Independent Contractor Agreement

Blu Codes Inc. (Operating as Owl Mentors)

Effective Date: March 1st, 2026

This Independent Contractor Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between: Blu Codes Inc., operating as Owl Mentors, a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of Canada (“Company”, “Owl Mentors”), AND the undersigned Instructor (“Instructor”, “Contractor”). Collectively referred to as the “Parties.”

1. Nature of Relationship

1.1 Instructor is engaged as an independent contractor.

1.2 Nothing herein creates employment, partnership, franchise, agency, fiduciary, or joint venture relationship.

1.3 Instructor has no authority to bind the Company.

1.4 Instructor is solely responsible for:

  • All global taxes
  • Social security obligations
  • Employment contributions
  • Work permits/visa compliance
  • Insurance coverage

1.5 Instructor waives any claim to:

  • Employee benefits
  • Overtime
  • Severance
  • Vacation pay
  • Pension
  • Equity rights

2. Global Compliance

2.1 Instructor warrants compliance with all applicable laws in their country of residence, including:

  • Labor laws
  • Tax regulations
  • Data protection laws
  • Child safeguarding laws
  • Export control laws
  • Anti-bribery and corruption laws

2.2 Instructor is solely responsible for ensuring legal eligibility to provide services cross-border.

3. Services

3.1 Instructor shall provide online educational services as assigned.

3.2 Company may assign, remove, or reassign students at its sole discretion.

3.3 No minimum hours, income, or exclusivity is guaranteed.

3.4 Company may modify curriculum, pricing, or service structure at any time.

4. Payment Terms

4.1 Compensation shall be per session/hour as agreed separately.

4.2 Payment is conditional upon:

  • Completed session
  • Proper documentation
  • Compliance with policies
  • No breach of Agreement

4.3 Company may withhold payment in cases of:

  • Misconduct
  • Policy violations
  • Fraud
  • Chargebacks or payment disputes

4.4 Instructor bears all banking, transfer, and currency conversion fees.

5. Non-Solicitation & Non-Circumvention (Global)

5.1 Instructor shall not, directly or indirectly:

  • Solicit students or parents introduced by Owl Mentors
  • Offer competing services
  • Divert clients
  • Recruit other instructors

5.2 Applies worldwide during term and for 36 months after termination.

5.3 Breach results in:

  • Immediate termination
  • Liquidated damages of USD $10,000 per incident
  • Injunctive relief
  • Recovery of legal costs

6. Non-Compete (Where Legally Enforceable)

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Instructor shall not provide substantially similar services to competing online mentorship platforms serving Company-introduced clients for 12 months post-termination. If unenforceable in a jurisdiction, the clause shall be modified to the maximum enforceable extent.

7. Confidentiality (Perpetual)

Instructor shall keep confidential all:

  • Student information
  • Parent contact data
  • Pricing
  • Business strategies
  • Technology systems
  • Internal policies
  • Marketing plans
  • Trade secrets

Obligation survives indefinitely.

8. Data Protection & International Privacy

8.1 Instructor agrees to comply with all applicable international data protection laws including but not limited to:

  • GDPR (EU)
  • UK GDPR
  • COPPA (USA)
  • PIPEDA (Canada)
  • Any local child privacy law

8.2 Instructor shall:

  • Not download student data
  • Not store data outside approved systems
  • Not transfer data across borders without authorization
  • Immediately report data breaches

8.3 Instructor shall indemnify Company for privacy violations caused by Instructor.

9. Intellectual Property (Global Assignment)

9.1 All materials created during engagement are “work made for hire.”

9.2 Instructor irrevocably assigns worldwide intellectual property rights to Blu Codes Inc.

9.3 Instructor waives moral rights to the extent permitted by law.

9.4 Company retains ownership of:

  • Curriculum
  • Brand assets
  • Recordings
  • Systems
  • Software
  • Trademarks

10. Recordings & Consent

Instructor consents to:

  • Session recording
  • Monitoring
  • AI quality analysis
  • Use of anonymized content for training

Company owns all recordings globally.

11. Representations & Warranties

Instructor warrants that:

  • All credentials are accurate
  • No criminal background involving minors
  • No pending legal restriction preventing teaching
  • Services will be professional and lawful

False representation is grounds for immediate termination and damages.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Company shall not be liable for:

  • Indirect damages
  • Loss of income
  • Reputation harm
  • Emotional distress
  • Regulatory fines in Instructor's country

Maximum liability shall not exceed total fees paid to Instructor in the 30 days preceding the claim.

