Anti-Disintermediation Policy

1. Why this policy exists

1.1. The platform's protections work only if every review, licence, asset approval and withdrawal between a brand and an expert is recorded on it: verification, claim pre-checks, attestations, disclosure checks, the expert code registry and takedowns. Deals done around the platform lose those protections for both sides.

1.2. In phase one the platform charges nothing and runs at cost, so this policy protects compliance and the parties themselves. From phase two it also protects the platform's business model.

2. Definitions

2.1. “Introduced Parties” means a brand company and an expert who first became aware of each other, or first dealt with each other, through the platform, including by viewing a profile or product listing, applying for a product, or confirming an expert.

2.2. “Covered Services” means expert review of product claims, endorsement of products, licensing of name, credentials, image, video or AI avatar, and any similar advisory or promotional services for health, beauty, personal care or wellness products.

2.3. “Non-Circumvention Period” means the period during which a party uses the platform and twenty-four (24) months after the last interaction between the Introduced Parties on the platform.

3. The rule

3.1. During the Non-Circumvention Period, Introduced Parties will create and record on the platform every Covered Service between them, including every Review Order, Licence Schedule, asset approval, renewal and withdrawal.

3.2. Introduced Parties will not: (a) agree Covered Services with each other outside the platform; (b) ask, encourage or accept a proposal to move Covered Services off the platform; (c) use contact details obtained through the platform to arrange Covered Services outside it; or (d) split one engagement so that part of it is done off the platform.

3.3. Because brand companies and experts contract and pay each other directly under their Agreement, they may exchange contact details and payment details needed to perform an engagement recorded on the platform. This is not a breach.

4. What this policy does not restrict

4.1. Experts remain free to work with any other brand, and brands with any other expert, inside or outside the platform, as long as the parties were not introduced through the platform.

4.2. It does not restrict services that are not Covered Services, such as an expert's clinical work or academic collaboration.

4.3. It does not apply to relationships that existed before the parties' first contact on the platform, provided they are declared on the platform when the expert or brand first meets the other party there (see section 5).

5. Pre-existing relationships and other platforms

5.1. When applying for a product or confirming an expert, each party declares any existing relationship with the other, with its start date and source. Declared relationships may continue outside the platform or be brought onto it.

5.2. Many experts are also members of other marketplaces (for example Upwork or Kolabtree) whose terms restrict moving relationships off those marketplaces for a period, unless a conversion fee is paid. The platform will not knowingly onboard or engage an expert in a way that breaches another marketplace's terms. A brand that met an expert on another marketplace must comply with that marketplace's terms before bringing the relationship onto this platform.

6. Reporting

6.1. If anyone proposes moving Covered Services off the platform, the party approached should report it to matas@tripdash.net. Reports are handled confidentially, and no one is penalised for refusing or reporting a proposal.

7. Consequences of a breach

7.1. Depending on the seriousness and whether it is repeated: a written warning; suspension of the ability to apply for products (experts) or to publish new assets (brands); removal from the platform.

7.2. From phase two, the platform may offer a conversion option allowing Introduced Parties to continue outside the platform after paying a conversion fee set out in the platform's fee schedule. Until then, no conversion fee applies.

7.3. Off-platform Covered Services between Introduced Parties are not covered by the platform's registry, takedown support or verification, and each party bears its own risk for them.

8. Changes

8.1. Changes to this policy are notified at least thirty (30) days in advance and never apply retroactively.