ARC CREATIVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. INTERPRETATION
1.1. In these Terms, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement” means the Quote, these Terms and any Contract for Services.
“AI System” means advanced computer algorithms and technologies, including machine learning and any generative artificial intelligence software, tools or technologies.
“Client” means the person, firm, company or other entity who has instructed ARC Creative to carry out the Services (as defined below) as set out in this Agreement.
“Client Materials” means any goods, products and materials in whatever form (including all Intellectual Property Rights in the same) provided or made available by the Client to ARC Creative for use in connection with this Agreement, and including any master tapes, film negative prints, sound tapes, video tapes or visual images or sound held in any media.
“Confidential Information” means such information as ARC Creative may from time to time provide to the Client (in whatever form including orally, written, in electronic, tape, disk, physical or visual form) relating to this Agreement and the Works, and all know-how, trade secrets, tactical, scientific, statistical, financial, commercial or technical information of any kind disclosed by ARC Creative to the Client whether in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or which subsequently comes into existence, including any copies, reproductions, duplicates or notes in any form whatsoever.
“Contract for Services” means any subsequent contract for the provision of Services entered into between ARC Creative and the Client pursuant to these Terms.
“Intellectual Property Rights” means copyright (including rights in computer software), database rights, design rights, moral rights, trademarks, service marks, rights (registered or unregistered) in any designs, applications for any of the foregoing, trade or business names, and topography rights, know-how, secret formulae and processes, lists of suppliers and customers and other proprietary knowledge and information, internet domain names, rights protecting goodwill and reputation, and all intellectual property rights and forms of protection of a similar nature to any of the foregoing or having equivalent effect anywhere in the world and all rights under licenses and consents in respect of any of the rights and forms of protection mentioned in this definition.
“Quote” means a quote presented by ARC Creative in respect of Services to be provided to the Client.
“Services” means the services to be provided by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement and includes the Works (as defined below) arising out of the Services.
“Terms” means these terms and conditions of business.
“ARC Creative” means ARC Creative Studios LLC.
“ARC Creative Intellectual Property” means all rights, including Intellectual Property Rights, in and to (i) ARC Creative’s proprietary underlying software, libraries, engines, subroutines and development tools and utilities (in source code and object code form), including underlying models, rigging, animation data and all pre-existing intellectual property rights therein, which in each case are of general use or applicability in VFX and/or which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement and including any modifications of improvements of those whether made prior or during the course of this Agreement; and (ii) any other materials, in whatever form (including documents, information, data and software), which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement.
“Works” means the products and materials created, developed and produced by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement.
1.2. Headings used in these Terms are purely for ease of reference and do not form any part of or affect the interpretation of these Terms.
1.3. The words “include” and “including” shall not be construed restrictively.
1.4. Any reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time.
2. FORMATION OF CONTRACT
2.1. The Services will be carried out in accordance with these Terms, any Quote, and any subsequent Contract for Services to the exclusion of any other terms and conditions the Client seeks to impose whether orally or in writing, unless agreed otherwise in writing by the parties.
2.2. All representations, conditions or warranties, or other terms concerning the Services which might otherwise be implied or incorporated in this Agreement, whether by statute, common law or otherwise are, to the maximum extent permitted by law, excluded from this Agreement or any variation thereof, unless expressly accepted by ARC Creative in writing.
2.3. No employee, consultant or agent of ARC Creative has the power to make any statement or representation about the Services offered, their fitness for any purpose or any other matter.
2.4. Upon requesting Services from ARC Creative, the Client shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and these Terms shall become binding as between the Client and ARC Creative, notwithstanding the absence of any formal acknowledgement.
2.5. The Client and ARC Creative may enter into a Contract for Services or agree a Quote which will constitute a separate binding contract between the parties which shall be deemed to incorporate these Terms. In the case of any conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and any subsequent Contract for Services/Quote, these Terms shall take precedence.
3. PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
3.1. ARC Creative will invoice the Client for the prices quoted in respect of Services to be provided at the times set out in the relevant Quote or Contract for Services.
3.2. ARC Creative shall be entitled to make an adjustment to any quoted prices in the event that additional costs are incurred, or likely to be incurred, by reason of:
3.2.1. the Client Materials (or any part thereof) being, in the reasonable opinion of ARC Creative, in any way defective, in an unsuitable format (or a different format to that which ARC Creative is expecting to receive the same) or of unsuitable quality for normal processing;
3.2.2. any information supplied by the Client or any third party in connection with this Agreement and the Services being inaccurate or incomplete, or failing to give ARC Creative a full and accurate indication of the work involved and/or time and resources required; or
3.2.3. changes by the Client or any third party in its requirements for the Services or Works or delays caused by the Client including in giving its approval; or
3.2.4. exceptional circumstances outside the control of ARC Creative, including currency fluctuations and changes in third party costs.
3.3. Subject to clause 3.4 and unless otherwise agreed by ARC Creative in writing, all invoices rendered by ARC Creative are payable within 28 days of the date of invoice and any interim invoices are payable within 7 days of the date of invoice.
3.4. ARC Creative expressly reserves the right, at its sole option, to require payment by instalments during the performance of this Agreement and/or to require payment of all amounts due to ARC Creative in respect of Works to be provided prior to delivery of such Works.
3.5. The Client shall pay all amounts owing to ARC Creative in full and shall not exercise any rights of set off against invoices submitted.
3.6. Payment of all amounts shall only be made in the currency in which they are invoiced and shall not be subject to any deductions or charges whatsoever.
3.7. In the event of default in payment by the Client under this Agreement, ARC Creative shall be entitled, without prejudice to any of its other rights or remedies, to suspend any further performance of the Services without notice and to charge interest on any amount outstanding at the rate of the lesser of one and one-half percent (1.5 percent) per month or the highest amount permitted by law, from the due date of payment to the actual date of payment.
3.8. All sums payable under this Agreement are exclusive of sales, use and any other taxes, which shall (if and to the extent applicable) be payable by the Client at the rate and in the manner from time to time prescribed by law.
3.9. The Client shall pay any withholding tax or other similar taxes applicable for the Services or otherwise required by law to be deducted from any payment by the Client to ARC Creative pursuant to this Agreement. Should the Client be required to pay any such withholding or make such deduction on account of tax, the Client shall pay such additional amount as will ensure that ARC Creative receives, free and clear of any tax or other deduction or withholding, the full amount
which it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required. The Client shall indemnify ARC Creative against all costs, claims, expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) and/or proceedings arising out of or in connection with such payments. The Client and ARC Creative shall cooperate in good faith to respond to any query from the applicable tax authorities in connection with withholding tax or other similar taxes and shall each make available to the other any information or documents and all relevant approvals or authorizations which the applicable tax authorities may reasonably require.
4. PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY
4.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, all times specified in a Quote or Contract for Services for performance of the Services and delivery of the Works are given in good faith but are not guaranteed by ARC Creative.
4.2. Notwithstanding that ARC Creative and the Client may have agreed that time is of the essence in respect of specified Services or Works, the time for performance of the Services or delivery of the Works shall in every case be dependent upon prompt receipt of all necessary information, materials (including Client Materials), final instructions and/or approvals from the Client. The Client acknowledges and agrees that any changes to its requirements and/or the occurrence of any of the circumstances in clause 3.2 may result in delay in performance or delivery, for which ARC Creative shall not be liable. In such instance, the Parties shall agree in
good faith alternative timelines and an additional budget to cover the delays.
4.3. Where the Works are to be delivered electronically, the Client acknowledges and agrees that:
4.3.1. electronic delivery is not a completely secure medium of communication and that an unauthorized third party may intercept, tamper with or delete the Works to be delivered electronically; and
4.3.2. electronic delivery may involve reliance upon third party providers and data carriers, over which ARC Creative has no control.
4.4. ARC Creative shall not be responsible for and shall have no liability to the Client or any third party for:
4.4.1. any delay in delivery or any non-receipt of any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.2. any loss or damage (including loss of data) that results from any person gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.3. use or disclosure of any data obtained by any third party as a result of that third party gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically; and
4.4.4. any loss or damage resulting from any malfunction of or the introduction of any viruses, worms, logic bombs, time locks, time bombs, trojan horses and/or bugs to any equipment and/or software used to effect and/or receive any Works delivered electronically.
4.5. The Client warrants that:
4.5.1. ARC Creative's receipt and use of the Client Materials in accordance with this Agreement shall not infringe the Intellectual Property Rights and/or data privacy rights of any third party;
4.5.2. the Client has full capacity and authority to enter into and perform the relevant Contract for Services and that the individual agreeing to or signing it is duly authorises to bind the Client legally;
4.5.3. the Client has all the rights necessary to grant the licenses granted hereunder; and
4.5.4. the Client shall comply with applicable laws that are applicable to it.
4.6. The Client agrees that:
4.6.1. it shall reasonably cooperate with ARC Creative in all matters relating to the Services including the delivery of any materials required by ARC Creative for the provision of the Services;
4.6.2. it shall comply with all of ARC Creative’s reasonable instructions and provide, in a timely manner, such information as ARC Creative may reasonably require, and ensure that it is accurate and complete in all material respects. It shall provide its approval over the Services by the dates reasonably given to it. ARC Creative shall not be liable for delays and costs incurred caused by the Client’s failure to comply with this clause;
4.6.3. If the Client requires any additional work, reformatting, changes to creative, deviation or amendment to the Quote/Contract for Services including but not limited to a change to the schedule, design direction, technical methodology or script in a way that impacts the Works, workflow and/or volume of work (together the “Changes”), then these Changes shall only apply if agreed between the Parties in writing and signed. In such instances, ARC Creative shall agree to an extension of time for the performance of the Services and an additional fee to cover the costs of such Changes. If such Changes cannot be agreed, ARC Creative shall be entitled to either: (a) continue providing the Services as initially agreed without those Changes; or (b) terminate this Agreement and invoice for all Services provided to date of termination including all costs and expenses incurred to date of termination.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
5.1. The Client acknowledges that ARC Creative (or its third-party licensors) owns, and shall retain ownership of, ARC Creative Intellectual Property, and ARC Creative shall not at any time be required to deliver to the Client any of ARC Creative Intellectual Property whatsoever.
5.2. The Client acknowledges and agrees that if in the course of performing the Services (including any processing or production of materials on behalf of the Client) ARC Creative discovers or devises any techniques or know-how, all rights of every kind in and to such techniques and know-how shall belong to and vest in ARC Creative and shall be deemed to be ARC Creative Intellectual Property for the purposes of this Agreement.
5.3. ARC Creative shall retain ownership and possession of, any and all rights (including all Intellectual Property Rights) in and to, any original character design, ideas or concepts presented or created by ARC Creative as well as any working files and project files produced in relation to this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. Where the Client requires a license to use any such original character design, ideas or concepts, for whatever purpose, the terms of such license shall be agreed by the parties in writing pursuant to a Quote and/or any subsequent Contract for Services.
5.4. Subject to clauses 5.1 to 5.3 above and any other terms agreed pursuant to a Quote or Contract for Services, all title and Intellectual Property Rights in and to the Works (excluding ARC Creative Intellectual Property), shall pass to the Client only upon the Client paying to ARC Creative all sums due and payable under this Agreement. To the extent required, the parties may agree on terms for the license of ARC Creative’s Intellectual Property (or any part of it) incorporated into the Works, to enable the Client to receive the benefit of the Works.
5.5. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free license to use the Client Materials to the extent necessary for ARC Creative and/or its suppliers to provide the Services and the Works.
5.6. The Client acknowledges and agrees that Intellectual Property Rights in and to underlying materials processed by ARC Creative in the performance of the Services and/or embodied in the Works may be owned by third parties and that the use by the Client of the Works shall be subject always to the Client obtaining any and all necessary licenses and consents from the relevant underlying rights’ owner(s).
6. AI USE
6.1. Client acknowledges and accepts that, from time to time, ARC Creative may use any AI System and utilise any Client Materials within such AI System for the performance of its Services, including (without limitation) for the development of any AI System-generated output (“Output”) under this Agreement.
6.2. ARC Creative shall remain responsible for the AI System that it selects for the purposes of the provision of the Services, save to the extent that Client requires ARC Creative to utilise a certain AI System for the provision of the Services (“Client AI System”).
6.3. Where Client requests that a Client AI System is required to be used by ARC Creative, ARC Creative: (i) shall not be liable or responsible for any delays or damages howsoever arising from the (non) performance or operation of any AI System (including but not limited to security and privacy breaches); (ii) makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) and has no indemnity obligations regarding any claims arising out of (a) actual or alleged infringement of any intellectual property or other third party rights in connection with or relating to the Output; or (b) Client’s ownership rights of all or part of the Output.
6.4. Subject to clause 6.3, ownership of the Output shall vest in Client pursuant to clause 5 of this Agreement or the extent permitted by applicable laws.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1. Where Confidential Information has been disclosed to the Client, the Client acknowledges that such Confidential Information has been disclosed in confidence, may have considerable value and is of significant importance to ARC Creative.
7.2. The Client further acknowledges that ARC Creative makes no representation with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any Confidential Information, except to the extent agreed by ARC Creative in writing.
7.3. The Client agrees to keep the Confidential Information, including ARC Creative Intellectual Property provided to the Client pursuant to clause 5, in complete confidence and not to disclose it to any third party. Except as expressly permitted under this Agreement, the Client shall not use, copy in whole or in part, modify or adapt the Confidential Information in any way without ARC Creative’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in its absolute discretion.
7.4. The Client may use the Confidential Information only for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and for no other purpose. The Client may disclose the Confidential Information to such of its officers, employees and agents to whom disclosure is necessary for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement provided the Client shall ensure such officers, employees and agents observe the obligations of confidentiality imposed by this clause and the Client shall be liable for any failure by them to do so.
7.5. The Client shall not be in breach of this clause if it discloses Confidential Information where such disclosure is required by law, regulation or order of a competent authority provided that ARC Creative is given, where possible, reasonable advance notice of the intended disclosure and a reasonable opportunity to challenge the same.
7.6. The Client acknowledges that any breach of its confidentiality obligations under this clause would cause ARC Creative irreparable and unquantifiable damage and that ARC Creative shall be entitled to seek and obtain (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative in contract or at law) injunctive or other equitable relief against or in respect of any actual or threatened breach of this clause by the Client.
7.7. On receipt of a written demand, the Client shall return to ARC Creative, or destroy at ARC Creative’s option, any and all written documents or materials containing Confidential Information, together with all copies thereof, and if ARC Creative should so require the Client shall, when returning documents or materials, provide to ARC Creative a certification duly executed by an officer of the Client confirming that the Client has complied with all of its obligations under this clause.
8. TERMINATION
8.1. Except where otherwise stated in a Quote or Contract for Services, this Agreement will expire on completion of the Services to be provided pursuant to it.
8.2. This Agreement (and any Services to be provided under it) may only be terminated with the written consent of ARC Creative and in accordance with these Terms (and if applicable, the terms of any subsequent Contract for Services). The giving of consent shall not in any way prejudice ARC Creative’s right to recover from the Client full compensation for any loss or expense arising from such termination of this Agreement.
8.3. Notwithstanding clause 8.2 and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative, the Client may give ARC Creative written notice of termination of this Agreement (and any Services to be provided thereunder), provided that where such notice is received by ARC Creative:
8.3.1. less than 24 hours prior to the date for performance or the commencement of performance of the relevant Services (the “Start Date”) or less, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, the applicable amount chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date; and
8.3.2. less than five working days but more than 24 hours prior to the applicable Start Date, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client one half of the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, one half of the applicable amount that chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date, in each case reflecting the fact that ARC Creative is unlikely to be able to secure an order for the Services and/or to reallocate the resources allocated to the Client’s order within the specified timeframes. In addition, ARC Creative shall be entitled to recover all its costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.4. Either party shall also be entitled to terminate: (a) should the other breach this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within seven (7) days of having received a written notice detailing the breach; and/or (b) the other party suspends or ceases, or threatens to suspend or cease, carrying on all or a substantial part of its business. In such instance, ARC Creative shall be paid for all Services provided to date of termination, all costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.6. Any provisions of this Agreement which by their nature are intended to survive termination or expiration (including clause 7 (Confidentiality) and clause 9 (Liability and Indemnity)) shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
9. LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
9.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude or in any way limit either party’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, any claim that cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law or fraud.
9.2. Subject to clause 9.1 and without prejudice to any other provision of these Terms, the Client agrees that:
9.2.1. this Agreement states the full extent of ARC Creative’s obligations and liabilities in respect
of the Works and performance of the Services;
9.2.2. under no circumstances shall ARC Creative be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage whatsoever, including but not limited to any loss of profits, business interruption, loss of goodwill, loss of use or corruption of data or software;
9.2.3. ARC Creative’s entire liability for any loss suffered by the Client under or in connection with this Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, shall be limited to an amount equal to the fees paid by the Client in accordance with this Agreement.
