Affiliate Terms of Service

Affiliate Disclosure Requirements & Examples

This Affiliate Agreement ("Agreement") contains the complete terms and conditions between, Hostgator.com LLC (“HostGator”) and you, regarding your application to and participation in, the HostGator Affiliate Program (the “Affiliate Program”) as an affiliate of HostGator (an “Affiliate”), and the establishment of links from your website to our website, https://www.HostGator.com.

BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION TO JOIN OR BY PARTICIPATING IN THE AFFILIATE PROGRAM, YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT AND THE HOSTGATOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

1. Definitions

   "Affiliate" - The business, individual, or entity applying to or participating in the Affiliate Program, or that displays HostGator’s products and services and/or promotions on its website, or other means, using an affiliate tracking code in exchange for receiving a commission from HostGator for sales directly resulting from such display.
   
   "Affiliate Platform" - A third party platform, including without limitation, Impact Tech, Inc. (“Impact Radius”) and/or CJ Affiliate by Conversant, LLC (“CJ”) used by HostGator to track Affiliate performance, including specific referrals and commissions earned through the Affiliate Program.
   
   "Affiliate Console" - The Affiliate Console is used by Affiliates to track commissions, view reports, and update contact information and payment preferences. Below are the links to each Affiliate Console:
   
   Impact Radius
   CJ
   
   "Affiliate Site" - The Affiliate's website which displays HostGator’s Products and Services and/or promotions.
   
   "HostGator’s Products and Services" - Web hosting and related products and services that are available for purchase from HostGator.
   
   "Commission Fees" - The amount you will be paid for each Qualified Purchase by a Referred Customer subject to any applicable Commission Threshold and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
   
   "Qualified Purchase" - A sale of HostGator Products and Services by HostGator, with a term of one (1) month or longer, to a Referred Customer that is not excluded under Section 7.
   
   "Referred Customer" - Each new and unique customer referred from Affiliate through a Link (as defined in Section 3) that provides valid account and billing information.

2. Enrollment in the Affiliate Program

   1. To begin the enrollment process, you must submit a completed Affiliate Program signup form. The signup form can be found at https://www.hostgator.com/affiliates

   2. We will evaluate your application and will notify you of your acceptance or rejection in a timely manner. We may reject your application if we determine (in our sole discretion) that your website or promotional method is not suitable for the Affiliate Program for any reason, including, but not limited to, its inclusion of content that is unlawful or otherwise violates our Acceptable Use Policy, as determined in our sole discretion.

   3. If we reject your application, for any reason, you may not re-apply to the Affiliate Program utilizing the same domain name/URL or reapply using a different domain/URL name and then add the previously rejected domain name/URL to your affiliate account. HostGator, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to reject or remove any prospective affiliate from the Affiliate Program at any time, with or without notice.

3. Promotion of Our Affiliate Relationship

   1. Use of Links. If you qualify and agree to participate as an Affiliate, we will make a variety of graphic and textual links available to you (each referred to herein as a "Link" or collectively, as the "Links"). The Links will serve to identify your website as a member of the Affiliate Program and will establish a link from your website or e-mail to HostGator’s website. Unless expressly permitted by HostGator, the Links are to be used on your website and you shall not distribute the Links to third parties to be posted on websites that you do not own. You agree to cooperate fully with us to establish, display, and maintain such Links. You further agree that your use of the Links must be in compliance with this Agreement at all times. HostGator may modify the Links from time to time in its sole discretion. You will not use graphic or textual images (indicating a Link) or text messages to promote HostGator that are not approved in advance by HostGator. Furthermore, you agree not to use cookie stuffing techniques that set the affiliate tracking cookie without the Referred Customer's knowledge (e.g. iframe).

