TRADE FEDERATION — TERMS OF SERVICE

Effective Date: January 3, 2026
Last Updated: January 3, 2026

This Terms of Service Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between you (“you,” “Member,” “User”) and Trade Federation, LLC (“Company,” “Trade Federation,” “we,” “us,” “our”). If you have signed up to be a Founding Member, please see the Founding Member's Addendum, which provides additional terms and conditions.

This Agreement governs your access to and use of: (i) Trade Federation websites, portals, cohort subdomains and pages, (ii) Trade Federation member communities, content libraries, courses, events, templates, tools, playbooks, SOPs, campaigns, assets, software access, discount programs, and related services, and (iii) any products, materials, or services provided by or through Trade Federation (collectively, the “Services”).

IMPORTANT PLATFORM NOTICE: Portions of the Services may be delivered through or integrated with third-party offerings, tools, and platforms (including community, course, messaging, features and offerings, and payment systems) (collectively, “Third-Party Platforms”). Your use of those Third-Party Platforms may also be subject to their separate terms, policies, and rules. Where Third-Party Platform terms conflict with this Agreement, this Agreement governs your relationship with Trade Federation, LLC, and the Third-Party Platform’s terms govern your relationship with that platform provider.

By accessing or using the Services (or clicking “accept” or “agree” or “submit” when prompted), you agree to be bound by this Agreement. If you do not agree, you may not use the Services.

1. ACCEPTANCE, ELIGIBILITY, AND CHANGES

1.1 Acceptance Through Use

By accessing or using the Services, you agree to be bound by this Agreement on behalf of yourself and/or the entity you represent.

1.2 Eligibility Requirements

To use the Services, you must be:
(a) at least eighteen (18) years old;
(b) located in the United States; and
(c) not a competitor of Trade Federation and not using the Services for competitive purposes.

By using the Services, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements and have authority to bind any entity you represent.

1.3 Changes to this Agreement

We may update this Agreement from time to time in our sole discretion. Except for legal/administrative updates, we will provide reasonable advance notice and/or a updated date at the top of this agreement, before changes become effective. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance. You should review these Terms periodically.

2. ACCESS TO SERVICES; ACCOUNTS

2.1 Service Changes; Availability

The Services may evolve as we refine or add features. We reserve the right to modify, withdraw, or discontinue the Services (in whole or in part) at any time without notice. You agree we shall not be liable to you or any third party for any unavailability of the Services, in whole or in part.

2.2 Account Creation

Some Services require registration and account creation. You agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information and to update it as needed.

If you connect your account to a Third-Party Platform, you grant us permission to access and use your information from that platform as permitted by that platform, and as described in our Privacy Policy.

2.3 Account Security and Responsibilities

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account and for all activities under your account. You may not share credentials, allow others to access the Services through your login, or transfer your account without our prior written permission. Further, as an authorized representative of the entity associated with your sign up and/or registration, you are responsible for the actions of your employees, contractors, or any other users that you invite or add under your membership.

You must notify us immediately of any suspected unauthorized use or security breach. We are not liable for losses arising from your failure to safeguard your account. You may be held liable for losses incurred by us or others due to unauthorized use attributable to your failure to protect credentials.

2.4 Suspension, Termination, and Deletion

We may suspend or terminate your account (and/or remove access to cohorts, territories, or features) at any time, in our sole discretion, for any reason or no reason, including violations of this Agreement or community rules.

3. PURPOSE OF TRADE FEDERATION; NO FRANCHISE; NO AGENCY; NO PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

3.1 Purpose

Trade Federation exists to support independent business owners through Federated Growth Networks—trade-specific cohorts designed to share knowledge, systems, tools, assets, buying power, and resources to help Members grow efficiently while remaining independent.