9.3. The Client shall indemnify and hold harmless ARC Creative and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against all claims or proceedings and all loss and damage of any kind, costs, proceedings, damages and expenses (including legal and other professional fees and expenses) awarded against, or incurred or paid by, ARC Creative as a result of or in connection with:
9.3.1. any defamatory or libellous matter or any infringement or alleged infringement of a third party’s Intellectual Property Rights or other rights arising out of the supply or use of the Client Materials in relation to the Works and/or in the course of carrying out the Services and/or misuse by the Client of the Works;
9.3.2. any damage to property in the course of carrying out the Services as a result of any act or omission of the Client (including its officers, employees, consultants and agents); and
9.3.3. any breach by the Client, including its officers, employees, consultants and agents, of any of these Terms or the terms of any Contract for Services.
9.4. ARC Creative expressly disclaims all warranties, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to the services provided under this agreement, including without limitation all implied warranties of merchantability, quality, fitness for a particular purpose, and warranties arising from a course of dealing, usage or trade practice.
10. INSURANCE
The Client shall maintain and keep effective at all times insurance policies with reputable insurers as are sufficient to protect the Client against any loss or liability which it may incur or suffer arising out of this Agreement, including professional indemnity, public liability and employers’ liability with each such cover to be no less than USD $1M and insurance which covers the Client for any damage or loss for which ARC Creative is not liable pursuant to the these Terms, and which protects the Client against any accidental loss, damage or destruction to any Client Materials or any other materials of any kind supplied by the Client to ARC Creative while in the possession or control of ARC Creative. ARC Creative may at any time request the Client to provide copies or certificates of insurance or other evidence to prove compliance with this clause.
11. STORAGE OF CLIENT MATERIALS
11.1. ARC Creative shall be under no liability whatsoever in respect of any loss or damage to or destruction of the Client Materials (whether such Client Materials are in the possession of ARC Creative or otherwise) and it is the Client’s responsibility to ensure that it has appropriate back-up copies of all Client Materials.
11.2. In accordance with clause 9 above, the Client shall insure all Client Materials to their full value against all risks.
11.3. The Client shall provide details to ARC Creative for the return of the Client Materials within two months from the date of confirmation of a Quote or Contract for Services, as applicable. If the Client does not provide ARC Creative with details for the return of the Client Materials, ARC Creative shall send the Client Materials to its archive upon completion of the Services and ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client reasonable storage charges for doing so.
11.4. Where Client Materials are supplied or specific instructions are given by the Client, ARC Creative accepts no liability for any reduction in the quality of the Services caused by defects or errors in or the unsuitability of such Client Materials or by ARC Creative’s use of the Client Materials or adherence to any of the Client’s specific instructions.
12. CUSTOMER INPUT AND ACCESS TO/USE OF ARC CREATIVE’S PREMISES AND CONTENT
12.1. The Client shall be solely responsible for ensuring that all information, advice and recommendations given to ARC Creative either directly or indirectly by the Client or by the Client’s employees, consultants or agents are accurate, correct and suitable. Acceptance of or use by ARC Creative of such information, advice or recommendations shall in no way limit the Client’s responsibility hereunder, unless ARC Creative specifically agrees in writing to accept responsibility.
12.2. The Client hereby undertakes to ARC Creative to ensure that all of its personnel (including its employees, consultants and agents) who at any time have access to any premises occupied by ARC Creative or at which any of ARC Creative’s equipment shall be kept, shall at all times:
12.2.1. observe all rules, policies and regulations in force at the applicable premises, including all health and safety regulations and any rules governing the use of equipment and/or facilities at the applicable premises; and
12.2.2. keep confidential and not divulge or communicate or make any use of any Confidential Information which the applicable person shall become aware of as a result of being present at the applicable premises.
13. PUBLICITY
13.1. ARC Creative may publicize, advertise and market the Works on its website(s), social media site(s), blog(s), in pitches to third parties, in connection with any appropriate industry awards, or in any other manner, as ARC Creative may in its sole discretion decide, without the prior written consent of the Client.
13.2. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual and royalty-free license to use the Works throughout the world for the purposes of clause 12.1 above and in order for ARC Creative to promote its business by whatever means it sees fit. If credits are used as part of the Works, then ARC Creative shall be given credits as mutually agreed between the Parties.
14. FORCE MAJEURE
In the event of the Services being prevented, delayed, or in any way interfered with by any act of government, war, industrial dispute, strike, breakdown of machinery or equipment, pandemic, accident, fire, acts of god or by any other cause beyond ARC Creative’s control, ARC Creative
may, at its option, suspend performance of or terminate this Agreement, without liability to the Client for any resulting damage or loss, such suspension or termination being without prejudice to ARC Creative’s right to recover all sums owing to it in respect of Services and Works delivered and costs incurred up to the date of suspension or termination.
15. GENERAL
15.1. Subcontractors: ARC Creative shall be entitled to appoint one or more subcontractors to carry out all or any of its obligations under this Agreement.
15.2. Modification: No modification of this Agreement (including any of the Services or Works to be provided hereunder) shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by, or on behalf of, each of the parties.
15.3. Waiver: A waiver of any right or remedy under this Agreement is effective only if it is in writing and it applies only to the circumstances for which it is given. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that (or any other) right or remedy.
15.4. Severance: If. any provision of this Agreement (or part of any provision) is found by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed not to form part of this Agreement, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected.
15.5. Independent Contractor: The parties acknowledge that ARC Creative is acting as an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to constitute or appoint either party as the agent, partner, joint venturer or representative of the other party for any purpose
whatsoever, or to grant to either party any right or authority to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, for or on behalf of or in the name of the other, or to bind the other in any way or manner whatsoever.
15.6. No Third-Party Beneficiaries: This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.
15.7. Assignment: The Client may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of ARC Creative.
15.8. Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to such subject matter.
15.9. Notices: Any notice or other communication required to be given under this Agreement or otherwise in writing may be sent by email or by first class pre-paid post to: ARC Creative, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005 for the attention of the Legal department. Any notice sent by
first class post shall be deemed received two working days after the date of posting. Any notice sent by e-mail shall be deemed received on the next business day after the date of delivery.
15.10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in New York, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in New York, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection with this Agreement. Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in Los Angeles, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of California and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Los Angeles, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection
with this Agreement.
15.11. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement.
ARC CREATIVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. INTERPRETATION
1.1. In these Terms, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement” means the Quote, these Terms and any Contract for Services.
“AI System” means advanced computer algorithms and technologies, including machine learning and any generative artificial intelligence software, tools or technologies.
“Client” means the person, firm, company or other entity who has instructed ARC Creative to carry out the Services (as defined below) as set out in this Agreement.
“Client Materials” means any goods, products and materials in whatever form (including all Intellectual Property Rights in the same) provided or made available by the Client to ARC Creative for use in connection with this Agreement, and including any master tapes, film negative prints, sound tapes, video tapes or visual images or sound held in any media.
“Confidential Information” means such information as ARC Creative may from time to time provide to the Client (in whatever form including orally, written, in electronic, tape, disk, physical or visual form) relating to this Agreement and the Works, and all know-how, trade secrets, tactical, scientific, statistical, financial, commercial or technical information of any kind disclosed by ARC Creative to the Client whether in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or which subsequently comes into existence, including any copies, reproductions, duplicates or notes in any form whatsoever.
“Contract for Services” means any subsequent contract for the provision of Services entered into between ARC Creative and the Client pursuant to these Terms.
“Intellectual Property Rights” means copyright (including rights in computer software), database rights, design rights, moral rights, trademarks, service marks, rights (registered or unregistered) in any designs, applications for any of the foregoing, trade or business names, and topography rights, know-how, secret formulae and processes, lists of suppliers and customers and other proprietary knowledge and information, internet domain names, rights protecting goodwill and reputation, and all intellectual property rights and forms of protection of a similar nature to any of the foregoing or having equivalent effect anywhere in the world and all rights under licenses and consents in respect of any of the rights and forms of protection mentioned in this definition.
“Quote” means a quote presented by ARC Creative in respect of Services to be provided to the Client.
“Services” means the services to be provided by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement and includes the Works (as defined below) arising out of the Services.
“Terms” means these terms and conditions of business.
“ARC Creative” means ARC Creative Studios LLC.
“ARC Creative Intellectual Property” means all rights, including Intellectual Property Rights, in and to (i) ARC Creative’s proprietary underlying software, libraries, engines, subroutines and development tools and utilities (in source code and object code form), including underlying models, rigging, animation data and all pre-existing intellectual property rights therein, which in each case are of general use or applicability in VFX and/or which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement and including any modifications of improvements of those whether made prior or during the course of this Agreement; and (ii) any other materials, in whatever form (including documents, information, data and software), which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement.
