PlatformDTC

Brand Owner Agreement (Connected Account Agreement)

Last Updated: April 19, 2026

This Brand Owner Agreement ("Agreement") governs your use of PlatformDTC's payment processing and merchant services as a Brand Owner (merchant) operating a Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") business on the PlatformDTC platform operated by Legalize Freedom LLC, a Delaware limited liability company doing business as "PlatformDTC" ("PlatformDTC", "we", "us").

By creating a Stripe Connected Account through PlatformDTC, opening a storefront, or accepting payments through the Service, you agree to this Agreement in addition to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, and Refund Policy.

You also separately agree to the Stripe Connected Account Agreement and Stripe Services Agreement ("Stripe Agreements"). In case of conflict between this Agreement and the Stripe Agreements, the Stripe Agreements control with respect to Stripe's services.

1. Your Role as Brand Owner

You are the seller of record for all products and services sold through your storefront on PlatformDTC. This means:

  • You own the merchant relationship with the Customer
  • You are responsible for delivering products/services as advertised
  • You handle Customer support, returns, refunds, and disputes (with our assistance)
  • You are responsible for collecting applicable taxes (sales tax, VAT, GST)
  • You comply with all consumer protection, product safety, advertising, and tax laws applicable to your jurisdiction and the Customer's jurisdiction
  • You hold any required licenses or permits for your products/services

PlatformDTC is a technology and payments platform, not a reseller or distributor of your products.

2. Onboarding and Verification

To begin accepting payments, you must:

  1. Create a PlatformDTC account
  2. Complete Stripe Connected Account onboarding, including:
    • Legal business name and structure (Individual, Sole Proprietor, LLC, Corp, etc.)
    • Tax identification number (SSN, EIN, ITIN, or non-US equivalent)
    • Business address
    • Bank account for payouts
    • Government-issued ID
    • Beneficial ownership disclosure for owners holding ≥25%
    • Date of birth and other personal information of the account representative
  3. Provide additional documentation if requested (proof of business, address verification, etc.)
  4. Complete identity verification (which may include selfie matching)
  5. Pass anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions screening

We may suspend or terminate Connected Accounts that fail or refuse verification, present elevated risk, or appear linked to previously terminated accounts.

3. Fees and Payouts

3.1 PlatformDTC Fees

PlatformDTC charges:

(a) A subscription fee based on the plan you select for access to the Service. Current pricing is available at /pricing.

(b) A transaction commission of 1% on each successful sale processed through the Service from Customers to your Connected Account. This commission is automatically deducted from each transaction before payout.

3.2 Stripe Fees

Stripe charges processing fees separately, typically 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge in the US (varies by region and card type). See current Stripe pricing at https://stripe.com/pricing. Stripe fees are deducted from each transaction before payout.

3.3 Payout Schedule

PlatformDTC follows a payout schedule modeled after industry standards (similar to Shopify Payments):

  • Default schedule: Daily, on business days only (Monday through Friday, excluding US federal holidays)
  • Alternative schedules: Brand Owners may elect weekly or monthly payouts via account settings
  • Settlement time: 2 to 5 business days between a Customer's payment capture and funds becoming available for payout. New Brand Owners typically begin at the longer end of this range; settlement time may decrease as the account establishes a reliable fulfillment history
  • No minimum payout amount: payouts of any amount are processed on schedule
  • Weekend transactions: payments captured on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are consolidated and processed together on the next business day
  • Initial holding period: new Connected Accounts may experience a longer settlement window (typically 7–14 days) during the first weeks of activity while transaction history is established
  • Risk-based holds: Brand Owners in higher-risk categories, with elevated chargeback rates, or undergoing review may be placed on a longer hold or subject to a reserve (see Section 3.4)
  • Payout method: ACH transfer to the Brand Owner's verified US bank account. International payouts follow Stripe's supported corridors and timelines

3.4 Reserves

We may establish a reserve (a percentage of your balance held for a specified period) for accounts that:

  • Are new and have limited transaction history
  • Operate in higher-risk categories
  • Show elevated chargeback or refund rates
  • Receive unusually large or atypical transactions

The reserve protects PlatformDTC, Stripe, and Customers in case of chargebacks, refunds, or disputes.

3.5 Negative Balance and Collection

If your account balance becomes negative (e.g., due to chargebacks, refunds, or fees), you authorize us and Stripe to:

  • Deduct from future sales
  • Debit your linked bank account
  • Pursue collection through legal means

You agree to maintain sufficient funds and remain responsible for any negative balance.

