Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of these terms

These Terms of Service govern access to and use of the TechVault website, engineer network, communications, and related services provided by TechVault ("TechVault," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using TechVault, the user agrees to these terms.

2. The TechVault service

TechVault is a project-based matching platform that helps connect engineers and other professionals with companies and project opportunities on an independent contract (業務委託) basis. TechVault does not place individuals into employment and does not act as an employer of engineers. TechVault may review profiles, suggest potential matches, facilitate communication, and support project administration. Unless separately agreed in writing, TechVault does not guarantee any introduction, interview, project, minimum workload, income, payment amount, or continuing relationship.

3. Eligibility and account information

Users must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into these terms, and must provide accurate, current, and complete information. Users are responsible for updating submitted information and for ensuring that portfolio materials, credentials, and experience descriptions are truthful and do not infringe third-party rights.

4. Identity protection and double-blind matching

TechVault operates a double-blind matching process designed to protect user identity. An engineer's name and current employer are not disclosed to a company at the initial matching stage; the current employer is shown only in a masked, generalized form (for example, "FANG" or "Top 500 global company"). A company's name is revealed to the engineer only when the engineer is selected or applies, and the engineer's full name and profile are revealed only after the engineer accepts. While TechVault takes these measures to protect identity, it cannot guarantee against circumstances outside its reasonable control. Further detail is provided in our Privacy Policy.

5. Project opportunities

A project may be subject to separate terms agreed among the engineer, the company, TechVault, or other relevant parties. Those terms may address scope, deliverables, schedule, intellectual property, confidentiality, fees, invoicing, taxes, acceptance, cancellation, and dispute handling. If separate project terms conflict with these website terms, the specific project terms control for that project.

6. Independent relationship

Unless a written agreement expressly states otherwise, joining the TechVault network does not create an employment, partnership, agency, franchise, or joint-venture relationship with TechVault or any company. Engineers remain responsible for their own work methods, equipment, insurance, permits, registrations, taxes, and legal obligations.

7. No circumvention

TechVault invests in sourcing, screening, and introducing engineers and companies to one another. Where TechVault has introduced or facilitated a connection between an engineer and a company, the user agrees not to bypass, circumvent, or attempt to circumvent TechVault in order to engage, contract, solicit, or transact directly (or through a third party) for the purpose of avoiding TechVault's involvement or fees.

This obligation applies during use of the service and for a reasonable period afterward as set out in the applicable project agreement. Any direct engagement arising from a TechVault introduction should be arranged through, or with the written agreement of, TechVault. Circumvention is a material breach of these terms and may result in suspension, termination, and any remedies available under applicable law.

8. Fees and payments

Engineers are not charged a fee merely to join the TechVault network; companies cover TechVault's service fees. Payment terms for project work will be communicated separately and may depend on agreed milestones, completion, acceptance, invoicing, and applicable deductions or taxes. TechVault may facilitate payment but does not guarantee payment where a company disputes performance or where the applicable project agreement provides otherwise.

9. Acceptable use

Users must not:

• Provide false, misleading, unlawful, or infringing information.
• Interfere with the security, operation, or availability of TechVault.
• Scrape, reverse engineer, misuse, or access the service through unauthorized means.
• Harass others, misuse confidential information, or attempt to identify a masked user or bypass the double-blind process.
• Circumvent TechVault or agreed project or payment arrangements (see Section 7).
• Use TechVault in violation of applicable law, sanctions, export controls, or professional obligations.

10. Intellectual property

TechVault and its licensors retain rights in the website, branding, software, content, and service design. Users retain ownership of materials submitted by users, but grant TechVault a limited permission to host, review, process, reproduce, translate, and share those materials as reasonably necessary to operate the service and facilitate matching. Ownership of project deliverables must be addressed in the applicable project agreement.

11. Confidentiality

Users may receive non-public information about TechVault, engineers, companies, or projects. Users must protect confidential information and use it only for the relevant evaluation, communication, or project unless disclosure is authorized or legally required. A separate non-disclosure agreement may also apply.

12. AI and translation tools

TechVault may use AI-assisted matching, translation, summarization, and communication tools. Automated output may contain errors or omissions. Users are responsible for reviewing important project, technical, legal, financial, and safety-related information before relying on it.

13. Suspension and termination

TechVault may suspend or terminate access, remove a profile, or stop facilitating an opportunity where reasonably necessary for security, legal compliance, suspected misuse, material breach, inaccurate information, harmful conduct, or operational reasons. Users may request removal from the network by contacting TechVault.

14. Disclaimers

TechVault is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis to the extent permitted by law. TechVault does not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or suitable for a particular purpose. Companies and engineers are responsible for conducting their own evaluation and due diligence before entering into a project relationship.

15. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, TechVault will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or lost-profit damages arising from use of the service, an introduction, a project, another user, or third-party services. Any additional liability limit should be finalized by legal counsel before launch.

16. Governing law and disputes

These terms will be governed by the laws of Japan, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. The courts located in Tokyo, Japan will have exclusive jurisdiction, unless mandatory law requires otherwise.

17. Changes and contact

TechVault may update these terms by posting a revised version with a new "Last updated" date. Questions can be sent to Tvaultinfo@gmail.com.