“Works” means the products and materials created, developed and produced by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement.
1.2. Headings used in these Terms are purely for ease of reference and do not form any part of or affect the interpretation of these Terms.
1.3. The words “include” and “including” shall not be construed restrictively.
1.4. Any reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time.
2. FORMATION OF CONTRACT
2.1. The Services will be carried out in accordance with these Terms, any Quote, and any subsequent Contract for Services to the exclusion of any other terms and conditions the Client seeks to impose whether orally or in writing, unless agreed otherwise in writing by the parties.
2.2. All representations, conditions or warranties, or other terms concerning the Services which might otherwise be implied or incorporated in this Agreement, whether by statute, common law or otherwise are, to the maximum extent permitted by law, excluded from this Agreement or any variation thereof, unless expressly accepted by ARC Creative in writing.
2.3. No employee, consultant or agent of ARC Creative has the power to make any statement or representation about the Services offered, their fitness for any purpose or any other matter.
2.4. Upon requesting Services from ARC Creative, the Client shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and these Terms shall become binding as between the Client and ARC Creative, notwithstanding the absence of any formal acknowledgement.
2.5. The Client and ARC Creative may enter into a Contract for Services or agree a Quote which will constitute a separate binding contract between the parties which shall be deemed to incorporate these Terms. In the case of any conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and any subsequent Contract for Services/Quote, these Terms shall take precedence.
3. PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
3.1. ARC Creative will invoice the Client for the prices quoted in respect of Services to be provided at the times set out in the relevant Quote or Contract for Services.
3.2. ARC Creative shall be entitled to make an adjustment to any quoted prices in the event that additional costs are incurred, or likely to be incurred, by reason of:
3.2.1. the Client Materials (or any part thereof) being, in the reasonable opinion of ARC Creative, in any way defective, in an unsuitable format (or a different format to that which ARC Creative is expecting to receive the same) or of unsuitable quality for normal processing;
3.2.2. any information supplied by the Client or any third party in connection with this Agreement and the Services being inaccurate or incomplete, or failing to give ARC Creative a full and accurate indication of the work involved and/or time and resources required; or
3.2.3. changes by the Client or any third party in its requirements for the Services or Works or delays caused by the Client including in giving its approval; or
3.2.4. exceptional circumstances outside the control of ARC Creative, including currency fluctuations and changes in third party costs.
3.3. Subject to clause 3.4 and unless otherwise agreed by ARC Creative in writing, all invoices rendered by ARC Creative are payable within 28 days of the date of invoice and any interim invoices are payable within 7 days of the date of invoice.
3.4. ARC Creative expressly reserves the right, at its sole option, to require payment by instalments during the performance of this Agreement and/or to require payment of all amounts due to ARC Creative in respect of Works to be provided prior to delivery of such Works.
3.5. The Client shall pay all amounts owing to ARC Creative in full and shall not exercise any rights of set off against invoices submitted.
3.6. Payment of all amounts shall only be made in the currency in which they are invoiced and shall not be subject to any deductions or charges whatsoever.
3.7. In the event of default in payment by the Client under this Agreement, ARC Creative shall be entitled, without prejudice to any of its other rights or remedies, to suspend any further performance of the Services without notice and to charge interest on any amount outstanding at the rate of the lesser of one and one-half percent (1.5 percent) per month or the highest amount permitted by law, from the due date of payment to the actual date of payment.
3.8. All sums payable under this Agreement are exclusive of sales, use and any other taxes, which shall (if and to the extent applicable) be payable by the Client at the rate and in the manner from time to time prescribed by law.
3.9. The Client shall pay any withholding tax or other similar taxes applicable for the Services or otherwise required by law to be deducted from any payment by the Client to ARC Creative pursuant to this Agreement. Should the Client be required to pay any such withholding or make such deduction on account of tax, the Client shall pay such additional amount as will ensure that ARC Creative receives, free and clear of any tax or other deduction or withholding, the full amount
which it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required. The Client shall indemnify ARC Creative against all costs, claims, expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) and/or proceedings arising out of or in connection with such payments. The Client and ARC Creative shall cooperate in good faith to respond to any query from the applicable tax authorities in connection with withholding tax or other similar taxes and shall each make available to the other any information or documents and all relevant approvals or authorizations which the applicable tax authorities may reasonably require.
4. PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY
4.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, all times specified in a Quote or Contract for Services for performance of the Services and delivery of the Works are given in good faith but are not guaranteed by ARC Creative.
4.2. Notwithstanding that ARC Creative and the Client may have agreed that time is of the essence in respect of specified Services or Works, the time for performance of the Services or delivery of the Works shall in every case be dependent upon prompt receipt of all necessary information, materials (including Client Materials), final instructions and/or approvals from the Client. The Client acknowledges and agrees that any changes to its requirements and/or the occurrence of any of the circumstances in clause 3.2 may result in delay in performance or delivery, for which ARC Creative shall not be liable. In such instance, the Parties shall agree in
good faith alternative timelines and an additional budget to cover the delays.
4.3. Where the Works are to be delivered electronically, the Client acknowledges and agrees that:
4.3.1. electronic delivery is not a completely secure medium of communication and that an unauthorized third party may intercept, tamper with or delete the Works to be delivered electronically; and
4.3.2. electronic delivery may involve reliance upon third party providers and data carriers, over which ARC Creative has no control.
4.4. ARC Creative shall not be responsible for and shall have no liability to the Client or any third party for:
4.4.1. any delay in delivery or any non-receipt of any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.2. any loss or damage (including loss of data) that results from any person gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.3. use or disclosure of any data obtained by any third party as a result of that third party gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically; and
4.4.4. any loss or damage resulting from any malfunction of or the introduction of any viruses, worms, logic bombs, time locks, time bombs, trojan horses and/or bugs to any equipment and/or software used to effect and/or receive any Works delivered electronically.
4.5. The Client warrants that:
4.5.1. ARC Creative's receipt and use of the Client Materials in accordance with this Agreement shall not infringe the Intellectual Property Rights and/or data privacy rights of any third party;
4.5.2. the Client has full capacity and authority to enter into and perform the relevant Contract for Services and that the individual agreeing to or signing it is duly authorises to bind the Client legally;
4.5.3. the Client has all the rights necessary to grant the licenses granted hereunder; and
4.5.4. the Client shall comply with applicable laws that are applicable to it.
4.6. The Client agrees that:
4.6.1. it shall reasonably cooperate with ARC Creative in all matters relating to the Services including the delivery of any materials required by ARC Creative for the provision of the Services;
4.6.2. it shall comply with all of ARC Creative’s reasonable instructions and provide, in a timely manner, such information as ARC Creative may reasonably require, and ensure that it is accurate and complete in all material respects. It shall provide its approval over the Services by the dates reasonably given to it. ARC Creative shall not be liable for delays and costs incurred caused by the Client’s failure to comply with this clause;
4.6.3. If the Client requires any additional work, reformatting, changes to creative, deviation or amendment to the Quote/Contract for Services including but not limited to a change to the schedule, design direction, technical methodology or script in a way that impacts the Works, workflow and/or volume of work (together the “Changes”), then these Changes shall only apply if agreed between the Parties in writing and signed. In such instances, ARC Creative shall agree to an extension of time for the performance of the Services and an additional fee to cover the costs of such Changes. If such Changes cannot be agreed, ARC Creative shall be entitled to either: (a) continue providing the Services as initially agreed without those Changes; or (b) terminate this Agreement and invoice for all Services provided to date of termination including all costs and expenses incurred to date of termination.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
5.1. The Client acknowledges that ARC Creative (or its third-party licensors) owns, and shall retain ownership of, ARC Creative Intellectual Property, and ARC Creative shall not at any time be required to deliver to the Client any of ARC Creative Intellectual Property whatsoever.
5.2. The Client acknowledges and agrees that if in the course of performing the Services (including any processing or production of materials on behalf of the Client) ARC Creative discovers or devises any techniques or know-how, all rights of every kind in and to such techniques and know-how shall belong to and vest in ARC Creative and shall be deemed to be ARC Creative Intellectual Property for the purposes of this Agreement.
5.3. ARC Creative shall retain ownership and possession of, any and all rights (including all Intellectual Property Rights) in and to, any original character design, ideas or concepts presented or created by ARC Creative as well as any working files and project files produced in relation to this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. Where the Client requires a license to use any such original character design, ideas or concepts, for whatever purpose, the terms of such license shall be agreed by the parties in writing pursuant to a Quote and/or any subsequent Contract for Services.
