Terms of Service
Last updated: 2026-05-30
Draft — pending legal review. This document describes how the Encoder works in plain language. It is not yet final and has not been reviewed by counsel. It will be replaced by a reviewed version before paid launch.
These terms cover your use of the Encoder, the paid brand-interview app operated by Encoded Brands ("Encoded", "we", "us"). By using the Encoder you agree to them. If you do not agree, do not use the Encoder.
It is plain on purpose. If anything below is unclear, write to us at the contact address at the end.
The service
The Encoder takes your inputs — your domain, documents, and answers — and produces a Brand Context Protocol (BCP): a set of structured markdown files that describe your brand so that you and AI agents can use it. You may publish those files yourself or host them through our Registry.
We may change, improve, or discontinue parts of the service. The Brand Context Protocol spec itself evolves; the files you generate reflect the spec version current at the time you generate them.
Payment
The Encoder is a recurring subscription of $499 USD per month, taken through our payment processor (Stripe). Your subscription unlocks encoding, the hosted Registry endpoint, unlimited revisions, and re-encoding. You may cancel anytime from the Stripe Billing Portal; your published BCP stays live through the end of the paid period, after which the Registry endpoint is marked lapsed. Prices are in US dollars and may change for future billing cycles; we will give notice before any change takes effect. Older one-time purchases at prior prices are honored under the terms that were in effect when you bought.
Refunds
Because an encoding produces a finished digital deliverable, sales are generally final once the BCP has been compiled. If something goes wrong on our end — a failed encoding, a duplicate charge, or a clear defect in what we delivered — contact us and we will make it right, which may include a re-run or a refund at our discretion.
Acceptable use
When you use the Encoder, you agree not to:
- Submit content you do not have the rights to use, or that infringes someone else's rights.
- Encode a brand you are not authorized to represent.
- Submit unlawful, deceptive, or harmful content, or use the output to mislead.
- Attempt to break, overload, reverse-engineer, or gain unauthorized access to the service or other customers' data.
- Resell or relabel the service as your own without our written agreement.
You are responsible for the inputs you provide and for reviewing the output before you publish or rely on it. The Encoder proposes; you decide. We mark gaps rather than invent facts, but you should confirm the BCP is accurate for your brand before use.
Your content and ownership
You keep ownership of the inputs you provide and of the BCP you generate. You grant us the limited rights needed to operate the service (to process your inputs, generate your BCP, and — if you choose — host it). Our handling of your data is described in the Privacy Policy.
Disclaimer
The service is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the output is error-free, complete, legally compliant, or suitable for any particular use. The Encoder is a drafting tool, not legal, branding, or compliance advice.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Encoded will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, revenue, data, or goodwill, arising out of or related to your use of the service. Our total liability for any claim relating to the service will not exceed the amount you paid us for the encoding giving rise to the claim.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Any dispute will be brought in the state or federal courts located in California, and you consent to their jurisdiction.
Changes
We may update these terms. Material changes will be reflected in the "Last updated" date above. Continued use after a change means you accept the updated terms.
Contact
Questions about these terms: hello@encodedbrands.com
Estuary Group LLC d/b/a Encoded Brands
1005 Northgate Drive, #193
San Rafael, CA 94903