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Bespoke Publishing Agreement Framework

Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: June 10, 2026

1. Retainer & Commission Framework

Bespoke publishing commissions are billed on a structured milestone basis (Retainer, Draft Completion, and Print Release).

  • Cancellations: The initial commencement retainer is non-refundable once biographical research or interviews begin, covering biographer allocation and indexing. However, if Imprint Legacy terminates the commission without cause, the retainer is fully refunded.
  • Pauses & Delays: If the client requests a project pause exceeding 90 consecutive days, the commission is placed on hold. Reactivation is subject to biographer availability and a 10% administrative reactivation fee.

2. Delivery Guarantees & SLA

While final delivery timelines depend on timely access to historical documents and key stakeholders, we operate under strict service-level commitments:

  • Manuscript Window: We commit to delivering the initial complete manuscript draft within 180 days of obtaining primary stakeholder interviews.
  • Remedies for Delay: If a delay is caused solely by Imprint Legacy exceeding this window by more than 45 days, the client is entitled to a 5% discount on the final print release milestone, or two (2) additional complimentary leather-bound volumes.

3. Revision Cycle & Editorial Disagreement

Every commission includes **two (2) rounds of comprehensive structural and editorial revisions** on the drafted manuscript prior to page layout.

  • Factual Accuracy: The client retains absolute and final authority regarding all historical and biographical facts.
  • Aesthetic Disagreements: Imprint Legacy retains final authority on matters of graphic design, typesetting, and print execution to maintain our high binding standards.
  • Final Proof Sign-off: The client must provide a signed, written approval of the final digital layout proof. No alterations can be made once printing and cover engraving begin.

4. Intellectual Property & Copyright Ownership

We enforce clear boundary guidelines regarding proprietary content and creative outputs:

  • Client Archives: The client retains exclusive ownership and all intellectual property rights for all raw corporate records, letters, logos, and historical materials supplied to us.
  • Manuscript & Narratives: Complete copyright ownership of the finished compiled narrative text is transferred in full to the client upon receipt of the final Milestone Payment.
  • Recordings & Transcripts: Exclusive ownership of all biographer oral history recordings and text transcripts is transferred to the client upon completion of the draft phase, to be kept as private client archives.
  • Cinematic Documentary: If the client contracts for the Cinematic Documentary Option, full copyright ownership of the final edited film is transferred in full to the client upon receipt of the final Milestone Payment.
  • Future Reproduction: The client holds full future reproduction and reprint rights, enabling them to print additional copies or distribute their media through Imprint Legacy or any third-party agency at their sole discretion.

5. Absolute Confidentiality Obligations

Given that founders and legacy companies share sensitive personal and commercial details, we operate under strict data-handling policies:

  • NDA Execution: A comprehensive bilateral Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is executed prior to the exchange of any archives or the commencement of oral interviews.
  • Data Handling: All raw audio recordings, transcript files, manuscript drafts, and raw video footage/recordings from documentary production are hosted on secure, offline-capable encrypted local storage systems accessible only by your designated biography and media production team.

6. Material & Binding Specifications

Each monograph is produced to exceed national library preservation standards:

  • Paper: 150 GSM pH-neutral, acid-free cotton-blend archival paper (consistently Ivory).
  • Binding: Traditional Smyth-sewn construction using reinforced cotton stitching (guaranteed lie-flat).
  • Covers: Hand-wrapped, full-grain Italian calfskin leather or premium grade-A library linen with hot-stamped 24k gold leaf foil details.

Note: The above public terms serve as our standard operating framework. Every commission is governed by a separate, detailed bilateral Commission Agreement signed by authorized representatives of both parties prior to any billing.