   2. Prohibited Activities. Except as permitted herein, you shall not and are not authorized to (i) use HostGator’s trademark or other intellectual property, including without limitation, the Links (collectively, “HostGator’s IP”) without HostGator’s express prior written permission; (ii) use HostGator’s name (or any variation or misspelling thereof or other terms that are confusingly similar to any of the foregoing) in a domain name, any metatags, advertising, search terms, code, or otherwise; or (iii) act in any way that causes or could cause any confusion concerning the source of, or your association with HostGator’s Products and Services. Your use of HostGator’s IP in any manner, other than as expressly permitted hereunder shall constitute unlawful infringement of HostGator’s intellectual property rights, and may subject you to liability (including potential treble damages for knowing or willful infringement), and the obligation to pay HostGator’s legal fees and costs in connection with HostGator’s enforcement of its rights.

   3. Paid Search Policy. You are required to comply with the following rules when bidding on keywords on any paid search engines or social media site, including without limitation, Google, Yahoo/Bing, Twitter and Facebook:

      1. You are prohibited from bidding on any HostGator trademarks, or any variations and misspellings thereof without HostGator's prior written approval. Examples of prohibited keywords are "hostgator," "HostGator," "hostgator.com," "www.hostgator.com," "host gator," "hostgator reviews," "gator host," "hostgator hosting," and "hostgater."

      2. You are prohibited from bidding on keywords containing HostGator trademarks plus an additional term such as [hostgator coupons], [hostgator promotions], and [hostgator promos]. Further, Affiliates are NOT permitted to

          broad or phrase match any of these keywords.

      3. You are prohibited from outranking HostGator's internal paid search ad on any keywords.

      4. You are prohibited from direct linking to HostGator.com from any paid search ads.

      5. You are prohibited from using HostGator.com as a display URL.

      
      All materials, including without limitation, ad copy, coupons, and promotions on your Affiliate Site must accurately represent active and valid promotions. For example, you may not display an ad on your Affiliate Site for a promotion that has expired. We continue to monitor all paid search landscapes. If you are determined to be in violation of this section your participation in the Affiliate Program may be terminated. For more information on match types, please visit Google's overview of match types.

   4. Discounts and Coupons. You are not allowed to post any refunds, credits or discounts on HostGator Products and Services, or other content concerning HostGator without HostGator’s prior written consent in each instance. Affiliates may only use active coupons and discounts that are provided exclusively through the Affiliate Program using banners and links. Each Link connecting users of the Affiliate Site to the pertinent area of the HostGator website will in no way alter the look, feel, or functionality of the HostGator website. Any violations of the terms surrounding links, coupons, refunds, credits or discounts shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement, and may result in your termination from the Affiliate Program or the withholding of Commission Fees.

4. FTC Endorsement Compliance

   1. It is the intent of HostGator to treat all of our customers fairly. Accordingly, we require all HostGator Affiliates to comply with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines concerning advertising and marketing, including without limitation, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guides, which require that material connections between advertisers and endorsers be disclosed. This means that all Affiliate Sites (e.g. directories, review/rating websites, blogs, and other websites) and any email or collateral that provide an endorsement or assessment of HostGator’s Products and Services must prominently disclose the fact that you receive compensation for Referred Customers.

   2. For more information and suggestions about how to comply with these guidelines, please visit our page entitled "Affiliate Disclosure Requirements and Examples." Please note that this page is only intended to provide guidance. It does not purport to provide legal advice and it does not guarantee that you'll be in compliance with FTC regulations should you follow the suggestions presented. You are advised to seek and obtain your own legal advice on how these rules apply to your website or other promotional activities for which you receive compensation.

   3. HostGator reserves the right to withhold Commission Fees and cancel your participation in the Affiliate Program should we determine, in our sole discretion, that you are not in compliance with the previously mentioned guide or other FTC regulations or guides that we deem relevant.

5. Data Security

   In addition to the obligations set forth in Section 4 (FTC Endorsement Compliance), Affiliate shall comply with all applicable data protection laws regarding the transmission of data exported to or from the United States or the country in which Affiliate resides, including without limitation, the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 of European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (the “GDPR”). Affiliate, as a controller under the GDPR, shall also implement appropriate technical measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk, taking into account the nature, scope, context, and purpose of processing any personal data. Affiliate agrees to promptly assist HostGator in complying with any data subject rights request under the GDPR that HostGator may receive from any individuals referred to HostGator by Affiliate. Affiliate further agrees to promptly assist HostGator in complying with any duties to cooperate with supervisory authorities under the GDPR.

6. Order Processing

   HostGator will process orders placed by Referred Customers who follow the Links from an Affiliate Site to HostGator. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to reject orders that do not comply with certain requirements that we may establish from time to time. All aspects of order processing and fulfillment, including HostGator’s services, cancellation, processing, refunds and payment processing will be our responsibility. We will track the Qualified Purchases generated by your Affiliate Site and will make this information available to you through the applicable Affiliate Platform. To permit accurate tracking, reporting, and commission accrual, you must ensure that the Links between your website and our website are properly formatted.

7. Commission Determination; Qualified Purchases

   1. Commission Fees will be calculated based on the commission rates stated on the HostGator website for each Qualified Purchase (as defined herein) subject to commission accruing pursuant to Section 8 below. A “Qualified Purchase” does NOT include any of the following:

      1. A purchase by a Referred Customer that has transferred from any HostGator partner or entity that owns, is owned by, or is under common ownership with HostGator.

      2. A purchase by a Referred Customer who is also associated with any HostGator reseller, referral, or other program.

      3. A purchase by a Referred Customer that is not up to date on its payments or is subject to a refund, referral, or other program.

      4. A purchase that was completed prior to the Affiliate joining the Affiliate Program or was not tracked properly through an Affiliate Link.

      5. A purchase by a Referred Customer that has not been in good standing for a period of at least thirty (30) days or is in violation of HostGator’s Terms of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, or other applicable policies at the time the Commission Fees accrue.

      6. A purchase that HostGator suspects, in its sole discretion, is the result of fraud, which shall include but is not limited to, the use of software that generates real and fictitious information, multiple accounts from the same customer, or the referral of accounts that do not comply with this Agreement.

      7. A purchase referred by an Affiliate that has an excessive cancellation rate as determined in HostGator’s sole discretion.

      8. A purchase by a Referred Customer if the Referred Customer was offered or received coupons, refunds, credits or discounts from the Affiliate.

      9. A purchase by a Referred Customer if the Affiliate or Referred Customer is in or is promoting a business-opportunity program, as determined in HostGator’s sole discretion.

      10. A purchase by a Referred Customer who received a popup with a discounted offer, while leaving HostGator’s website during their purchase.

      11. A purchase by a Referred Customer engaging in "Domain Speculation," which is determined by the identification of two (2) web hosting accounts with the same Referred Customer's name, email address, or other identifying characteristic as determined by HostGator and/or the identification of two (2) or more web hosting accounts that have no content on their websites or have similar content, templates or formatting, as determined in HostGator’s sole discretion.

      12. A purchase by a Referred Customer who, prior to such purchase, clicked through a Link established by another affiliate under this Affiliate Program.

      13. A purchase by a Referred Customer more than ninety (90) days after clicking through the Affiliate Link. 

   2. HostGator reserves the right to withhold payment of Commission Fees to Affiliates who are new to the Affiliate Program, or who have referrals that are potentially the result of fraud as determined by HostGator in its sole discretion, to determine the legitimacy and cancellation rates of Referred Customers.

   3. HostGator reserves the right to suspend the payment of Commission Fees at any time and indefinitely, if it suspects fraud or other improper activity or a potential breach of any of the terms of this Agreement by the Affiliate or a Referred Customer. HostGator reserves the right to deduct from Affiliate's current and future Commission Fees any and all Commission Fees corresponding to any fraudulent, questionable, and cancelled purchases. If no subsequent Commission Fees are due and owing, HostGator may send Affiliate a bill for the balance of such refunded purchase upon termination of Affiliate’s participation in the Affiliate Program or termination of the Referred Customer.