3.2 Not a Franchise; No Partnership or Joint Venture by Default

Trade Federation is not a franchise, does not offer a franchise, and does not create a franchise relationship. Nothing in this Agreement creates an agency, partnership, employment relationship, fiduciary relationship, or joint venture between you and Trade Federation. You have no authority to bind Trade Federation.

3.3 No Professional Advice

The Services may include general business, marketing, operational, financial, HR, compliance, or technology information. We do not provide legal, tax, accounting, financial, or other regulated professional advice. You are solely responsible for your decisions and compliance with all laws, licenses, codes, and regulations.

4. COHORTS, MEMBERSHIP, AND TERRITORY EXCLUSIVITY

4.1 Trade-Specific Cohorts

Cohorts are trade-specific communities (e.g., HVAC, plumbing, electrical). Access may depend on trade eligibility, membership tier, territory availability, and other criteria.

4.2 Exclusive Territories (If Included in Your Plan)

Certain membership plans provide exclusive geographic territories within a cohort. Territory definitions are determined by Trade Federation and may be based on DMA, counties, zip codes, radius, state/metro boundaries, or other standards, and may vary from one cohort to another.

Exclusivity scope and limits:
(a) exclusivity applies only within Trade Federation’s Services and the defined cohort context;
(b) exclusivity does not guarantee leads, revenue, market share, consumer demand, or outcomes;
(c) exclusivity does not restrict competitors outside of the Services;
(d) territory definitions and rules may be refined as cohorts evolve, provided we act reasonably and in good faith.

4.3 Territory Protection and Asset Use Rules

You agree to follow Trade Federation’s rules for using shared assets (ads, templates, creative, copy, landing pages, campaign concepts) to avoid conflicts with other Members, including any required:
(a) geographic targeting constraints;
(b) naming/branding and claim limitations;
(c) digital ad account separation rules;
(d) social posting and localization requirements; and
(e) compliance requirements (licenses, disclaimers, regulated claims).

4.4 Loss of Territory Rights

Exclusive territory rights may be revoked or reassigned if:
(a) you cancel, fail to renew, or fail to pay;
(b) you violate this Agreement or community rules;
(c) you materially misuse shared assets, violate IP rules, or engage in deceptive marketing;
(d) you engage in conduct harmful to the community;
(e) you are inactive beyond thresholds defined in your plan or cohort rules.

4.5 Non-Competing Principle and Anti-Circumvention

Membership is intended to preserve a non-competing environment inside a cohort territory model. You agree not to attempt to circumvent territory rules, to recruit competing companies into restricted areas, or to misuse cohort access to compete unfairly.

5. POLICY FOR USING THE SERVICES

5.1 Lawful Use

You may use the Services for lawful business purposes consistent with this Agreement. You agree not to use the Services in any manner that could damage the Services, impair others’ use, or harm Trade Federation.

5.2 Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:
(a) violate any applicable law/regulation or contractual obligation (including IP, privacy, publicity);
(b) send unsolicited or unauthorized advertising/promotional materials, spam, or junk mail through the Services;
(c) impersonate others or misrepresent affiliation;
(d) exploit or harm minors;
(e) upload/transmit content violating Section 8;
(f) harass, intimidate, or interfere with others’ use of Services;
(g) disrupt, disable, impair, or burden infrastructure (servers, networks);
(h) scrape, copy, monitor, distribute, or disclose any part of the Services via automated/manual means (robots, spiders, scrapers), except limited indexing by public search engines solely to create searchable indices (no caches/archives);
(i) upload malware or attack via DDoS;
(j) attempt unauthorized access or bypass security;
(k) reverse engineer or attempt to obtain source code;
(l) collect/harvest data about other users without consent;
(m) assist or encourage any of the foregoing.

5.3 Geographic Restrictions

The Services are intended for use by persons located in the United States. If you access from outside the U.S., you assume responsibility for local compliance. We make no representation that Services are appropriate outside the U.S.

