13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

13.1 Applicable Law

All agreements, contracts, intellectual property arrangements, and service engagements between you and Isdomain shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles. This includes, but is not limited to, trademark filings, domain registration agreements, branding consulting contracts, and any ancillary legal services provided.

13.2 Jurisdiction & Venue

Any legal action, claim, or proceeding arising out of or relating to these terms, our services, or the relationship between the parties shall be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in San Francisco County, California. Both parties hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue in such courts and waive any objection based on forum non conveniens or improper venue.

13.3 Dispute Resolution Process

3.1 Negotiation & Good Faith Resolution

Before initiating any formal legal proceedings, both parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute through good-faith negotiations. A designated representative from each party shall meet (virtually or in person) within fifteen (15) business days of receiving written notice of a dispute to discuss resolution options.

3.2 Mediation

If negotiations fail to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days, the parties agree to submit the matter to non-binding mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or a mutually agreed-upon alternative dispute resolution provider. Mediation shall take place in San Francisco, California, or via secure virtual conference.

3.3 Binding Arbitration

If mediation does not result in a settlement, any remaining disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator, and the award rendered may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

13.4 Class Action Waiver

Any arbitration or litigation shall be conducted solely on an individual basis. Neither party may bring a claim as a plaintiff or class member in a class, consolidated, or representative action. This waiver applies to all claims, regardless of whether the claim arises under federal, state, or local law.

13.5 Severability & Amendments

If any provision of this section or the broader terms of service is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Isdomain reserves the right to amend, modify, or update this governing law provision at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or posted notice on our legal center.

13.6 International Clients

For clients located outside the United States, these terms remain governed by California law unless a separate international service agreement specifies otherwise. Isdomain makes reasonable efforts to ensure trademark and domain registrations comply with local jurisdictions, but clients remain responsible for verifying regional legal requirements.