   4. HostGator reserves the right to immediately cancel or withhold for later review any Commission Fees that fail to meet the criteria of a “Qualified Purchase.” Affiliate is responsible for monitoring the payment, denial, and withholding of Commission Fees; HostGator is not obligated to actively notify Affiliates of the status of Commission Fees. If Affiliate has a question about a Commission Fee that has been cancelled or withheld, Affiliate has thirty (30) days from the day the payment would have been due to contact HostGator to request that the Commission Fee be paid. Any changes to decisions about cancelled or withheld Commission Fees are strictly made in HostGator’s sole discretion.

   5. Commissions for any Referred Customer who is associated with any HostGator reseller, referral or other program may not be considered a Qualified Purchase. In other words, you may not receive double commissions or compensation.

   6. In the event that the Referred Customers that are referred to HostGator by an Affiliate are determined to have an excessive cancellation rate, as determined by HostGator in its sole discretion, HostGator reserves the right to withhold or decline pending and future Commission Fees to such Affiliate.

   7. Any attempt by an Affiliate to manipulate, falsify or inflate Referred Customers, Qualified Purchases, or Commission Fees to intentionally defraud HostGator or any violation of the terms of this Agreement constitutes immediate grounds for HostGator to terminate the Affiliate’s participation in the Affiliate Program and will result in the forfeiture of any Commission Fees due to the Affiliate.

8. Commission Payments

   1. Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any applicable Affiliate Platform agreement, Commission Fees will be calculated according to the specified percentage or dollar amount set forth in the commission report in your Affiliate Console for each Qualified Purchase that accrues during the period for which such Commission Fees are being calculated.

   2. Commission Fees will be processed approximately forty-five (45) to seventy (70) days after the end of the month in which they accrue, unless you use an Affiliate Platform in which case they will be processed in accordance with your agreement with the applicable Affiliate Platform. 

   3. HostGator will only compensate you for Qualified Purchases made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

   4. Commission Fees shall be paid based on the current information in your Affiliate Console. You are required to notify the Affiliate Platform promptly of any change in your address by updating your profile information in the Affiliate Console. You are responsible for informing the Affiliate Platform of your desired payment form/type. You can update or change your desired payment method at any time by updating your affiliate profile located in the Affiliate Console. Please see the applicable platform’s policies for details on the effect of any changes.

   5. Depending on your Affiliate Platform, you may be subject to a minimum or maximum payment amount. All such minimum and maximum payment amounts are governed by your agreement with the Affiliate Platform.

   6. You may view the currently available payment methods by logging into your Affiliate Console for the applicable Affiliate Platform. If the Affiliate Platform offers PayPal as a payment method, please refer to PayPal’s policy to ensure you are eligible to receive payment if you reside outside of the United States.  

   7. HostGator and the Affiliate Platform, in their sole discretion, reserve the right to modify the available commission payment methods or payment schedule at any time. Such changes shall take effect when posted.

   8. Disputes: Affiliate has access to HostGator's real-time Affiliate Program statistics and agrees to file any disputes within forty-five (45) days after the end of the month in which the sale or event that is disputed occurred. Disputes filed after forty-five (45) days of the date on which the disputed sale or event occurred will not be accepted by HostGator and Affiliate forfeits forever any rights to a potential claim.

   9. Commission Fees will accrue and only become payable once you provide all relevant tax and address documentation pursuant to this Section 8. It is solely your responsibility to provide the Affiliate Platform with accurate tax and payment information that is necessary to issue Commission Fees to you. If the Affiliate Platform does not receive the necessary tax or payment information within ninety (90) days of a Qualified Purchase which would otherwise trigger Commission Fees, the applicable commissions shall not accrue and no Commission Fees will be owed with respect to such Qualified Purchase.

