Terms of Service

Rule9 is a marketing and graphic design studio offering creative and digital campaign support services including marketing support, graphic design, brand identity, print-ready artwork, campaign design, promotional landing pages, lead generation tools, kiosk interfaces, API-connected dashboards and related digital support services. Rule9 may update, change or remove services at any time.

You may use the Rule9 website for lawful purposes only. You may not:

• Use the website in a way that damages or disrupts it
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to systems or data
• Copy, scrape or misuse website content
• Upload harmful code, spam or malicious content
• Misrepresent your identity or business
• Use the website for unlawful, fraudulent or abusive activity

We reserve the right to restrict access to the website where misuse is suspected.

All quotations and proposals are based on the information provided at the time of quoting. A quote may include the project scope, deliverables, pricing, payment terms, estimated timelines, revision rounds and exclusions. A quote is not binding until accepted by the client and confirmed by Rule9. If the information provided is incomplete or changes after quoting, Rule9 may revise the quote.

The agreed project scope will be based on the accepted quote, proposal, written brief or written confirmation. Any request outside the agreed scope may be treated as additional work and quoted separately. Examples of scope changes may include:

• Additional pages, designs or concepts
• Extra revision rounds
• New form fields, logic or integrations
• Additional API or dashboard requirements
• Changes to approved work
• Rush turnaround requests
• Work not included in the original quote

Rule9 may require a deposit before work begins. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, final files, live deployment, source handover, campaign launch or completed deliverables may be withheld until payment has been received in full. Where no specific payment terms are stated, payment is due on presentation of invoice. Late payment may result in delayed delivery, suspension of work or withholding of final deliverables.

Deposits secure project time and allow work to begin. Deposits may be non-refundable once work has started, time has been allocated, planning has been completed, design work has begun or development has commenced. If a project is cancelled, Rule9 may invoice for all work completed up to the cancellation date.

Each quote or package may include a specified number of revision rounds. Revisions are intended for reasonable changes to work already created within the agreed scope. Additional revisions, major direction changes, changes after approval or requests outside the original brief may be billed separately. A revision does not include a full redesign, new concept, new campaign direction or new project scope unless specifically agreed.

Clients are responsible for providing accurate and complete information required for the project. This may include:

• Approved copy, brand assets, logos and images
• Product or service details and pricing
• Access credentials and campaign information
• Legal disclaimers and contact details
• Feedback, approvals and API access where applicable

Clients are responsible for ensuring they have the right to provide any files, images, content, data, logos or materials supplied to Rule9.

Clients are responsible for reviewing and approving all work before publication, printing, launch or final delivery. This includes checking spelling, grammar, contact details, pricing, product details, legal disclaimers, form fields, links, artwork accuracy and print specifications.

Rule9 is not responsible for errors that have been approved by the client.

Rule9 may provide lightweight digital tools such as promotional landing pages, enquiry forms, quote request forms, lead capture applications, kiosk interfaces, API dashboards and campaign reporting tools. These tools are built according to the agreed scope.

Unless specifically included in the quote, these services do not include full website builds, long-term hosting, ongoing maintenance, third-party subscription fees, advanced security audits, complex integrations, offline functionality, hardware supply or device management.

Some Rule9 services may depend on third-party platforms or providers including hosting providers, analytics tools, social media platforms, API providers, payment providers and advertising platforms. Rule9 is not responsible for downtime, pricing changes, access restrictions, policy changes, technical issues or service interruptions caused by third-party providers.

Unless specifically included in the quote, hosting, domain registration, email hosting, third-party subscriptions and platform fees are not included. Where Rule9 assists with deployment, the client remains responsible for maintaining access to their domain, hosting account, DNS records and third-party accounts unless otherwise agreed.

All content, designs, layouts, copy, concepts, graphics, code, templates, components, documents and materials created by Rule9 remain the property of Rule9 until payment has been received in full. Once full payment has been received, the client will own the final approved deliverables created specifically for them, excluding third-party assets, licensed fonts, stock images, templates, frameworks, code libraries, reusable components, pre-existing Rule9 materials and general know-how, methods or processes.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Rule9 may display completed work, campaign visuals, website screenshots, landing page previews, design samples or project summaries in its portfolio, proposals, social media or marketing material. Rule9 will not intentionally disclose confidential information. Clients may request that a project remain private before work begins.

If a project is cancelled after work has started, Rule9 may invoice for work completed up to the cancellation date. If a project is paused due to delayed feedback, missing content, unpaid invoices or client unavailability, timelines may be revised. Projects inactive for an extended period may require requoting before work resumes.

Delivery timelines are estimates unless specifically agreed in writing. Timelines may be affected by client feedback delays, late payments, scope changes, third-party platform issues, API access delays, delays in receiving required content and approval delays. Rule9 will take reasonable steps to communicate timeline changes where they arise.

Rule9 aims to provide professional marketing, design and digital campaign support. However, Rule9 does not guarantee specific business results, sales, leads, rankings, conversions, advertising performance, engagement rates or revenue outcomes. Campaign performance may depend on many factors outside Rule9's control.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Rule9 will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, including loss of profits, revenue, data, business opportunities, goodwill or reputation. Rule9's total liability for any claim relating to a project or service will be limited to the amount paid by the client for the specific service giving rise to the claim, unless otherwise required by law.

You agree to indemnify Rule9 against claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising from:

• Your misuse of the website or services
• Materials you provide to Rule9
• Your breach of these terms
• Your infringement of third-party rights
• Your unlawful use of campaign data
• Your failure to comply with applicable laws

These terms are governed by the laws of South Africa. Any disputes will be handled in accordance with applicable South African law.

Rule9 may update these Terms of Service from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. Continued use of the website or services after changes are published means you accept the updated terms.