Stratus 2026 & Stratus Online are now available as part of your Stratus subscription. Click here to learn more
Logo of StudioPlus Software, creators of Stratus the best all-in-one business management software for photographers
Start Free Trial
Legal

StudioPlus Payments Service Terms of Use

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between StudioPlus Software LLC (“Company,” “StudioPlus,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and you (“User,” or “you”) governing your access to and use of our proprietary payment processing algorithm and integration software (collectively, the “Service” or “Algorithm”).

By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.

1. Description of Service

The Service functions as a technical middleware and gateway service designed to facilitate the secure transmission of transaction data between your StudioPlus account (“Client Account”) and our designated Merchant Services Provider (“MSP”).

You acknowledge that StudioPlus is a technology provider, not a bank, credit union, money transmitter, nor a Merchant Services Provider. We do not hold, transfer, or settle funds. Our role is strictly limited to the technical routing of data.

2. Relationship with Merchant Services Provider (MSP)

For operation of the Service, we maintain a relationship with one (or more) supported MSPs.

  1. Separate Agreements: Use of the Service requires you to (a) be approved by an MSP and (b) enter into and comply with the MSP Agreement. StudioPlus is not a party to your MSP Agreement.
  2. MSP Actions: We are not responsible for any actions taken by the MSP, including but not limited to withholding funds, declining transactions, freezing accounts, disputes, chargebacks, or imposing reserves or reserve requirements. You acknowledge that an MSP may undertake such actions in accordance with its MSP agreement.
  3. Supported MSPs: Supported MSPs may change over time. StudioPlus may add, remove, or replace MSP integrations. If we discontinue support for an MSP, we will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide advance notice, except where changes are required by law, security concerns, or MSP requirements.

3. License and Access

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, and revocable license to access and use the Service solely for business purposes to process payments from your Account or other StudioPlus services.

You agree not to:

  1. Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Algorithm.
  2. Use the Service for any illegal activity or to process payments for prohibited goods/services
  3. Attempt to bypass or break any security mechanism of the Service.

StudioPlus may suspend or terminate access to the Service if we reasonably believe you are engaging in prohibited or high-risk activity, or if required by the MSP, card networks, or law.

4. Data, Privacy, Security, and PCI Compliance

You authorize StudioPlus to collect, use, and share Transaction Data and related account information as necessary to provide the Service, support your use of the Service, prevent fraud, comply with law, and enforce these Terms. This may include sharing information with the MSP and other service providers acting on our behalf. StudioPlus will handle personal information in accordance with our privacy policy and any applicable data processing terms provided with your StudioPlus account.

  1. Our Responsibility: Card security is primarily the responsibility of the MSP. To the extent necessary, and to the extent any such information is in our possession, we agree to maintain compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) to the extent applicable to our storage, processing, or transmission of cardholder data.
  2. Your Responsibility: You are solely responsible for the security of your Client Account and your own IT environment. You acknowledge you must not store cardholder data (such as full credit card numbers or CVV codes) in unencrypted logs or prohibited storage areas, including any databases or other service that we may provide for your use.
  3. Credentials: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your API keys, tokens, and login credentials. You accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your credentials.

5. Fees and Payment

  1. Service Fees: You agree to pay the fees set forth in our then-current Pricing Schedule, which may include per-transaction fees, monthly access fees, or volume-based pricing.
  2. MSP Fees: Our fees are separate from and in addition to any transaction fees, discount rates, or assessments charged by the MSP or the card brands (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). You acknowledge that any MSP may provide financial incentives to StudioPlus in contemplation of our agreement with such MSP.
  3. Billing: You authorize StudioPlus and/or the MSP to invoice you, charge any payment method you have provided, debit any bank account you have authorized, or deduct amounts from payouts otherwise due to you, for StudioPlus fees, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any authorization you provide.

6. Settlement, Refunds, Chargebacks, and Reserves

Settlement and funding are handled by the MSP. The MSP may delay, withhold, or reverse funds, impose reserves, or debit your bank account for chargebacks, refunds, fines, or negative balances in accordance with the MSP Agreement.

You are responsible for:

  • Refunds and cancellations, including processing refunds in a timely manner and in accordance with your End Customer-facing policies.
  • Chargebacks and disputes, including responding to dispute requests and providing documentation when requested by the MSP.
  • Maintaining sufficient funds to cover refunds, chargebacks, fees, and any other debits or adjustments imposed under the MSP Agreement.
  • Complying with all card network rules and payment method rules applicable to your transactions.

StudioPlus may provide tools to help you manage refunds and disputes, but StudioPlus does not control MSP outcomes and is not responsible for chargeback decisions or losses.

7. Intellectual Property

All rights, title, and interest in and to the Services, any Algorithm contained therein, including all related intellectual property rights, source code, APIs,and documentation, are and will remain the exclusive property of StudioPlus. You acquire no ownership interest in the Service.

8. Warranties and Disclaimers

The Service is provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE.”

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we expressly disclaim all warranties, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or completely secure. We do not warrant that the Services will be compatible with every transaction or customer.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, StudioPlus shall not be liable for any lost profits, lost revenue, or failure to settle funds caused by the MSP or banking networks; any errors in data transmission caused by internet connectivity issues, third-party software failures, or incorrect input; or, any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.

In no event shall our total liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms exceed the total amount of fees paid by you to us for the Service during the three (3) months immediately preceding the incident giving rise to the claim.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless StudioPlus and its officers, directors, and employees from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Service, your violation of these Terms, your violation of any third-party right, including any intellectual property right or privacy right, your violation of the terms of service of any MSP, or any dispute between you or your customers.

11. Termination

  1. By You: You may stop using the Service at any time. You acknowledge that any such termination may materially affect your ability to use the StudioPlus account or other related services thereto, and StudioPlus shall not be liable for any loss of such access or use of any StudioPlus service in connection with your termination of these Terms of Use.
  2. By Us: We may terminate or suspend your access immediately, without prior notice, if you breach these Terms, if your use of the MSP account is suspended or cancelled, or if we are required to do so by law.
  3. Effect of Termination: Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease.

12. Changes to the Service or Terms

We may modify the Service or these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice through the Service, your Client Account, or by email. Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Collier County, Florida, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction located within Collier County, Florida.

Last Revised: March 1, 2026