4. Your Obligations

4.1 Product and Service Standards

You must:

  • Accurately describe products, services, prices, shipping times, and return policies
  • Deliver as promised, within the advertised timeframe
  • Honor the warranties, guarantees, and refund policies you publish
  • Provide responsive customer support (response time within 48 hours)
  • Maintain accurate inventory and avoid overselling
  • Comply with applicable product safety regulations (FDA, CPSC, EU CE, etc.)

4.2 Publish a Storefront Refund Policy

You must publish a clear refund policy meeting the minimum standards in our Refund Policy, and provide your business contact details (email, support hours).

4.3 Tax Compliance

You are solely responsible for:

  • Determining applicable sales tax, VAT, GST in jurisdictions where you have nexus
  • Collecting and remitting taxes to authorities
  • Providing tax invoices to Customers where required
  • Reporting income to tax authorities

For US merchants meeting IRS thresholds, Stripe will issue Form 1099-K on PlatformDTC's behalf. You must provide W-9 (US) or W-8 (non-US) information when prompted.

4.4 Chargeback Management

You must:

  • Maintain a chargeback ratio below 1% of monthly transactions
  • Respond to chargeback notifications within 5 business days
  • Provide evidence (proof of delivery, communications, terms agreed) when defending disputes
  • Accept that lost disputes result in deduction from your balance plus chargeback fees

Excessive chargeback rates may trigger increased reserves, suspension, or termination, and may incur card network fines that we pass through to you.

4.5 Prohibited Activities

You agree not to engage in any activity prohibited by our Acceptable Use Policy, Stripe's Restricted Businesses, or applicable law.

4.6 Anti-Money Laundering

You must:

  • Provide accurate identity and beneficial ownership information
  • Notify us of any changes in ownership ≥25% within 30 days
  • Cooperate with KYC refresh and source-of-funds inquiries
  • Not engage in structuring, layering, or any money laundering activity
  • Report suspicious activity to compliance@platformdtc.com

5. PlatformDTC's Rights

We reserve the right to:

  • Refund Customers directly when warranted (defective product, undelivered order, fraud) and deduct from your balance
  • Hold funds during dispute investigation or risk review
  • Set transaction limits based on risk profile
  • Suspend or terminate your Connected Account for cause
  • Reverse transactions suspected of fraud or AUP violation
  • Request documentation at any time (invoices, shipping records, fulfillment proof, source of funds)
  • Share information with Stripe, card networks, law enforcement, or regulators as required by law
  • Apply chargebacks, fines, or penalties issued by card networks or Stripe directly to your balance

6. Dispute Resolution Between You and Customers

See our Dispute Resolution Policy. Key points:

  • Customers are encouraged to contact you first
  • If unresolved, Customers may escalate to PlatformDTC
  • PlatformDTC acts as facilitator and may issue final decisions
  • PlatformDTC's decisions are binding regarding refund of funds held in our platform; however, you and the Customer retain any legal rights under applicable law

7. Suspension and Termination

7.1 By You

You may close your Connected Account at any time. Outstanding obligations (chargebacks, refunds, fees) survive closure. Funds may be held for up to 180 days to cover potential disputes.

7.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your Connected Account immediately if:

  • You violate this Agreement, the AUP, or any law
  • You provide false or misleading information
  • You fail KYC, AML, or sanctions screening
  • Your chargeback rate exceeds acceptable thresholds
  • Stripe requires us to do so
  • You become subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, or legal action affecting your ability to operate

7.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Outstanding payouts are processed after holding period
  • Reserve funds may be held up to 180 days
  • Any negative balance becomes immediately due
  • You remain liable for chargebacks, refunds, and fees arising from transactions before termination
  • We may notify Customers of your closure and facilitate refunds where appropriate

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless PlatformDTC, Stripe, and their respective officers, employees, and affiliates from claims, damages, losses, fines, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

  • Your products, services, or business operations
  • Your violation of this Agreement, AUP, or applicable law
  • Disputes between you and Customers
  • Tax liabilities from your transactions
  • IP infringement claims related to your products or content

9. Representations and Warranties

You represent and warrant that:

  • You have all licenses, permits, and authorizations required to operate your business
  • All information provided is accurate, current, and complete
  • You are not on any sanctions list (OFAC SDN, EU sanctions, UN sanctions)
  • You do not operate from a restricted geography (see AUP)
  • You will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and card network rules

10. Modifications

We may update this Agreement. Material changes will be notified at least 14 days in advance via email or in-platform notice. Continued use of payment services after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

11. Governing Law and Disputes

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States. Disputes between you and PlatformDTC are resolved by binding arbitration as described in our Terms of Service.

12. Contact