Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern all services provided by Launching Ideas, Inc. ("Launching Ideas," "we," "us") to any client ("Client," "you"). By requesting a quote, purchasing a service pack, or engaging us for any work, you agree to these Terms. Where a signed proposal, statement of work, or separate written agreement exists for a project, that document controls to the extent it conflicts with these Terms.

1. Quotes and estimates

Quotes are free and are valid for 30 days from the date issued, after which they may be revised. A quote describes the work we expect to perform based on the information you provide; if the actual project differs from what was described to us, the quote may be adjusted accordingly. Estimates for hourly work are good-faith projections, not fixed prices, unless expressly stated otherwise.

2. Deposits and payment

• Fixed-scope projects require a 50% deposit before work begins, with the balance due as set out in the proposal (or upon delivery if not otherwise specified).
• Hourly service packs are prepaid. Pack hours are valid for 12 months from purchase and are non-transferable.
• Invoices are due net 15 days. Overdue balances accrue a late charge of 1.5% per month (or the maximum permitted by law, if lower), plus any collection costs we reasonably incur.
• We may suspend work on any project with an overdue balance. Suspension does not extend deadlines or reduce amounts owed.

3. Scope and change orders

Work is limited to the scope described in the applicable quote or proposal. Requests beyond that scope — added features, additional revisions beyond those included, new deliverables — are handled as change orders, quoted and approved in writing before the additional work begins. This protects both of us: you always know what a change costs before you commit to it.

4. Client responsibilities

Timely progress depends on you as well as us. You agree to provide the materials, information, decisions, and approvals the project requires within a reasonable time of our request. Delays caused by missing client input extend the schedule accordingly and may require re-mobilization time when work resumes.

5. Inactive and abandoned projects

If we cannot obtain a response from you for 30 consecutive days despite reasonable attempts, the project may be placed on hold. After 60 consecutive days without response, we may treat the project as terminated by you (see Section 6). Resuming a held project may require a re-mobilization fee and a revised schedule.

6. Cancellation

You may cancel a project at any time with written notice. Upon cancellation, you are responsible for: (a) all work performed through the date of cancellation at the applicable rates; (b) any non-cancellable costs we have committed to on your behalf (materials, fabrication, third-party services); and (c) any cancellation terms stated in the proposal. Deposits are applied against these amounts; any unused remainder is refunded, and any shortfall is invoiced. Unused prepaid service-pack hours are not refunded upon project cancellation but remain available for other work during their validity period.

7. Intellectual property and deliverables

• Upon full payment for the applicable work, ownership of the project deliverables — drawings, CAD models, PCB design data, artwork, and similar work product — transfers to you. Until full payment is received, all work product remains the property of Launching Ideas and may not be used, reproduced, or provided to another party.
• We retain ownership of our pre-existing tools, templates, libraries, and general engineering know-how, which we license to you as embedded in the deliverables.
• We may display non-confidential, non-IP-sensitive material from completed projects for portfolio and marketing purposes unless we agree otherwise in writing.
• Where deliverables incorporate materials you supplied, you warrant that you have the rights to those materials.

8. Confidentiality

We treat your unpublished ideas, designs, and business information as confidential and use them only to perform the work. We are happy to discuss specific confidentiality arrangements before you disclose sensitive details. Likewise, our quotes, pricing, and internal work product are provided to you in confidence.

9. No guarantee of outcomes

We perform services with the professional skill and care of a competent engineering and design firm. However, we do not and cannot guarantee commercial success, patentability, freedom from third-party intellectual-property claims, regulatory approval, or fitness of the final manufactured product for any particular market. Recommendations regarding patents, manufacturers, or other third parties are provided in good faith and are not legal or financial advice.

10. Third parties

Prototyping, fabrication, tooling, and manufacturing are frequently performed by third-party vendors. Third-party costs are passed through as quoted and are subject to those vendors' own terms, lead times, and warranties. Please direct all communication with vendors engaged by us through Launching Ideas.

11. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to any project is limited to the amounts you actually paid us for that project, and neither party is liable to the other for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, or for lost profits or lost opportunities. You are responsible for final testing, validation, and regulatory compliance of any product you take to market.

12. Indemnification

You agree to defend and hold Launching Ideas harmless from claims arising out of products you manufacture, market, or sell, and from claims that materials or designs you supplied to us infringe the rights of others.

13. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. Before either party begins formal proceedings, we each agree to attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute through direct negotiation. Any legal action shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Alameda County, California, and the prevailing party is entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

14. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time; the version in effect when your project or purchase begins is the version that applies to it. The current version is always available on this page.

15. Questions

Questions about these Terms, project agreements, or intellectual property? Contact us — we'd rather clarify up front than surprise anyone later.