5.4. Subject to clauses 5.1 to 5.3 above and any other terms agreed pursuant to a Quote or Contract for Services, all title and Intellectual Property Rights in and to the Works (excluding ARC Creative Intellectual Property), shall pass to the Client only upon the Client paying to ARC Creative all sums due and payable under this Agreement. To the extent required, the parties may agree on terms for the license of ARC Creative’s Intellectual Property (or any part of it) incorporated into the Works, to enable the Client to receive the benefit of the Works.
5.5. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free license to use the Client Materials to the extent necessary for ARC Creative and/or its suppliers to provide the Services and the Works.
5.6. The Client acknowledges and agrees that Intellectual Property Rights in and to underlying materials processed by ARC Creative in the performance of the Services and/or embodied in the Works may be owned by third parties and that the use by the Client of the Works shall be subject always to the Client obtaining any and all necessary licenses and consents from the relevant underlying rights’ owner(s).
6. AI USE
6.1. Client acknowledges and accepts that, from time to time, ARC Creative may use any AI System and utilise any Client Materials within such AI System for the performance of its Services, including (without limitation) for the development of any AI System-generated output (“Output”) under this Agreement.
6.2. ARC Creative shall remain responsible for the AI System that it selects for the purposes of the provision of the Services, save to the extent that Client requires ARC Creative to utilise a certain AI System for the provision of the Services (“Client AI System”).
6.3. Where Client requests that a Client AI System is required to be used by ARC Creative, ARC Creative: (i) shall not be liable or responsible for any delays or damages howsoever arising from the (non) performance or operation of any AI System (including but not limited to security and privacy breaches); (ii) makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) and has no indemnity obligations regarding any claims arising out of (a) actual or alleged infringement of any intellectual property or other third party rights in connection with or relating to the Output; or (b) Client’s ownership rights of all or part of the Output.
6.4. Subject to clause 6.3, ownership of the Output shall vest in Client pursuant to clause 5 of this Agreement or the extent permitted by applicable laws.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1. Where Confidential Information has been disclosed to the Client, the Client acknowledges that such Confidential Information has been disclosed in confidence, may have considerable value and is of significant importance to ARC Creative.
7.2. The Client further acknowledges that ARC Creative makes no representation with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any Confidential Information, except to the extent agreed by ARC Creative in writing.
7.3. The Client agrees to keep the Confidential Information, including ARC Creative Intellectual Property provided to the Client pursuant to clause 5, in complete confidence and not to disclose it to any third party. Except as expressly permitted under this Agreement, the Client shall not use, copy in whole or in part, modify or adapt the Confidential Information in any way without ARC Creative’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in its absolute discretion.
7.4. The Client may use the Confidential Information only for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and for no other purpose. The Client may disclose the Confidential Information to such of its officers, employees and agents to whom disclosure is necessary for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement provided the Client shall ensure such officers, employees and agents observe the obligations of confidentiality imposed by this clause and the Client shall be liable for any failure by them to do so.
7.5. The Client shall not be in breach of this clause if it discloses Confidential Information where such disclosure is required by law, regulation or order of a competent authority provided that ARC Creative is given, where possible, reasonable advance notice of the intended disclosure and a reasonable opportunity to challenge the same.
7.6. The Client acknowledges that any breach of its confidentiality obligations under this clause would cause ARC Creative irreparable and unquantifiable damage and that ARC Creative shall be entitled to seek and obtain (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative in contract or at law) injunctive or other equitable relief against or in respect of any actual or threatened breach of this clause by the Client.
7.7. On receipt of a written demand, the Client shall return to ARC Creative, or destroy at ARC Creative’s option, any and all written documents or materials containing Confidential Information, together with all copies thereof, and if ARC Creative should so require the Client shall, when returning documents or materials, provide to ARC Creative a certification duly executed by an officer of the Client confirming that the Client has complied with all of its obligations under this clause.
8. TERMINATION
8.1. Except where otherwise stated in a Quote or Contract for Services, this Agreement will expire on completion of the Services to be provided pursuant to it.
8.2. This Agreement (and any Services to be provided under it) may only be terminated with the written consent of ARC Creative and in accordance with these Terms (and if applicable, the terms of any subsequent Contract for Services). The giving of consent shall not in any way prejudice ARC Creative’s right to recover from the Client full compensation for any loss or expense arising from such termination of this Agreement.
8.3. Notwithstanding clause 8.2 and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative, the Client may give ARC Creative written notice of termination of this Agreement (and any Services to be provided thereunder), provided that where such notice is received by ARC Creative:
8.3.1. less than 24 hours prior to the date for performance or the commencement of performance of the relevant Services (the “Start Date”) or less, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, the applicable amount chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date; and
8.3.2. less than five working days but more than 24 hours prior to the applicable Start Date, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client one half of the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, one half of the applicable amount that chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date, in each case reflecting the fact that ARC Creative is unlikely to be able to secure an order for the Services and/or to reallocate the resources allocated to the Client’s order within the specified timeframes. In addition, ARC Creative shall be entitled to recover all its costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.4. Either party shall also be entitled to terminate: (a) should the other breach this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within seven (7) days of having received a written notice detailing the breach; and/or (b) the other party suspends or ceases, or threatens to suspend or cease, carrying on all or a substantial part of its business. In such instance, ARC Creative shall be paid for all Services provided to date of termination, all costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.6. Any provisions of this Agreement which by their nature are intended to survive termination or expiration (including clause 7 (Confidentiality) and clause 9 (Liability and Indemnity)) shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
9. LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
9.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude or in any way limit either party’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, any claim that cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law or fraud.
9.2. Subject to clause 9.1 and without prejudice to any other provision of these Terms, the Client agrees that:
9.2.1. this Agreement states the full extent of ARC Creative’s obligations and liabilities in respect
of the Works and performance of the Services;
9.2.2. under no circumstances shall ARC Creative be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage whatsoever, including but not limited to any loss of profits, business interruption, loss of goodwill, loss of use or corruption of data or software;
9.2.3. ARC Creative’s entire liability for any loss suffered by the Client under or in connection with this Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, shall be limited to an amount equal to the fees paid by the Client in accordance with this Agreement.
9.3. The Client shall indemnify and hold harmless ARC Creative and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against all claims or proceedings and all loss and damage of any kind, costs, proceedings, damages and expenses (including legal and other professional fees and expenses) awarded against, or incurred or paid by, ARC Creative as a result of or in connection with:
9.3.1. any defamatory or libellous matter or any infringement or alleged infringement of a third party’s Intellectual Property Rights or other rights arising out of the supply or use of the Client Materials in relation to the Works and/or in the course of carrying out the Services and/or misuse by the Client of the Works;
9.3.2. any damage to property in the course of carrying out the Services as a result of any act or omission of the Client (including its officers, employees, consultants and agents); and
9.3.3. any breach by the Client, including its officers, employees, consultants and agents, of any of these Terms or the terms of any Contract for Services.
9.4. ARC Creative expressly disclaims all warranties, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to the services provided under this agreement, including without limitation all implied warranties of merchantability, quality, fitness for a particular purpose, and warranties arising from a course of dealing, usage or trade practice.
10. INSURANCE
The Client shall maintain and keep effective at all times insurance policies with reputable insurers as are sufficient to protect the Client against any loss or liability which it may incur or suffer arising out of this Agreement, including professional indemnity, public liability and employers’ liability with each such cover to be no less than USD $1M and insurance which covers the Client for any damage or loss for which ARC Creative is not liable pursuant to the these Terms, and which protects the Client against any accidental loss, damage or destruction to any Client Materials or any other materials of any kind supplied by the Client to ARC Creative while in the possession or control of ARC Creative. ARC Creative may at any time request the Client to provide copies or certificates of insurance or other evidence to prove compliance with this clause.
11. STORAGE OF CLIENT MATERIALS
11.1. ARC Creative shall be under no liability whatsoever in respect of any loss or damage to or destruction of the Client Materials (whether such Client Materials are in the possession of ARC Creative or otherwise) and it is the Client’s responsibility to ensure that it has appropriate back-up copies of all Client Materials.
11.2. In accordance with clause 9 above, the Client shall insure all Client Materials to their full value against all risks.
11.3. The Client shall provide details to ARC Creative for the return of the Client Materials within two months from the date of confirmation of a Quote or Contract for Services, as applicable. If the Client does not provide ARC Creative with details for the return of the Client Materials, ARC Creative shall send the Client Materials to its archive upon completion of the Services and ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client reasonable storage charges for doing so.
