Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and HDG Consulting ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") concerning your access to and use of our website www.hdg.lat and our professional services.

By accessing our website or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access our website or use our services.

1. Company Information

2. Services Description

HDG Consulting provides professional services in the following areas:

• Computer Systems Design and Related Services
• Computer Integrated Systems Design
• Technical Consulting Services
• Architectural and Engineering Services
• Management and Scientific Consulting
• Scientific Research and Development Services
• Specialized Design Services

Specific terms for individual service engagements will be outlined in separate service agreements or statements of work.

3. Use of Website

3.1 License to Use

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use our website for lawful purposes in accordance with these Terms.

3.2 Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

• Use the website for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks
• Interfere with or disrupt the website or servers
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Collect or harvest information about other users
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without permission
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any website components
• Remove or modify any copyright or proprietary notices

4. Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 Our Intellectual Property

All content on our website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, software, and design elements, is the property of HDG Consulting or our licensors and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

4.2 Trademarks

HDG CONSULTING and related marks are trademarks of HDG Consulting. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written permission.

4.3 User Content

If you submit content to our website (such as through contact forms or feedback), you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display such content for business purposes.

5. Service Agreements

5.1 Engagement Terms

Professional services provided by HDG Consulting are governed by separate written agreements, which may include:

• Scope of work and deliverables
• Project timelines and milestones
• Fees and payment terms
• Confidentiality obligations
• Intellectual property ownership
• Warranties and limitations of liability

5.2 Proposals and Estimates

All proposals, quotes, and estimates are valid for 30 days unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to modify pricing and terms before formal agreement execution.

5.3 Payment Terms

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• Invoices are due within 30 days of issuance
• Late payments may incur interest charges at the rate of 1.5% per month
• We reserve the right to suspend services for non-payment
• Client is responsible for all collection costs and legal fees

6. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary and confidential information disclosed during the course of our business relationship. This obligation includes:

• Not disclosing confidential information to third parties
• Using confidential information only for authorized purposes
• Implementing reasonable security measures to protect information
• Returning or destroying confidential information upon request

Confidential information does not include information that is publicly available, independently developed, or lawfully obtained from third parties.

7. Warranties and Disclaimers

7.1 Professional Services

We warrant that our professional services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards. This warranty is limited to a period of 90 days from service delivery.

7.2 Website Disclaimer

OUR WEBSITE AND CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties of non-infringement
• Warranties regarding accuracy, reliability, or completeness of content
• Warranties that the website will be uninterrupted or error-free

7.3 Third-Party Content

We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of third-party content, links, or services referenced on our website.

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

8.1 Exclusion of Damages

HDG CONSULTING SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities
• Loss of data or information
• Business interruption
• Loss of goodwill or reputation

8.2 Cap on Liability

Our total liability for any claims arising from or related to our services or these Terms shall not exceed the amount paid by you to us in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or $1,000, whichever is greater.

8.3 Exceptions

These limitations do not apply to liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law, such as fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless HDG Consulting, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of our website or services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Your negligence or willful misconduct

10. Term and Termination

10.1 Term

These Terms remain in effect while you use our website or services.

10.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your access to our website at any time, with or without cause or notice, for violations of these Terms or for any other reason.

10.3 Termination of Services

Either party may terminate a service engagement as specified in the applicable service agreement. Termination does not relieve you of payment obligations for services rendered.

10.4 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the website ceases immediately. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including confidentiality, intellectual property, limitation of liability, and dispute resolution provisions.

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California and the United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

11.2 Jurisdiction and Venue

Any legal action or proceeding arising from these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts.

11.3 Arbitration

For disputes involving amounts less than $50,000, the parties agree to resolve disputes through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall take place in Los Angeles County, California.

11.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

12. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of our website or services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

13. General Provisions

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any service agreements and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and HDG Consulting regarding use of our website and services.

13.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

13.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

13.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

13.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, or government actions.

13.6 Independent Contractors

The relationship between you and HDG Consulting is that of independent contractors. Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship.

14. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

15. Acknowledgment

BY USING OUR WEBSITE OR SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS OF SERVICE, UNDERSTAND THEM, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM.