Partner Program Agreement
By clicking on “I agree” (or a similar box or button) when you sign up for a Partner Account, using the Partner Platform or participating in any Partner Program activities, you agree to be bound by the applicable sections of the following Partner Program Agreement (the “Agreement”). The Agreement is between you, as Partner (as defined below in Section A.1.), Shopify Inc. (“Shopify Inc.”) and Shopify Commerce Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“Shopify Asia”) and together with Shopify Inc, “Shopify” and are each together a “Shopify Entity”). Each of Partner and Shopify a “Party”, and together the “Parties”. You can review the current version of the Agreement at any time at shopify.com/partners/terms. Shopify reserves the right to update and change the Agreement by posting updates and changes here: shopify.com/partners/terms. If a significant change is made, we will provide reasonable notice by email, posting a notice on the Shopify Partner Blog or in the Partner Dashboard. You are advised to check the Agreement from time to time for any updates or changes that may impact you. Any reference to the Agreement includes any and all terms and documents incorporated by reference.
This Agreement addresses different types of Partner activities. Part A applies to all Partners. Part B applies to Referral Partners. Part C applies to Developers. Part D applies to Shopify Experts and the Shopify Plus Partner Program. Part E applies to Ads. If you do not participate in partner activities described in Parts B, C, D or E, then these Parts of the Agreement do not apply to you.
You must read, agree with and accept all of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, including Shopify’s Privacy Policy and Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy, before you may become a Partner. For the avoidance of doubt, Shopify’s Privacy Policy and Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy form part of this Agreement and are incorporated by reference. For the purposes of the Partner Program and this Agreement, all references to “Account” and “Services” in Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy will be deemed to refer to “Partner Account” and “Services or Partner’s participation in the Partner Program”, respectively. Some types of Shopify Partner Program activities may require that you agree to additional terms (“Additional Terms”). Such Additional Terms are incorporated into this Agreement by reference. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Additional Terms, the Additional Terms will govern, to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency.
Everyday language summaries are provided for convenience only and are not legally binding. Please read the entire Agreement for the complete picture of your legal requirements. This Agreement governs your activities as a Partner, including access to the Partner Dashboard and participation in the activities described on the Partner Program website. Be sure to occasionally check back for updates.
Part A – Terms Applicable to All Partners
1. Definitions
Unless defined elsewhere in the Agreement, capitalized terms set out in the Agreement are defined as follows:
“Ads” means advertisements created by Developer and placed in the Shopify App Store through the features set forth in the Partner Dashboard.
“Application” or “App” is defined in the Shopify API Terms.
“Channel Program” means Shopify’s sales channel program that allows Channel Developers to build a Channel Application using the Sales Channel SDK.
“Customer” means any individual that visits or transacts via the Merchant Store.
“Customer Data” means information (including personal information) relating to a Customer, including, but not limited to, order information, payment information, and account information.
“Development Store” means a store created in the Partner Dashboard that is used by a Partner for (a) testing purposes, or (b) for the development and transfer of a Merchant Store to a Merchant.
“Experts Marketplace” means Shopify’s program for Experts that surfaces Expert profiles on Experts Marketplace and may match enrolled Experts with Merchants seeking assistance with their business.
“Merchant” means an individual or business that uses the Service to sell products or services.
“Merchant Agreement” means the agreement entered into between a Partner and the Merchant governing the Merchant’s use of the Partner’s services, including, if applicable, the installation and use of an Application.
“Merchant Data” means information (including personal information) relating to a Merchant, including but not limited to business, financial and product information and any Customer Data. Where Partner uses the Shopify API, Merchant Data may be delivered in the form of an API response.
“Merchant Store” means the Merchant’s commerce presence hosted by Shopify, including their online store and Point of Sale (POS). For clarity, a Merchant may have more than one Merchant Store.
“Partner” or “You” means an individual or entity that has agreed to the terms of this Agreement and participates in the Shopify Partner Program. The different types of Partners are listed below:
A “Referral Partner” is a Partner who has registered for a Partner Account via the Shopify partner program page and who promotes the service by:
a. registering, and being approved by Shopify, for a unique referral link (an “Affiliate Link”) to refer Merchants to Shopify via such Affiliate Link or
b. acting as a value added partner or “VAP” working directly with Merchants as a designer, developer, or other consultant through a Development Store.
A “Developer” is a Partner who has registered for a Partner Account via the Shopify Developer program page and develops Applications or Themes to integrate with the Service or places Ads in the Shopify App Store. The different types of Developers are listed below:
a. a “Theme Developer”, develops a Theme for Merchant use, either as a custom Theme or for general distribution to Merchants through the Shopify Theme Store;
b. an “App Developer” develops a Public Application (as defined in the Shopify API Terms) using the Shopify API;
c. a “Channel Developer” develops an Application using the Shopify API to enable Merchants to display, promote and sell Merchant’s products to Customers through Channel Developer’s web or mobile platform (“Channel Platform”) via an integration with the Service. An Application developed by a Channel Developer is a “Channel Application”; and
d. a “Payment Gateway Developer” develops an Application using the Shopify API to enable a payment system for Merchants to use with the Service. An Application developed by a Payment Gateway Developer is a “Payment Gateway Application”.
An “Expert” is a VAP who has been accepted by Shopify into the Experts Marketplace, and can publish a profile offering services to Merchants.
A “Plus Partner” is a Partner who has met the Shopify Plus Partner criteria and has been accepted by Shopify into the Shopify Plus Partner Program, has signed a Plus Partner Program addendum, and is listed on the shopify.com/plus/partners.
“Partner Account” means a Shopify Partner Program account.
“Partner Dashboard” means the internal administrative page available at: partners.shopify.com/organizations that allows Partners to manage their Partner Account.
“Partner Manager” means the Shopify employee designated by Shopify from time to time as the Partner’s primary Shopify contact.
“Payment Period” has the meaning as set out in Section 3.2.
“Partner Program” means the resources made available by Shopify to Partners. For the avoidance of doubt, the Partner Program includes the Channel Program, Experts Marketplace Program and Plus Partner Program, to the extent that Partner is invited to participate in those programs.
“Plus Partner Program” means the Shopify program where Partners are selected by Shopify to participate in Shopify Plus opportunities.
“Public Application” is defined in the Shopify API Terms.
“Referred Merchant” means any unique Merchant that: (a) has registered for a paid Shopify account; and (b) was introduced by a Referral Partner that actively promoted the Service.
“Revenue Generating Activity” means a revenue generating activity carried out by Partner, as determined by Shopify, including the following:
transfer to Merchant by Partner of a Development Store created by Partner and the registration by such Merchant for a paid Shopify account; and
introduction of a Referred Merchant to Shopify via Partner’s Affiliate Link.
A Revenue Generating Activity will be attributed to Partner on the date the Merchant makes the initial payment of subscription fees for the relevant Merchant Store. For more information regarding Revenue Generating Activities, please refer to https://help.shopify.com/partners/getting-started/how-to-earn.
“Service” means the Shopify hosted commerce platform available via www.shopify.com and any associated websites, products or services offered by Shopify.
“Sales Channel SDK” means the Shopify APIs that are required by Channel Developer to develop the Channel Application. For the avoidance of doubt, the Sales Channel SDK is deemed to be part of the Shopify API, and access to and use of the Sales Channel SDK is subject to the Shopify API Terms.
“Shopify API” is defined in the Shopify API Terms. “Shopify API Terms” means the Shopify API License and Terms of Use available at shopify.com/legal/api-terms.
“Shopify App Store” is where Merchants can view and install Apps on their Merchant Store, and is available through: apps.shopify.com.
“Shopify Billing API” means the application programming interface that allows Developers to create and issue charges to Merchants as well as remit payment to Shopify. For the avoidance of doubt, the Shopify Billing API is deemed to be part of the Shopify API, as defined in the Shopify API Terms.
“Shopify Creative” means any marketing or promotional materials relating to Shopify or Shopify brands, including but not limited to copyrighted content, hypertext links, domain names, icons, buttons, banners, graphic files, images and the Shopify Trademarks.
“Shopify Plus” or “Plus” means the enterprise level of the Service, described in more detail at shopify.com/plus.
“Shopify Related Entity/ies” means any entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, Shopify; where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of another, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, as trustee or executor, or otherwise.
“Shopify Trademarks” means the trademarks, logos, service marks and trade names of Shopify Inc. and any Shopify Related Entities, whether registered or unregistered, including but not limited to the word mark SHOPIFY and the “S” and shopping bag design.
“Shopify Theme Store” means the Shopify website where Merchants can select and install Themes on their Merchant Store, available at: themes.shopify.com.
“Taxes” means all taxes, federal, provincial, state, local or other governmental sales, value added, goods and services, harmonized or other taxes, fees or charges now in force or enacted in the future.
“Theme” means the templates for website layout and design that Merchants may install, use and customize for their Merchant Store.
“Websites” means any websites that are owned, operated or managed by a Partner and that relate to Partner’s activities pursuant to this Agreement.
2. Partner Responsibilities
2.1. Marketing Activities
Partner will bear all costs and expenses related to Partner’s marketing or promotion of Shopify or any Shopify Related Entity, and, as applicable, Partner’s Applications, Themes, Websites, Channel Platform, or Partner’s other products or services associated with Partner’s participation in the Partner Program (collectively, “Partner Marketing Activities”) in any area, location, territory or jurisdiction, unless otherwise determined by Shopify in its sole discretion.
In no event will Partner engage in any Partner Marketing Activities except as expressly set forth in this Agreement. In the event that Partner has a list of emails where the individuals on the list have expressly elected to receive emails from Partner (“Opt-in List”), Partner may make a written request to Shopify to send emails regarding the offering of Shopify and Shopify Related Entities to the individuals on the Opt-in List (and Shopify may, in its sole discretion, allow Partner to send such emails). In conducting all Partner Marketing Activities, Partner will comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and directives, including but not limited to those relating to email marketing and “spamming”. Unless Partner has secured the applicable Merchant’s consent first, Partner will not email any Merchant whose email address they have received via Shopify.
Without limiting the generality of Section 2.1.2, Partner will (i) not send any email regarding Shopify or Shopify Related Entities to any individual or entity that has not requested such information; (ii) always include Partner’s contact information and “unsubscribe” information in any email regarding Shopify, Shopify Related Entities, the Service or the Shopify platform; and (iii) not imply that such emails are being sent on behalf of Shopify or Shopify Related Entities.
A Partner will not (i) engage in any fax, broadcast, telemarketing or any other offline marketing methods with respect to Shopify or Shopify Related Entities; (ii) use malware, spyware or any other aggressive advertising or marketing methods in any of its dealings relating to Shopify or Shopify Related Entities; (iii) make any false, misleading or disparaging representations or statements with respect to Shopify or Shopify Related Entities; (iv) solicit Merchants to leave the Shopify Service; (v) copy, resemble or mirror the look and feel of Shopify’s websites, Shopify Trademarks or Services or otherwise misrepresent Partner’s affiliation with Shopify or Shopify Related Entities; or (vi) engage in any other practices which may adversely affect the credibility or reputation of Shopify or Shopify Related Entities, including but not limited to, sending email communications or using any Website in any manner, or having any content on any Website, that (a) uses aggressive or low-quality marketing, including marketing services that are unrelated to Shopify or the Partner’s services, (b) promotes sexually explicit materials, violence, discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age, or any illegal or objectionable activities, or (c) violates any intellectual property or other proprietary rights of any third party; or (d) violates the Acceptable Use Policy.
2.2. Compliance with Laws
In addition to, and without limiting the provisions of this Agreement, Partner will perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the highest applicable industry standards and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including obtaining any licenses required in order for Partner to operate and to offer the products or services associated with Partner’s participation in the Partner Program.
2.3. Partner Duty to Inform
Partner will promptly inform Shopify of any information known to Partner that could reasonably lead to a claim, demand or liability of or against Shopify or the Shopify Related Entities by any third party.
2.4. Partner Duty to Disclose
If Partner is acting as an agent on behalf of a Merchant, then Partner will disclose to the Merchant any Fees that Partner is entitled to receive from Shopify in accordance with this Agreement that are associated with such Merchant.
2.5. Other Partner Terms
- If the Partner is an individual, you must be the older of (i) 18 years, or (ii) at least the age of majority in the jurisdiction where you reside and from where you carry out Partner activities.
- You confirm that you are becoming a Partner for the purposes of carrying on a business activity and not for any personal, household or family purpose.
- To become a Partner, Partner must create a Partner Account by providing all information indicated as required. Shopify may reject an application for a Partner Account for any reason, in its sole discretion. Partner acknowledges that Shopify will use the email address provided by Partner as the primary method for communication. Partner is responsible for keeping its Partner Account password secure. Shopify cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from Partner’s failure to maintain the security of the Partner Account and password.
- If you sign up for a Partner Account on behalf of your employer, your employer will be deemed to be the Partner for the purpose of this Agreement, and you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind your employer to this Agreement. Each Partner is responsible for: (a) ensuring that its employees, agents and subcontractors comply with this Agreement and (b) any breach of this Agreement by Partner’s employees, agents or subcontractors.
- Partner acknowledges and agrees that Partner will be responsible for the performance of all of its obligations under the Agreement, regardless of whether it sublicenses or subcontracts any such obligations to any third party, including but not limited to any affiliates or subsidiaries of Partner.
- Partner acknowledges and agrees that Shopify may amend this Agreement at any time by posting the relevant amended and restated Partner Program Agreement on Shopify’s website, available at shopify.com/partners/terms and such amendments to the Agreement are effective as of the date of posting. If a significant change is made, Shopify will provide reasonable notice by email, posting a notice on the Shopify Partner Blog or in the Partner Dashboard. Partner’s continued participation in the Shopify Partner Program after the amended Partner Program Agreement is posted to Shopify’s website constitutes Partner’s agreement to, and acceptance of, the amended Agreement. If Partner does not agree to any changes to the Agreement, Partner must terminate the Agreement by discontinuing its participation in the Shopify Partner Program.
- Partner acknowledges and agrees that Partner’s participation in the Shopify Partner Program, including information transmitted to or stored by Shopify, is governed by the Shopify Privacy Policy found at shopify.com/legal/privacy.
3. Fees and Payments
3.1. Revenue Sharing Plans
Subject to: (i) Partner’s compliance with this Agreement, and (ii) the revenue sharing plan associated with a Partner’s activities pursuant to the Partner Program, Partner will be entitled to receive certain fees from Shopify (the “Fees”). The revenue sharing plans applicable to the different types of Referral Partners are set out in Part B. The revenue sharing plans applicable to the different types of Developers are set out in Part C. The revenue sharing plans applicable to Experts and the Plus Partner Program are set out in Part D.
3.2. Payment
Fees due to Partner under the Reference Plan will be calculated by Shopify once per month upon receipt of payment from the Merchant, for each month that the Referred Merchant Store is active, provided that Partner has carried out at least one (1) Revenue Generating Activity in the immediately preceding 12-month period (as set out in Part B, Section 3.1). Fees due to Partner under the App Plan (where the App Developer uses the Shopify Billing API) or the Theme Plan will be calculated by Shopify upon receipt of payment from the Merchant for the applicable App or Theme. Fees for Apps with recurring billing will be calculated by Shopify upon receipt of payment for each month that the App is installed on the Merchant Store. Fees due to Partner under the Bounty Plan will be calculated by Shopify once per month upon receipt of subscription revenue from the Merchant for two consecutive months.
Shopify distributes Fees owing to its Partners twice per calendar month (each such period, a “Payment Period”). The first Payment Period occurs during the first half of the month, and the second Payment Period occurs during the second half of the month. The Fees described in Section 3.2.1 will be paid in either the first Payment Period or the second Payment Period, depending on the date that the Fee was calculated by Shopify. Where the Fees owing to Partner are greater than USD $25 at the end of any Payment Period, the Fees will be paid to Partner. If the Fees owing to Partner are less than USD $25 at the end of any Payment Period, Shopify will be entitled to withhold payment of Fees until the end of the next Payment Period in which the balance of unpaid Fees owing to Partner from any previous Payment Period and Fees owing to Partner under the current Payment Period are USD $25 or more.
Partners are responsible for all applicable Taxes that arise from or as a result of any activities under this Agreement or with respect to Partners dealings with a Merchant. If Taxes are not collected by Shopify in respect of a Partner transaction with a Merchant facilitated by Shopify, Partner is responsible for determining if Taxes are payable on such transaction, and if so, self-remitting Taxes to the appropriate tax authorities.
Shopify will issue you an invoice for any commission fees Shopify is charging you for activities like app sales, theme sales, and service sales. Shopify will prepare an invoice, on your behalf, to Shopify for any commission fees that Shopify pays to you for referral activities. Fee and commission invoices are generated when a payout is processed. You can't view invoices for pending transactions.
For App Developers who obtain Shopify’s express written permission to forego use of the Shopify Billing API, the App Developer will submit payments due under the App Plan to Shopify monthly by way of wire transfer or Automated Clearing House (ACH). The App Developer is responsible for contacting app-commissions@shopify.com to obtain the necessary banking information to execute the transfer. If the balance owed to Shopify is less than USD $1,000, App Developer may defer payment until the outstanding balance at the end of a payment period is USD $1,000 or more. If Developer owes Shopify any amounts for Ads pursuant to Part E, Section 1 below, then Shopify may reduce the Fees paid to Developer by offsetting amounts due from Developer to Shopify for Ads against Fees due from Shopify to Developer under this Agreement.
3.3. Additional Payment Information
All payments are subject to fraud and risk analysis considerations and anti-money laundering procedures and may be withheld by Shopify during the period of investigation. Shopify may also withhold payment if Partner fails to provide Shopify with information that is required to make payment.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Shopify will not be responsible to pay any Fees:
a. related to amounts that have been refunded to Merchants by Shopify;
b. for a Referred Merchant created or owned in whole or in part by a Partner;
c. related to fraudulent sales;
d. related to revenues that have been subject to chargebacks;
e. to Partners who are employed by Shopify (whether full-time, part-time, term or any other employment-type relationship); or
f. to Partners who are employed by the Merchant to whom the Fees relate (whether full-time, part-time, term or any other employment-type relationship).
If any Fees paid by Shopify are subsequently discovered to be subject to one or more of the exclusions set out in Section 3.3.2, or to have been paid in error, Shopify will have the right, at its sole discretion, to: (a) reclaim any Fees paid to Partner in error; or (b) set off the amounts described in Section 3.3 from payments due to Partner in future Payment Periods. If the Agreement is terminated before such amounts are fully repaid by Partner to Shopify, Partner will pay to Shopify the remaining balance within thirty (30) days of the effective date of termination of the Agreement.
Shopify reserves the right to modify the Fees or the payment terms at any time upon reasonable advance notice to Partner. Such notice will be provided by email, posting a notice on the Shopify blog or in the Partner Dashboard. In the event of any disputes over Fees, Shopify’s determination will be final and binding.
4. Termination
4.1. Termination
Unless otherwise specified in the Agreement, any Party may terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, effective immediately upon notice to another Party.
Fraudulent or other unacceptable behaviour by Partner, including breach of the Acceptable Use Policy, as determined by Shopify in its sole discretion, may result in one or more of the following actions being taken by Shopify: (a) termination of Partner’s affiliation with Merchants within the Partner Account; (b) suspension of some or all Partner privileges under the Partner Program; and (c) termination of the Partner Account entirely without notice to, or recourse for, Partner.
Shopify reserves the right to cancel or modify the Partner Program Agreement in its entirety, including Fees, at any time. If a significant change is made to the Partner Program Agreement, including any material change to Fees, Shopify will provide reasonable notice by email, posting a notice on the Shopify blog or in the Partner Dashboard.
4.2. Consequences of Termination
Upon termination of this Agreement: (a) each Party will return to the other Party, or destroy (and provide certification of such destruction), all property of the other Party in its possession or control (including all Shopify Creative and all Confidential Information (as defined below)); (b) Partner will immediately cease displaying any Shopify Creative or any Shopify Trademarks on any Website or otherwise; and (c) all rights granted to Partner under this Agreement will immediately cease, including but not limited to the right of Partner to access the Partner Account and Partner Dashboard, Shopify API, or to receive any payments of Fees under this Agreement, unless otherwise determined by Shopify in its sole discretion.
This Section 4.2 and the following Sections will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement:
- PART A: Section 1 (Definitions), Section 5.4 (Proprietary Rights of Shopify), Section 6 (Confidentiality), Section 7 (Disclaimer of Warranty), Section 8 (Limitation of Liability and Indemnification), and Section 9 (General Provisions)
- PART B: Section 6 (Relationship between VAP and Merchant);
- PART C.2: Section 4 (Reporting and Audit); and
- PART D: Section 3.3 (Relationship), Section 3.5 (Taxes), Section 3.6 (Audits).
In addition, any provisions of this Agreement that by their nature are intended to survive, will survive termination.
5. Intellectual Property Rights
5.1. Shopify Creative
All Shopify Creative will be solely created and provided by Shopify unless otherwise agreed to by Shopify in writing in advance. Shopify will provide Partner with copies of or access to Shopify Creative. The Shopify Creative may also be accessible from the Partner Program website and the Shopify brand guidelines (“Shopify Trademark Usage Guidelines”). By using the Shopify Creative, you indicate your acceptance of our Shopify Trademark Usage Guidelines and you understand that a violation of these guidelines or this Agreement will result in the termination of your license or permission to use the Shopify Creative. The Shopify Creative is provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind.
Partner may display Shopify Creative on the Websites solely for the purpose of marketing and promoting the Service and any Shopify brands permitted by Shopify and by Shopify Related Entities during the term of this Agreement, or until such time as Shopify may, upon reasonable prior notice, instruct Partner to cease displaying the Shopify Creative. Partner may not alter, amend, adapt or translate the Shopify Creative without Shopify’s prior written consent. Nothing contained in any Shopify Creative will in any way be deemed a representation or warranty of Shopify or of any of Shopify Related Entity. The Shopify Creative will at all times be the sole and exclusive property of Shopify and no rights of ownership will at any time vest with Partner even in such instances where Partner has been authorized by Shopify to make changes or modifications to the Shopify Creative.
5.2. Shopify Trademarks
During the term of this Agreement, Shopify hereby grants to Partner a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable and non-transferable license to display the Shopify Trademarks solely as necessary to perform Partner’s obligations under this Agreement. Partner acknowledges and agrees that: (a) it will use Shopify’s Trademarks only as permitted under this Agreement; (b) it will use the Shopify Trademarks in a lawful manner and in strict compliance with all format(s), guidelines, standards and other requirements prescribed by Shopify in writing from time to time, including but not limited to the Shopify Trademark Usage Guidelines; (c) the Shopify Trademarks are and will remain the sole property of Shopify; (d) nothing in this Agreement will confer in Partner any right of ownership in the Shopify Trademarks and all use thereof by Partner will inure to the benefit of Shopify; (e) Partner will not, now or in the future, apply for or contest the validity of any Shopify Trademarks; and (f) Partner will not, now or in the future, apply for or use any term or mark confusingly similar to any Shopify Trademarks.
5.3. Restrictions on Partner’s Use of the Shopify Trademarks
Notwithstanding Section 5.2, Partners will not:
use the Shopify Trademarks or variations or misspellings thereof in Partner’s business name, logo, branding, advertising, social media or domain name (including without limitation top-level domains, sub-domains and page URLs), products or services (including without limitation, in the name or design of any Application or Theme), unless granted express written permission by Shopify in advance of each use; or
purchase or register search engine or other pay-per-click keywords (such as Google Ads), trademarks, email addresses or domain names that use the Shopify Trademarks or any variations or misspellings thereof that may be deceptively or confusingly similar to the Shopify Trademarks.
5.4. Proprietary Rights of Shopify
As between Partner and Shopify, the Shopify Creative, Shopify Trademarks, all demographic and other information relating to Merchants including Referred Merchants, prospective Partners and Partners, the Services, the Shopify API, Merchant Data, and all software, documentation, hardware, equipment, devices, templates, tools, documents, processes, methodologies, know-how, websites, and any additional intellectual or other property used by or on behalf of Shopify or Shopify Related Entities or otherwise related to the Service, Shopify Partner Program, Shopify or Shopify Related Entities, together with all copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and any other proprietary rights inherent therein and appurtenant thereto (collectively, “Shopify Property”) will be and remain the sole and exclusive property of Shopify. To the extent, if any, that ownership of any Shopify Property does not automatically vest in Shopify by virtue of this Agreement, or otherwise, and vests in Partner, Partner hereby transfers and assigns to Shopify, upon the creation thereof, all rights, title and interest Partner may have in and to such Shopify Property (and waives any and all moral rights, as applicable), including the right to sue and recover for past, present and future violations thereof.
5.5. Shopify’s Use of Partner’s Intellectual Property
Partner grants to Shopify a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable and sub-licensable right and licence to use and display in any manner the Partner's trademarks, service marks, logos, trade names, copyrighted content, graphic files, images and other intellectual property, in connection with and for the purpose of performing its obligations and exercising its rights under this Agreement. In addition, at Shopify's discretion, Shopify may use any such intellectual property for the purposes of promoting or marketing Partner, Partner's products or services, or as otherwise agreed to with Partner.
6. Confidentiality
“Confidential Information” will include, but will not be limited to, any and all information associated with a Party’s business and not publicly known, including specific business information, technical processes and formulas, software, customer lists, prospective customer lists, names, addresses and other information regarding customers and prospective customers, product designs, sales, costs (including any relevant processing fees), price lists, and other unpublished financial information, business plans and marketing data, and any other confidential and proprietary information, whether or not marked as confidential or proprietary. For the avoidance of doubt, as between Shopify and Partner, Merchant Data and Customer Data is the Confidential Information of Shopify.
Each Party agrees to use the other Party’s/ies’ Confidential Information solely as necessary for performing its obligations under this Agreement and in accordance with any other obligations in this Agreement including this Section 6. Each Party agrees that it will take all reasonable steps, at least substantially equivalent to the steps it takes to protect its own proprietary information, to prevent the duplication, disclosure or use of any such Confidential Information, other than (i) by or to its employees, agents and subcontractors who must have access to such Confidential Information to perform such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, who each will treat such Confidential Information as provided in this Agreement, and who are each subject to obligations of confidentiality to such Party that are at least as stringent as those contained in this Agreement; or (ii) as required by any law, regulation, or order of any court of proper jurisdiction over the Parties and the subject matter contained in this Agreement, provided that, if legally permitted, the receiving Party will give the disclosing Party prompt written notice and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such disclosure is accorded confidential treatment. Confidential Information will not include any information that the receiving Party can prove: (A) was already in the public domain, or was already known by or in the possession of the receiving Party, at the time of disclosure of such information; (B) is independently developed by the receiving Party without use of or reference to the other Party’s/ies’ Confidential Information, and without breaching any provisions of this Agreement; or (C) is thereafter rightly obtained by the receiving Party from a source other than the disclosing Party without breaching any provision of this Agreement.
7. Disclaimer of warranty
The Shopify Partner Program, the Service, the Shopify Trademarks, the Shopify Creative, Ads (including delivery and related reporting) and the Shopify API (including without limitation the Sales Channel SDK and the Shopify Billing API) are provided “as-is”. Shopify makes no warranties under this Agreement, and Shopify expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, non-infringement or fitness for a particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, Shopify further disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, that the Service, the Shopify API, the Shopify Trademarks, the Shopify Creative, or the Shopify API (including without limitation the Sales Channel SDK and the Shopify Billing API) satisfy all of Partner’s or Merchant’s requirements and or will be uninterrupted, error-free or free from harmful components.
8. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
8.1. Limitation of Liability
Shopify, and the Shopify Related Entities, will have no liability with respect to the Shopify Partner Program, the Service, the Shopify API, the Shopify Trademarks, the Shopify Creative or Shopify’s obligations under this Agreement or otherwise for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for losses of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses resulting in any way from the Service, the Shopify API, the Shopify Trademarks, the Shopify Creative, or Partner’s participation or inability to participate in the Shopify Partner Program, even if Shopify has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event, Shopify’s, and the Shopify Related Entities’, liability to Partner under this Agreement for any reason will be limited to the Fees paid to Partner by Shopify during the six (6) month period immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim for damages. This limitation applies to all causes of action in the aggregate, including, but not limited to, breach of contract, breach of warranty, negligence, strict liability, misrepresentations, and other torts. The relationship between a Merchant and a Partner is strictly between the Merchant and the Partner, and neither Shopify or the Shopify Related Entities are obligated to intervene in any dispute arising between the Merchant and the Partner. Under no circumstances will Shopify, or the Shopify Related Entities, be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, extraordinary, exemplary or other damages whatsoever, that result from or relate to the Partner’s relationship with any Merchant. These limitations will apply even if Shopify or the Shopify Related Entities have been advised of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing limitations will apply to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
8.2. Partner Indemnification
Partner agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Shopify and any Shopify Related Entities and the directors, officers, employees, subcontractors and agents thereof (each, an “Indemnified Party”, and collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively, “claims”), to the extent that such claim is based upon or arises out of: (a) Partner’s breach of any representation, warranty, obligation or covenant under this Agreement; (b) Partner’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct; (c) any warranty, condition, representation, indemnity or guarantee relating to Shopify and Shopify Related Entities granted by Partner to any Merchant, prospective Partner or other third party; (d) Partner’s use of the Shopify API, (including without limitation the Sales Channel SDK and Shopify Billing API); (e) Partner’s breach of any term of this Agreement (including any documents it incorporates by reference) or a Merchant Agreement; (f) any third party claim that Partner’s products or services, including without limitation any Application, Theme, or Channel Platform infringes the intellectual property or other rights of a third party; (g) Partner Taxes, including any audits or penalties related thereto; (h) the performance, non-performance or improper performance of the Partner’s products or services, including without limitation, any Application or Theme or Channel Platform; (i) Partner’s relationship with any Merchant; and (j) any breach of applicable law by the Partner.
8.3. Notice of Indemnification
In claiming any indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party will promptly provide Partner with written notice of any claim which the Indemnified Party believes falls within the scope of the indemnifications provided under this Agreement. The Indemnified Party may, at its own expense, assist in the defense if it so chooses, provided that Partner will control such defense and all negotiations relative to the settlement of any such claim and further provided that in settling any claim the Partner will not make any admission on behalf of the Indemnified Party or agree to any terms or conditions that do or reasonably could result in any admission by, or the imposition of any liability upon, the Indemnified Party without the prior written approval of the Indemnified Party.
8.4. Non-exclusive remedies
In the event of any breach or threatened breach by Partner of any provision of Sections 2, 3.2.4, 5 or 6 above, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to Shopify under this Agreement and under applicable law, Shopify will have the right to (a) immediately enjoin all such activity, without the necessity of showing damages or posting bond or other security, (b) immediately terminate this Agreement and Partner’s access to the Partner Program, (c) receive a prompt refund of all amounts paid to Partner under this Agreement, and (d) be indemnified for any losses, damages or liability incurred by Shopify in connection with such violation, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.
9. General provisions
9.1. Force Majeure
If the performance of any part of this Agreement by either Party is prevented, hindered, delayed or otherwise made impracticable by reason of any flood, riot, fire, judicial or governmental action (including, but not limited to, any law, regulation or embargo prohibiting the performance contemplated under this Agreement or the failure or refusal of a government agency to issue a license required for any performance pursuant to this Agreement), labour disputes, act of God or any cause beyond the reasonable control of that Party, the Party will be excused from such performance to the extent that it is prevented, hindered or delayed by such cause. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Party prevented from performing under this Agreement by a force majeure event will nevertheless use its best efforts to recommence its performance under this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable and to mitigate any damages resulting from its non-performance under this Agreement.
9.2. Independent Contractors
The Parties to this Agreement are independent contractors. Except with respect to the collection and transfer of payments, credits or refunds between Merchants and Partner, or as otherwise expressly stated in this Agreement, neither Shopify or any Shopify Related Entity is an agent, representative or related entity of the Partner. Neither Shopify nor the Partner will have any right, power or authority to enter into any agreement for, or on behalf of, or incur any obligation or liability of, or otherwise bind, the other Party, except where the Partner expressly authorizes Shopify to act on its behalf in this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Partner expressly authorizes Shopify to act on its behalf for the purposes of collecting and remitting payment, credits or refunds between Merchant and Partner. This Agreement will not be interpreted or construed to create an association, agency, joint venture or partnership between the Parties or to impose any liability attributable to such a relationship upon either Party.
9.3. Non-Exclusivity
Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create, nor will it be construed as creating, any exclusive arrangement between the Parties to this Agreement. This Agreement will not restrict either Party from entering into similar arrangements with others, provided it does not breach its obligations under this Agreement by doing so, including without limitation, any confidentiality obligations.
9.4. Notice
Any notice, approval, request, authorization, direction or other communication under this Agreement will be given in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered and given for all purposes (a) on the delivery date if delivered personally, or by email to Partner’s email address listed in the Partner Account, and to legal@shopify.com; (b) two (2) business days after deposit with an internationally recognized commercial overnight courier service, with written verification of receipt; or (c) five (5) business days after deposit in certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage and charges prepaid. Notice will be sent to the Partner at the address provided in the Partner Account, and to Shopify at 151 O’Connor Street, Ground floor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 2L8 Attention: Legal Department.
9.5. No Waiver
The failure of any Party to insist upon or enforce strict performance by another Party of any provision of this Agreement or to exercise any right under this Agreement will not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment to any extent of such Party’s right to assert or rely upon any such provision or right in that or any other instance; rather, the same will be and remain in full force and effect. Each waiver will be set forth in a written instrument signed by the waiving Party.
9.6. Entire Agreement
This Agreement, including any completed application form and all guidelines and other documents linked or otherwise incorporated or referenced in this Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement and supersedes any and all prior agreements, written or oral, of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (including, but not limited to, any prior version of this Agreement). Neither Shopify nor the Partner will be bound by, and each Party specifically objects to, any term, condition or other provision that is different from or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement (whether or not it would materially alter this Agreement) and which is proffered by another Party in any correspondence or other document, unless the Party to be bound thereby specifically agrees to such provision in writing.
This Agreement may be available in languages other than English. To the extent of any inconsistencies or conflicts between this English Agreement and the Agreements available in another language, the most current English version of the Agreement will prevail.
9.7. Assignment
All the terms and provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties to this Agreement and to their respective heirs, successors, permitted assigns and legal representatives. Shopify will be permitted to assign this agreement without notice to or consent from Partner. Partner will have no right to assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement, or any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, to any third party without Shopify’s prior written consent, to be given or withheld in Shopify’s sole discretion.
9.8. Applicable Laws
This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods will not apply to this Agreement and is hereby expressly excluded.
The parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario with respect to any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
9.9. Patent Non-Assertion
Partner and its affiliates covenant not to assert patent infringement claims against Shopify, Shopify Related Entities, or Shopify products and services including the Shopify API.
9.10. Competitive or Similar Materials
Shopify is not precluded from discussing, reviewing, developing for itself, having developed, acquiring, licensing, or developing for or by third parties, as well as marketing and distributing materials, products or services which are competitive with Partner’s products or services, including without limitation any Application or Theme, regardless of their similarity to Partner’s products or services, provided that Shopify does not use Partner’s Confidential Information in so doing.
9.11. Feedback
If Partner provides any feedback (including identifying potential errors and improvements) to Shopify concerning the Partner Program, the Shopify API, the Shopify Creative or any aspects of the Service (“Feedback”), Partner hereby assigns to Shopify all right, title, and interest in and to the Feedback, and Shopify is free to use, reproduce, disclose, and otherwise exploit the Feedback without attribution, payment or restriction, including to improve the Partner Program, Shopify API, the Shopify Creative or the Service and to create other products and services. Shopify will treat any Feedback as non-confidential and non-proprietary. Partner will not submit any Feedback that it considers confidential or proprietary.
9.12. Beta Services
From time to time, Shopify may, in its sole discretion, invite Partner to use, on a trial basis, potential new services or features that are in development and not yet available to all Partners or Merchants (“Beta Services”). Beta Services may be subject to additional terms and conditions, which Shopify will provide to Partner prior to Partner’s use of the Beta Services. Such Beta Services and all associated conversations and materials relating thereto will be considered Confidential Information of Shopify and subject to the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement. Shopify makes no representations or warranties that the Beta Services will function. Shopify may discontinue the Beta Services at any time in its sole discretion. Shopify will have no liability for any harm or damage arising out of or in connection with a Beta Service.
9.13. Service Providers
Partner may work with service providers as necessary to facilitate Partner’s performance under this Agreement. Partner acknowledges and agrees that Partner is responsible for all of its service providers’ acts or omissions in relation to Partner’s performance of the Agreement, and any act or omission by Partner’s service provider amounting to a breach of this Agreement will be deemed to be a breach by Partner.
9.14. Industry Standards
Partner’s networks, operating system and software of its web servers, routers, databases, and computer systems (collectively, “Partner System”) must be properly configured to Internet industry standards so as to securely operate Partner’s Website, Applications and Themes, as applicable. If Partner does not completely control some aspect of the Partner System, Partner will use all influence that Partner has over the Partner System to do so. Partner must diligently correct any security deficiency and disconnect immediately any known or suspected intrusions or intruder.
In addition, if Partner has access to Merchant Data, Partner: (i) will only use or store such information for the purpose of providing the Partner’s services to the Merchant to whom the Merchant Data relates, and will not share, sell, disclose or otherwise provide such information to any third party, except as provided for in this Agreement; (ii) will not communicate with Customers directly or indirectly, provided however that Partner may contact Customers if the information is obtained from another source, such as from the Customers themselves; (iii) will only store such information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide the Partner’s services to the Merchant to whom the Merchant Data relates; (iv) will use industry standard measures to protect against unauthorized access to, disclosure or use of such information; (v) will comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to the protection and privacy of personally identifiable information in Partner’s provision of the Partner’s services; and (vi) will notify Shopify of any actual or suspected breach or compromise of Merchant Data (a “Data Breach”) within two (2) business days of becoming aware of such occurrence. Upon learning of the Data Breach, at its own cost, Partner will: (A) promptly remedy the Data Breach to prevent any further loss of Merchant Data; (B) investigate the incident; (C) take reasonable actions to mitigate any future anticipated harm to Shopify, the Shopify Related Entities, Merchants or Customers; and (D) regularly communicate the progress of its investigation to Shopify and cooperate to provide Shopify with any additional requested information in a timely manner.
9.15. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is, for any reason, held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of the Agreement, and the Agreement will be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained within the Agreement.
9.16. Shopify Asia’s Role and a Description of Shopify Entities
Where Apps, Themes or Experts Marketplace Services are purchased by Merchants in the Asian Pacific region, Shopify Asia will act as agent to Shopify Inc. to effectuate that sale under this Agreement. In all other respects, Shopify Inc. will perform this Agreement on its own behalf and as agent for Shopify Asia.The liability of each Shopify Entity will be several for the purposes of this Agreement.
Shopify Inc. is a corporation formed under the laws of Canada, with offices located at 151 O’Connor Street, Ground floor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 2L8.
Shopify Asia is a corporation formed under the laws of Singapore, with its offices located at 77 Robinson Road, #13-00 Robinson 77, Singapore 068896.
Part B - Additional Terms Applicable to Referral Partners
This Part B contains terms applicable to Referral Partners generally.
1. FTC Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission in the United States (“FTC”) has guidelines for governing endorsements and testimonials. These rules are aimed at increasing transparency between endorsers and consumers. As a member of the Partner Program with Shopify, Partner receives compensation for the Referred Merchant referrals made to Shopify. This may establish a “material connection” according to FTC rules, which creates an obligation for Partner to provide disclosure to consumers.
Full compliance with these guidelines requires, among other things, that (a) Partner clearly and conspicuously disclose that Partner is being compensated for referring Referred Merchants to Shopify, and (b) Partner not engage in misleading or deceptive advertising. For further information Partner should refer to the statement released by the FTC regarding these guidelines.
2. Revenue Sharing Plans for Referral Partners
The “Reference Plan” is a revenue sharing plan applicable to Partners that introduce Shopify to a Referred Merchant through a Development Store associated with the Referral Partner’s Partner Dashboard. Under the Reference Plan, a Partner is entitled to a percentage of certain revenue received from such Referred Merchant, to be determined by Shopify in its sole discretion, with Shopify being entitled to the remaining percentage. In order to continue receiving revenue share for the Merchants referred under the Reference Plan, Partner must carry out at least one Revenue Generating Activity in each consecutive 12-month period. A description of the current revenue share percentages applicable to Partners, amounts eligible to be included in the Partner’s revenue share, and a description of current Revenue Generating Activities is available at: help.shopify.com/partners/getting-started/how-to-earn. Shopify reserves the right to revise the revenue share applicable to the Reference Plan, and any ongoing obligations to receive revenue share (including required Revenue Generating Activities) from time to time, at its sole discretion, upon reasonable prior notice to Partner. Such notice will be provided by email, posting a notice on the Shopify blog, or in the Partner Dashboard.
The “Bounty Plan” is a bonus plan that pays Partner a fixed, one-time payment (“Bounty”) when the Partner introduces Shopify to a Referred Merchant using the Partner Affiliate Link. The Bounty Plan is not applicable in respect of the Shopify Plus plan. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Shopify, under the Bounty Plan, when a Referred Merchant is referred by a Partner to a Shopify plan (other than Shopify Plus), Partner will receive a fixed one-time Bounty of two hundred percent (200%) of one-month’s subscription revenue received from such Referred Merchant. Any Bounty payable to a Partner will be paid in two parts. The first half of the Bounty will be paid within 30 days after the Referred Merchant pays Shopify their first monthly subscription fee. The second half of the bounty will be paid within 30 days of the end of the calendar month in which the first half of the Bounty was paid. The Bounty Plan may also apply where a Referred Merchant is introduced to Shopify by more than one Referral Partner. See help.shopify.com/partners/getting-started/how-to-earn for more details. Shopify reserves the right to revise the revenue share amounts applicable to the Bounty Plan from time to time, at its sole discretion, upon reasonable prior notice to Partner. Such notice will be provided by email, posting a notice on the Shopify blog or in the Partner Dashboard.
For each Referral Merchant, Partner will be entitled to receive Fees from either the Reference Plan or the Bounty Plan, but not both. Where Partner introduces Shopify to a Referred Merchant through a Development Store associated with the Referral Partner's Dashboard, the Partner will be entitled to receive Fees in accordance with the Reference Plan. Where a Partner introduces Shopify to a Referred Merchant through the Referral Partner’s Affiliate Link, the Partner will be entitled to receive Fees in accordance with the Bounty Plan. Whether the Partner receives Fees in respect of a Referred Merchant under either the Reference Plan or the Bounty Plan is at Shopify’s sole and absolute discretion. To learn more about the Reference Plan and Bounty Plan, please visit help.shopify.com/partners/getting-started/getting-paid.
Shopify reserves the right to (i) demand and receive information from Referral Partners about any Referred Merchant, including but not limited to information with respect to traffic sources and methods used to acquire the Referred Merchant, and (ii) assess the legitimacy and qualification of such Referred Merchant for the purposes of determining whether a Fee is payable for such Referred Merchant. Shopify will not be responsible to pay any Fees for a Referred Merchant owned in whole or in part by a Referral Partner or Referral Partner’s employer (whether full-time, part-time, term or any other employment type relationship).
3. Responsibilities
Referral Partners will use their best efforts to (i) promote and market Shopify, and (ii) identify for Shopify prospective Referred Merchants.
4. Unauthorized and Prohibited Activities
A Partner will not:
- promote or advertise Shopify or Shopify Related Entities on coupon, deal, or discount sites or on GTP/Get Paid to Click or other incentivized sites, or display any offer code on a public-facing page or through the use of a “click to display” offer code;
- use its Affiliate Link directly in any pay-per-click advertising;
- purchase search engine or other pay-per-click keywords (such as Google Ads), trademarks or domain names that use the Shopify Trademarks or the names or trademarks of any Shopify Related Entities or any variations or misspellings thereof that may be deceptively or confusingly similar to the Shopify Trademarks or the names or trademarks of any Shopify Related Entity;
- create or participate in any third party networks or sub-affiliate networks without the express written permission of Shopify;
- use or encourage any means of delivering fraudulent traffic, including but not limited to use of bots or toolbar traffic, cookie stuffing, or use of false or misleading links;
- use direct linking to any page on any Shopify website, without prior written permission from Shopify; or
- mask its referral sites or use deceptive redirecting links.
A Referred Merchant cannot be a store opened or owned by a Partner and for which that Partner seeks compensation pursuant to this Agreement. A Partner will be deemed to have introduced only those Referred Merchants that: (a) access Shopify from that Partner’s Affiliate Link assigned by Shopify; or (b) are added through a Development Store within the Partner’s Shopify Partner Dashboard.
Applications and Themes are non-transferrable, non-assignable and non-sublicensable, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Developer’s terms of use. VAPs are not permitted to copy, duplicate, transfer or sell a purchased Application or Theme used for one Merchant’s store to any other Merchant’s store on Shopify or elsewhere.
5. Development Stores
During the development of a Merchant Store by the VAP on behalf of a Merchant, the VAP may designate the store as a Development Store. A Development Store is not publicly visible and is not subject to monthly subscription fees. A Development Store cannot be used to process orders on behalf of the Partner or the Merchant; provided, however, that Development Stores may be used to process test orders. A Development Store is deemed to become a Merchant Store upon the earlier of: (a) the payment of monthly subscription fees for the store by either the VAP or Merchant; and (b) the transfer by the VAP of ownership of the Development Store to the Merchant.
6. Relationship between VAP and Merchant
The services provided by a VAP to a Merchant are the responsibility of the VAP and not of Shopify. It is the VAP’s responsibility to ensure that there is a Merchant Agreement in place between the VAP and Merchant for the services to be provided by the VAP to the Merchant, and that the Merchant Agreement includes appropriate remedies in the event of non-payment by Merchant for services rendered by the VAP, provided that any such remedy that includes the withholding of the transfer of ownership of the Development Store or Merchant Store to the Merchant will be enforced by Shopify at its sole discretion. In the event of a dispute between the VAP and the Merchant, Shopify is not obligated to intervene in any such dispute. Under no circumstances will Shopify be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, extraordinary, exemplary or other damages whatsoever, that result from or relate to the transfer of ownership of the Development Store or Merchant Store to the Merchant by Shopify, or the VAP’s relationship with any Merchant. These limitations will apply even if Shopify has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing limitations will apply to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
Part C - Additional Terms Applicable to Developers
This Part C contains terms applicable to Developers generally. Section C.1 contains additional terms applicable to Theme Developers. Section C.2 contains additional terms applicable to App Developers. Section C.3 contains additional terms applicable to Channel Developers. Section C.4 contains additional terms applicable to Payment Gateway Developers.
1. Access to the Shopify API
Access to and use of the Shopify API is governed by the Shopify API Terms.
2. Unauthorized and Prohibited Developer Activities
Without limiting the restrictions outlined elsewhere in this Agreement or in the Shopify API Terms, Developers will not:
Solicit or permit reviews that are fake, inaccurate, irrelevant, misleading, being used improperly for commercial gain, posted in exchange for a financial or other gain, posted multiple times (whether from the same or more than one account), misleading as to the reviewer's identity or their connection to the Application or Theme being reviewed, or reviews that contain or link to prohibited or illegal content. Reviews on the Shopify App Store and Shopify Theme Store are meant to be unbiased, useful and trustworthy. Shopify reserves the right to take any action it deems necessary in respect of a Partner engaged in any of this behaviour, including the right (but not the obligation) to remove or edit reviews;
Include code in any Application which performs any operations not related to the services provided by the Application, whether or not Developer has obtained Merchant consent to do so, and whether or not the Application obtains consent from the end user to do so. For the avoidance of doubt, this prohibited activity includes embedding or incorporating code into any Application which utilizes the resources (including CPU resources) of another computer, including for the purposes of cryptocurrency mining;
Develop or distribute the Application or Theme in any way in furtherance of criminal, fraudulent, or other unlawful activity, or otherwise violate the Shopify Acceptable Use Policy; or
Create multiple Applications that offer substantially the same services.
3. Additional Shopify Trademark License for Developers
Developers may use the Shopify Trademarks licensed in Section 5.2 for the sole purpose of notifying Merchants that the Application or Theme is compatible with the Service.
4. Use of the Shopify Billing API
Unless otherwise agreed to by Shopify in writing, if a Developer will create and issue charges to Merchants relating to the Merchants’ use or installation of the Developer’s Application, whether in the form of monthly subscription fees, cost-per-acquisition, cost-per-click, percentage commission or otherwise, Developer must use the Shopify Billing API. The Shopify Billing API includes software to help Developers manage billing charges to Merchants for use of Developer’s Applications. It is the Developer’s responsibility to: (i) obtain Merchant consent to create and issue such charges and (ii) bill the Merchant in compliance with the Merchant Agreement, applicable legal requirements and card network payment rules.
C.1. Additional Terms Applicable to Theme Developers
1. Theme Requirements
Theme Developers are permitted to develop Themes for Merchants to be distributed in the Shopify Theme Store. Theme Developer selects the purchase price for the Theme, provided that the price is within Shopify’s current Theme pricing guidelines. All Themes are subject to approval and acceptance by Shopify and Shopify retains the right to remove a Select Theme (as defined in Section 2 below) from the Shopify Theme Store at any time and for any reason.
Theme Developers must follow all Shopify guidelines set out here help.shopify.com/themes/development/theme-store-requirements with respect to their Theme.
Each Theme Developer represents and warrants that it has obtained all necessary right, title and interest in and to the images, fonts, designs, plugins, templates, software or other assets that are distributed with a Select Theme in the Shopify Theme Store. Theme Developer further represents and warrants that no part of the Theme will violate or infringe upon any copyright or any other rights whatsoever of any third party.
2. Revenue Sharing Plans for Theme Developers
The “Theme Plan” is a revenue sharing plan which allocates revenue between Shopify and a Theme Developer whose Theme has been selected to be sold through the Shopify Theme Store (each such Theme, a “Select Theme”). Under the Theme Plan, a Theme Developer is entitled to either: (a) seventy percent (70%) of the total revenues from the sale of such Select Theme, with Shopify being entitled to the remaining thirty percent (30%), where the Theme Developer will support the Select Theme as set out here themes.shopify.com/services/themes/guidelines (the “Developer Supported Model”), or (b) fifty percent (50%) of the total revenues from the sale of such Select Theme, with Shopify being entitled to the remaining fifty (50%), where the Theme Developer chooses to have Shopify support the Select Theme as set out here themes.shopify.com/services/themes/guidelines (the “Shopify Supported Model”).
3. Additional Shopify Trademark Use Rights for Theme Developers
Notwithstanding Section 5.3 of Part A, Theme Developers may use the Shopify Trademarks and may refer to Shopify and the Service in the promotion of their Select Theme for the sole purpose of notifying Merchants that the Select Theme is compatible with the Service.
C.2. Additional Terms Applicable to App Developers
1. App Requirements
All Public Applications are subject to approval and acceptance by Shopify, and Shopify retains the right to take any action it deems necessary in respect of a Public Application at any time for any reason.
App Developers must follow all Shopify guidelines set out here: https://shopify.dev/concepts/app-store/getting-your-app-approved/app-requirements with respect to their App.
2. Revenue Sharing Plans for App Developers
The “App Plan” is a revenue sharing plan that allocates revenue between Shopify and an App Developer for a Public Application. Unless otherwise indicated in this Agreement or agreed to by Shopify in writing, under the App Plan, an App Developer is entitled to eighty percent (80%) of the total revenues from the sale of, subscription to or charges relating to the Public Application, with Shopify being entitled to the remaining twenty percent (20%).
3. Additional Shopify Trademark Use Rights for App Developers
Notwithstanding Section 5.3 of Part A, App Developers may use the Shopify Trademarks and may refer to Shopify and the Service in the promotion of their App for the sole purpose of notifying Merchants that the App is compatible with the Service.
4. Reporting and Audit
All App Developers that create and issue charges to Merchants for the Merchant’s use of the Developer’s Application must use the Shopify Billing API unless otherwise agreed to by Shopify in writing. App Developers that Shopify has exempted from using the Shopify Billing API will, within 30 days following the end of the Developer’s fiscal quarter, submit to Shopify via email at app-commissions@shopify.com a report indicating total revenues for the previous quarter.
Shopify will have the right to appoint an independent auditor approved by App Developer, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, under appropriate non-disclosure conditions, to audit App Developer’s records to confirm App Developers’ compliance with this Agreement. If such audit reveals non-compliance by App Developer with the terms and conditions of this Agreement the independent auditor appointed by Shopify will provide Shopify and App Developer with a report (along with supporting documentation) indicating the amount by which App Developer has overstated or understated the payments due by App Developer and any other failures by App Developer to fulfill its obligations under the Agreement. Prompt adjustment will be made by the proper Party to compensate for any overpayments or underpayments disclosed by any such audit. Shopify will bear all of the costs of any such audit, unless such audit reveals underpayment by, or overpayment to, App Developer by more than five percent (5%) for the audited period, in which case, App Developer will reimburse Shopify for all of the reasonable costs of such audit. In addition to the foregoing audit rights, Shopify will also have the right to use the capabilities of the Service to confirm the revenue associated with Apps offered by the App Developer.
C.3. Additional Terms Applicable to Channel Developers
1. Channel Requirements
Channel Developers are permitted to develop Channel Applications that integrate Channel Platforms with the Service. The Channel Applications may only be distributed or sold in the Shopify App Store. All Channel Applications are subject to approval and acceptance by Shopify, and Shopify retains the right to remove a Channel Application from the Shopify App Store at any time for any reason.
Channel Developers must follow all UI patterns and Shopify guidelines as provided to Channel Developer by Shopify with respect to their Channel Application (“Integration Requirements”). If at any time, in Shopify’s sole discretion, the Channel Application fails to meet the Integration Requirements, Shopify will have the right to: (i) delay acceptance of the Channel Application until all Integration Requirements are met, or (ii) terminate Channel Developer’s access to the Sales Channel SDK.
In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 6.1 of the Shopify API Terms, the Merchant Agreement for Merchants who use the Channel Application must also include terms that specify: (i) any and all charges associated with the Merchant’s use of the Channel Application; and (ii) any eligibility criteria that the Merchant must meet prior to the Merchant’s acceptance to use the Channel Application, and to the extent reasonably practicable, provide examples of such eligibility criteria and information respecting Channel Developer’s review and appeal process, if applicable.
If Channel Developer will create and issue charges to Merchants for Merchants’ use of the Channel Application, whether in the form of cost-per-acquisition, cost-per-click, percentage commission or otherwise, Channel Developer must use the Shopify Billing API. It is the Channel Developer’s responsibility to: (i) obtain Merchant consent in the Merchant Agreement to create and issue such charges, and (ii) bill the Merchant in compliance with applicable legal requirements and card network payment rules. Amounts owing to Channel Developer for a Merchant’s use of the Channel Application will be paid in the same manner as Fees are paid to App Developers under the App Plan, as outlined in Part A, Section 3.2.
If Channel Developer creates and issues a charge to Merchants for Merchants’ use of the Channel Application, Shopify may incur processing fees to process each such charge. Channel Developer will remain fully responsible for any such processing fees that Shopify may incur. Upon request from Channel Developer, Shopify will advise Channel Developer of such processing fees. The Parties agree that the total amount of any processing fees incurred by Shopify will be set-off against any Fees payable to Channel Developer in the relevant Payment Period.
Channel Developer must comply with any terms, guidelines or approval processes required pursuant to any card network rules, and applicable laws or regulations.
Channel Developer represents, warrants, and covenants that, where applicable, it will at all times be certified as compliant with all provisions of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (“PCI-DSS”) or any successor standards or requirements applicable to its performance as a Channel Developer under this Agreement. Channel Developer will, upon Shopify’s reasonable request, deliver reasonable evidence to Shopify of Channel Developer’s compliance with PCI-DSS.
If Channel Developer has access to Merchant shipping information via the Service, including rates or time in transit information (“Shipping Information”), Channel Developer: (i) will only store, access, use or process Shipping Information as necessary to provide Merchants with shipping services as directed by Merchant and under no circumstance will Channel Developer aggregate Shipping Information for multiple Merchants, or for any particular Merchant, for any purpose; and (ii) will use at least industry standard measures for the protection of proprietary and confidential information to protect against unauthorized access to, disclosure of or use of Shipping Information. To the extent that the Shipping Information includes information of UPS Market Driver, Inc., and no further, then UPS Market Driver, Inc. will be a third-party beneficiary with all rights and privileges of Shopify under this Section C.3.1.8 and is entitled to enforce this Section C.3.1.8 directly against Channel Developer.
2. Revenue Sharing Plans for Channel Developers
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, Channel Developers who use the Checkout API to integrate the Channel Application into the Service will retain 100% of the revenues from Merchant charges billed through the Shopify Billing API as described in Section C.3.1(d) above.
3. Sales Channel SDK
Channel Developer will apply to Shopify for access to the Sales Channel SDK, which will be granted or denied in Shopify’s sole discretion.
The Shopify API Terms apply to Channel Developer’s use of the Sales Channel SDK. In addition to, and without limiting the generality of the restrictions in Section 2.3 of the Shopify API Terms, with respect to the Sales Channel SDK, Channel Developer will:
- upon request from Shopify, provide Shopify with a report setting out the number of, and location of, all copies of the Sales Channel SDK;
- not use the Sales Channel SDK for any purpose other than for the Channel Program and the development of the Channel Application; and
- not use the Sales Channel SDK to develop products or services that will compete with Shopify’s products or services.
4. Term and Termination for Channel Applications
Subject to the following, Channel Developer agrees to maintain its Channel Application for twelve (12) months from the date that the Channel Application is made available by Shopify in the Shopify App Store:
Beginning on the six-month anniversary of the Channel Application being published in the Shopify App Store, the Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time if it is mutually agreed, after good faith negotiations, that (i) there is insufficient adoption of the Channel Application by Merchants; or (ii) maintaining the Channel Application is commercially or technically unfeasible for either Shopify or Channel Developer.
Any Party may terminate the Agreement immediately in the event another Party commits a material breach of the Agreement and fails to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice thereof. If the breach is cured (or waived by the non-breaching Party) within the specified cure period, then the Agreement will continue in full force and effect pursuant to its terms.
C.4. Additional Terms Applicable to Payment Gateway Developers
Payment Gateway Developers are permitted to develop Payment Gateway Applications that integrate a payment gateway and the Service. Payment Gateway Applications may be made available to Merchants privately or, if approved by Shopify, publicly within the Merchant’s admin and Shopify’s public list of payment gateways. Payment Gateway Developer must comply with the Shopify API Terms and the Shopify Hosted Payment SDK guidelines. For the avoidance of doubt, Payment Gateway Applications that (a) use the Shopify Hosted Payment SDK, and (b) do not bypass any component of Shopify Checkout other than the collection of payment details and payment processing, do not violate Section 2.3.18 of the Shopify API Terms.
If a Payment Gateway App is not made publicly available, the Payment Gateway Developer may permit Merchants to privately install the Payment Gateway Application, by providing Merchants with a shareable installation link.
If a Payment Gateway Developer’s Payment Gateway Application meets the criteria set out in the Shopify Hosted Payment SDK guidelines: help.shopify.com/api/sdks/hosted-payment-sdk/publish-gateway#private for public listing by Shopify, the Payment Gateway Developer may apply to Shopify for a public listing. Depending on a number of factors determined and assessed by Shopify in its sole discretion, including transaction volume and Payment Gateway Application adoption rates, Shopify may make the Payment Gateway Application available to all Merchants via the Merchant’s admin and list the Payment Gateway Application in Shopify’s public list of payment gateways.
Payment Gateway Developer must comply with any terms, guidelines or approval processes required pursuant to any card network rules, and applicable laws or regulations.
Payment Gateway Developer represents, warrants, and covenants that, where applicable, it will at all times be certified as compliant with all provisions of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (“PCI-DSS”) or any successor standards or requirements applicable to its performance as a Payment Gateway Developer under this Agreement. Payment Gateway Developer will, upon Shopify’s reasonable request, deliver reasonable evidence to Shopify of Payment Gateway Developer’s compliance with PCI-DSS.
Part D – Additional Terms Applicable to Shopify Experts, Experts Marketplace, and the Shopify Plus Partner Program
In addition to the terms applicable to all Referral Partners, as set out in Part B, the following terms apply to Shopify Experts, Experts providing services in Experts Marketplace, and Partners accepted into the Plus Partner Program.
1. Shopify Experts
Designation. From time to time Shopify may designate certain of its Partners as “Experts”, to be enrolled in the Experts Program and provided access to Experts Marketplace. Partners who meet the criteria may apply to become a Shopify Expert at any time, however the granting of an Expert designation is entirely within Shopify’s discretion.
2. Experts Program
Program. A description of Experts Marketplace is available at: https://help.shopify.com/partners/faq/experts. Experts must follow all Shopify guidelines set out here, as well as Experts Marketplace Guidelines to continue to access the Experts Marketplace.
Revenue Sharing Plan. The revenue sharing plan for Experts participating in Experts Marketplace will be as outlined at: https://help.shopify.com/partners/getting-started/how-to-earn (the “Experts Marketplace Revenue Share”).
3. Experts Marketplace
Marketplace. Experts may apply to be included in Experts Marketplace. Merchants may contact Experts or submit job requests in the Experts Marketplace (each a “Job Request”). Shopify may match Job Requests from Merchants with Experts or suggest multiple Experts to a Merchant in connection with any Job Request. Experts may propose work (submit a proposal) to Merchants that can be accepted to create a job.
Communications. Expert acknowledges and agrees that Shopify receives and can review all communications exchanged via the Experts Marketplace or in any reply emails that originate within Experts Marketplace (directly or indirectly) between Expert and Merchant. As a participant in Experts Marketplace, Expert consents to being contacted by Merchants at the email address provided by Expert to Shopify.
Relationship. The services provided by an Expert via Experts Marketplace are the responsibility of the Expert and not of Shopify. It is the Expert’s responsibility to ensure that there is a Merchant Agreement in place between the Expert and Merchant for the services to be provided by the Expert to the Merchant, and that the Merchant Agreement includes appropriate remedies in the event of non-payment by Merchant for services rendered by the Expert, provided that any such remedy that includes the withholding of the transfer of ownership of the Development Store or Merchant Store to the Merchant will be enforced by Shopify at its sole discretion.
Billing. All Experts must use the Partner invoicing system embedded within Experts Marketplace to charge Merchants for Job Requests unless otherwise agreed to by Shopify in writing.
Taxes. Expert is responsible for all applicable Taxes that arise from or as a result of: (a) payment of fees from Merchant to Expert; and (b) the Experts Marketplace Revenue Share payable to Shopify. Taxes collected on your Experts Marketplace Revenue Share by Shopify are based on Expert’s location. If you are exempt from payment of such Taxes, you must provide us with an original certificate that satisfies applicable legal requirements attesting to tax-exempt status. Tax exemption will only apply from and after the date we receive such certificate. If you are not charged taxes by Shopify, you are responsible for determining if taxes are payable, and if so, self-remitting Taxes to the appropriate tax authorities in your jurisdiction.
Audits. Shopify will have the right to appoint an independent auditor, under appropriate non-disclosure conditions, to audit Expert’s records to confirm Expert’s compliance with this Agreement. If such audit reveals non-compliance by Expert with the terms and conditions of this Agreement the independent auditor appointed by Shopify will provide Shopify and Expert with a report (along with supporting documentation) indicating the amount by which Expert has overstated or understated the payments due by Expert to Shopify and any other failures by Expert to fulfill its obligations under the Agreement. Prompt adjustment will be made by the proper Party to compensate for any overpayments or underpayments disclosed by any such audit. Shopify will bear all of the costs of any such audit, unless such audit reveals underpayment by, or overpayment to, Expert by more than five percent (5%) for the audited period, in which case, Expert will reimburse Shopify for all of the reasonable costs of such audit. In addition to the foregoing audit rights, Shopify will also have the right to use the capabilities of the Service to confirm the revenue associated with Job Requests performed by the Expert.
Reviews. Merchants are able to submit reviews and ratings on their experience with an Expert. An Expert’s rating is calculated based on reviews posted by Merchants. Experts may not solicit or permit reviews that are fake, inaccurate, irrelevant, misleading, being used improperly for commercial gain, posted in exchange for a financial or other gain, posted multiple times (whether from the same or more than one account), misleading as to the reviewer's identity or their connection to the Expert being reviewed, or reviews that contain or link to prohibited or illegal content. Reviews are meant to be unbiased, useful and trustworthy. Shopify reserves the right to take any action it deems necessary in respect of an Expert engaged in any of this behaviour, including the right (but not the obligation) to remove or edit Merchant reviews.
4. Plus Partner Program
Designation. From time to time Shopify may designate certain of its Experts and Partners as a “Plus Partner”, to be listed on the Plus Partner Program site. A Plus Partner will be required to execute a Plus Partner Program addendum. The granting of a Plus Partner designation is entirely within Shopify’s discretion.
Revenue Sharing Plan. The revenue sharing plan for the Plus Partner Program is set out in a Plus Partner addendum.
5. Removal of Designation
Shopify may remove the Expert or Plus Partner designation, as applicable, at any time and for any reason, in its sole and absolute discretion, effective immediately upon notice to the relevant Expert or Plus Partner. Upon notice of the revocation of such designation by Shopify, Shopify will remove Partner from the Experts Marketplace or Plus Partner Program resources, and Partner will immediately cease referring to itself as a Shopify Expert or Plus Partner (as applicable) on any Website or otherwise.
Part E – Additional Terms Applicable to Ads in the Shopify App Store
In addition to the terms applicable to Developers elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms apply to Ads.
1. Fees
Auctions. The price Developers pay for an Ad, and whether or not the Developer wins an auction for an Ad to be displayed, will be based upon (1) the daily budget set by the Developer in the Partner Dashboard, (2) the amount bid for various keywords and (3) a confidential relevance score created by Shopify to ensure that Merchants and other users see Ads that are relevant and valuable to them. Shopify will solely determine which Ads will be shown and nothing in this Agreement guarantees that Developer will win any auctions to display their Ads, have their Ads displayed or get any impressions or clicks. All bids entered by Developer are binding offers from Developer which may be accepted or rejected by Shopify in its sole discretion.
Pricing. The Developer will be charged for an Ad on a cost per click basis.
Payments. The Developer will provide a payment method to Shopify and hereby authorizes Shopify to automatically charge such payment method for Ads purchased in compliance with this Agreement. Developer may not set-off any of its payments for Ads against any other amounts due to Developer under this Agreement. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by Shopify, Developer’s payment method may be charged by Shopify (1) each time the Developer reaches $100 in Ad fees, including if necessary, multiple times per day, or (2) every thirty (30) days, whichever comes first.
2. Ads
Content. Most of the content of the Ads will be generated by Shopify and will not be customizable by the Developer. Ad names and all other content provided by Developer must comply with Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy. You hereby grant Shopify a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, fully paid license to store, use, reproduce and display any Ad names or other content provided by Developer for purposes of delivering the Ads and managing the service herein. Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to be a transfer, license or assignment of any intellectual property rights.
Keywords. While the Developer may request certain triggering keywords for the Ads and negative triggering keywords as well, Shopify may prohibit and block the use of any keywords in its discretion. If broad keywords are selected by Developer, the actual triggering keywords implemented will be determined by Shopify in its sole discretion.
3. Reporting
Reporting. Shopify will provide the Developer with access to reporting through the Partner Dashboard. Shopify’s reporting is the sole and definitive measure of payment obligations for the Ads. All data in such reporting, and all usage and conversion data generated as a result of the Ads, is owned by Shopify. Developer may only use the reporting and metrics provided by Shopify to Developer for the performance and management of this Agreement and for its internal business purposes. Such reporting may not be shared by Developer with any third parties (other than on a confidential basis to its accountants and financial advisors).
Disputes. In the event that Developer disputes any reporting, Developer must notify Shopify in writing within seven (7) days of the date the report is first made available to Developer by Shopify, otherwise the Developer acknowledges the accuracy of such reporting and waives any claims based upon such reporting thereafter.
Fraud. The Developer agrees not to engage in, encourage, assist or authorize any third party to generate fraudulent traffic with respect to the Ads of any party, including but not limited to, through the use of bots or other means.
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Last updated March 26, 2021