-party open-source software. Such components remain subject to their respective open-source licences, which will be disclosed to the Client upon request.
6.4 Portfolio Rights
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, DevStepX reserves the right to reference the project (including a brief description and technology stack) in its portfolio and marketing materials. We will not disclose confidential business information.
7. Confidentiality
Both parties agree to keep confidential any non-public information received from the other party and to use it solely for the purpose of performing obligations under the applicable project agreement. This obligation survives termination for 5 years. Confidentiality obligations do not apply to information that is publicly available, independently developed, or required to be disclosed by law.
DevStepX is willing to sign a separate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to discussing sensitive project details. Please request one via our contact page.
8. Warranties & Disclaimers
8.1 Our Warranties
DevStepX warrants that:
- Services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner
- Deliverables will materially conform to the agreed specifications at the time of delivery
- We have the right to perform the services and grant the IP rights described herein
- Services will not knowingly infringe third-party intellectual property rights
8.2 Disclaimer
Except as expressly stated above, the website and services are provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, DevStepX's total aggregate liability arising out of or related to these Terms or any project agreement, whether based on contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client to DevStepX in the three months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.
In no event shall DevStepX be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, loss of data, business interruption, or loss of goodwill, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
These limitations do not apply to liability for fraud, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.
10. Indemnification
The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless DevStepX and its officers, employees, and contractors from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:
- The Client’s use of the deliverables in a manner not permitted by these Terms
- Content or materials provided by the Client that infringe third-party rights
- The Client’s violation of any applicable law or regulation
- The Client’s breach of these Terms
11. Termination
11.1 Termination for Convenience
Either party may terminate a project engagement by providing 30 days' written notice. The Client shall pay for all work completed and reasonable costs incurred up to the termination date.
11.2 Termination for Cause
Either party may terminate immediately upon written notice if the other party materially breaches these Terms and fails to cure the breach within 14 days of receiving written notice of the breach.
11.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination, DevStepX will deliver all completed work-in-progress. IP in deliverables transfers only upon receipt of full payment for work performed. Provisions relating to confidentiality, IP, limitation of liability, and governing law survive termination.
12. Governing Law
These Terms and any dispute arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws applicable to the jurisdiction in which DevStepX operates, without regard to conflict of law principles. Where the parties have agreed a specific jurisdiction in the SOW, that jurisdiction governs.
13. Dispute Resolution
The parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute through good-faith negotiation for at least 30 days before initiating formal proceedings. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration or the courts of the applicable jurisdiction, as agreed in the applicable SOW.
14. General Provisions
- Entire Agreement: These Terms and any applicable SOW constitute the entire agreement between the parties.
- Severability: If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
- Waiver: Failure to enforce any right is not a waiver of that right.
- Assignment: The Client may not assign rights or obligations without our prior written consent.
- Force Majeure: Neither party is liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control.
- Notices: All formal notices must be delivered in writing by email to the addresses on record.
15. Contact
For questions about these Terms, please contact us: