Terms and Policies

1. TERMS OF USE

1.1 Agreement to Terms

1.2 About IMBA STUDIO

• Open-Source Manufacturing Knowledge: Democratizing access to 3D printing and manufacturing techniques

• Local, Community Production: Keeping value, jobs, and innovation in Canadian communities

• Circular Manufacturing: Remelting every scrap into functional products

• Accessible Customization: Removing factory minimums and gatekeeping

1.3 Permitted and Prohibited Uses

• Browse and purchase products

• Download open-source designs with proper attribution

• Submit custom manufacturing project inquiries

• Participate in community forums and collaboration

• Share our open-source designs under applicable licenses

• Use our services for unlawful purposes

• Misrepresent affiliation with IMBA STUDIO

• Use open-source designs without attribution

• Interfere with website security or functionality

• Harvest user data without authorization

1.4 Modifications

1.5 Governing Law

2. PRIVACY POLICY

2.1 Our Commitment

2.2 Information We Collect

• Name, email address, phone number

• Shipping and billing addresses

• Payment information (processed securely through third-party processors)

• Project specifications and custom order details

• Communication preferences and feedback

• Website usage data (pages visited, time spent, interactions)

• Device information (browser type, operating system, IP address)

• Cookies and tracking technologies

• Referral sources and navigation patterns

2.3 How We Use Your Information

• Processing and fulfilling orders

• Communicating about projects, orders, and updates

• Providing customer support

• Improving products, services, and user experience

• Sending marketing communications (with your consent)

• Building and supporting local manufacturing communities

• Showcasing completed projects (with your explicit permission)

• Facilitating collaborative design initiatives

• Crediting contributors to open-source projects

2.4 Data Sharing and Third Parties

• Shipping Partners: Canada Post, local couriers (for order fulfillment)

• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal, Square (for secure transactions)

• Manufacturing Collaborators: Trusted local partners (for project completion)

• Analytics Providers: Google Analytics or privacy-focused alternatives (for website optimization)

• Sell your personal information to third parties

• Share your data with advertisers without consent

• Use your information beyond stated purposes

2.5 Data Security

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission

• Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers

• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments

• Limited employee access to personal data

• Secure data storage and backup systems

2.6 Your Privacy Rights

• Access your personal information

• Request corrections or updates

• Delete your account and associated data

• Opt-out of marketing communications

• Request data portability

• Withdraw consent at any time

2.7 Data Retention

• Fulfill orders and provide services

• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

• Maintain business records

2.8 International Data Transfers

2.9 Children's Privacy

3. SHIPPING AND DELIVERY POLICY

3.1 Shipping Options

• Bicycle courier and eco-friendly delivery options

• 1-3 business days

• Contactless delivery available

• Canada Post Regular Parcel (5-10 business days)

• Canada Post Expedited (3-5 business days)

• Courier services (1-3 business days)

• Available upon request

• Customs duties and taxes are the customer's responsibility

• Delivery times vary by destination

3.2 Zero-Emission Commitment

• Local bicycle courier for GTA deliveries

• Consolidated shipments to reduce carbon footprint

• Recyclable and minimal packaging materials

3.3 Shipping Costs

• Calculated at checkout based on weight, dimensions, and destination

• Free shipping on orders over $100 CAD within Canada (when available)

• Expedited shipping available at additional cost

3.4 Processing Time

• 3-7 business days for production

• Orders ship within 1-2 business days after production

• Timeline provided upon project approval

• Complex projects may require extended production time

3.5 Tracking and Delivery

• Tracking information provided via email upon shipment

• Signature may be required for high-value orders

• Contact us immediately if your package is lost or damaged

3.6 Risk of Loss

4. RETURN AND REFUND POLICY

4.1 Standard Products

• Products must be unused, in original condition, and in original packaging

• Return shipping costs are the customer's responsibility (unless product is defective)

• Refunds processed within 7-10 business days of receiving returned items

• Original shipping costs are non-refundable

• Report issues within 7 days of delivery

• Provide photos and description of the defect

• We will offer replacement, reprint, or full refund (including shipping costs)

4.2 Custom Manufacturing Projects

• Custom-manufactured products are generally non-refundable and non-returnable

• Exceptions made for significant deviations from approved specifications or defects

• Every custom project undergoes rigorous quality inspection

• We stand behind our work and will address any legitimate quality concerns

4.3 Cancellations

• Full refund minus payment processing fees (typically 3%)

