Terms of Service

Last updated: March 31, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the website at studio.decoded.digital and the Decoded Studios client portal (together, the "Services"), provided by Decoded Studios from Auckland, New Zealand ("we", "us").

By accessing or using the Services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Services. These Terms are not legal advice; consult a lawyer if you need advice about your specific situation.

Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal information.

1. Eligibility and accounts

You may need to create or access a client account to use parts of the portal. You can sign in using an email address and a one-time code, or by authenticating with your Google account. When you sign in with Google, you authorise us to receive your name, email address, and profile picture from Google to create or access your account. Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy apply to your use of Google sign-in. You agree to provide accurate information, keep your login secure, and notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access.

An account may include multiple users tied to the same organisation. Anyone who signs in under your account is responsible for their activity unless we agree otherwise in writing.

2. Project application process

The Services support a typical project workflow such as:

1. You submit project details and related materials.
2. We review the work and may issue a proposal or quote (including supporting documents).
3. Where we offer electronic signing, you may be asked to sign the services agreement and quote (or similar documents) in the portal.
4. After required signatures are complete, you may be invited to pay a deposit in NZD through our online checkout.
5. We then deliver the agreed work through subsequent phases (for example build, deploy, revisions, and final invoicing) as described in your quote and project communications.

Exact phases, deliverables, and timelines depend on the written proposal, quote, and any agreement you sign—not on this web page alone.

3. Quotes, documents, and electronic signatures

When you sign a document through the portal, you represent that you have authority to bind the entity named on the project (or yourself, if you are contracting in your own name). Electronic signatures and associated records have the same intent as manual signatures, subject to applicable law and the text of the documents you sign.

If there is any inconsistency between these Terms and a signed quote, services agreement, or statement of work, the signed documents take precedence for that project.

4. Fees and payment structure

4.1 Deposits (Stripe Checkout)

Unless we agree otherwise, deposit checkout becomes available only after you complete any electronic signatures we require for that project. Deposits are charged in New Zealand dollars (NZD) via Stripe Checkout. The deposit percentage, deposit amount, and total project price are set out in your quote or written agreement.

Card payments are processed by Stripe. Stripe's terms and privacy practices apply to their processing of payment data.

4.2 Remainder and payment schedule

Any amount not covered by the deposit is due according to the payment schedule in your quote, agreement, or invoices we issue. We may use Xero (or similar tools) to create and send invoices, including invoices with a card-pay link where enabled. You are responsible for paying fees by the due dates stated on those documents.

4.3 Promo codes

If you apply a valid promotional code, discounts are applied only as configured in our systems (for example a fixed reduction on the deposit amount). Promo codes may expire or be withdrawn. If a code is no longer valid at payment time, you may need to remove it or contact us to continue.

4.4 Taxes

Fees are stated excluding or including GST as indicated on your quote or invoice. You are responsible for any taxes we are required to collect or that apply to your purchase.

4.5 Refunds

Refunds (if any) are handled only as required by applicable law or as expressly agreed in your project documentation. If you believe a charge is incorrect, contact us promptly via our Contact page.

5. Intellectual property

Unless a signed agreement says otherwise, ownership and licensing of deliverables (source code, designs, documentation, etc.) are defined only in your quote, services agreement, or statement of work. We retain all rights in our pre-existing materials, tools, and know-how.

You grant us a licence to use materials you provide (for example logos, data, and briefs) to perform the services, and you represent you have the rights needed to grant that licence.

6. Confidentiality

We treat non-public business information you share for a project as confidential and use it only to deliver the services, unless you consent otherwise or we are required to disclose by law. Specific confidentiality terms in a signed agreement prevail if they differ from this section.

7. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Use the Services unlawfully or to infringe others' rights.
• Attempt to bypass security, probe vulnerabilities, or access data you are not authorised to see.
• Upload malware or content that is illegal, harmful, or harassing.
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation.
• Scrape or overload our systems in a way that could harm availability.

We may suspend or terminate access if we reasonably believe you have breached these rules.

8. Third-party services

The Services rely on third parties (hosting, email, payments, accounting, authentication). Their availability and terms are outside our full control. Where a third party fails or changes its service, we will use reasonable efforts to maintain continuity but are not liable for their acts or omissions. When you use Google sign-in, your use of Google's services is subject to Google's own terms and policies.

9. Disclaimers

The website and portal are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis to the extent permitted by law. We do not warrant that the Services will be uninterrupted or error-free.

General information on our site does not replace tailored professional advice for your business.

10. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, we exclude all implied warranties and limit our liability arising from these Terms or your use of the Services. Where liability cannot be excluded, we limit our liability to the fee you paid us for the specific project giving rise to the claim in the three (3) months before the event, except that this cap does not limit liability that cannot legally be limited (including liability under the Fair Trading Act 1986 or Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 where you acquire services as a "consumer" under those acts).

11. Indemnity

You indemnify us against claims, losses, and costs (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your misuse of the Services, your materials, or your breach of these Terms, except to the extent caused by our wilful misconduct.

12. Termination

You may stop using the Services at any time. We may suspend or discontinue portal access for operational, security, or legal reasons. Termination of a project, refunds, and wind-down obligations are governed by your signed agreements and applicable law—not solely by these Terms.

13. Changes

We may update these Terms by posting a new version on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Material changes may also be communicated by email or in the portal where appropriate. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance unless applicable law requires otherwise.

14. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Subject to mandatory consumer protections, you submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.

15. Contact

For questions about these Terms, reach us through our Contact page.