6. PURCHASES, BILLING, SUBSCRIPTIONS, RENEWALS

6.1 Purchasing Process

Checkout may occur via Third-Party Platforms. By submitting an order, you accept this Agreement and agree to pay the price, taxes, and any disclosed fees.

6.2 Order Submission and Cooperation

Submitting an order forms a contract and obligates payment. If a Service requires your input (data, access, specifications), you agree to cooperate.

6.3 Prices and Taxes

Fees, taxes, and costs are disclosed before order submission.

6.4 Payment Processing

Payments are processed through third-party providers. We do not store full payment card details; we receive confirmation of successful payment. If payment fails/refused, we may suspend access and are not obligated to provide Services. You are responsible for any fees due to failed payments.

6.5 Retention of Usage Rights

You acquire no rights to use paid Services until payment is received.

7. CONTRACT DURATION; SUBSCRIPTION TERMS

7.1 Subscriptions

Paid subscriptions begin when payment is received. Failure to pay recurring fees may cause interruption, downgrade, loss of territory, or termination.

7.2 Fixed-Term Subscriptions

Fixed-term subscriptions last for the selected term and may not be terminated early unless required by law or expressly stated.

7.3 Automatic Renewal

Subscriptions may renew automatically unless canceled per plan deadlines and platform controls. Renewal term equals the original term.

7.4 Member Termination

Recurring subscriptions may be terminated by sending clear notice to the Company using contact details below and/or using platform controls where available.

7.5 Effect of Termination Notice

If notice is received before renewal, termination takes effect at the end of the current paid term.

8. USER CONTENT; COMMUNITY STANDARDS; MODERATION

8.1 User Content Responsibility

The Services may include forums, chat, profiles, and other interactive features allowing users to post or transmit content (“User Content”). You are solely responsible for your User Content and what you choose to share.

User Content is generally treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary as between you and Trade Federation (subject to privacy laws and any private group settings). You assume risks associated with reliance on User Content by others.

8.2 License to User Content

You grant Trade Federation an irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid, transferable, perpetual, worldwide license to reproduce, distribute, publicly display/perform, prepare derivative works of, incorporate into other works, and otherwise use your User Content, and to sublicense those rights, in connection with the Services and Trade Federation’s business (including marketing and promotion), subject to our Privacy Policy.

You represent you have all rights necessary to grant this license, including but not limited to, artwork or image copyrights, model or talent releases that stipulate unlimited usage regardless of medium or timeframe, and any other rights for content or materials created by others. 

8.3 Content Standards

User Content must not:
(a) violate laws/obligations;
(b) promote illegal activity or harm;
(c) infringe IP rights;
(d) contain unlawful, defamatory, abusive, harassing, hateful, obscene, vulgar, profane, indecent, humiliating, or inflammatory material;
(e) promote pornography, violence, or unlawful discrimination;
(f) be false, misleading, fraudulent, or impersonate others;
(g) imply endorsement by Trade Federation when untrue.

8.4 Monitoring and Enforcement

We may (but are not obligated to) remove content, restrict access, disclose content/identity to comply with law, or terminate accounts for violations. We do not pre-review all content and assume no liability for user transmissions.

8.5 Copyright / DMCA

If you believe content infringes your copyright, submit a DMCA notice including required information to our designated agent:

DMCA Agent: Chris Thurston
Address: P.O. Box 72139, Richmond, VA 23255
Phone: 804-708-7100
Email: [email protected]

Misrepresentations may create liability under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f). We may terminate repeat infringers.

8.6 Feedback

If you provide suggestions (“Feedback”), you assign all rights in such Feedback to Trade Federation and agree we may use it without restriction. Do not submit confidential/proprietary ideas as Feedback.

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

9.1 Ownership

All IP in the Services (content, features, templates, tools, branding, curation, libraries, course materials, community structures, and platform configurations) (“Content”) is owned by Trade Federation or its licensors and protected by U.S. and international law.

9.2 License to Use

Trade Federation grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to access and use the Services for your internal business use consistent with this Agreement.

9.3 Restrictions

You may not:
(a) copy, reproduce, publish, display, transmit, or distribute Content except as expressly permitted;
(b) modify, translate, adapt, disassemble, reverse compile/engineer;
(c) sell, sublicense, rent, lease, loan, host, or exploit the Services/Content;
(d) remove proprietary notices;
(e) use Content to build or assist a competing product/service;
(f) systematically extract content to build a database or directory.

9.4 Trademarks

Trade Federation names/logos and related marks are owned by Trade Federation (or their respective owners) and may not be used without written consent.

10. TRADE FEDERATION PROGRAM DISCLAIMERS (PLAYBOOKS, BUYING POWER, MANAGED SERVICES, JOINT VENTURE INITIATIVES)

10.1 Shared Playbooks, Templates, Campaigns, and Assets

Materials are provided for informational and business-use purposes only and may require adaptation. Results vary. No guarantees.

10.2 Buying Power; Discounts; Preferred Vendors

Trade Federation may facilitate group discounts, referrals, or buying programs. Participation is optional. We do not guarantee vendor performance, availability, pricing, or outcomes. Vendor relationships may change.

10.3 Managed Services

Trade Federation may offer optional managed services (marketing, automation, creative, recruiting support, coaching, operations support, AI enablement, technology development). These services—if purchased—are governed by separate written statements of work or service agreements.

10.4 Joint Venture / Co-Underwritten Initiatives

Some initiatives may be co-funded by Members (e.g., new software modules, campaigns, or operational programs). Any such initiative requires a separate written agreement describing ownership, governance, usage rights, pricing, and funding terms.

11. AI USAGE DISCLOSURES

Trade Federation may provide AI-enabled features (e.g., content generation, ad drafts, SOP drafts, summary tools, automation helpers) either through Third-Party Platforms or Trade Federation-configured AI services.

11.1 AI Outputs Are Not Guaranteed

AI outputs may be inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, or not compliant with trade regulations. You must independently review and validate all outputs before use.

11.2 No Professional Advice

AI outputs are not legal, financial, HR, or compliance advice.

11.3 Data Handling and Visibility

(a) Your AI prompts/inputs and outputs may be stored to provide the feature, maintain history, prevent abuse, debug, or improve service quality.
(b) Trade Federation will configure tools so that, to the extent available, your request history is visible to you and not broadly visible to other Members.
(c) Administrators and moderators may access limited data as necessary to support the Services, enforce rules, ensure safety, comply with law, or investigate misuse.

11.4 Model Training / Improvement

Unless explicitly stated in writing for a specific tool, Trade Federation does not intend to allow Member confidential business data to be used to train public models. However, Third-Party AI providers may have their own policies. Your use of AI features may therefore be subject to the AI provider’s terms.

11.5 Prohibited AI Uses

You may not use AI features to create unlawful content, violate IP rights, generate deceptive advertising, impersonate others, for application outside of the purposes of the Trade Federation cohort community, to scrape data, or produce harmful code or malware.

12. ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Information presented through the Services is for general informational purposes only. We do not warrant accuracy, completeness, suitability, or quality. Any reliance is at your own risk. We disclaim liability arising from reliance placed on such information by you or others.

13. PRIVACY

Your use of the Services is subject to the Trade Federation Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference. Additional Third-Party Platform privacy policies may also apply.

14. TERMINATION

14.1 Termination by Company

We may suspend/terminate access at any time for any reason, including breach. Upon termination, your right to access/use Services ceases immediately. We have no liability for suspension/termination, including deletion of User Content.

14.2 Termination by Member

You may terminate by contacting us or using platform controls where available.

14.3 Effect of Termination

Sections that should survive will survive, including IP ownership, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, dispute resolution, and content licenses. Termination does not relieve obligations accrued prior to termination. Termination may involve deletion of content or loss of territory.

15. NO WARRANTY

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS-IS” AND “AS-AVAILABLE” BASIS. USE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRADE FEDERATION DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, TRADE FEDERATION DOES NOT WARRANT THAT:
(a) THE SERVICES OR CONTENT WILL BE ACCURATE, RELIABLE, COMPLETE, OR CORRECT;
(b) THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS;
(c) THE SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME OR LOCATION, UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE;
(d) DEFECTS OR ERRORS WILL BE CORRECTED;
(e) THE SERVICES ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS; OR
(f) RESULTS OBTAINED FROM USE OF THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

TRADE FEDERATION DOES NOT ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY THIRD-PARTY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ACCESSED THROUGH THE SERVICES. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY. IF APPLICABLE LAW REQUIRES WARRANTIES, SUCH WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO NINETY (90) DAYS FROM FIRST USE.

16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL TRADE FEDERATION OR ITS AFFILIATES, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE LICENSORS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OFFICERS, OR DIRECTORS, BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION: LOSS OF REVENUE, PROFITS, BUSINESS, ANTICIPATED SAVINGS, DATA, GOODWILL, DIMINUTION IN VALUE, OR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, WHETHER ARISING OUT OF CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, AND EVEN IF FORESEEABLE OR ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

YOUR SOLE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICES IS TO STOP USING THE SERVICES.

SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

17. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Trade Federation and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, successors,  permitted assigns, as well as other Members in your Cohort (collectively, “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, claims, actions, suits, complaints, damages, liabilities, penalties, interest, judgments, settlements, deficiencies, disbursements, awards, fines, costs, fees, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of enforcing any right to indemnification, arising out of or relating to:
(a) your breach of this Agreement;
(b) your use or misuse of the Services;
(c) your User Content; or
(d) any actions taken by a third party using your account.

Trade Federation reserves the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification, and you agree to cooperate.

18. DISPUTES

18.1 Governing Law

All matters relating to this Agreement or the Services are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflicts principles.

18.2 Venue

Any action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or Services shall be brought only in state or federal courts located in Henrico County, Virginia, except that Trade Federation may bring suit against you for breach in your jurisdiction if necessary. You submit to jurisdiction and waive inconvenient forum.

18.3 Arbitration Option; Class Action Waiver; Jury Waiver

At Trade Federation’s sole discretion, disputes may be submitted to binding arbitration under AAA rules in Virginia before a single arbitrator. The prevailing party may be awarded attorneys’ fees and costs unless arbitrator determines otherwise.

Arbitrations are individual only. You waive jury trial and class action rights. If a court finds any limitation unenforceable for a specific claim, that claim only shall be severed.

YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT BY ENTERING INTO THESE TERMS, YOU ARE WAIVING THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AND TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.

18.4 Limitation Period

ANY CLAIM MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER IT AROSE OR IS PERMANENTLY BARRED.

19. MISCELLANEOUS

19.1 Waiver

Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no failure of the Company to exercise, or delay by the Company in exercising, any right, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege.

19.2 Severability

If any term or provision of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction.

19.3 Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with all documents referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter contained herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

19.4 Headings

Headings are for convenience only.

19.5 Assignment

You shall not assign or delegate any of your rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company. Any purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Section shall be deemed null and void. No assignment or delegation shall relieve you of any of your obligations hereunder. The Company may freely assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement at any time. Subject to the limits on assignment stated above, this Agreement will inure to the benefit of, be binding on, and be enforceable against each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

19.6 Export Laws

The Services may be subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. You agree to abide by these laws and their regulations (including, without limitation, the Export Administration Act and the Arms Export Control Act) and not to transfer, by electronic transmission or otherwise, any materials from the Services to either a foreign national or a foreign destination in violation of such laws or regulations.

20. CONTACT INFORMATION

Support / Membership: [email protected]
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 72139, Richmond, Virginia 23255

Phone: 804-708-7100