Terms of Service

Last updated: March 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Fractional Forge platform ("ForgeOS"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the platform.

2. Description of Service

Fractional Forge provides a platform connecting hardware founders with fractional executives, engineers, and manufacturing resources. The platform includes project management tools, a marketplace for manufacturing services, and collaboration features.

3. User Accounts

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You must notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account.

4. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property you create through the platform — including designs, prototypes, specifications, and finished products — remains your sole property. Fractional Forge does not claim any ownership, assignment, or equity stake in your work. This is a contractual guarantee, not a courtesy.

You grant Fractional Forge a limited, revocable licence to display your designs and project data solely to authorised members of your team within the platform. This licence terminates automatically when you remove a team member or close your account.

Factory partners engaged through the platform receive access only to the manufacturing specifications required to quote and produce your parts. They do not receive access to your full design files, business strategy, or other project data.

4A. Confidentiality

All parties using the platform — including you, your team members, and factory partners — are bound by confidentiality obligations. Your design files are treated as confidential information by default.

Factory partners receive only the manufacturing-relevant specifications needed to quote and produce your parts. They do not gain access to your broader design intent, business plans, or other project data.

Technical measures supporting confidentiality include: role-based access controls, encryption at rest and in transit, per-foundry data isolation, and audit logging of access events.

5. Platform Fees

Fractional Forge charges subscription fees and a platform fee on marketplace transactions as described on our pricing page. Fees are subject to change with reasonable notice. Founding member pricing is locked in for the duration of your membership.

6. Liability & Risk Allocation

6.1 Platform Role

Fractional Forge operates as a facilitator — connecting you with expert teams and manufacturing capacity. We are not a manufacturer, and do not take physical custody of your products.

6.2 Manufacturing Responsibility

Factory partners engaged through the platform are responsible for manufacturing defects, specification conformance, and quality control of the parts they produce. Written terms govern every manufacturing engagement.

6.3 Design Responsibility

You are responsible for the fitness and suitability of your designs. Platform tools (including AI-assisted analysis) are provided to support — but not replace — your engineering judgement. Final design sign-off remains yours.

6.4 Liability Cap

Fractional Forge provides the platform on an "as is" basis. We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Our total aggregate liability shall not exceed the greater of (a) the fees you have paid in the preceding twelve months, or (b) GBP 100.

6.5 Statutory Exclusions

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

7. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of England and Wales.

8. Contact

For questions about these terms, please contact us at legal@fractionalforge.com

8A. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Fractional Forge from any claims, losses, or damages arising from the designs you create or the products manufactured to your specifications.

Factory partners engaged through the platform agree to indemnify you against claims arising from manufacturing defects or failure to conform to agreed specifications. These obligations are set out in the manufacturing engagement terms.

8B. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute between you and a factory partner or team member, the parties shall first attempt to resolve the matter through the platform's dispute process. If unresolved within 30 days, the parties shall submit the dispute to mediation under the rules of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). If mediation fails, either party may commence proceedings in the courts of England and Wales.

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