General Terms & Conditions

alexdejong.com, trading as Microsoft University
Chamber of Commerce (KvK): 17175279 · VAT: NL001893614B59
Contact: alex@alexdejong.com · msftuniversity.com
Version: July 2026

Article 1 — Definitions

1. Contractor: alexdejong.com, trading as Microsoft University, represented by Alex de Jong, registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 17175279 (VAT: NL001893614B59).
2. Client: the legal entity or natural person acting in the course of a business or profession that engages the Contractor.
3. Engagement: any agreement under which the Contractor provides training, courses, keynotes, presentations, workshops, or advisory services (including "CTO as a Service").
4. Written / in writing: including by email.

Article 2 — Applicability

1. These terms apply to all offers, quotations and Engagements between the Contractor and the Client.
2. The applicability of any general (purchasing) terms of the Client is expressly rejected, unless accepted by the Contractor in writing.
3. Deviations from these terms are valid only if agreed in writing and apply solely to the specific Engagement concerned.
4. If any provision of these terms is void or voided, the remaining provisions remain in full force; the parties will replace the affected provision with one that approximates its purpose.

Article 3 — Offers and formation of the agreement

1. All offers and quotations are without obligation and valid for 30 days, unless stated otherwise.
2. An Engagement is formed upon written confirmation by both parties, or when the Contractor commences performance at the Client's request.
3. Quoted prices are exclusive of VAT and exclusive of travel, accommodation and venue costs, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Article 4 — Performance of the Engagement

1. The Contractor will perform the Engagement to the best of his knowledge and ability, in accordance with professional standards. All Engagements constitute obligations of best efforts (inspanningsverplichting), not obligations of result.
2. Where official Microsoft courses are delivered, the Contractor follows the applicable official Microsoft curriculum and Microsoft Certified Trainer program requirements.
3. Dates and times are agreed in consultation. Agreed delivery periods are indicative and never constitute strict deadlines (fatale termijnen).
4. The Client shall ensure, in good time and free of charge, all facilities reasonably required for delivery (venue, equipment, connectivity, lab access, participant information), unless otherwise agreed.
5. The Contractor may engage third parties for the performance of the Engagement. Articles 7:404 and 7:407(2) of the Dutch Civil Code are excluded.

Article 5 — Cancellation and rescheduling by the Client

1. Cancellation must be made in writing. The following fees apply, calculated on the agreed fee for the cancelled part of the Engagement:

   Cancellation received	Fee due
   More than 4 weeks before the (first) delivery date	Free of charge
   Between 4 and 2 weeks before the (first) delivery date	50% of the fee
   Less than 2 weeks before the (first) delivery date	100% of the fee

2. Costs already incurred by the Contractor (including non-refundable travel and accommodation) are payable in full in all cases.
3. Rescheduling at the Client's request within 2 weeks of the delivery date is treated as a cancellation, unless the Contractor accepts the new date without additional charge.

Article 6 — Cancellation by the Contractor

1. In case of illness or other circumstances preventing delivery, the Contractor will where reasonably possible offer a replacement trainer of equivalent qualification or an alternative date.
2. If no alternative is reasonably possible, amounts already invoiced for the undelivered part will be credited. The Contractor is not liable for any further damage arising from such cancellation.

Article 7 — Fees and payment

1. Invoices are payable within 14 days of the invoice date, without set-off or suspension.
2. Upon expiry of the payment term the Client is in default by operation of law and owes the statutory commercial interest (art. 6:119a Dutch Civil Code) plus extrajudicial collection costs in accordance with the applicable Dutch regulations.
3. The Contractor may require full or partial advance payment for new Clients or for engagements of substantial size or duration.
4. Complaints regarding an invoice must be submitted in writing within 14 days of the invoice date and do not suspend the payment obligation.

Article 8 — Intellectual property

1. All intellectual property rights in materials developed or provided by the Contractor (slides, demos, scripts, recordings, documentation) remain with the Contractor or its licensors.
2. The Client receives a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use provided materials internally for the participants of the Engagement. Reproduction, distribution or commercial use requires prior written consent.
3. Official Microsoft courseware remains subject to Microsoft's own licence terms; the Contractor grants no rights to such materials beyond those terms.
4. Recording (audio/video) of trainings or keynotes requires the Contractor's prior written consent.

Article 9 — Confidentiality

1. Both parties shall keep confidential all information of a confidential nature obtained in the context of the Engagement, during and after its term.
2. This obligation does not apply to information that is publicly available, independently developed, or must be disclosed by law or court order.

Article 10 — Privacy and data protection

1. Both parties shall comply with applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR / AVG).
2. Where the Contractor processes personal data of participants (e.g. names, email addresses for course administration), he does so only for the purpose of performing the Engagement and retains such data no longer than necessary.
3. If processing beyond course administration is agreed, the parties will conclude a data processing agreement (verwerkersovereenkomst) where required by the GDPR.

Article 11 — Liability

1. The Contractor's total liability for attributable failure, unlawful act or otherwise is limited to the amount paid by the Client for the Engagement concerned, or — for engagements longer than three months — the fee for the last three months.
2. Liability for indirect damage (including consequential loss, lost profit, lost savings, business interruption and loss of data) is excluded.
3. Advisory services (including "CTO as a Service") reflect the Contractor's professional opinion; decisions based on such advice remain the Client's own responsibility.
4. The limitations in this article do not apply in case of intent or deliberate recklessness of the Contractor.
5. Any claim lapses 12 months after the Client became aware, or could reasonably have been aware, of the damage.

Article 12 — Force majeure

1. Neither party is required to perform any obligation if prevented by force majeure, including illness, travel restrictions, failures of third-party platforms or networks, and government measures.
2. If force majeure lasts longer than 60 days, either party may terminate the Engagement in writing for the unperformed part, without liability for damages. Work already performed will be invoiced pro rata.

Article 13 — Independence and no affiliation

1. The Contractor performs Engagements as an independent contractor. Nothing in the Engagement creates an employment relationship, partnership or agency.
2. The Contractor is a Microsoft Certified Trainer but is not an employee or representative of Microsoft Corporation. "Microsoft University" is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Microsoft Corporation.

Article 14 — Governing law and disputes

1. All Engagements and these terms are governed exclusively by Dutch law.
2. Disputes will first be addressed through good-faith consultation. Failing resolution, disputes are submitted exclusively to the competent court of the district in which the Contractor is registered.

Article 15 — Amendments

1. The Contractor may amend these terms. The version in force at the formation of an Engagement applies to that Engagement.