TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF NETWORK MEMBERSHIP
Effective date: February 28, 2026
THIS IS A BINDING CONTRACT. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE AGREEING.
These Terms & Conditions and the Privacy Policy are provided in English as the governing versions. You acknowledge that you have sufficient proficiency in English to understand their contents.
These Terms and Conditions of Network Membership (the “Terms & Conditions”) govern your participation in the expert network operated by Benchlink Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea (“Benchlink”). These Terms & Conditions supersede all prior versions of the terms and conditions previously in effect between Benchlink and you with respect to your participation in the Benchlink Network. You agree that your use of any Benchlink website or platform is subject to any applicable terms of use posted thereon, except to the extent such terms conflict with these Terms & Conditions, in which case these Terms & Conditions shall control.
OVERVIEW AND ACTIVITIES
The Benchlink Network consists of professionals and consultants across various industries and areas of expertise who provide education, insights, opinions, and experience to financial institutions, corporations, professional services firms, and other organizations (“Clients”). Benchlink provides opportunities for members of the Benchlink Network (“Network Members”) to participate in various types of projects (“Projects”), including but not limited to telephone, video, or in-person consultations, online surveys, written deliverables, meetings, events, and other advisory or research-related engagements. In addition to Projects, Network Members may be eligible to participate in other non-Project activities and interactions facilitated by Benchlink (“Platform Activities”), including, without limitation:
MEMBERSHIP POLICIES
Prior to participating in Projects, you represent that you have reviewed and agreed to these Terms & Conditions and that you will comply with all obligations set forth herein when participating in the Benchlink Network. Your agreement to these Terms & Conditions shall remain effective unless and until terminated by you or Benchlink in accordance with these Terms & Conditions. Benchlink reserves the right to require you to re-acknowledge or re-agree to these Terms & Conditions from time to time, including in connection with material updates to these Terms & Conditions.
You confirm that you are not prohibited or limited in any way from participating in the Benchlink Network by any contract (including, without limitation, employment, consulting, confidentiality, or non-disclosure agreements), your current employer’s policies or codes of conduct (if you are employed), or any similar policies or obligations that limit your conduct in any way. Further, to the extent your ability to consult or participate is limited in any way, you confirm that you have obtained all necessary consents, approvals, or waivers (including, without limitation, the consent of your employer, any company or organization for which you have consulted, or any affiliated academic or government organization) to participate as a Network Member. It is your sole responsibility to determine whether you are permitted to join and participate in the Benchlink Network.
As a Network Member, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (i) you are a non-agent independent contractor of Benchlink; (ii) you have no authority to act on behalf of Benchlink; (iii) you are not eligible for any Benchlink or Client employment benefits based on your participation in the Benchlink Network; (iv) you shall not identify any Client or Benchlink as your employer; (v) you are joining the Benchlink Network in your individual capacity and not as a representative of, or on behalf of, any other entity (including, without limitation, any past or present employer), except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing between such entity and Benchlink; and (vi) Benchlink, in its sole discretion, may determine your eligibility for membership in the Benchlink Network.
If you are in any way unsure about your ability to comply with these Terms & Conditions, you must decline to participate as a Network Member.
PARTICIPATION IN THE BENCHLINK NETWORK
At all times during your participation in the Benchlink Network, you agree to act in good faith, in a professional and workmanlike manner, to the best of your ability, and in accordance with these Terms & Conditions and all applicable laws and regulations. When engaging in Projects or Platform Activity, you agree to abide by any obligations you may have that limit what you can discuss or the scope of your participation in the Benchlink Network.
YOU MUST DECLINE, OR DISCONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN, ANY PROJECT OR PLATFORM ACTIVITY THAT PRESENTS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR WOULD RESULT IN A VIOLATION OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW, THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS, OR YOUR OBLIGATIONS TO PAST OR PRESENT EMPLOYERS OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY.
During the course of your participation in the Benchlink Network you SHALL NOT disclose confidential information, which includes:
Additionally, you will not disclose any information that you are otherwise prohibited from disclosing under applicable law or which might result in your breach of any regulatory, legal, ethical, or professional standard or rule.
You further agree to the following in considering, accepting, and completing Project opportunities:
Additionally, note that most current government officials and government agency officials worldwide are ineligible to participate in the Benchlink Network. If you are one of the few Network Members who are an employee, officer, or other person acting in an official capacity for any government (or its instrumentalities), government-owned or government-controlled organization, enterprise, or entity, or public international organization (e.g., WHO, World Bank, United Nations, etc.), or any political party, party official, or candidate for political office, you agree not to discuss legislation, regulation, policy, contracts, or other business that you are in a position to vote upon or otherwise influence. Further, you agree to promptly notify Benchlink if you become an elected official, candidate for political office, or employee, officer, or other person acting in an official capacity for any government (or its instrumentalities), government-owned or government-controlled organization, enterprise, or entity, public international organization, or political party.
You further agree to abide by Benchlink’s Code of Conduct for Network Members, as made available on the Benchlink website and via other means of communication from time to time.
Certain market research Projects conducted through the Benchlink Network (including surveys, qualitative research, integrated insights projects, and similar engagements), and certain other Projects, may be designed to be conducted on a blinded basis such that your identity and the identity of your current employer (if any) will not be shared with the Client. Notwithstanding Benchlink’s limitations on consulting about your employer, for these blinded Projects, you may be asked to discuss non-confidential insights related to your employer. As with all Benchlink Projects, you must not share confidential information and must honor your obligations to your current and former employers (if any) and any other entities to which you have such obligations.
Benchlink will, from time to time, inform you of additional rules that you are required to observe and specific topics that you are not permitted to discuss. You agree to observe these rules and any limitations imposed by Benchlink on what you may discuss.
You represent that you have not been:
Further, in the event that you are, or have been in the past, accused of a felony or any offense involving dishonesty or deception, or sued for theft of corporate assets, fraud, breach of any confidentiality or nondisclosure agreement, breach of fiduciary duty, or any similar action, you agree to promptly disclose such information to Benchlink by emailing COMPLIANCE@BENCHLINK.COM. While Benchlink reserves the right to verify this information independently, you agree to notify Benchlink immediately if your status changes with respect to any of these representations.
IF YOU BECOME CONCERNED WITH THE NATURE OF ANY INQUIRY OR PROJECT BY A CLIENT, IF A CLIENT ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE YOUR DECISIONS IN ANY WAY, OR IF A CLIENT IS MARKETING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES TO YOU RATHER THAN CONDUCTING RESEARCH, YOU MUST DISCONTINUE YOUR PARTICIPATION AND NOTIFY BENCHLINK IMMEDIATELY BY EMAILING COMPLIANCE@BENCHLINK.COM. To encourage you to err on the side of caution, if you discontinue a Project in order to comply with these Terms & Conditions and promptly notify Benchlink, you may submit a payment request for the full time you set aside for the consultation. You agree to cooperate fully in any Benchlink inquiry concerning actual, alleged, or potential violations of these Terms & Conditions or any applicable law.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF BENCHLINK AND CLIENT INFORMATION
While you are a Network Member and thereafter, you agree not to disclose, attempt to use, or personally benefit from (including, without limitation, using to trade securities or make investment decisions) any Restricted Information (as defined below) that is disclosed to or otherwise known by you as a result of your participation in the Benchlink Network, until such time as such Restricted Information has become publicly available through no action or omission of your own, except to the extent required by applicable law or as expressly permitted by Benchlink for the purpose of facilitating a particular Project. The following information shall be considered strictly confidential: (1) the identity of Clients (for example, you may not list Clients on your résumé, personal website, or any business or professional networking profile); (2) information about Projects, including Project invitations and any lists or platforms to which you are granted access; (3) information relating to any actual or potential business, investment, or trading decisions or transactions of any Client; (4) materials, documents, data, or other information provided to you by a Client; and (5) any other non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of Benchlink or its Clients (collectively, “Restricted Information”). If you are compelled by order of a court or other governmental or legal authority (or have notice that such an order is being sought) to disclose any Restricted Information to any person or entity, you shall promptly notify Benchlink of such requirement, unless you are expressly prohibited from doing so by the terms of a government subpoena or court order, and you shall cooperate fully with Benchlink in seeking to protect such Restricted Information to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law. Upon the request of Benchlink or the applicable Client, you agree to promptly return or destroy all Restricted Information in your possession, custody, or control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and only to the extent strictly necessary, you may disclose the general subject matter of a Project and a high-level description of the Client solely for the purpose of obtaining any required third-party consent to your participation as a Network Member or in a particular Project, provided that such disclosure does not reveal the identity of the Client or any other Restricted Information beyond what is strictly required.
Some Projects or Platform Activities may be collaborative in nature and may involve interaction or cooperation with other Network Members. You owe the same duty of confidentiality and non-disclosure to such other Network Members as you owe to Clients under these Terms & Conditions. Additionally, if, during the course of any Project or Platform Activity, you are first introduced to other Network Members, you may not, directly or indirectly, solicit, engage, or attempt to engage such Network Members for projects, consulting, advisory, or other engagements outside of the Benchlink Network without the prior written consent of Benchlink.
NETWORK MEMBER INFORMATION
You agree to provide Benchlink with accurate and complete biographical and professional information, including, without limitation, your current employment or job status, any directorships or similar positions you hold, and at least two (2) years of employment history, and to promptly update such information as it changes.
Benchlink or its Clients may request additional information from you, including, without limitation, your availability, areas of expertise, knowledge of or experience with specific companies, industries, products, or services, or your suitability to consult on particular topics or generally. Collectively, such information about you, together with any information contained in your Benchlink Network Member profile and any photographs, images, or other materials you choose to add to your profile, constitute your “Network Member Information.” While Benchlink may, from time to time, revise or supplement Network Member Information on your behalf based on information provided by you or other available sources, you remain solely responsible for maintaining, updating, and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of your Network Member Information. You acknowledge and agree that Benchlink, its Clients, and Benchlink’s third-party partners may rely on your Network Member Information when evaluating your suitability for, and selecting you to participate in, Projects. Accordingly, you agree not to accept or participate in any Project with any Client unless your Network Member Information is accurate, complete, and up to date.
You agree that Benchlink may, at its discretion, verify your identity, conduct background checks on you (including through one or more third-party service providers), seek to confirm your employment history and educational credentials, and review publicly available information relating to you (including, without limitation, information regarding criminal, regulatory, or civil matters) that may affect a Client’s or Benchlink’s willingness to engage with you. You agree to proactively disclose to Benchlink any such information that may be negative or adverse so that Benchlink may assess whether it could impact your ability to participate in the Benchlink Network or engage with Clients. Benchlink may also verify the accuracy of payment requests you submit and confirm the substance or scope of your discussions with Clients in connection with Projects. You agree to cooperate fully with Benchlink in connection with any such background checks, verifications, or inquiries.
Clients may be required, pursuant to applicable law, regulation, or their internal compliance policies, to disclose certain information regarding their interactions with you, including, without limitation, your identity and the amount of compensation paid to you, to third parties (“Required Client Disclosures”). You hereby authorize Clients, or Benchlink on their behalf, to make any such Required Client Disclosures and agree to provide any additional information reasonably requested and necessary to enable the completion of such Required Client Disclosures.
You consent to Benchlink contacting you by email, telephone, SMS, or other means of communication for purposes including, without limitation, administering and managing your membership in the Benchlink Network, providing you with opportunities to participate in Projects or other Platform Activities, facilitating required approvals or consents for Project participation, complying with applicable laws and Client compliance requirements, and informing you about Benchlink’s business, services, and related matters.
DATA PROTECTION
Benchlink will process Network Member Information in accordance with Benchlink’s Privacy Policy. In the course of providing services, complying with its contractual and regulatory obligations, and operating its business, Benchlink may process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Further information regarding Benchlink’s data processing activities is set forth in the Benchlink Privacy Policy, which is made available on the Benchlink website. Additional copies of the Benchlink Privacy Policy are available upon request.
The Benchlink Privacy Policy describes, among other things: (a) the collection and creation of personal data by, or on behalf of, Benchlink; (b) the categories of personal data processed; (c) the lawful bases for such processing; (d) the purposes for which such personal data is processed; (e) the disclosure of personal data to third parties, including processors; (f) the international transfer of personal data; (g) the technical and organizational measures implemented to protect personal data; (h) Benchlink’s compliance with principles relating to data accuracy, data retention, and data minimization; (i) the rights of data subjects; and (j) contact details for enquiries and for the exercise of applicable data protection rights. The Benchlink Privacy Policy may be updated or revised from time to time without prior notice, and you are encouraged to review it periodically.
In the event that you disclose the personal data of any third party to Benchlink, you shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, inform such third party of the Benchlink Privacy Policy prior to making such disclosure.
You agree to process any personal data you receive from Benchlink in accordance with the applicable provisions of these Terms & Conditions, the Benchlink Privacy Policy, and any reasonable instructions provided by Benchlink.
For more details regarding how your Personal Data is processed, including your rights and how to exercise them, please consult the Benchlink Privacy Policy located at: https://www.benchlink.io/privacy-policy
ASSIGNMENT, ACCEPTANCE & SCOPE OF PROJECTS
Your participation in Projects and Platform Activities is always at your discretion. Benchlink makes no representations or guarantees regarding the frequency, quantity, timing, or type of invitations to Projects or Platform Activities that you may receive or in which you may be selected to participate. Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by Benchlink or stated in the applicable Project invitation, you will be compensated only for the time you actually spend interacting with Clients in connection with Projects at your agreed-upon rate. You will not be compensated for preparation time, waiting time, administrative time, or time set aside for a Project if the Project with a Client does not occur for any reason. You may not assign, subcontract, or delegate any Project or Platform Activity, or any portion of your obligations or work thereunder, to any other person or entity (including, without limitation, any employees, partners, or contractors of your firm) without the prior written consent of Benchlink.
All interactions with Clients must be arranged exclusively through Benchlink or Benchlink’s systems and platforms. You are not permitted to share your contact information (including telephone number or email address) directly with any Client without the prior written consent of Benchlink. If a Client contacts you directly without having arranged the applicable Project through Benchlink, and you nevertheless consult with or provide services to such Client, you shall not be entitled to any payment or compensation from Benchlink for such interaction, even if such interaction relates to or follows up on a prior Project that was arranged through Benchlink. Clients are not authorized to expand, modify, or otherwise alter the scope of any Project except with the prior written authorization of Benchlink.
COMMUNICATION WITH THIRD PARTIES
In performing Project work on behalf of Clients, you shall not interact with any third parties except with the prior written authorization of Benchlink. If you are authorized to interact with a third party, you agree to advise such third party that you are not seeking, and do not wish to receive, any confidential information, including material non-public information, and that such third party must comply with all existing obligations owed to any third parties, including, without limitation, past or present employers. Further, during any such interactions, the following conduct is strictly prohibited:
COMPLIANCE WITH ANTI-CORRUPTION LAWS
You acknowledge that you are aware of, and commit yourself to comply with, applicable anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, including, without limitation, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, Sapin II, and other applicable anti-corruption or anti-bribery laws. Accordingly, when performing work on behalf of Benchlink or its Clients, you shall not accept, offer, promise, or pay any money, gift, or other thing of value, directly or indirectly, to or from any person:
NON-SOLICITATION OF CLIENTS
Membership in the Benchlink Network is non-exclusive and there is no minimum time commitment, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing. As a condition of your participation in the Benchlink Network, with respect to any Client to whom you are first introduced through Benchlink, you agree that, for a period of one (1) year from the date of your most recent Project with, or introduction to, such Client, you will not knowingly solicit Projects from, or propose, enter into, or agree to any consulting, advisory (including, without limitation, board or directorship roles), or employment relationship with such Client, whether directly or indirectly, without the prior written permission of Benchlink. This provision shall not prohibit you from being retained by a Client to provide legal advice. In addition, for a period of one (1) year following the termination of your relationship with Benchlink for any reason, you agree not to knowingly solicit for employment any employee of Benchlink or any employee of a Client to whom you were first introduced as a result of your status as a Network Member.
MEMBER PROGRAMS
Network Members who are enrolled in Member Programs may be eligible to participate in additional types of Projects, including, without limitation, in-person or virtual meetings and events, written deliverables, and more in-depth or time-intensive engagements. Network Members who are not enrolled in Member Programs may be limited to participation in a restricted number of telephone consultations and online surveys.
You acknowledge and agree that Benchlink, in its sole discretion, may determine your eligibility for Member Programs or any other programs that may be offered from time to time. You further acknowledge that participation in Member Programs or other Benchlink programs may require the execution of one or more additional written agreements, which shall supplement and form part of these Terms & Conditions.
NETWORK MEMBER CONTENT
You represent and warrant that any materials, regardless of format, that you submit, upload to a Benchlink website or platform, or otherwise provide to a Client or to Benchlink, whether orally or in writing (collectively, “Content”), are your own intellectual property or that you have obtained all necessary permissions, licenses, or rights to such Content. You are solely responsible for your Content, and you agree not to submit any Content that is unlawful, threatening, defamatory, profane, deceptive, misleading, infringes the rights of any third party, or otherwise violates these Terms & Conditions.
Content Created for Client(s); Client Compliance
As part of a Project, you may be requested or required to create content for a Client (“Project Content”). You hereby irrevocably assign, convey, and transfer to the applicable Client all right, title, and interest in and to such Project Content, and agree that all Project Content shall be solely and exclusively owned by the Client. You further agree to cooperate fully with the Client and to execute and deliver any documents reasonably requested by the Client to enable the Client to secure, register, and enforce, in the United States and any foreign countries, copyrights and other intellectual property rights in any works owned by or assigned to the Client. The Client may use the Project Content for any purpose permitted under the Client’s agreement with Benchlink, which may include, without limitation, reproduction, disclosure, transmission, publication, broadcast, and posting, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by Benchlink and the Client. Content that you create independently of any Project (“Retained Content,” and together with Project Content, “Content”) shall remain your property, and you retain all right, title, and interest in and to such Retained Content; provided, however, that you hereby grant to the applicable Client a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, and transferable license to use any Retained Content that is incorporated into or forms part of any Project Content. Without limiting the foregoing, you agree that each Client shall be free to use any ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, or methodologies contained in any Content you transmit to such Client for any purpose whatsoever, including, without limitation, developing, manufacturing, and marketing products or services using such information. Any inventions, discoveries, developments, or improvements that are based in whole or in part on any Content or information you create for a Client in the course of a Project, and all associated intellectual property rights, shall be owned exclusively by, and shall be the sole and proprietary property of, the Client.
You further consent to Clients of Benchlink recording and transcribing your consultations or other interactions with them (“Client Recordings”), and agree that all such Client Recordings shall be owned by the applicable Client and may be used by such Client and by Benchlink for any purpose permitted under the applicable Client’s agreement with Benchlink. As part of their compliance and monitoring protocols, certain Clients may have a professional or independent third party (in addition to the Client personnel with whom you are interacting) chaperoning telephone or other consultations. In some instances, such chaperoning may be unannounced, and you may not be notified of such presence. By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, you expressly consent to consultations being chaperoned, recorded, and/or transcribed at the discretion of the Client.
Other Content
Syndicated Content: You retain ownership of Retained Content that you submit for sale or license to Clients (“Syndicated Content”); however, you hereby grant Benchlink a limited, non-exclusive license to market, promote, distribute, and sell such Syndicated Content on its websites, platforms, and through other channels, including, without limitation, by displaying samples or limited portions of such Syndicated Content to prospective purchasers (including through third-party partner websites), and to process such Syndicated Content for use in connection with Benchlink’s automated search, recommendation, and suggestion systems.
Benchlink Publications: Content that you submit for publication by Benchlink (“Publications”), other than Syndicated Content, shall be owned exclusively by Benchlink, and you shall retain no license or other rights to use such Publications except as may be expressly provided by Benchlink in the applicable publication terms.
Recordings/Transcriptions: Benchlink may invite you to participate in a Project in which your image and/or voice may be recorded and/or transcribed (“Benchlink Recordings”) by Benchlink, a Client, or their respective agents, including, without limitation, at a live or virtual meeting, webcast, conference call, conference, interview, or similar event. You agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Terms & Conditions, Benchlink (or, if applicable, the Client that records the Project as facilitated by Benchlink) shall own all Benchlink Recordings and shall have the exclusive right to attribute such recordings to you and to use, distribute, sell, reproduce, publish, reprint, modify, adapt, sublicense, and publicly display such Benchlink Recordings, in whole or in part, in original form or as edited or modified, in all languages and formats, for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.
Content License: With respect to all Content other than Project Content, Retained Content, Syndicated Content, and Recordings, you hereby grant Benchlink a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, and exclusive license to use, distribute, reproduce, publish, reprint, modify, adapt, sublicense, and publicly display such Content, in whole or in part, in original form or as edited or modified, in all languages and formats, for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.
Content Release & Indemnification: You hereby release Benchlink, and all persons acting under its permission or authority, from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or causes of action, including, without limitation, claims for defamation, copyright infringement, or invasion of privacy, arising out of or relating to your Content. You further agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Benchlink and its Clients from and against any and all third-party claims, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or relating to any allegation that your Content, or the use of your Content, infringes or misappropriates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, or other intellectual property or proprietary right of any third party.
RELIANCE BY CLIENTS
These Terms & Conditions are intended to benefit Clients. Clients expect that all Projects will be carried out in accordance with these Terms & Conditions and applicable laws and regulations and that, among other things, they will not receive any confidential information, including material non-public information, and that their own Restricted Information will not be disclosed. Clients may, from time to time, request that you confirm your compliance with any provision of these Terms & Conditions, as well as any additional terms, representations, certifications, or compliance policies required by a Client as a condition of your participation in, or payment in connection with, a Project (“Confirmations”). You agree that, to the extent you have provided any such Confirmations, you shall be legally bound to comply with and honor such Confirmations in addition to these Terms & Conditions. You further agree and acknowledge that the applicable Client shall have the right to directly enforce your compliance with any such Client Confirmations, if any. You understand and agree that other Network Members, each Client, and any individual or entity with whom you may interact in connection with any Project or Platform Activity are intended third-party beneficiaries of these Terms & Conditions and of the covenants and agreements made by you hereunder, and that Clients, as intended third-party beneficiaries, shall have the right to directly enforce your compliance with these Terms & Conditions.
POST-PROJECT ATTESTATION
You acknowledge and agree that Benchlink and/or the applicable Client may require you, upon completion of a Project, to attest to your compliance with these Terms & Conditions and with any additional terms, representations, or compliance policies applicable to such Project, including confirmation that, during the Project: (1) you did not disclose to the Client any confidential information, including material non-public information, or any information obtained under a duty of trust, or disclose any information unlawfully or inappropriately; (2) you did not breach any obligation to any third party, including, without limitation, a current or former employer; (3) you complied with, and will continue to comply with, these Terms & Conditions of Network Membership and Benchlink’s applicable compliance policies and procedures; and (4) you will not use, or disclose to any third party, any information you obtained from the Client in connection with the Project. You agree to immediately notify Benchlink if you believe that there has been any violation of the foregoing requirements by emailing COMPLIANCE@BENCHLINK.COM or by contacting Benchlink through the applicable communication channels made available to Network Members. You further agree and acknowledge that, by submitting an invoice to Benchlink or requesting payment for any Project, you are expressly attesting to and confirming the foregoing conditions with respect to such Project.
PAYMENTS
You are responsible for submitting a complete and accurate Payment Request Form for each Project following its completion, including providing all required payment details requested by Benchlink for that specific Project. You are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted in each Payment Request Form is accurate, complete, and up to date. If you are employed, you must comply with any policies of your employer that may apply to receiving payment from Benchlink.
Unless otherwise expressly stated or agreed in writing by Benchlink, you must submit the applicable Payment Request Form through Benchlink’s designated systems within thirty (30) days following the completion of the relevant Project for the services you performed. To the extent that any post-Project attestations are required in connection with a Project, such attestations must be completed and submitted as a condition to receiving payment.
Payments shall be calculated based on the applicable rate agreed for the relevant Project at the time of Project acceptance, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Benchlink or expressly specified in the applicable Project invitation. For telephone or video consultations, compensation shall be based on the total number of minutes spent interacting with the Client, as recorded in Benchlink’s and/or in any third-party systems, and any partial minutes shall be rounded down to the nearest whole minute. If you or your employer has specified that payments are to be remitted to your employer, you agree that, for so long as your relationship with such employer remains in effect (or until your employer provides written notice to the contrary), all payments shall be made directly to your employer.
Payment terms applicable to Platform Activities, if any, shall be governed by the terms set forth on Benchlink’s websites with respect to the applicable Platform Activity or as otherwise agreed in writing by Benchlink. Benchlink reserves the right, in its discretion, to consolidate or combine multiple payments owed to you.
If a Client disputes your request for payment, the amount of time billed, or the quality or scope of your work performed in connection with any Project or Platform Activity, Benchlink may withhold payment until such dispute has been resolved. You agree that, in the event of any payment dispute, Benchlink shall have the sole and final authority to resolve such dispute in its reasonable discretion, and you agree to be bound by Benchlink’s determination. You further acknowledge and agree that you shall not be entitled to payment for any Project or Platform Activity to the extent Benchlink reasonably determines that you have violated these Terms & Conditions or Benchlink’s compliance rules, including, without limitation, by providing inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information in a Payment Request Form or by referring third parties in violation of applicable law or Benchlink’s referral rules. To the extent you have already received payment for any Project or Platform Activity involving such violations, Benchlink shall have the right to recover such payments in full.
Benchlink may require you to provide additional information relating to you or your employer or organization (including, without limitation, date of birth, government-issued identification numbers, tax identification numbers, or similar information) as part of its security, compliance, or payment procedures. To help protect your information from misuse by third parties, you agree to provide such information, and any updates to your banking or payment details, only through Benchlink’s designated Payment Request Form or other secure channels specified by Benchlink, and not via email.
You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for the payment of all taxes, duties, levies, or other governmental charges applicable to the compensation you receive from Benchlink, in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable in your jurisdiction. Benchlink may, where required by applicable law, withhold taxes or make required filings, and you agree to provide Benchlink with any documentation reasonably requested to support tax compliance. All fees, charges, or costs imposed by financial institutions or payment service providers in connection with processing payments to you shall be borne solely by you.
AGREEMENT DETAILS
Right to Injunction/Limitation on Liability
In the event that you breach, or threaten to breach, any of the obligations contained in the terms of use of Benchlink’s websites or the Sections of these Terms & Conditions titled Communication with Third Parties, Confidentiality of Benchlink and Client Information, or Non-Solicitation of Clients, you acknowledge and agree that monetary damages alone may be an inadequate remedy for such breach and that Benchlink and/or the applicable Client shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any actual or threatened breach and to maintain the status quo, without the necessity of posting a bond or proving actual damages.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Benchlink be liable to you or to any other party for any damages arising out of or relating to your participation as a Network Member, the performance of any services by you as a Network Member, the processing of personal data by or relating to you, or the business operations of Benchlink, including, without limitation, any indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages, regardless of the theory of liability and even if Benchlink has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Benchlink agrees that, for its part, it shall not seek to impose on any individual Network Member liability for damages based solely on such Network Member’s performance of services hereunder, including, without limitation, incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages, provided that such damages do not arise out of or relate to the Network Member’s failure to comply with these Terms & Conditions (including any referenced guidelines or restrictions), or any conduct or activity constituting gross misconduct, fraud, willful misconduct, or a violation of applicable law. You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for your actions and omissions. Benchlink shall have no obligation to defend you, provide legal representation to you, or pay any legal fees, costs, or expenses incurred by you in connection with any dispute, claim, investigation, or proceeding.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms & Conditions, and any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms & Conditions, your participation in the Benchlink Network, or any Project or Platform Activity (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise), shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Korea, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
The parties agree that the Seoul Central District Court of the Republic of Korea shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any such dispute, controversy, or claim, except where mandatory provisions of applicable law provide otherwise.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Survival of Certain Provisions
The provisions of the sections (including any subsections) entitled Non-Solicitation of Clients, Network Member Content, Data Protection, Confidentiality of Benchlink and Client Information, Reliance by Clients, and Agreement Details shall survive any termination or expiration of these Terms & Conditions.
Termination
Subject to your obligation to complete any Projects for which you have already agreed to participate, you may withdraw from the Benchlink Network at any time upon notice to Benchlink. Benchlink reserves the right, at its discretion and subject to applicable law, to terminate or limit your participation in the Benchlink Network and any Member Programs at any time and for any reason.
By signing these Terms & Conditions, you acknowledge and agree that you are making express representations to Benchlink and its Clients that you will comply with, and fully perform, all of your obligations and responsibilities as set forth in these Terms & Conditions.
End of Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions are effective as of February 28, 2026