11.4. Where Client Materials are supplied or specific instructions are given by the Client, ARC Creative accepts no liability for any reduction in the quality of the Services caused by defects or errors in or the unsuitability of such Client Materials or by ARC Creative’s use of the Client Materials or adherence to any of the Client’s specific instructions.
12. CUSTOMER INPUT AND ACCESS TO/USE OF ARC CREATIVE’S PREMISES AND CONTENT
12.1. The Client shall be solely responsible for ensuring that all information, advice and recommendations given to ARC Creative either directly or indirectly by the Client or by the Client’s employees, consultants or agents are accurate, correct and suitable. Acceptance of or use by ARC Creative of such information, advice or recommendations shall in no way limit the Client’s responsibility hereunder, unless ARC Creative specifically agrees in writing to accept responsibility.
12.2. The Client hereby undertakes to ARC Creative to ensure that all of its personnel (including its employees, consultants and agents) who at any time have access to any premises occupied by ARC Creative or at which any of ARC Creative’s equipment shall be kept, shall at all times:
12.2.1. observe all rules, policies and regulations in force at the applicable premises, including all health and safety regulations and any rules governing the use of equipment and/or facilities at the applicable premises; and
12.2.2. keep confidential and not divulge or communicate or make any use of any Confidential Information which the applicable person shall become aware of as a result of being present at the applicable premises.
13. PUBLICITY
13.1. ARC Creative may publicize, advertise and market the Works on its website(s), social media site(s), blog(s), in pitches to third parties, in connection with any appropriate industry awards, or in any other manner, as ARC Creative may in its sole discretion decide, without the prior written consent of the Client.
13.2. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual and royalty-free license to use the Works throughout the world for the purposes of clause 12.1 above and in order for ARC Creative to promote its business by whatever means it sees fit. If credits are used as part of the Works, then ARC Creative shall be given credits as mutually agreed between the Parties.
14. FORCE MAJEURE
In the event of the Services being prevented, delayed, or in any way interfered with by any act of government, war, industrial dispute, strike, breakdown of machinery or equipment, pandemic, accident, fire, acts of god or by any other cause beyond ARC Creative’s control, ARC Creative
may, at its option, suspend performance of or terminate this Agreement, without liability to the Client for any resulting damage or loss, such suspension or termination being without prejudice to ARC Creative’s right to recover all sums owing to it in respect of Services and Works delivered and costs incurred up to the date of suspension or termination.
15. GENERAL
15.1. Subcontractors: ARC Creative shall be entitled to appoint one or more subcontractors to carry out all or any of its obligations under this Agreement.
15.2. Modification: No modification of this Agreement (including any of the Services or Works to be provided hereunder) shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by, or on behalf of, each of the parties.
15.3. Waiver: A waiver of any right or remedy under this Agreement is effective only if it is in writing and it applies only to the circumstances for which it is given. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that (or any other) right or remedy.
15.4. Severance: If. any provision of this Agreement (or part of any provision) is found by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed not to form part of this Agreement, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected.
15.5. Independent Contractor: The parties acknowledge that ARC Creative is acting as an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to constitute or appoint either party as the agent, partner, joint venturer or representative of the other party for any purpose
whatsoever, or to grant to either party any right or authority to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, for or on behalf of or in the name of the other, or to bind the other in any way or manner whatsoever.
15.6. No Third-Party Beneficiaries: This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.
15.7. Assignment: The Client may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of ARC Creative.
15.8. Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to such subject matter.
15.9. Notices: Any notice or other communication required to be given under this Agreement or otherwise in writing may be sent by email or by first class pre-paid post to: ARC Creative, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005 for the attention of the Legal department. Any notice sent by
first class post shall be deemed received two working days after the date of posting. Any notice sent by e-mail shall be deemed received on the next business day after the date of delivery.
15.10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in New York, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in New York, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection with this Agreement. Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in Los Angeles, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of California and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Los Angeles, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection
with this Agreement.
15.11. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement.
ARC CREATIVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. INTERPRETATION
1.1. In these Terms, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement” means the Quote, these Terms and any Contract for Services.
“AI System” means advanced computer algorithms and technologies, including machine learning and any generative artificial intelligence software, tools or technologies.
“Client” means the person, firm, company or other entity who has instructed ARC Creative to carry out the Services (as defined below) as set out in this Agreement.
“Client Materials” means any goods, products and materials in whatever form (including all Intellectual Property Rights in the same) provided or made available by the Client to ARC Creative for use in connection with this Agreement, and including any master tapes, film negative prints, sound tapes, video tapes or visual images or sound held in any media.
“Confidential Information” means such information as ARC Creative may from time to time provide to the Client (in whatever form including orally, written, in electronic, tape, disk, physical or visual form) relating to this Agreement and the Works, and all know-how, trade secrets, tactical, scientific, statistical, financial, commercial or technical information of any kind disclosed by ARC Creative to the Client whether in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or which subsequently comes into existence, including any copies, reproductions, duplicates or notes in any form whatsoever.
“Contract for Services” means any subsequent contract for the provision of Services entered into between ARC Creative and the Client pursuant to these Terms.
“Intellectual Property Rights” means copyright (including rights in computer software), database rights, design rights, moral rights, trademarks, service marks, rights (registered or unregistered) in any designs, applications for any of the foregoing, trade or business names, and topography rights, know-how, secret formulae and processes, lists of suppliers and customers and other proprietary knowledge and information, internet domain names, rights protecting goodwill and reputation, and all intellectual property rights and forms of protection of a similar nature to any of the foregoing or having equivalent effect anywhere in the world and all rights under licenses and consents in respect of any of the rights and forms of protection mentioned in this definition.
“Quote” means a quote presented by ARC Creative in respect of Services to be provided to the Client.
“Services” means the services to be provided by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement and includes the Works (as defined below) arising out of the Services.
“Terms” means these terms and conditions of business.
“ARC Creative” means ARC Creative Studios LLC.
“ARC Creative Intellectual Property” means all rights, including Intellectual Property Rights, in and to (i) ARC Creative’s proprietary underlying software, libraries, engines, subroutines and development tools and utilities (in source code and object code form), including underlying models, rigging, animation data and all pre-existing intellectual property rights therein, which in each case are of general use or applicability in VFX and/or which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement and including any modifications of improvements of those whether made prior or during the course of this Agreement; and (ii) any other materials, in whatever form (including documents, information, data and software), which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement.
“Works” means the products and materials created, developed and produced by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement.
1.2. Headings used in these Terms are purely for ease of reference and do not form any part of or affect the interpretation of these Terms.
1.3. The words “include” and “including” shall not be construed restrictively.
1.4. Any reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time.
2. FORMATION OF CONTRACT
2.1. The Services will be carried out in accordance with these Terms, any Quote, and any subsequent Contract for Services to the exclusion of any other terms and conditions the Client seeks to impose whether orally or in writing, unless agreed otherwise in writing by the parties.
2.2. All representations, conditions or warranties, or other terms concerning the Services which might otherwise be implied or incorporated in this Agreement, whether by statute, common law or otherwise are, to the maximum extent permitted by law, excluded from this Agreement or any variation thereof, unless expressly accepted by ARC Creative in writing.
2.3. No employee, consultant or agent of ARC Creative has the power to make any statement or representation about the Services offered, their fitness for any purpose or any other matter.
2.4. Upon requesting Services from ARC Creative, the Client shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and these Terms shall become binding as between the Client and ARC Creative, notwithstanding the absence of any formal acknowledgement.
2.5. The Client and ARC Creative may enter into a Contract for Services or agree a Quote which will constitute a separate binding contract between the parties which shall be deemed to incorporate these Terms. In the case of any conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and any subsequent Contract for Services/Quote, these Terms shall take precedence.
3. PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
3.1. ARC Creative will invoice the Client for the prices quoted in respect of Services to be provided at the times set out in the relevant Quote or Contract for Services.
3.2. ARC Creative shall be entitled to make an adjustment to any quoted prices in the event that additional costs are incurred, or likely to be incurred, by reason of:
3.2.1. the Client Materials (or any part thereof) being, in the reasonable opinion of ARC Creative, in any way defective, in an unsuitable format (or a different format to that which ARC Creative is expecting to receive the same) or of unsuitable quality for normal processing;
3.2.2. any information supplied by the Client or any third party in connection with this Agreement and the Services being inaccurate or incomplete, or failing to give ARC Creative a full and accurate indication of the work involved and/or time and resources required; or
3.2.3. changes by the Client or any third party in its requirements for the Services or Works or delays caused by the Client including in giving its approval; or
3.2.4. exceptional circumstances outside the control of ARC Creative, including currency fluctuations and changes in third party costs.
