Terms and Conditions of Membership

The Ideas Union (IU) — Terms & Conditions of Membership

Effective upon registration. By joining The Ideas Union (“IU”), you agree to these Terms.

1) Purpose & Mission

IU exists to deter and remedy commercial concept theft. We provide a membership-based record, storage, and protection framework so creators can present commercially valuable ideas with confidence and be paid fairly. Our aims are to: (a) pursue action—including litigation—against theft; (b) deter future theft through secure vaulting and enforcement; and (c) help bring more viable ideas to market.

2) Key Definitions

• COMCEPT™ (Commercially Valuable Concept): Any idea, design, strategy, brand positioning, process or other innovation that creates commercial advantage and can reasonably be sold or licensed. A COMCEPT can be a single idea or a related set (e.g., a pitch).

• Member: An individual or entity accepted into IU and current on fees.

• Vault: The Member’s secure, time-sequenced record for each COMCEPT.

• Breach: Unauthorized use, sale, disclosure, or making a COMCEPT unviable without agreed compensation.

3) Ethical Directives

IU’s framework is guided by:

1. Fairness — outcomes aligned with what a reasonable person would deem fair.

2. Originality — originators deserve the principal reward.

3. Value exchange — any payment structure is valid if both parties agree.

4. Control — Members decide when, how, and to whom to sell; IU’s role is protection.

5. Confidence — Members should feel safe presenting in any jurisdiction.

6. Privacy — IU does not view vault contents unless authorized by the Member or a court.

7. Sustainability — recoveries help fund future protections.

8. Rule of Law — IU acts within the laws of relevant jurisdictions.

4) What IU Provides

• A structured, chronological record of COMCEPT creation, disclosures, and related interactions to support negotiation and, if needed, litigation.

• A marketplace context for compliant sale/licensing of COMCEPTs.

• Consideration of reported breaches, negotiation assistance, and—where viable and approved—full litigation management funded by IU.

• Evolving services that support Members’ protection and commercialization.

5) Membership

• Eligibility: Professionals and qualifying organizations (generally <1,000 employees; larger entities by arrangement).

• Term: 12 months from registration; monthly/quarterly/annual payment schedules permitted. Commitment is annual regardless of schedule.

• Status: Member names may be publicly listed to signal protection coverage.

6) Fees 

• Membership (includes first COMCEPT lodgement) and additional COMCEPT lodgements are fee-based.

• Beta phase: Discounted pricing may apply while processes are partially manual.

• Refunds: COMCEPT registration fees refundable within 48 hours of initial lodgement. Membership fees are non-refundable.

• Recurrent revenues: Where IU assists in court actions or for negotiating ongoing licenses, IU receives 25% of gross receipts for the contract’s life.

Payments must be current. Coverage applies only while membership and applicable COMCEPT fees are up-to-date.

7) Vaulting & Evidence

• Before sharing: Vault each COMCEPT before any third-party presentation. If you presented earlier, IU can help evidence ownership but may limit legal support.

• Notices: Clearly state a COMCEPT’s IU registration (e.g., include IU registration number and confidentiality warning) in presentations, documents, and relevant communications.

• Access: IU will not open a vault without written Member authorization or court order.

• Capacity: Each COMCEPT includes 1GB of storage; more can be purchased if needed.

• Backups: Despite strong security, all systems carry risk; Members must maintain their own backups as directed by IU guidance.

8) Process Overview (From Idea to Enforcement)

1. Join & vault: Become a Member and lodge COMCEPTs; systematically save related evidence (presentations, emails, texts, recordings, minutes, etc.).

2. Report breach: If you detect unauthorized use, record the breach in your Member portal and attempt reasonable settlement directly.

3. Request assistance: If direct negotiation fails, authorize IU to access the vault and evaluate viability (including value, evidence strength, and opponent’s ability to pay).

4. Assisted negotiation: Where viable, IU engages the other party to seek a fair settlement. IU receives 25% of any negotiated amount.

5. Litigation: If negotiation fails and the case is viable, IU funds and runs litigation. If successful, IU retains 25% of the win and full court-awarded costs/damages to cover expenses.

Communications control: Once IU is engaged, do not discuss the case with the other party without IU’s consent; uncontrolled contact may harm the case and can result in IU withdrawing.

9) Case Viability & Selection

IU proceeds where:

• Negotiation attempts have failed.

• Evidence supports originality, timing, and use.

• Prospects of success are reasonable.

• The opposing party has capacity or coverage to pay.

• Damages can be reasonably estimated.

• Witnesses/evidence are available.

Six-month registration runway: Courts move slowly; IU generally does not litigate COMCEPTs registered for less than six months. Members may still negotiate earlier.

IU discretion: IU may decline, pause, or withdraw from actions that are legally weak, under-funded, impractical, or otherwise non-viable. IU may pursue criminal referral in limited circumstances.

10) Negotiation & Litigation Economics

• Negotiated outcomes: Member receives 75%, IU 25%.

• Court outcomes: Member receives 75%, IU 25%; IU also seeks full recovery of
  legal costs from the losing party.

• Member cost exposure: Members are not liable for IU’s funding of a case except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g., fraud, wilful misrepresentation, material non-cooperation) or if ordered by a court.

• Withdrawal: If a Member withdraws or settles privately after IU has commenced assistance, the Member must reimburse IU’s reasonable costs to date.

• “Reasonable offer” duty: If IU and its legal counsel deem an offer reasonable, the Member must accept it to continue IU funding; otherwise, IU may cease funding and withdraw.

• Global/multi-jurisdiction strategy: IU chooses the forum(s) and may run multiple cases or seek global settlement as appropriate.

11) Member Duties

• Accuracy & honesty: Provide full, accurate information; do not withhold material facts.

• Compliance: Follow IU processes, use correct COMCEPT registration numbers, and apply watermarks as instructed. Abuse (e.g., forged numbers) can lead to suspension or termination.

• Confidentiality notices: Notify recipients of IU registration and confidentiality before sharing details.

• Local law: You are responsible for compliance with applicable laws where you present.

• Contact updates: Keep company and contact details current within 30 days of changes.

• Joint ventures: IU covers JVs only if all parties are Members and a JV form is lodged before disclosure.

12) Rights, Transfers, & Disputes Between Members

• Ownership: By registering a COMCEPT, you confirm you hold rights (original or acquired).

• Transfers: You may transfer/sell a COMCEPT; the acquirer must become a Member (within 30 days if purchasing a business with registered COMCEPTs) and notify IU via the transfer form. Breaks in the data trail can void support.

• Intra-Member disputes: Members seeking IU arbitration must permit IU to open relevant vaults to verify chronology and authorship.

13) Security & Privacy

• Security: Best-in-class protections are employed, but nothing online is perfectly secure. Members must use IU’s backup protocols once available.

• Breach response: If an IU security breach causes third-party access and market use of a COMCEPT, IU will pursue the perpetrators at IU’s cost as part of Membership.

14) Software & IP

• No interference: Copying, manipulating, or interfering with IU systems without written approval is prohibited and prosecutable.

• Brand use: Use IU’s name, logo, and registration numbers per IU’s published brand guidelines.

15) Limitations & Liability

• No replacement for patents: IU protection differs from patents. Patentability is not required. Consult a patent attorney if you may pursue patent rights.

• No guarantees: IU selects viable cases but cannot guarantee outcomes; courts are inherently discretionary.

• Consequential loss: IU is not responsible for Members’ business losses arising from legal actions (courts may award such sums separately).

• Member suits against IU: By using IU’s services, you agree not to sue IU for unsuccessful outcomes or ordinary negligence connected with case strategy, except as otherwise required by law or where fraud/wilful misconduct is proven.

• Good faith: IU will not seek damages from a Member for a loss unless the Member’s misconduct (e.g., fraud or negligent harmful actions) materially affected the result.

16) “Ask” Setting & Valuation Appeals

• Ask setting: Before assisted negotiation, IU and the Member agree on a settlement “Ask.” The Member accepts outcomes meeting the agreed parameters. Refusal by the opposing party to meet a reasonable Ask may escalate to litigation.

• Appeal of valuation: If the Member disputes IU’s valuation, IU may refer the issue to an independent appeals board (commercial, legal, accounting experts). The board’s decision is final for IU funding decisions.

17) Courts, Venue & Appeals

• Forum: IU may select the most effective jurisdiction(s) for action.

• Appeals: IU may pursue appeals or defend them based on merit and proportionality, in consultation with the Member, at IU’s discretion.

18) Notices & Communications

Members will receive updates per IU’s process (which may evolve as IU scales). Members must avoid direct contact with the alleged thief once IU is engaged, unless IU authorizes it.

19) Public Signalling

IU may publish Member status to deter theft. COMCEPT lists are not made public by default. Vault contents remain private unless Member-authorized or court-ordered.

20) Payment, Settlement & Collections

• Settlement timing: IU’s share and fees are payable at or before the Member’s receipt of funds.

• Collections: IU may manage collections related to settlements or judgments and apply received amounts per these Terms.

21) Amendments & Final Terms

• Amendments: IU may update these Terms at any time. Members should check for the latest version.

• Supersedure: These Terms supersede prior terms.

22) Summary of Core Numbers & Conditions (for clarity)

• Member share: 75% of negotiated or court-awarded recoveries.

• IU share: 25% of negotiated or court-awarded recoveries; court costs sought from losing party.

• Recurrent licenses negotiated with IU: 25% to IU for the life of the contract.

• Refund window for a new COMCEPT lodgement: 48 hours.

• Membership term: 12 months.

• Vault before disclosure: Required for full protection.

• Six-month window: Typically required before IU litigates a newly registered COMCEPT.

• Evidence: Maintain comprehensive, time-sequenced records.

• Communications: Do not engage the opposing party directly once IU is appointed.

• Security: Follow IU backup and security guidance.

Acceptance

By registering as a Member, you confirm you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and commit to the processes required for IU to protect and, where viable, enforce your rights.