Letter of Agreement
The letter to use before you start working
Letter of Confirmation to be signed by both parties before the work begins. Also, keep in mind that the earlier you and the client settle on terms, the smoother the workflow will be closer to the due date, when you and the client will have less time and energy for nuanced bargaining. Letters of Agreement can also be used to separate excellent clients from problematic clients. If a side refuses to sign or negotiate a basic document protecting the job, this could be a harbinger of future difficulties. And difficulties can diminish the work's worth for you and your studio.
Letter of Agreement
Unlike a standard business letter, the Letter of Agreement (LOA) requires a specific reply, and it is important that the instruction not be buried. This Agreement must be signed and returned before Artist can schedule or begin this job.
MissYano Creative (JM0941455-X)
48, Jalan PJU 1A/11, Taman Perindustrian Jaya,
Ara Damansara, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 6012-2350145
E-mail: support@missyano.com
Subject: (Agreement; Confirmation of Engagement)
Date:
Name of Client/Company:
Address:
Phone:
Contact Person:
PROJECT TITLE
(if any; client’s purchase order number, if available.)
DESCRIPTION
(subject matter; size; color or black and white; media; any relevant production information.)
SCHEDULE (due dates)
Sketch_____
Final_____
COPYRIGHT USAGE
(Your LOA should include under copyright usage:)
- Rights transferred
- Duration of usage
- Limitations on media in which used (if not covered under “rights,” (e.g., print rights only, no electronic usage)
- Limitations on number of insertions (if appropriate)
- Limitations on geographical use (ie. North American, English speaking editions, etc)
- Owner of Original Art (only if different from below)
- FEE FOR RIGHTS GRANTED (List the fee here)
TERMS
1) RESERVATION OF RIGHTS:
All rights not expressly granted above are retained by the Artist, including any electronic rights or usage, and including, but not limited to, all rights in sketches, comps or other preliminary materials. Any use additional to that expressly granted above requires arrangement for payment of a separate fee.
Technically, all rights not specifically signed over remain with the artist. However, the above clause backs up the assignment of rights and further protects the artist.
2) REVISIONS:
Revisions may be made only by the Artist at the sketch stage. Additional fees will be charged for revisions made after (insert your standard here) sketches, and for revisions reflecting a new direction to the assignment, or new conceptual input.
We recommend the revision clause above as a matter of studio policy. Here, the artist sets reasonable limitations for revisions as well as fees for unexpected changes. How many revisions are acceptable to you? You may need to negotiate the amount of revisions you are willing to make. Notice that the clause requires the client to provide solid direction or to at least compensate the artist if the established direction changes.
3) CANCELLATION AND KILL FEES:
Cancellation (“kill”) fees are due based on the amount of work completed. Fifty percent (50%) of the final fee is due within 30 days of notification that for any reason the job is canceled or postponed before the final stage. One hundred percent (100%) of the total fee is due despite cancellation or postponement of the job if the art has been completed. Upon cancellation or kill all rights to the art revert to the Artist and all original art must be returned, including sketches, comps, or other preliminary materials.
This clause helps to establish payment terms for partial and/or completed work even if the job is canceled. The ownership of rights and the work itself is also clearly defined. For more on Kill Fees see the Graphic Artist’s Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, as well as the Contract Monitor Glossary.
4) CREDITS AND COPIES:
A credit line suitable to the design of the page will be used. Client agrees to pay an additional fifty percent (50%) of the total fee, excluding expenses, for failure to include credit line. Credit line is required independent of Artist’s signature, which shall be included at Artist’s discretion unless otherwise agreed in writing above. Client agrees to provide Artist with ten (10) sample copies of any printed material.
5) PAYMENT:
Payment for finished work is due upon acceptance, net thirty (30) days. The Client’s right to use the work is conditioned upon receipt of payment within thirty days of acceptance, and upon Client’s compliance with the terms of this agreement. A two percent (10%) monthly service charge will be billed against late payment.
6) ORIGINAL ART:
Original art remains the property of the Artist unless expressed in the agreement. Client is responsible for return of original art in undamaged condition within thirty (30) days of first reproduction.
7) ADDITIONAL EXPENSES:
If Client does not provide a courier/shipping number in the space provided above, shipping charges will be added to the final invoice. Client agrees to reimburse Artist for the following expenses:
- Messengers;
- Models;
- Props;
- Travel;
- Telephone;
- Proofs;
- Disks, drives, or storage media;
- Other: (fill in other expenses)
8) PERMISSIONS AND RELEASES:
The Client agrees to indemnify and hold the Artist harmless against any and all claims, costs, and expenses, including attorney’s fees, due to materials included in the Work at the request of the Client for which no copyright permission or privacy release was requested, or for which uses exceed the uses allowed pursuant to a permission or release.