3.3. Subject to clause 3.4 and unless otherwise agreed by ARC Creative in writing, all invoices rendered by ARC Creative are payable within 28 days of the date of invoice and any interim invoices are payable within 7 days of the date of invoice.
3.4. ARC Creative expressly reserves the right, at its sole option, to require payment by instalments during the performance of this Agreement and/or to require payment of all amounts due to ARC Creative in respect of Works to be provided prior to delivery of such Works.
3.5. The Client shall pay all amounts owing to ARC Creative in full and shall not exercise any rights of set off against invoices submitted.
3.6. Payment of all amounts shall only be made in the currency in which they are invoiced and shall not be subject to any deductions or charges whatsoever.
3.7. In the event of default in payment by the Client under this Agreement, ARC Creative shall be entitled, without prejudice to any of its other rights or remedies, to suspend any further performance of the Services without notice and to charge interest on any amount outstanding at the rate of the lesser of one and one-half percent (1.5 percent) per month or the highest amount permitted by law, from the due date of payment to the actual date of payment.
3.8. All sums payable under this Agreement are exclusive of sales, use and any other taxes, which shall (if and to the extent applicable) be payable by the Client at the rate and in the manner from time to time prescribed by law.
3.9. The Client shall pay any withholding tax or other similar taxes applicable for the Services or otherwise required by law to be deducted from any payment by the Client to ARC Creative pursuant to this Agreement. Should the Client be required to pay any such withholding or make such deduction on account of tax, the Client shall pay such additional amount as will ensure that ARC Creative receives, free and clear of any tax or other deduction or withholding, the full amount
which it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required. The Client shall indemnify ARC Creative against all costs, claims, expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) and/or proceedings arising out of or in connection with such payments. The Client and ARC Creative shall cooperate in good faith to respond to any query from the applicable tax authorities in connection with withholding tax or other similar taxes and shall each make available to the other any information or documents and all relevant approvals or authorizations which the applicable tax authorities may reasonably require.
4. PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY
4.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, all times specified in a Quote or Contract for Services for performance of the Services and delivery of the Works are given in good faith but are not guaranteed by ARC Creative.
4.2. Notwithstanding that ARC Creative and the Client may have agreed that time is of the essence in respect of specified Services or Works, the time for performance of the Services or delivery of the Works shall in every case be dependent upon prompt receipt of all necessary information, materials (including Client Materials), final instructions and/or approvals from the Client. The Client acknowledges and agrees that any changes to its requirements and/or the occurrence of any of the circumstances in clause 3.2 may result in delay in performance or delivery, for which ARC Creative shall not be liable. In such instance, the Parties shall agree in
good faith alternative timelines and an additional budget to cover the delays.
4.3. Where the Works are to be delivered electronically, the Client acknowledges and agrees that:
4.3.1. electronic delivery is not a completely secure medium of communication and that an unauthorized third party may intercept, tamper with or delete the Works to be delivered electronically; and
4.3.2. electronic delivery may involve reliance upon third party providers and data carriers, over which ARC Creative has no control.
4.4. ARC Creative shall not be responsible for and shall have no liability to the Client or any third party for:
4.4.1. any delay in delivery or any non-receipt of any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.2. any loss or damage (including loss of data) that results from any person gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.3. use or disclosure of any data obtained by any third party as a result of that third party gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically; and
4.4.4. any loss or damage resulting from any malfunction of or the introduction of any viruses, worms, logic bombs, time locks, time bombs, trojan horses and/or bugs to any equipment and/or software used to effect and/or receive any Works delivered electronically.
4.5. The Client warrants that:
4.5.1. ARC Creative's receipt and use of the Client Materials in accordance with this Agreement shall not infringe the Intellectual Property Rights and/or data privacy rights of any third party;
4.5.2. the Client has full capacity and authority to enter into and perform the relevant Contract for Services and that the individual agreeing to or signing it is duly authorises to bind the Client legally;
4.5.3. the Client has all the rights necessary to grant the licenses granted hereunder; and
4.5.4. the Client shall comply with applicable laws that are applicable to it.
4.6. The Client agrees that:
4.6.1. it shall reasonably cooperate with ARC Creative in all matters relating to the Services including the delivery of any materials required by ARC Creative for the provision of the Services;
4.6.2. it shall comply with all of ARC Creative’s reasonable instructions and provide, in a timely manner, such information as ARC Creative may reasonably require, and ensure that it is accurate and complete in all material respects. It shall provide its approval over the Services by the dates reasonably given to it. ARC Creative shall not be liable for delays and costs incurred caused by the Client’s failure to comply with this clause;
4.6.3. If the Client requires any additional work, reformatting, changes to creative, deviation or amendment to the Quote/Contract for Services including but not limited to a change to the schedule, design direction, technical methodology or script in a way that impacts the Works, workflow and/or volume of work (together the “Changes”), then these Changes shall only apply if agreed between the Parties in writing and signed. In such instances, ARC Creative shall agree to an extension of time for the performance of the Services and an additional fee to cover the costs of such Changes. If such Changes cannot be agreed, ARC Creative shall be entitled to either: (a) continue providing the Services as initially agreed without those Changes; or (b) terminate this Agreement and invoice for all Services provided to date of termination including all costs and expenses incurred to date of termination.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
5.1. The Client acknowledges that ARC Creative (or its third-party licensors) owns, and shall retain ownership of, ARC Creative Intellectual Property, and ARC Creative shall not at any time be required to deliver to the Client any of ARC Creative Intellectual Property whatsoever.
5.2. The Client acknowledges and agrees that if in the course of performing the Services (including any processing or production of materials on behalf of the Client) ARC Creative discovers or devises any techniques or know-how, all rights of every kind in and to such techniques and know-how shall belong to and vest in ARC Creative and shall be deemed to be ARC Creative Intellectual Property for the purposes of this Agreement.
5.3. ARC Creative shall retain ownership and possession of, any and all rights (including all Intellectual Property Rights) in and to, any original character design, ideas or concepts presented or created by ARC Creative as well as any working files and project files produced in relation to this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. Where the Client requires a license to use any such original character design, ideas or concepts, for whatever purpose, the terms of such license shall be agreed by the parties in writing pursuant to a Quote and/or any subsequent Contract for Services.
5.4. Subject to clauses 5.1 to 5.3 above and any other terms agreed pursuant to a Quote or Contract for Services, all title and Intellectual Property Rights in and to the Works (excluding ARC Creative Intellectual Property), shall pass to the Client only upon the Client paying to ARC Creative all sums due and payable under this Agreement. To the extent required, the parties may agree on terms for the license of ARC Creative’s Intellectual Property (or any part of it) incorporated into the Works, to enable the Client to receive the benefit of the Works.
5.5. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free license to use the Client Materials to the extent necessary for ARC Creative and/or its suppliers to provide the Services and the Works.
5.6. The Client acknowledges and agrees that Intellectual Property Rights in and to underlying materials processed by ARC Creative in the performance of the Services and/or embodied in the Works may be owned by third parties and that the use by the Client of the Works shall be subject always to the Client obtaining any and all necessary licenses and consents from the relevant underlying rights’ owner(s).
6. AI USE
6.1. Client acknowledges and accepts that, from time to time, ARC Creative may use any AI System and utilise any Client Materials within such AI System for the performance of its Services, including (without limitation) for the development of any AI System-generated output (“Output”) under this Agreement.
6.2. ARC Creative shall remain responsible for the AI System that it selects for the purposes of the provision of the Services, save to the extent that Client requires ARC Creative to utilise a certain AI System for the provision of the Services (“Client AI System”).
6.3. Where Client requests that a Client AI System is required to be used by ARC Creative, ARC Creative: (i) shall not be liable or responsible for any delays or damages howsoever arising from the (non) performance or operation of any AI System (including but not limited to security and privacy breaches); (ii) makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) and has no indemnity obligations regarding any claims arising out of (a) actual or alleged infringement of any intellectual property or other third party rights in connection with or relating to the Output; or (b) Client’s ownership rights of all or part of the Output.
6.4. Subject to clause 6.3, ownership of the Output shall vest in Client pursuant to clause 5 of this Agreement or the extent permitted by applicable laws.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1. Where Confidential Information has been disclosed to the Client, the Client acknowledges that such Confidential Information has been disclosed in confidence, may have considerable value and is of significant importance to ARC Creative.
7.2. The Client further acknowledges that ARC Creative makes no representation with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any Confidential Information, except to the extent agreed by ARC Creative in writing.
