Legal
Effective August 1, 2026
These terms govern every account and engagement on R-Owl. They are written to be read, so if anything is unclear, tell us.
“R-Owl” means R-Owl, Inc. “Platform” means the website, applications, and services we operate. “Client” means an organization, and its authorized users, that posts briefs and engages Consultants. “Consultant” means an individual or firm that offers services through the Platform. “Engagement” means a contract between a Client and a Consultant formed on the Platform. “Milestone” means a defined deliverable within an Engagement with an agreed amount and acceptance criteria. “Escrow” means funds held by R-Owl on behalf of the parties pending release.
You must be at least 18 and authorized to bind the organization you represent. You are responsible for activity under your account and for keeping credentials confidential. Two-factor authentication is required for administrator and payment roles.
Consultant accounts must pass verification before a profile is published. You agree that information provided during verification is accurate and that we may re-verify it at any time. Providing false information is grounds for immediate termination.
Clients agree to post briefs that describe genuine, funded needs and to respond to proposals in good faith. Consultants agree to propose only on work they are qualified and available to perform, and to disclose conflicts of interest before signing.
R-Owl is a marketplace. We verify Consultants, provide contract infrastructure, and hold funds in escrow, but we are not a party to Engagements, do not supervise the work, and do not guarantee outcomes. Consultants are independent contractors and not employees or agents of R-Owl.
Clients pay a platform fee of 10% of each Milestone amount, charged at funding and held in escrow with the Milestone amount. Consultants pay a service fee of 8% of each Milestone amount, deducted at payout. Current rates are published on the pricing page; changes apply only to Engagements signed after the change takes effect.
A Milestone must be funded before the Consultant is obliged to begin work on it. Funds are released to the Consultant when the Client approves the deliverable, when the Client fails to respond within ten business days of submission after two reminders, or when a dispute is decided in the Consultant’s favor. Funds for a Milestone cancelled before submission are refunded in full, including the platform fee.
Escrow funds are held in a segregated account and are not used for R-Owl’s operating expenses. Interest, if any, accrues to R-Owl.
Engagements that originate on the Platform must be contracted and paid through the Platform for their duration and for twelve months after the last Milestone is released. Soliciting or accepting payment outside the Platform for such work is a material breach by both parties and results in suspension and, where applicable, a conversion fee equal to 15% of the Engagement value.
The following are permitted without fee: hiring a Consultant as an employee after an Engagement has been completed; working together on matters that did not originate on the Platform; and any arrangement approved in writing by R-Owl.
Either party may open a dispute on a funded Milestone within ten business days of submission or rejection. Funds stay in escrow while the dispute is open. A member of R-Owl’s trust and operations team reviews the contract, acceptance criteria, deliverables, and message history, may request additional information, and issues a written decision within ten business days. Decisions may release funds in full to either party or split them.
Dispute decisions are binding for the purpose of escrow release. They do not prevent either party from pursuing other remedies available under the Engagement contract or applicable law.
Unless the Engagement contract says otherwise, deliverables created for a Client become the Client’s property on release of the corresponding Milestone, and the Consultant retains pre-existing materials and general know-how. You grant R-Owl a limited license to host, display, and process content you upload for the purpose of operating the Platform.
The Platform, including its software, design, and the R-Owl name and verification mark, is owned by R-Owl. The verification mark may not be reproduced outside the Platform without written permission.
You may close your account at any time from Settings, provided you have no active Engagements or unresolved disputes. We may suspend or terminate accounts for breach of these terms, failed re-verification, fraud, or conduct that harms other users, with notice except where notice would compromise an investigation.
Termination does not affect Engagements already funded: escrow continues to be administered under these terms until all Milestones are released or refunded.
The Platform is provided as is. To the fullest extent permitted by law, R-Owl disclaims implied warranties and is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, or for the acts or omissions of Clients or Consultants. R-Owl’s total liability to you for any claim arising from the Platform is limited to the greater of the fees you paid to R-Owl in the twelve months before the claim or US $1,000.
Nothing in these terms limits liability for fraud, gross negligence, or any liability that cannot be limited by law.
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute with R-Owl that cannot be resolved informally within 60 days will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by JAMS in Chicago, Illinois, on an individual basis. Either party may seek injunctive relief in court to protect intellectual property or confidential information.
We may update these terms with at least 30 days’ notice by email and in the product. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. Questions about these terms can be sent to legal@r-owl.example.com. See also our privacy policy.
