23. GENERAL PROVISIONS
23.1. Jurisdiction, Venue, and Choice of Law. This Agreement and all matters arising out of or otherwise relating to this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales excluding its conflict of law provisions. The parties hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of the state and courts of England and Wales in the event litigation permitted under this Agreement is initiated. Exclusive venue for any litigation permitted under this Agreement shall be with the state and courts located in England.
The parties agree that this choice of venue, jurisdiction, and forum as set out in the following parts of this Agreement is mandatory and not permissive in nature, thereby precluding any possibility of litigation between the parties with respect to, or arising out of, this Agreement in jurisdiction other than that specified in this Section.
All parties hereby waive any right to assert the doctrine of forum non-conveniens or similar doctrines, or to object to venue with respect to any proceeding brought in accordance with this paragraph or with respect to any dispute under this Agreement whatsoever.
Each party hereby authorizes and accepts service of process sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against it, as contemplated by this paragraph by registered or certified mail, proof of delivery or return receipt requested, to the parties address for the giving of notices as set forth in this Agreement.
23.2. Arbitration. If there is a dispute between the parties arising out of or otherwise relating to this Agreement, the parties shall meet and negotiate in good faith to attempt to resolve the dispute. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through direct negotiations, then, except as otherwise provided herein, either party shall submit the issue to binding arbitration in accordance with the then-existing Arbitration Act. Arbitral Claims shall include, but are not limited to, contract and tort claims of all kinds, and all claims based on any federal, state or local law, statute, or regulation, excepting only claims under applicable worker’s compensation law, unemployment insurance claims, intellectual property claims, actions for injunctions, attachment, garnishment, and other equitable relief. The arbitration shall be conducted in England and Wales and conducted by a single arbitrator, knowledgeable in Internet and e-Commerce. Except as provided below, the party bringing the action shall be responsible for paying all costs for arbitration, including the arbitrator’s fees. Each party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees (except if the matter is for the collection of a debt owed, the prevailing party shall be awarded its attorneys fees, all arbitration costs and arbitrator fees, in addition to all other applicable remedies). The arbitrator shall have no authority to award any punitive or exemplary damages; certify a class action; add any parties; vary or ignore the provisions of this Agreement, and shall be bound by governing and applicable law. The arbitrator shall be willing to execute an oath of neutrality. The arbitrator shall render a written opinion setting forth all material facts and the basis of his or her decision within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the arbitration proceeding. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO ARBITRAL CLAIMS.
23.3. Assignment. The rights and liabilities of the parties hereto will bind and inure to the benefit of their respective assignees, successors, executors, and administrators, as the case may be. Neither this Agreement nor any rights granted hereunder may be sold, leased, assigned or otherwise transferred, in whole or in part by You.
23.4. Severability. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator finds any provision of this Agreement, or any portion thereof, to be unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.
23.5. No Waiver. Failure by either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement will not be deemed a waiver of future enforcement of that or any other provision, and no waiver of one breach will constitute a waiver of subsequent breaches of the same or of a different nature.
23.6. Complete Agreement. This Agreement (including all other policies incorporated herein) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Services, and supersedes and replaces all prior or contemporaneous understandings or agreements, written or oral, regarding such subject matter. No amendment to or modification of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of both parties.
23.7. Relationship Between the Parties. Time Studios is an independent contractor; nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create a partnership, joint venture or agency relationship between the parties.
23.8. Non-Solicitation. Beginning upon commencement of the Services to You and continuing for a period of two (2) years after the termination of this Agreement or after any other cancellation or termination of Your account or Services with Us, You agree not to directly or indirectly, solicit, hire, contract, or otherwise employ any Time Studios employee who was an employee during the term of this Agreement (including the Initial Term and any successive terms), to work for You or any other firm, person or business, of whatever character, corporate or otherwise.
23.9. Headings. Section and subsection headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.
23.10. Force Majeure. Time Studios shall not be responsible for any failure to perform due to unforeseen circumstances or to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God; war, riot, embargoes, acts of civil or military authority, or terrorism; fire, flood, earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms or other natural disasters; fiber cuts; strikes, or shortages in transportation, facilities, fuel, energy, labor or materials; failure of the telecommunications or information services infrastructure; hacking, SPAM, or any failure of a computer, server or software for so long as such event continues to delay Time Studios performance.
23.11. Export. You understand and acknowledge that the software elements of the Host Materials may be subject to regulation by agencies of the U.K. Government, including the British Chamber of Commerce, which prohibits export or diversion of software to certain countries and third parties. You will not assist or participate in any such diversion or other violation of applicable English laws and regulations. You warrant that You will not license or otherwise permit anyone not approved to receive controlled commodities under applicable English laws and regulations and that You will abide by such laws and regulations.
23.12. Complaints – UK Residents: Contact Citizens Advice.
Citizens Advice
Telephone: 03454 04 05 06
Welsh language: 03454 04 05 05
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
23.13. Government Rights. The software elements of the Host Materials have been developed at private expense and are “commercial computer software” or “restricted computer software” within the meaning of the FARs, the DFARs, and any other similar regulations relating to government acquisition of computer software. Nothing contained herein will be deemed to: (i) grant any government agency any license or other rights greater than are mandated by statute or regulation for commercial computer software developed entirely at private expense, or (ii) restrict any government rights in any extensions or custom solutions provided hereunder and developed at government expense.
23.14. Notices Electronic Communications. All notices permitted or required under this Agreement may be sent by e-mail, fax, express mail, mail, or registered mail to the e-mail address, fax number, or address most recently provided by You and will be effective upon transmission. Evidence of successful transmission shall be retained. Each of the parties may communicate with the other by electronic means as described in this Agreement. Each of the parties agrees to the following for all electronic communications: (i) The user identification of a sender, contained in an electronic communication, is legally sufficient to verify the sender’s identity and the communication’s authenticity; (ii) An electronic communication sent by You containing Your user identification establishes You as its originator and has the same effect as a document with Your written signature on it; and (iii) An electronic communication, or any computer printout of it, is valid proof of the validity of the original document of the electronic communication.