   10. Each Affiliate is required to submit a W8/W9 tax form to the Affiliate Platform before any Commission Fees shall accrue. You are responsible for the payment of all taxes related to the Commission Fees you receive under this Agreement. In compliance with U.S. tax laws, the Affiliate Platform will issue a Form 1099 to Affiliates whose earnings meet or exceed the applicable threshold.

   11. Any address change must be made in the Affiliate profile in the Affiliate Console.

   12. HostGator is not responsible for paying any third-party fees, including any fees charged by PayPal, in order for you to receive Commission Fees.

9. Reports of Qualified Purchases

   You may log into your Affiliate Console to review your click through and potential Qualified Purchases statistics on a daily basis. The potential Qualified Purchases shown in this report have not been reviewed to confirm they meet all criteria for Qualified Purchases. As such, Commission Fees may not be issued for all Referred Customers that appear in the Affiliate Console.

10. Obligations Regarding Your Affiliate Site

    1. You are solely responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of your Affiliate Site and for all materials that appear on your Affiliate Site. Such responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the technical operation of your Affiliate Site and all related equipment; creating and posting product reviews, descriptions, and references on your Affiliate Site and linking those descriptions to our website; the accuracy of materials posted on your Affiliate Site (including, but not limited to, all materials related to HostGator Products and Services); ensuring that materials posted on your Affiliate Site do not violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party and are not libelous or otherwise illegal. We disclaim all liability and responsibility for such matters.

    2. We have the right in our sole discretion to monitor signups through your Affiliate Site from time to time to determine if you are in compliance with the terms of this Agreement. If you are not in compliance, we may terminate your participation in the Affiliate Program effective immediately.

11. HostGator Responsibilities

    We will provide all of the information necessary for you to make Links from your Affiliate Site to our site. HostGator will be solely responsible for order processing (including payment processing, cancellations, and refunds) for orders for HostGator Products and Services placed by a Referred Customer, for tracking the volume and amount of Qualified Purchases generated by your Affiliate Site, for providing information to Affiliates regarding Qualified Purchase statistics, and for providing Referred Customers with the services purchased. 

12. Policies and Pricing

    Referred Customers who buy HostGator Products and Services through our affiliate network are deemed to be HostGator customers. HostGator’s Terms and Conditions, rules, policies, and operating procedures will apply to such customers. We may change our policies, pricing, and operating procedures at any time. For example, HostGator determines the prices to be charged for HostGator Products and Services sold through the affiliate network in accordance with our own pricing policies. Prices and availability of HostGator Products and Services may vary from time to time, from affiliate to affiliate, and from region to region. Because price changes may affect products that you have listed on your Affiliate Site, you may or may not be able to include price information in your product descriptions. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to present accurate information on our website, but we cannot guarantee the availability or price of any particular HostGator Product or Service.

13. Emails and Publicity

    You shall not create, publish, transmit or distribute, under any circumstances, any bulk email messages without HostGator’s prior written consent, to be granted or denied in HostGator’s sole discretion, in each instance. Additionally, you may only send emails containing a HostGator affiliate link and or a message regarding HostGator or the Affiliate Program to people who have previously consented to receiving such communications from you. Your failure to abide by this Section 14, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, our Email Policy, and all applicable laws relating to email communications, in any manner, will be deemed a material breach of this Agreement by you and will result in the forfeiture by you of any and all rights you may have to any Commission Fees and the termination of your participation in the Affiliate Program. Further, if your account has excessive clicks in a very short period of time as determined by HostGator in its sole discretion, the Affiliate relationship may be terminated.

14. IP Licenses and Use

    1. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, including Section 3, we grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, revocable license to (i) provide access to HostGator’s website through the Links solely in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (ii) use HostGator’s IP for the sole purpose of promoting HostGator’s Products and Services on your Affiliate Site. You may not alter, modify, or change HostGator’s IP in any way or use HostGator’s IP in any manner that is disparaging or that otherwise portrays HostGator, any HostGator employee, representative or customer in a negative light. You are only entitled to use HostGator’s IP in compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Your license to use HostGator’s IP shall immediately terminate upon the termination of your participation in the Affiliate Program for any reason. We reserve all of our rights in HostGator’s IP and your license to use HostGator’s IP is limited to the manner described herein. HostGator may review the Affiliate Site to ensure compliance with this Agreement at any time. 