• Partial refund based on work completed and materials used

• Timeline and costs evaluated on a case-by-case basis

• Standard return policy applies

4.4 How to Initiate a Return

1. Contact us at hello@imbastudio.ca within 30 days of delivery

2. Provide order number, product details, and reason for return

3. Receive return authorization and instructions

4. Ship item back with tracking

5. Refund processed upon receipt and inspection

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND OPEN-SOURCE LICENSING

5.1 IMBA STUDIO's Intellectual Property

• "IMBA STUDIO" name, logo, and branding are trademarks

• Website content, photos, and documentation are copyrighted

• Proprietary designs and software are protected

• Unauthorized use is prohibited

5.2 Open-Source Commitment

• CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike)
• You may use, modify, and distribute
• Attribution to IMBA STUDIO required
• Derivative works must use the same license
• Commercial use permitted with attribution

• CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike)
• Same as above, but commercial use prohibited
• Contact us for commercial licensing

• Credit IMBA STUDIO as the original designer

• Provide a link to imbastudio.ca

• Indicate if modifications were made

• Include license information

5.3 User-Generated Content

• Custom project designs remain your intellectual property

• You grant IMBA STUDIO a limited license to manufacture and fulfill your order

• We will not reproduce or share your designs without permission

• NDAs available for sensitive projects

• By submitting designs or content, you grant us a non-exclusive license to use and showcase your work

• You retain ownership and can specify licensing terms

• Proper credit and attribution provided

5.4 Manufacturing Knowledge

• Tutorials, techniques, and manufacturing knowledge shared on our platform are freely accessible

• We encourage the democratization of manufacturing knowledge

• Share, learn, and build upon community knowledge

6. CUSTOM MANUFACTURING TERMS

6.1 Project Inquiry and Approval

1. Submit project inquiry via our website contact form

2. Provide detailed specifications, design files (STL, STEP, etc.), and requirements

3. IMBA STUDIO reviews feasibility and provides quote (timeline, cost, materials)

4. Upon acceptance, production agreement is established

5. Milestone updates provided throughout manufacturing

6. Final delivery with quality assurance documentation

6.2 Client Responsibilities

• Provide accurate, complete specifications

• Supply design files in compatible formats

• Respond promptly to clarification requests

• Review and approve prototypes/samples when required

• Understand material properties and 3D printing tolerances

6.3 Production Timeline

• Timeline estimates provided upon project approval

• Complex projects may require extended time

• Material availability and production capacity may affect timeline

• We communicate proactively about any delays

6.4 Payment Terms

• Full payment due before production begins

• Deposit required (typically 50%)

• Remainder due upon completion before shipment

• Milestone payments negotiable for very large projects

6.5 Quality Assurance

• Every product undergoes quality inspection

• Dimensional accuracy verified

• Surface finish and appearance checked

• Defects reprinted at no additional cost

6.6 Changes and Revisions

• Changes during production may incur additional costs and delays

• Significant revisions may require new quote

• Minor adjustments accommodated when feasible

7. COOKIE POLICY

7.1 What Are Cookies?

7.2 How We Use Cookies

• Shopping cart functionality

• Checkout process

• Session management

• Security and authentication

• Google Analytics or privacy-focused alternatives (e.g., Plausible, Fathom)

• Website usage patterns and performance

• Understanding visitor behavior to improve services

• Language and region preferences

• Display settings

• User interface customization

7.3 Third-Party Cookies

• Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)

• Shipping integrations

• Social media plugins (Instagram, Facebook)

• Analytics providers

7.4 Cookie Control

• Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings

• You can block or delete cookies, though some features may not function properly

• Opt-out tools available for analytics cookies

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies

• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies

• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies

7.5 Do Not Track

8. ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

8.1 Community Standards

• Treat our team and community members with courtesy

• Provide constructive feedback

• Engage in good-faith communication

• Provide accurate information in orders and inquiries

• Respect intellectual property rights

• Honor commitments and agreements

• Share knowledge when appropriate

• Support open-source principles

• Contribute to the community positively

8.2 Prohibited Activities

• Violate laws or regulations

• Infringe on intellectual property rights

• Submit fraudulent orders or payment information

• Harass, threaten, or abuse others

• Spread misinformation or spam

• Attempt to hack, disrupt, or compromise our systems

• Use our services for illegal or unethical purposes

8.3 Product Use Restrictions

• Not intended for medical, food-contact, or safety-critical applications (unless explicitly stated)

• Not suitable for load-bearing structural use without engineering review

• Material properties vary based on environmental conditions

• Users responsible for determining suitability for intended applications

8.4 Enforcement

• Order cancellation

• Account suspension or termination

• Legal action if necessary

• Reporting to authorities for illegal activities

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions, Concerns, or Requests

10. UPDATES AND CHANGES

10.1 Policy Updates

• Changes in our business practices

• Legal or regulatory requirements

• New products or services

• Community feedback

10.2 Notification

• Notification via email to registered users

• Prominent notice on our website

• Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this page

• Updated without prior notice

• Reflected in "Last Updated" date

10.3 Your Acceptance