Terms of business
Provider:
Solaris Services GmbH
Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 36
D-60325 Frankfurt am Main
Offer:
Solaris Services GmbH provides a web-based agency platform for linguistic services and their clients under the name:
TIM® – Translators & Interpreters, Managers
TIM® offers interested parties a suitable service provider from a pool of sworn interpreters and translators, selected based on availability (both in time and location) and qualifications to ensure the best outcome.
If the interested party accepts the offer in written or text form, an agency contract with Solaris Services GmbH is concluded. The service involves:
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The mediation of qualified interpreting services
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The mediation of qualified translation services
The owed result is the interpreting or translation performance. Depending on the case, this can legally involve service or work contract regulations.
All contracts involving Solaris Services GmbH via the TIM® platform are exclusively subject to the following General Terms and Conditions (GTC), which are an integral part of all agreements with Solaris Services GmbH.
1. Scope of the General Terms and Conditions
(1.1) These GTC apply to all contracts between Solaris Services GmbH on one side and its clients and service providers on the other, unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing or where legal provisions oppose their effectiveness.
Deviations, changes, additions, side agreements, reservations, or contract terminations (in whole or in part) not made in writing are invalid.
(1.2) Any counter-confirmations by the client referring to their own terms and conditions are hereby expressly rejected. These only apply if Solaris explicitly acknowledges them in writing and waives the validity of its own GTC.
2. Offer and Conclusion of Contract
(2.1) Offers from Solaris Services GmbH are non-binding until a contract is concluded.
(2.2) A contract is formed when the client accepts a written or text-form offer from Solaris Services GmbH.
3. Scope of Services / Usage Rights
(3.1) Solaris Services GmbH commits to delivering the requested linguistic services in a professional and competent manner. Translations and interpretations are carried out literally or meaningfully, adhering to industry norms and regional language standards.
(3.2) Services are performed in accordance with standard professional practice. Technical terms are translated into commonly accepted or generally understandable forms unless specific instructions or documents are provided by the client.
(3.3) Solaris and its service providers may reject or terminate assignments if they involve illegal, offensive, overly complex content, or under special circumstances making the assignment unreasonable. Such reasons justify immediate termination of the contract for cause.
(3.4) Interpreting services are meant for use at the time of delivery only. Recordings are only permitted with separate agreement and consent of the interpreter. Additional exploitation (e.g., broadcasting or online use) requires separate licensing and fees.
(3.5) Each translation order is considered a contract for copyrighted work, granting usage rights. Translations may not be altered without written permission from Solaris.
(3.6) Solaris grants the client the necessary usage rights for the agreed purpose. Unless otherwise stated, only simple usage rights are granted. Transfer of rights to third parties requires prior written consent.
(3.7) Usage rights transfer only upon full payment. Unpaid translations remain the property of Solaris Services GmbH unless otherwise agreed.
4. Confidentiality and Data Protection
(4.1) Solaris is obliged to keep all information received during interpretation or translation assignments confidential. Exemptions apply only if information was already known or lawfully received from third parties.
(4.2) Client data is stored locally for processing and archiving. Data can be deleted upon request. Data is shared only when necessary for assignment fulfillment and transmitted via encrypted email if no other agreement is in place.
5. Client Cooperation and Duty of Disclosure
(5.1) Clients must inform Solaris of any special execution requirements (e.g., data formats, print readiness) at the time of order. For print projects, a proof must be confirmed.
(5.2) All necessary information and materials must be provided voluntarily, completely, and in good time to allow proper preparation.
6. Performance Time
(6.1) Deadlines for interpreting services are binding. Translation deadlines are considered approximate unless agreed otherwise in writing. Solaris may deliver partial services if reasonable.
(6.2) In cases of force majeure (e.g., strikes, technical disruptions), deadlines are extended. If service becomes impossible or unreasonable, Solaris is released from its obligations. Clients may withdraw from the contract if delays exceed 2 months.
7. Confidentiality (Repeated Clause)
(7.1–7.3) Solaris is committed to maintaining confidentiality, taking precautions to prevent unauthorized access, and not using or sharing information for its own or third-party purposes.
8. Prices and Compensation
(8.1) If no other price is agreed, prices from the current Solaris price list apply. Solaris has discretion over difficulty classification.
(8.2) Interpreting services are billed by the hour or half/full day. Partial hours are counted as full.
(8.3) Written translations are billed per line of target language (if Latin-script), otherwise source language. Partial lines count as full lines.
(8.4) Related costs (e.g., postage, travel) are borne by the client. Travel time is billed by the hour, plus travel expenses.
(8.5) Certification of translations is billed separately.
(8.6) A minimum fee may apply; related expenses are not included.
(8.7) All prices are net and subject to applicable VAT.
9. Payment Terms
(9.1) Clients must provide complete billing details before delivery.
(9.2) Invoices are due within 14 days without deduction unless otherwise agreed. Payments must go to Solaris or its specified bank account.
(9.3) Late payments trigger legal default interest. Higher interest may be charged if Solaris proves higher damage.
(9.4) Offsetting or withholding payments is only allowed if Solaris agrees or if the counterclaims are legally confirmed.
(9.5) Solaris may demand advance payments for large projects. Non-payment entitles Solaris to withdraw and seek damages.
10. Termination / Early Termination
(10.1) If the client cancels a translation order before delivery, Solaris may claim the agreed fee minus saved costs.
(10.2) Early cancellation of interpreting assignments may incur 50%–100% of the agreed fee, depending on timing and effort. Proven expenses are also reimbursable. If Solaris takes another assignment in the meantime, the cancellation fee is reduced.
(10.3) Both parties retain the right to terminate for good cause.
11. Warranty
(11.1) If defects occur, Solaris must be given a chance to correct them. If correction fails, the client may reduce payment or withdraw. Changes made without consent void this right.
(11.2) If no complaint is made within 14 days of delivery, the translation is considered accepted.
12. Limitation of Liability / Statute of Limitations
(12.1) Solaris is liable only for gross negligence or intent. This excludes damage from technical failures or viruses.
(12.2) For slight negligence, liability is limited to essential duties and excludes indirect or consequential damages.
(12.3) Liability is capped at ten times the order value for gross negligence or intent; indirect damages are excluded.
(12.4) Unless expressly agreed, Solaris gives no guarantee that services are suitable for the client’s intended use.
(12.5) Liability exclusions do not apply to consumer injury or health claims.
(12.6) Statutory limitation periods apply.
13. Final Provisions
(13.1) Place of performance: Frankfurt am Main
(13.2) Legal jurisdiction: Federal Republic of Germany
(13.3) Place of jurisdiction: Frankfurt am Main, if parties are merchants or public entities
(13.4) Amendments must be made in writing, including changes to the written form requirement itself.
14. Severability Clause
(14.1) If any provision is invalid, the rest remain effective. Invalid provisions are to be replaced by valid ones closest in economic intent.
(14.2) If gaps exist, they are to be filled with provisions the parties would have agreed upon based on the contract’s intent and purpose.
