Terms & Conditions

Introduction

Welcome to Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC. These terms and conditions outline the rules and regulations for the use of our services and our commitment to your privacy. By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms in their entirety.

Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC is a creative technology studio based in Maple Grove, Minnesota, specializing in handcrafted, AI-powered video production and custom software solutions for language learning professionals and educators. We put principles and creativity first and quality-check every project we deliver.

Age Restriction

Our services are intended solely for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. By using our services or providing your personal information to us, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old. If you are under 18, you are not permitted to use our services, submit any personal information, or opt in to our SMS messaging program. Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC reserves the right to terminate any service agreement upon discovering that a client is under the age of 18.

Services Offered

Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC provides the following services, subject to availability and project scope:

• AI Video Production — Handcrafted, AI-assisted video content combining creative direction with AI animation and generation tools, designed to engage learners and communicate complex concepts clearly.
• Explainer Video Production — Purpose-built explainer videos for courses, products, onboarding flows, and educational programs, crafted to match your brand and pedagogical approach.
• Customer Education Video Production — Video content designed to educate end-users, students, or customers — from product tutorials to full course modules.
• White-Glove Staff Training & Guides — Professionally produced training materials and written guides for teams, tailored to your processes and delivery standards.
• Software Integrations — Custom integrations connecting your existing tools and platforms, including calendar-synced quoting systems and workflow automation.
• Software Development — Custom application development for language learning platforms and digital education products.

All projects begin with a scoping conversation and a written agreement defining deliverables, timelines, revision terms, and payment schedule. Scope changes after project commencement may require an amended agreement.

Client Content & Confidentiality

In the course of delivering video production and software services, Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC may receive client-supplied materials including scripts, brand assets, course content, instructional designs, and proprietary educational materials. All such content is treated as strictly confidential and used solely to produce the agreed deliverables.

Client-supplied content and project details will not be shared with third parties, used in our own promotional materials, or referenced in case studies without your express written consent. We understand that for language learning professionals, curriculum and methodology represent significant intellectual investment.

Intellectual Property

Upon receipt of full payment, clients receive full ownership of the final video deliverables and software produced specifically for their project. Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC retains ownership of its proprietary production workflows, AI toolchains, reusable code libraries, animation templates, and creative methodologies, which may be used across multiple client engagements.

Client-supplied materials (scripts, branding, course content, voice recordings) remain the property of the client at all times. Final deliverables are licensed for the client's intended use (commercial, educational, internal) as specified in the project agreement. Deliverables may not be resold or sublicensed to third parties without prior written consent from Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC.

All third-party assets (licensed music, stock footage, AI-generated elements) used in deliverables will be sourced under appropriate commercial licenses and documented for the client upon delivery.

Revisions & Scope

The number of included revision rounds is specified in each project agreement. Requests for revisions beyond the agreed scope, or for changes that materially alter the original brief, may be subject to additional fees. Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC will communicate any impact on timeline or cost before proceeding with out-of-scope work.

Privacy & Protection of Personal Information

Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Our full Privacy Policy is available at torshesys.com/privacy-policy. By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy.

Collection of Personal Information

We collect personal information from you in various ways, including when you request a quote, book a discovery call, engage our services, or communicate with us directly. Information collected may include your name, email address, phone number, business name, and details about your project, platform, and content needs.

Use of Personal Information

The personal information we collect is used for the following purposes:

• To scope, quote, and deliver video production and software development projects.
• To communicate with you regarding your project, deliverables, and revisions.
• To send SMS/text messages as described in our SMS Program section above (with your consent).
• To send updates and resources relevant to your work as a language learning professional.
• To maintain records necessary for our business operations and project history.

Non-Disclosure of Personal Information

Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC guarantees that your personal information will never be sold, traded, or rented to any third parties. The information you provide is solely for the use of Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC and its related business activities.

Information Security

We take appropriate security measures to protect against unauthorized access to, or unauthorized alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your data and any client content we hold during production. Our security practices include internal controls on data access, secure file handling, and measures to guard against unauthorized access to systems where we store project materials or personal information.

Consent

By using our services and/or opting in to our SMS messaging program, you expressly consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in these terms and conditions. SMS consent and phone numbers are never shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.

Limitation of Liability

Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC provides video production and software development services in good faith and to the best of its professional ability. Final results are subject to the quality and completeness of client-supplied materials (scripts, assets, branding, recorded audio), platform-specific constraints, and third-party tool availability. Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC is not liable for incidental, consequential, or indirect damages arising from project delays caused by incomplete client deliverables, third-party platform changes, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Our liability for any engagement is limited to the fees paid for that specific project.

Changes to These Terms

Tortoise Shell Systems, LLC reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time. We will communicate any changes by posting the updated terms on our website. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.