13. Indemnification (Strong Global Protection)

Instructor shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Blu Codes Inc., its directors, officers, shareholders, affiliates, and agents from any claims arising out of:

  • Instructor negligence
  • Breach of Agreement
  • Misrepresentation
  • Harassment or misconduct
  • IP infringement
  • Tax claims
  • Data breaches
  • Cross-border legal violations

This obligation survives termination.

14. Insurance

Company may require Instructor to maintain professional liability insurance.

Failure to maintain required insurance may result in suspension.

15. Termination

15.1 Company may terminate at any time, with or without cause.

15.2 Immediate termination for:

  • Student solicitation
  • Inappropriate conduct
  • Legal violations
  • Reputation damage

15.3 No compensation is owed post-termination except for approved completed sessions.

16. Force Majeure

Company is not liable for failure due to:

  • Natural disasters
  • War
  • Pandemics
  • Government actions
  • Internet failures
  • Payment processor issues

17. Dispute Resolution (Mandatory Vancouver, BC)

17.1 This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of British Columbia, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17.2 Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be:

  • Resolved exclusively in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Subject to binding arbitration under the rules of the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre (BCICAC)
  • Conducted in English

17.3 Instructor irrevocably waives:

  • Any objection to jurisdiction
  • Any claim of inconvenient forum
  • Any right to bring claims in another country

17.4 Instructor agrees not to participate in class action or collective proceedings.

18. Severability

If any provision is unenforceable, it shall be modified to the maximum enforceable extent, without affecting remaining provisions.

19. Entire Agreement

This Agreement supersedes all prior communications and constitutes full understanding between Parties.

20. Survival of Provisions

The following sections shall survive termination or expiration of this Agreement indefinitely:

  • Confidentiality
  • Intellectual Property Assignment
  • Non-Solicitation & Non-Circumvention
  • Non-Compete (where enforceable)
  • Indemnification
  • Limitation of Liability
  • Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
  • Arbitration Confidentiality
  • Payment Clawback
  • Reputation Protection
  • Defamation & Non-Disparagement
  • Waiver of Moral Damages
  • Waiver of Punitive Damages
  • Governing Law & Forum Selection
  • Data Protection Obligations
  • Sanctions & Export Compliance

Survival shall apply regardless of the reason for termination.

21. Arbitration Confidentiality

21.1 Any arbitration proceedings, including their existence, filings, evidence, testimony, rulings, and awards, shall be strictly confidential.

21.2 The Parties agree not to disclose:

  • The nature of the dispute
  • The amount claimed
  • Settlement discussions
  • Arbitration outcomes

Except where disclosure is required by law, to legal counsel, or for enforcement of the award.

21.3 Breach of this confidentiality obligation shall constitute material breach and entitle Company to injunctive relief and damages.

22. Mandatory Background Screening

22.1 Instructor agrees to undergo background verification at Company's discretion, including but not limited to:

  • Criminal record check
  • Identity verification
  • Credential verification
  • Reference checks
  • Child abuse registry check (where applicable)

22.2 Instructor authorizes Company to obtain such reports globally.

22.3 Instructor represents and warrants that:

  • They have no convictions involving minors
  • They are legally permitted to work with children

22.4 Failure to pass background screening or misrepresentation shall result in immediate termination without notice or compensation.

23. AI Usage Disclosure & Consent

23.1 Company may use artificial intelligence systems for:

  • Session monitoring
  • Quality assurance
  • Performance analytics
  • Scheduling
  • Fraud detection
  • Content moderation

23.2 Instructor consents to AI-assisted monitoring and analysis of sessions and communications.

23.3 Instructor shall not use AI tools in a manner that:

  • Violates privacy laws
  • Replaces live teaching without disclosure
  • Generates misleading academic work for students

23.4 Company may implement AI-driven compliance monitoring without prior notice.

24. Cybersecurity Compliance

24.1 Instructor shall maintain reasonable cybersecurity safeguards including:

  • Updated antivirus software
  • Secure internet connection
  • Password protection
  • Multi-factor authentication where available

24.2 Instructor shall not:

  • Share login credentials
  • Use unsecured public networks without VPN
  • Store student data locally

24.3 Any suspected breach must be reported within 24 hours.

24.4 Instructor shall be liable for damages arising from negligence in data protection.

25. Export Control Compliance

25.1 Instructor agrees to comply with all applicable export control and trade regulations including but not limited to:

  • Canadian export laws
  • U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
  • International trade restrictions

25.2 Instructor shall not provide services, technology, or materials to restricted or embargoed countries in violation of applicable laws.

