31 July 2024, 8:21

Hello Mahara community,

We have published updated our Mahara Subscription Terms that went into effect on Monday, 29 July 2024, for new subscription agreements. Current subscribers will have received an email outlining when these terms come into effect for them. If you subscribed via a Business Partner, please watch out for a communication from them.

Here I'd like to briefly outline what is changing.

• Enhanced readability: We've made several changes to enable you to find information and complete tasks effortlessly. These include:
  • Simplified language: We now use plain English whenever possible, such as 'we' or 'us' instead of 'Catalyst.'
  • Same with same: We've grouped content that is addressed to a specific client type. For instance, the payment terms are now divided into two (2) sections based on whether you're a direct subscriber or acquiring a Mahara subscription through a Business Partner.
  • Headings: To better orient you, we've added more headings. For example, our existing right to audit your Mahara instances is now in a standalone clause, rather than being part of the provisions around Subscription Fees.
  • Pruning: We've removed any extra or unnecessary words to make the terms clearer and more straightforward.
• Payment terms: Based on feedback from the community, we have made the following changes:
  • Added a new clause to deal with paying Subscription Fees in currencies other than US Dollars.
  • Made it clear that we can only terminate the agreement, suspend services, charge interest, and recover reasonable costs when an invoice remains unpaid and is 'undisputed' by you.
• New definitions: We have provided new definitions for:
  • 'Non-Production Sites', which don’t attract Subscription Fees unless you only have Non-Production Sites; and
  • our 'Extended Security Support' service.
• Service levels: For our 'Limited Support Services' we now commit to a specific response time frame, and a process for agreeing a resolution time with you.
• Referring a dispute to arbitration: Previously, only we could refer a dispute to commercial arbitration if the other party was not engaging in the resolution process. This right is now mutual.
• Applied the Mahara branding: We've applied the Mahara branding to the document to keep it consistent with our brand for the project.

Thank you

Kristina