Summary
By using iDharma, you agree to these Terms. You must be 18+, provide accurate info, and follow our Code of Ethics. We're a marketplace — buyers post projects, consultants and consultancies deliver work, and we hold funds in escrow until milestones are accepted. We take 20% commission on direct hires, or 15% when a consultancy is in the middle. Disputes go to mediation first, then JAMS arbitration in Indianapolis. Indiana law governs. Questions: legal@idharma.us.
01 Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using iDharma at idharma.us, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you don't agree, do not use the service. iDharma LLC reserves the right to update these Terms with 30 days notice.
02 Eligibility
- You are 18 years or older and legally able to enter into a binding contract.
- You are not on any US, EU, or UN sanctions list (including OFAC) and not located in a sanctioned jurisdiction.
- Your registration information is accurate and current, and you keep it updated.
- If accepting on behalf of an organization, you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms.
03 Accounts and Roles
iDharma supports three account types:
- One personal account per person; duplicate accounts are subject to suspension.
- You are responsible for all activity on your account. Keep credentials secure.
- Notify support@idharma.us immediately of any unauthorized access.
04 Marketplace Transactions
- Clients post projects with scope, budget, and timeline.
- Consultants or Consultancies submit proposals.
- Both parties accept terms before work begins.
- Funds are placed in escrow via Stripe Connect.
- Milestones are released by the Client upon satisfactory delivery.
Commission Structure
How fees split
Client → Consultant
Client → Consultancy → Consultant
05 Verified Consultant Program
- Verification is governed by the published iDharma Verification Methodology.
- Five required criteria: identity, work history, references, case study, and a signed Code of Ethics.
- Verification can be revoked for cause (see Revocation in the Methodology).
- Misrepresenting credentials voids verification and may result in legal action.
06 Verified Consultancy Program
- Firms must verify business registration, named contact, two client references, professional liability insurance (E&O minimum $1M), and sign a firm-level Code of Ethics.
- Consultancies are responsible for the conduct of consultants they represent on iDharma.
- iDharma may revoke firm verification independently of individual consultant status.
07 Buyer (Client) Responsibilities
- Provide accurate project scope, timeline, and budget.
- Respond to consultant questions and approve milestones in good faith.
- Pay agreed amounts via escrow only.
- Treat consultants professionally — harassment is grounds for account termination.
08 Consultant Responsibilities
- Deliver work as described, on time, to the quality represented.
- Maintain confidentiality of client information per the signed NDA.
- Decline projects outside your demonstrated competence.
- Comply with the iDharma Code of Ethics.
- Use the marketplace as your primary venue for projects originated through iDharma.
09 Intellectual Property
- Work product belongs to the Client upon full payment, unless Client and Consultant agree otherwise in writing.
- Consultant retains rights to reusable tools, libraries, and methodologies that pre-existed the project.
- Standard IP Assignment language applies — see Legal Protocols.
10 Confidentiality
By accepting a project, Consultant agrees to keep Client information confidential indefinitely unless authorized to disclose. iDharma provides a standard NDA template; Client and Consultant may execute custom NDAs.
11 Prohibited Conduct
- Misrepresenting identity, credentials, or work.
- Circumventing iDharma fees by moving paid work off-platform.
- Posting illegal, infringing, or harmful content.
- Building AI systems intended to deceive, manipulate vulnerable populations, or violate human rights (per Code of Ethics).
- Spamming, scraping, or harvesting user contact info.
- Reverse engineering the platform.
12 Disputes
Disputes follow three sequential steps:
-
Direct resolution · 14 daysParties attempt to resolve the dispute in good faith between themselves.
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iDharma mediation · 7 business daysFile a ticket. iDharma reviews evidence and proposes a non-binding resolution.
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Binding arbitration · JAMS, Indianapolis INUnder JAMS rules, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
Class action waiver. Each party may bring claims only individually, not as part of a class or representative action.
13 Termination
You may close your account anytime. iDharma may suspend or terminate accounts for breach, with notice when feasible. Outstanding payments and escrow obligations survive termination. Verified status is revocable per the Methodology.
14 Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, iDharma's total liability is limited to the fees you paid iDharma in the 12 months preceding the claim. iDharma is not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages. The platform is provided "as is" and "as available." iDharma does not guarantee specific outcomes of consultant engagements.
15 Indemnification
You agree to indemnify iDharma against claims arising from your breach of these Terms, your project work, your content, or your violation of any third-party rights.
16 Governing Law & Changes
- These Terms are governed by Indiana law (USA).
- Federal and state courts in Indianapolis, Indiana have exclusive jurisdiction over non-arbitrable matters.
- iDharma may update Terms with 30 days notice via email and platform notice; continued use means acceptance.
- Past versions are archived at /terms/changelog.
United Status