Terms and Conditions

1. Definitions

"Company" refers to Sound Chords Media

"Client" refers to any individual, company, agency, production company, brand, or organization engaging the Company's services.

"Services" include but are not limited to music composition, film scoring, music production, sound design, audio post-production, mixing, mastering, podcast production, voice-over production, consultation, and related creative services.

2. Applicability

These Terms and Conditions apply to all quotations, agreements, projects, services, and deliveries provided by the Company unless otherwise agreed in writing.

3. Quotations and Agreements

All quotations are non-binding and remain valid for thirty (30) days unless stated otherwise.

A project agreement becomes effective upon written acceptance by the Client or commencement of work by the Company.

4. Fees and Payment

Invoices are payable within fourteen (14) calendar days from the invoice date unless otherwise agreed.

The Company reserves the right to request: full payment in advance; a project deposit; milestone payments; monthly retainer payments.

All payments are non-refundable unless explicitly agreed in writing.

Late payments may incur interest at a rate of 1.5% per month or the maximum rate permitted by law.

The Company reserves the right to suspend work until outstanding balances are paid.

5. Scope of Work

The agreed scope of work is defined in the quotation, proposal, statement of work, email correspondence, or contract.

Any work requested outside the agreed scope shall be treated as additional work and invoiced separately.

6. Revisions

Unless otherwise agreed in writing: two (2) rounds of revisions are included.

Additional revisions will be billed at the Company's standard hourly or project rate.

Substantial creative changes requested after approval may require a new quotation.

7. Client Responsibilities

The Client shall provide all necessary information, materials, approvals, feedback, and assets required for project completion.

Delays caused by the Client shall not affect payment obligations.

Feedback not received within ten (10) business days may be deemed approval of the current deliverable.

8. Cancellation and Termination

The Client may cancel a project by written notice. In the event of cancellation: all completed work remains payable; deposits remain non-refundable; a cancellation fee equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the remaining project value may be charged.

The Company may terminate a project in cases of non-payment, breach of agreement, abusive conduct, or other reasonable circumstances.

9. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing: all copyrights, neighboring rights, production rights, source files, project files, session files, compositions, recordings, and creative materials remain the exclusive property of the Company.

The Client receives a license to use the final delivered work only after full payment has been received.

Ownership transfers require a separate written agreement signed by both parties.

10. Licensing

The scope of any granted license shall be determined by the project agreement.

Unless otherwise specified: licenses are non-exclusive; non-transferable; limited to the agreed usage.

Any usage beyond the agreed scope requires additional written permission and compensation.

11. Credits

Where industry practice permits, the Client shall provide appropriate credit to the Company. Examples include: "Music by Sound Chords Media", "Original Score by Sound Chords Media", "Audio Post-Production by Sound Chords Media", "Sound Design by Sound Chords Media".

12. Portfolio Rights

The Company retains the right to display completed work in showreels, portfolios, websites, social media channels, promotional materials, award submissions, and business presentations, unless a written confidentiality agreement states otherwise.

13. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to keep confidential information confidential and shall not disclose such information to third parties without written consent.

14. Limitation of Liability

The Company's total liability shall never exceed the total fees paid by the Client for the specific project.

The Company shall not be liable for: indirect damages; consequential damages; loss of profits; loss of business opportunities; loss of data; third-party claims.

15. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures resulting from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters; government actions; power failures; internet outages; equipment failures; illness; labor disputes.

16. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands.

Any disputes shall be submitted exclusively to the competent courts in the Netherlands.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any quotation, statement of work, agreement, or written project confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the parties.