# General Terms and Conditions — English Summary

This is a plain-English summary of the Algemene Voorwaarden (AW) of Rule Step B.V., version 1.0, effective 30 September 2026. The original Dutch text in `algemene-voorwaarden-nl.md` is the only legally binding version.

## What the AW does

The AW are the **service-agnostic general terms** that apply to every contract between Rule Step B.V. and any client. They contain nothing about hosting, domains or consulting specifically — those rules live in the supplements (AVO and AVC).

## Key takeaways per article

- **Art. 1 — Definitions & hierarchy.** "Rule Step" means Rule Step B.V. (KvK 42042967, RSIN 869445200), J.J. van Grondelle, director. Hierarchy: (1) Order Form > (2) Supplementary Terms > (3) AW > (4) Annexes. Consumer protection under Book 6 Section 3 BW always prevails.
- **Art. 2 — Formation.** Quotes valid 5 working days. B2B by Rule Step's confirmation; B2C by consumer's confirmation plus Rule Step's 24-hour acknowledgement.
- **Art. 3 — Withdrawal (B2C).** 14 calendar days from contract conclusion per 6:230o BW. Exceptions per 6:230p BW (when service is fully performed with prior consent).
- **Art. 4 — Service delivery (umbrella).** Rule Step may outsource, may engage sub-processors.
- **Art. 5 — Payment.** 14-day payment term. **B2B:** statutory commercial interest 8% per year (art. 6:119 lid 1 juncto 6:119a BW). **B2C:** statutory interest 6% (6:119 lid 2 BW) after 14-day default notice.
- **Art. 6 — Complaints.** hello@rulestep.com; 7 working days acknowledgement; 30 working days handling. Privacy complaints: privacy@rulestep.com.
- **Art. 7 — Suspension / termination.** B2B: immediate for serious breach. B2C: 14-day cure period.
- **Art. 8 — Duration.** B2C max 1-month notice. Domain products may have a minimum term (e.g., 1 year).
- **Art. 9 — Liability cap.** **B2B:** EUR 20,000 per event + 12-month rolling cap. **B2C:** exceptions for death, injury, intent, gross negligence (art. 6:193j BW). Third-party liability cannot be excluded for consumers (6:193j sub b BW).
- **Art. 10 — Indirect damages.** Excluded for B2B (with 6:248 BW safety valve); limited for B2C (cannot deprive consumer of essential performance).
- **Art. 11 — Force majeure.** 90-day termination right; B2C also 6:265 BW.
- **Art. 12 — Data protection (umbrella).** Rule Step = Processor for online services; Controller for own administration; Processor for consulting (only if processing on behalf of client).
- **Art. 13 — IP (general).** Client retains IP on its content; Rule Step retains IP on its tooling. Service-specific IP in AVO/AVC.
- **Art. 14 — Confidentiality.** 5 years post-termination. Standard exceptions.
- **Art. 15 — Applicable law.** Dutch law; consumer keeps woonstaat-protection (Rome I art. 6 lid 2).
- **Art. 16 — Forum.** **B2B:** Amsterdam district court. **B2C:** consumer may sue in own domicile district (art. 18 lid 1 Brussel I bis; 6:194 lid 3 sub w BW). ODR platform available.
- **Art. 17 — Amendments.** 30 days notice; B2C bezwaarrecht (6:231w BW). Price changes first 3 months prohibited for B2C.
- **Art. 18 — Severability.** Replacement clause mechanism; consumer protection preserved.
- **Art. 19 — Entire agreement.** Order Form + AVC/AVO + AW + Annexes.
- **Closing.** J.J. van Grondelle, Director (alleen/zelfstandig bevoegd).

## Notable adjudications

- **Jurisdiction citation corrected** from "artikel 10 Brussel I bis" to **art. 18 lid 1 Verordening (EU) 1215/2012** (consumer domicile forum).
- **B2B aansprakelijkheidsplafond:** harmonized across services at EUR 20,000 + 12-month rolling cap.
- **No design/branding/Figma/Adobe references** — service scope reduced per client instructions.

For full legal text, see `algemene-voorwaarden-nl.md`.