    2. You grant to us a non-exclusive license to utilize your name, title, trademarks, and logos (the "Affiliate Trademarks") in any advertisement or other materials used to promote HostGator and the Affiliate Program. For the avoidance of doubt, HostGator may, but is not obligated to use the Affiliate Trademarks at is sole discretion. This license shall terminate upon the termination of your participation in the Affiliate Program.

15. Term and Termination

    1. The terms of this Agreement are effective upon your submission of an application to the Affiliate Program and shall remain in effect until either party terminates your participation in the Affiliate Program (the “Term”). Your participation in the Affiliate Program may be terminated at any time by either party, with or without notice or cause.

    2. You are only eligible to earn Commission Fees on Qualified Purchases occurring during the Term. Commission Fees earned prior to the date of termination will be eligible for Commission Fees only if the orders for the related HostGator Products and Services are not cancelled within (30) days and comply with all of the terms of this Agreement. We may withhold your final payment of Commission Fees for a reasonable time to ensure that all Qualified Purchases are valid and payment from Referred Customers are legitimate as determined by HostGator in its sole discretion.

    3. Any Affiliate who violates this Agreement, HostGator's  Terms of Service, or any applicable law or regulation will immediately forfeit any right to any and all accrued, but not yet received, Commission Fees and will be immediately removed from the Affiliate Program.

    4. HostGator reserves the right to remove an Affiliate from the Affiliate Program, and to terminate or suspend this Agreement, at any time for any reason, in HostGator's sole discretion.

16. Modification

    We may modify this Agreement at any time in our sole discretion; provided that the change shall solely apply to events occurring after the date on which you accept and agree to such modifications unless you otherwise agree herein. Such modifications shall take effect when posted on our website. Modifications may include, but are not limited to, changes in the scope of available Commission Fees, commission amounts or percentages, payment procedures, Commission Fee payment schedules, and Affiliate Program rules. If any modification is unacceptable to you, your only recourse is to terminate this agreement, in which event you shall be entitled to your rights under the unmodified Agreement prior to the date of the applicable modification. Your continued participation in the Affiliate Program following our posting of any modification on our website will constitute binding acceptance of the change.

17. Disclaimers

    We make no express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the Affiliate Program or any HostGator Products and Services sold through the Affiliate Program (including, without limitation, WARRANTIES OF FITNESS, MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, DEALING, OR TRADE USAGE). In addition, we make no representation that the operation of our website will be uninterrupted or error free, and we will not be liable for the consequences of any interruptions or errors, including the tracking of information concerning Referred Customers during any period of interruption.

18. Relationship of Parties

    You and HostGator are independent contractors, and nothing in this Agreement will create any partnership, joint venture, agency, franchise, sales representative, or employment relationship between the parties. You will have no authority to make or accept any offers or representations on our behalf. You will not make any statement, whether on your Affiliate Site or otherwise, that contradicts anything in this section.

19. Representation and Warranties

    You hereby represent and warrant to us as follows:

    1. You have reviewed and understand this Agreement and agree to be bound by its terms.

    2. Your acceptance of this Agreement and participation in the Affiliate Program will not violate

       1. any provision of law, rule, or regulation to which you are subject.

       2. any order, judgement, or decree applicable to you or binding upon your assets or properties.

       3. any provision of your by-laws or certificate of incorporation, or

       4. any agreement or other instrument applicable to you or binding upon your assets or properties.

    3. You are the sole and exclusive owner of the Affiliate Trademarks and have the power to grant to HostGator the license to use such marks in the manner contemplated herein, and such grant will not

       1. breach, conflict with, or constitute a default under any agreement or other instrument applicable to you or binding upon your assets or properties, or

       2. infringe upon any trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, or other proprietary right of any third person or entity.

