# OpenWays Affiliate Program Agreement **Version**: 1.0 **Effective**: 29 April 2026 **Issuer**: OpenWays (operated by Patrick Yang, Sydney, Australia) --- ## 1. Program overview OpenWays operates a global affiliate program with two tracks: - **Overseas track** (Australia, NZ, US, EU, SEA, etc.) — handled via Gumroad's native affiliate system. Tracking, attribution, and commission payout fully automated by Gumroad. - **Mainland China track** — handled via OpenWays-issued promo codes. Tracking and commission payout managed manually by OpenWays. Both tracks share the same commission structure unless explicitly stated otherwise in this agreement. --- ## 2. Commission structure ### 2.1 Standard Partner - **30% lifetime commission** on all qualifying sales originating from your affiliate link or promo code. - Applies to: - One-time pack purchases (A$49 each, all 24 industry packs) - Edge Pass subscriptions — first payment AND all renewal payments, for the lifetime of the customer's subscription - Custom Setup engagements (Quick Setup A$299+ / Founder Hour A$599+) ### 2.2 Premier Partner (50% lifetime, by invitation only) Premier Partner status is awarded by invitation, not application. Awarded to organizations or individuals with one or more of: - Established Chinese-speaking SMB customer base - Demonstrated distribution capability across overseas Chinese markets - Strategic alignment with OpenWays mission - Significant industry authority (e.g., established accounting firm, law firm, migration agency) To express interest in Premier Partner status, contact `partners@openways.net`. OpenWays will respond within 7 business days. ### 2.3 Self-purchase exclusion Commissions do **not** apply to: - Purchases made by the affiliate themselves (using their own link/code) - Purchases made by entities owned, controlled, or directed by the affiliate - Refunded or chargeback transactions OpenWays reserves the right to claw back commissions paid on self-purchase or fraudulent transactions. --- ## 3. Payout schedule ### 3.1 Overseas track (Gumroad) - Commissions paid by Gumroad on its standard schedule (every Friday for verified sales clearing the 7-day chargeback window). - Affiliate receives funds via the payout method configured in their Gumroad account (PayPal, bank transfer, etc.). - OpenWays does not handle these payments directly. ### 3.2 Mainland China track (manual) - Commissions reconciled by OpenWays on the **28th of each calendar month**. - Payment via WeChat Pay or Alipay within **7 business days** of reconciliation. - Edge Pass renewal commissions are tracked manually against the customer's promo code attribution. OpenWays will provide a monthly statement listing all qualifying transactions. - Minimum payout threshold: **¥200** (CNY 200). Below threshold, commissions roll over to the following month. If OpenWays migrates the Mainland China track to a third-party platform (e.g., Xiaoetong/小鹅通, ShortBook/短书) or builds a custom system in the future, affiliates will be notified at least 30 days before the migration. Existing commission terms will be honored under the new system. --- ## 4. Marketing rules ### 4.1 Permitted - Sharing your affiliate link or promo code on personal websites, social media, email newsletters, paid ads (subject to platform rules), and 1-on-1 conversations - Reposting OpenWays-published content (blog posts, social media, case studies) with attribution - Quoting Patrick Yang, OpenWays product features, or pricing accurately ### 4.2 Prohibited - **Misrepresentation**: Exaggerating product capabilities, fabricating testimonials, or making claims OpenWays has not made - **Trademark abuse**: Using "OpenWays", "Patrick Yang", or related logos in domain names, ad headlines, or branded creative without written permission - **Pricing discounts**: Selling OpenWays products below the official Gumroad price, bundling them into your own offerings, or representing them as part of your own brand - **Spam**: Mass unsolicited email, automated DMs, or comment spam to drive clicks - **Dishonest tracking**: Cookie stuffing, link cloaking that disguises destination, redirect chains designed to capture other affiliates' clicks Violation of marketing rules may result in immediate termination of the affiliate account and forfeiture of unpaid commissions. --- ## 5. Term and termination ### 5.1 Term This agreement begins on the date OpenWays approves your affiliate application and continues until terminated by either party. ### 5.2 Inactivity Affiliate accounts with **zero qualifying sales over any rolling 6-month period** will be marked inactive. Inactive accounts retain their historical lifetime commissions on past customers' future renewals, but lose the ability to refer new customers until reactivated. To reactivate, contact `partners@openways.net`. ### 5.3 Termination by either party Either party may terminate this agreement with **30 days' written notice** to `partners@openways.net` (from affiliate) or to the email address on file (from OpenWays). Termination ends new commission accrual but does not extinguish lifetime commissions on customers who were referred during the active term — those continue per Section 2. ### 5.4 Termination for cause (immediate) OpenWays may terminate immediately and without notice for: - Violation of Section 4 (marketing rules) - Self-purchase or fraudulent activity (Section 2.3) - Public statements that materially harm the OpenWays brand - Legal action against OpenWays initiated by the affiliate In termination for cause, unpaid commissions may be forfeited at OpenWays' discretion. --- ## 6. Tax and legal - Affiliates are independent contractors. No employment, partnership, or agency relationship is created. - Affiliates are responsible for their own tax obligations in their jurisdiction. - For Australian-resident affiliates earning more than A$75,000/year from this program, you may be required to register for GST and provide an ABN — OpenWays does not provide tax advice. - For Mainland China affiliates, RMB payouts are remitted in full; income tax compliance is the affiliate's responsibility. --- ## 7. Governing law and disputes This agreement is governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. Disputes will be resolved by good-faith negotiation in the first instance, and by NSW courts thereafter. For Mainland China affiliates, OpenWays will accept mediation through a mutually-agreed neutral party in Shanghai or Beijing before NSW litigation. --- ## 8. Acceptance By submitting an affiliate application at `https://openways.net/partners.html` or by using an affiliate link/code issued by OpenWays, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this agreement. --- **Contact**: partners@openways.net **Last updated**: 29 April 2026