LEGAL
Terms of Service
Effective: September 1, 2026
1. The service
Northn (operated by Northern Node Corp., a Texas corporation) provides tools for running professional engagements: AI-assisted proposals, milestone escrow funding through regulated, licensed financial institutions, delivery evidence, verification, and settlement. Northn also provides record-only products (Northn Bench, Northn Study) that seal and verify a record of work without moving money. Northn is not a marketplace: we do not source clients, match parties, or act as a party to your engagement. The contract for the work is between you and your client.
2. Accounts
You must provide accurate information and keep your credentials secure. You are responsible for activity under your account and for ensuring your team's use of the platform complies with these terms and with your own agreements.
3. Escrow & payments
Milestone funds are held and moved by regulated, licensed financial institutions — payment and escrow providers — not by Northn directly. Northn is not a bank, money transmitter, or payments processor. Funding, release, and refund events follow the engagement's configured rules: client approval, verified events named in the engagement terms, or the outcome of dispute resolution. Nothing releases on a timer or on silence. Timing of settlement depends on the payment rails selected.
4. Fees
Northn's fees are as set out in the applicable order form or displayed before funding. For engagements that move money, there are no talent-side fees, seat fees, or subscriptions for standard platform use. Record-only products (Northn Bench, Northn Study) are priced under a separate order form or pilot agreement, agreed before any record is created. Optional services (such as software delivery, staffing, security work, or migration assistance) are priced separately and agreed before any work begins.
5. Evidence & AI
Engagement participants control evidence depth per engagement. AI-generated documents and evidence reviews are decision support, not professional advice; parties remain responsible for their approvals. Where the evidence cannot settle a criterion, the platform records that it was not assessed rather than a pass. Where a firm brings its own AI keys, usage is governed by that provider's terms as well.
6. Disputes
If parties disagree, the engagement record — milestones, acceptance criteria, and attached evidence — is the basis for resolution. Escalated disputes are reviewed by a neutral arbitrator whose determination directs the movement of escrowed funds for that milestone.
7. Acceptable use
You may not use Northn for unlawful work, to move funds unrelated to a genuine engagement, to upload content you have no right to share, or to interfere with the platform's operation or other users' data.
8. Intellectual property
Your work product remains yours (or your client's, per your contract). Northn's software, brand, and site content remain ours; the verdict-and-record system is the subject of a pending United States patent application. You grant us the limited rights needed to host and process engagement content in order to provide the service.
9. Disclaimers & liability
The platform is provided 'as is'. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Northn's aggregate liability for claims arising from the service is limited to the platform fees you paid in the twelve months before the claim. Northn is not liable for the performance of either party's obligations under their own engagement contract.
10. Governing law & changes
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas. We may update these terms; material changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date, and continued use constitutes acceptance. Questions: hello@northn.dev.