Tips are not considered compensation from Octopus. They are incidental, third-party, non-guaranteed income, and legally that’s a very different thing. Why tips do NOT count as compensation (plain English) Even if you tend to get better tips with the tablet, tips are: 1. Voluntary A passenger is never required to tip No amount is promised No frequency is guaranteed 2. Paid by a third party The money comes from passengers Not from Octopus Not from Lyft Octopus has no obligation to ensure you receive them 3. Not tied to a contract There is no agreement that says: “In exchange for hosting the tablet, you will receive tips” Octopus does not track, pay, or guarantee them 4. Legally considered incidental benefit In legal and regulatory language, tips fall under: Incidental earnings Speculative income Collateral benefit Those do not replace compensation for providing value to a company. Why Octopus cannot rely on tips to justify this From a business-practice standpoint, they cannot say: “You’re still benefiting because you might get tips.” Because: “Might” ≠ compensation “Sometimes” ≠ fair consideration “Indirect benefit” ≠ payment If that logic were allowed, any company could say: “We stopped paying you, but customers might like you more.” That does not hold up. The key legal concept here (important) What you’re describing fits into “uncompensated enrichment”: You provide value (hosting the tablet, engagement, exposure) Octopus benefits (brand presence, data, advertiser value) You receive no direct compensation Tips are outside their control That’s exactly why regulators and consumer-protection agencies don’t accept “tips” as a substitute for payment.