    4. You are not required to obtain consent, approval, or authorization of, or exemption by, or filing with, any governmental authority or any third party in connection with your entrance into this Agreement.

    5. There is no pending or threatened claim, action, or proceeding against you, or any affiliate of yours with respect to the Affiliate Trademarks, and, to the best of your knowledge, there is no basis for any such claim, action, or proceeding.

    6. During the Term, you will not include in your Affiliate Site content that is, in our opinion, unlawful, harmful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, harassing, racially, ethically, or otherwise objectionablez or are in violation of our Terms and Conditions 
           or Acceptable Use Policy.

    7. You are at least eighteen (18) years of age.

    8. Each Referred Customer is valid, genuine, and unique and meets the criteria of a Qualified Purchase for generating a Commission Fee as provided in this Agreement.

20. Limitation of Liability

    WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF REVENUE, PROFITS, OR DATA, ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE AFFILIATE PROGRAM, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. FURTHER, OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE AFFILIATE PROGRAM WILL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL COMMISSIONS PAID RO PAYABLE TO YOU UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE THREE (3) MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO SUCH LIABILITY.

21. Indemnification

    You hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless HostGator and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders, partners, members, and other owners, against any and all claims, actions, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, judgements, settlements, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) (any or all of the foregoing hereinafter referred to as "Losses") insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based on (I) any claim that our use of the Affiliate Trademarks infringes on any trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, license, intellectual property, or other proprietary right of any third party, (ii) any misrepresentation of a representation or warranty or breach of a covenant and agreement made by you herein, or (III) any claim related to your Affiliate Site, including, without limitations, its development, operation, maintenance and content therein not attributable to us.

22. Confidentiality

    Each of the parties hereto agrees that all information including, without limitations, the terms of this Agreement, business and financial information, HostGator customer and vendor lists, or pricing and sales information (including without limitation commission rates), shall remain strictly confidential and shall not be utilized for any purpose outside the terms of this Agreement except and solely to the extent that any such information is (a) already lawfully known to or independently developed by the receiving party, (b) disclosed in published materials, (c) generally known to the public, or (d) lawfully obtained from any third part not under the obligation of confidentiality to the disclosure hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party is hereby authorized to deliver a copy of any such information (a) pursuant to a valid subpoena or order issued by a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, (b) to it's accountants, attorneys, or other agents on a confidential basis, and (c) otherwise as required by applicable law, rule, regulation, or legal process including, without limitation, the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In the even of such disclosure, the receiving party shall give the disclosing party prior notice before releasing any information unless giving such notice is prohibited.

23. Independent Investigation

    You understand that we may at any time (directly or indirectly) solicit HostGator relationships on terms that may differ from those contained in this Agreement. We may also solicit relationships with entities that operate websites that are similar to or compete with your Affiliate Site. You have independently evaluated the desirability of participating in the HostGator Affiliate Program and are not relying on any representation, guarantee, or statement other than as set forth in this Agreement.

24. Miscellaneous

    1. Governing Law. The laws of the State of Texas will govern this Agreement, without reference to rules governing choice of laws. Any action relating to this Agreement must be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of Texas and you irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such court.

    2. Binding Arbitration. By participating in this Affiliate Program, you agree to binding arbitration for any disputes or claims that arise against HostGator or its subsidiaries in conjunction with this Affiliate Program. An arbitration firm selected by HostGator will be the sole and final arbitrator for any and all disputes or claims related or resulting from participation in this Affiliate Program. All decisions rendered are final. You also are responsible for any and all costs related to such arbitration.

    3. Assignment. You may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent.  Subject to that restriction, this Agreement will be binding on, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable against the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

    4. Waiver. Our failure to enforce your strict performance of any provision of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of our right to subsequently enforce such a provision or any other provision of this Agreement.