25.3 Instructor represents that they are not located in, or ordinarily resident in, any jurisdiction subject to comprehensive trade sanctions.

26. OFAC & Sanctions Compliance

26.1 Instructor represents that they are not:

  • Listed on any sanctions list maintained by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
  • Subject to Canadian sanctions lists
  • Listed by the United Nations sanctions registry
  • Acting on behalf of any sanctioned individual or entity

26.2 Company reserves the right to immediately suspend or terminate engagement if sanctions risk is identified.

26.3 Instructor shall indemnify Company for any penalties arising from Instructor's sanctions violations.

27. Payment Clawback

27.1 Company reserves the right to claw back previously paid compensation in cases of:

  • Fraud
  • Student solicitation
  • Misconduct
  • Chargebacks or refunds
  • Breach of non-circumvention
  • Misrepresentation

27.2 Clawback may occur via:

  • Deduction from future payments
  • Direct reimbursement demand
  • Legal recovery proceedings

27.3 Company may suspend payment pending investigation.

28. Reputation Protection

28.1 Instructor shall not engage in conduct that may reasonably harm the reputation, goodwill, or public image of Blu Codes Inc. or Owl Mentors.

28.2 This includes but is not limited to:

  • Public complaints
  • Social media criticism
  • Negative media engagement
  • Disparaging marketing

28.3 Company reserves the right to terminate engagement where Instructor conduct may cause reputational harm.

29. Defamation & Non-Disparagement

29.1 Instructor agrees not to make any false, misleading, or defamatory statements about:

  • Company
  • Directors or shareholders
  • Employees
  • Students
  • Business operations

29.2 This obligation applies during engagement and indefinitely after termination.

29.3 Breach shall entitle Company to:

  • Immediate termination
  • Injunctive relief
  • Monetary damages
  • Recovery of legal fees

30. Mandatory Professional Conduct Training

30.1 Instructor agrees to complete any mandatory training required by the Company, including but not limited to:

  • Child safeguarding training
  • Professional conduct standards
  • Anti-harassment training
  • Data privacy compliance
  • Cybersecurity awareness
  • AI usage compliance

30.2 Instructor shall complete such training within the timeframe specified by the Company.

30.3 Failure to complete mandatory training may result in:

  • Suspension
  • Withholding of session assignments
  • Termination without notice

30.4 Instructor acknowledges that compliance with Company policies is a material condition of engagement.

31. Waiver of Moral Damages

31.1 To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Instructor irrevocably waives any right to claim moral damages, reputational damages, emotional distress damages, or similar non-economic damages against the Company arising from:

  • Termination
  • Suspension
  • Student reassignment
  • Performance reviews
  • AI monitoring
  • Policy enforcement

31.2 This waiver applies globally and survives termination.

32. Waiver of Punitive & Exemplary Damages

32.1 To the fullest extent permitted by law, Instructor waives any right to recover:

  • Punitive damages
  • Exemplary damages
  • Treble damages
  • Statutory penalties beyond actual proven damages

32.2 In any dispute, recovery shall be limited strictly to direct, provable damages subject to the liability cap stated in this Agreement.

33. Forum Selection Supremacy Clause

33.1 The dispute resolution and jurisdiction provisions of this Agreement shall supersede any conflicting law, rule, or regulation that might otherwise grant jurisdiction in another country.

33.2 Instructor irrevocably agrees that:

  • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada shall be the exclusive forum
  • No foreign court shall have jurisdiction
  • Any proceeding brought outside Vancouver shall be dismissed

33.3 Instructor waives any right to claim that Vancouver is an inconvenient or improper forum.

33.4 This clause applies regardless of Instructor's country of residence.

34. Governing Language

34.1 This Agreement is drafted in the English language.

34.2 If translated into any other language, the English version shall prevail in the event of conflict or inconsistency.

34.3 Instructor acknowledges understanding of the English language and waives any claim based on translation interpretation.

Blu Codes Inc operating as Owl Mentors. Copyright 2026