7.3. The Client agrees to keep the Confidential Information, including ARC Creative Intellectual Property provided to the Client pursuant to clause 5, in complete confidence and not to disclose it to any third party. Except as expressly permitted under this Agreement, the Client shall not use, copy in whole or in part, modify or adapt the Confidential Information in any way without ARC Creative’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in its absolute discretion.
7.4. The Client may use the Confidential Information only for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and for no other purpose. The Client may disclose the Confidential Information to such of its officers, employees and agents to whom disclosure is necessary for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement provided the Client shall ensure such officers, employees and agents observe the obligations of confidentiality imposed by this clause and the Client shall be liable for any failure by them to do so.
7.5. The Client shall not be in breach of this clause if it discloses Confidential Information where such disclosure is required by law, regulation or order of a competent authority provided that ARC Creative is given, where possible, reasonable advance notice of the intended disclosure and a reasonable opportunity to challenge the same.
7.6. The Client acknowledges that any breach of its confidentiality obligations under this clause would cause ARC Creative irreparable and unquantifiable damage and that ARC Creative shall be entitled to seek and obtain (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative in contract or at law) injunctive or other equitable relief against or in respect of any actual or threatened breach of this clause by the Client.
7.7. On receipt of a written demand, the Client shall return to ARC Creative, or destroy at ARC Creative’s option, any and all written documents or materials containing Confidential Information, together with all copies thereof, and if ARC Creative should so require the Client shall, when returning documents or materials, provide to ARC Creative a certification duly executed by an officer of the Client confirming that the Client has complied with all of its obligations under this clause.
8. TERMINATION
8.1. Except where otherwise stated in a Quote or Contract for Services, this Agreement will expire on completion of the Services to be provided pursuant to it.
8.2. This Agreement (and any Services to be provided under it) may only be terminated with the written consent of ARC Creative and in accordance with these Terms (and if applicable, the terms of any subsequent Contract for Services). The giving of consent shall not in any way prejudice ARC Creative’s right to recover from the Client full compensation for any loss or expense arising from such termination of this Agreement.
8.3. Notwithstanding clause 8.2 and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative, the Client may give ARC Creative written notice of termination of this Agreement (and any Services to be provided thereunder), provided that where such notice is received by ARC Creative:
8.3.1. less than 24 hours prior to the date for performance or the commencement of performance of the relevant Services (the “Start Date”) or less, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, the applicable amount chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date; and
8.3.2. less than five working days but more than 24 hours prior to the applicable Start Date, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client one half of the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, one half of the applicable amount that chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date, in each case reflecting the fact that ARC Creative is unlikely to be able to secure an order for the Services and/or to reallocate the resources allocated to the Client’s order within the specified timeframes. In addition, ARC Creative shall be entitled to recover all its costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.4. Either party shall also be entitled to terminate: (a) should the other breach this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within seven (7) days of having received a written notice detailing the breach; and/or (b) the other party suspends or ceases, or threatens to suspend or cease, carrying on all or a substantial part of its business. In such instance, ARC Creative shall be paid for all Services provided to date of termination, all costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.6. Any provisions of this Agreement which by their nature are intended to survive termination or expiration (including clause 7 (Confidentiality) and clause 9 (Liability and Indemnity)) shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
9. LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
9.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude or in any way limit either party’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, any claim that cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law or fraud.
9.2. Subject to clause 9.1 and without prejudice to any other provision of these Terms, the Client agrees that:
9.2.1. this Agreement states the full extent of ARC Creative’s obligations and liabilities in respect
of the Works and performance of the Services;
9.2.2. under no circumstances shall ARC Creative be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage whatsoever, including but not limited to any loss of profits, business interruption, loss of goodwill, loss of use or corruption of data or software;
9.2.3. ARC Creative’s entire liability for any loss suffered by the Client under or in connection with this Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, shall be limited to an amount equal to the fees paid by the Client in accordance with this Agreement.
9.3. The Client shall indemnify and hold harmless ARC Creative and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against all claims or proceedings and all loss and damage of any kind, costs, proceedings, damages and expenses (including legal and other professional fees and expenses) awarded against, or incurred or paid by, ARC Creative as a result of or in connection with:
9.3.1. any defamatory or libellous matter or any infringement or alleged infringement of a third party’s Intellectual Property Rights or other rights arising out of the supply or use of the Client Materials in relation to the Works and/or in the course of carrying out the Services and/or misuse by the Client of the Works;
9.3.2. any damage to property in the course of carrying out the Services as a result of any act or omission of the Client (including its officers, employees, consultants and agents); and
9.3.3. any breach by the Client, including its officers, employees, consultants and agents, of any of these Terms or the terms of any Contract for Services.
9.4. ARC Creative expressly disclaims all warranties, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to the services provided under this agreement, including without limitation all implied warranties of merchantability, quality, fitness for a particular purpose, and warranties arising from a course of dealing, usage or trade practice.
10. INSURANCE
The Client shall maintain and keep effective at all times insurance policies with reputable insurers as are sufficient to protect the Client against any loss or liability which it may incur or suffer arising out of this Agreement, including professional indemnity, public liability and employers’ liability with each such cover to be no less than USD $1M and insurance which covers the Client for any damage or loss for which ARC Creative is not liable pursuant to the these Terms, and which protects the Client against any accidental loss, damage or destruction to any Client Materials or any other materials of any kind supplied by the Client to ARC Creative while in the possession or control of ARC Creative. ARC Creative may at any time request the Client to provide copies or certificates of insurance or other evidence to prove compliance with this clause.
11. STORAGE OF CLIENT MATERIALS
11.1. ARC Creative shall be under no liability whatsoever in respect of any loss or damage to or destruction of the Client Materials (whether such Client Materials are in the possession of ARC Creative or otherwise) and it is the Client’s responsibility to ensure that it has appropriate back-up copies of all Client Materials.
11.2. In accordance with clause 9 above, the Client shall insure all Client Materials to their full value against all risks.
11.3. The Client shall provide details to ARC Creative for the return of the Client Materials within two months from the date of confirmation of a Quote or Contract for Services, as applicable. If the Client does not provide ARC Creative with details for the return of the Client Materials, ARC Creative shall send the Client Materials to its archive upon completion of the Services and ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client reasonable storage charges for doing so.
11.4. Where Client Materials are supplied or specific instructions are given by the Client, ARC Creative accepts no liability for any reduction in the quality of the Services caused by defects or errors in or the unsuitability of such Client Materials or by ARC Creative’s use of the Client Materials or adherence to any of the Client’s specific instructions.
12. CUSTOMER INPUT AND ACCESS TO/USE OF ARC CREATIVE’S PREMISES AND CONTENT
12.1. The Client shall be solely responsible for ensuring that all information, advice and recommendations given to ARC Creative either directly or indirectly by the Client or by the Client’s employees, consultants or agents are accurate, correct and suitable. Acceptance of or use by ARC Creative of such information, advice or recommendations shall in no way limit the Client’s responsibility hereunder, unless ARC Creative specifically agrees in writing to accept responsibility.
12.2. The Client hereby undertakes to ARC Creative to ensure that all of its personnel (including its employees, consultants and agents) who at any time have access to any premises occupied by ARC Creative or at which any of ARC Creative’s equipment shall be kept, shall at all times:
12.2.1. observe all rules, policies and regulations in force at the applicable premises, including all health and safety regulations and any rules governing the use of equipment and/or facilities at the applicable premises; and
12.2.2. keep confidential and not divulge or communicate or make any use of any Confidential Information which the applicable person shall become aware of as a result of being present at the applicable premises.
13. PUBLICITY
13.1. ARC Creative may publicize, advertise and market the Works on its website(s), social media site(s), blog(s), in pitches to third parties, in connection with any appropriate industry awards, or in any other manner, as ARC Creative may in its sole discretion decide, without the prior written consent of the Client.
13.2. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual and royalty-free license to use the Works throughout the world for the purposes of clause 12.1 above and in order for ARC Creative to promote its business by whatever means it sees fit. If credits are used as part of the Works, then ARC Creative shall be given credits as mutually agreed between the Parties.
14. FORCE MAJEURE
In the event of the Services being prevented, delayed, or in any way interfered with by any act of government, war, industrial dispute, strike, breakdown of machinery or equipment, pandemic, accident, fire, acts of god or by any other cause beyond ARC Creative’s control, ARC Creative
may, at its option, suspend performance of or terminate this Agreement, without liability to the Client for any resulting damage or loss, such suspension or termination being without prejudice to ARC Creative’s right to recover all sums owing to it in respect of Services and Works delivered and costs incurred up to the date of suspension or termination.
15. GENERAL
15.1. Subcontractors: ARC Creative shall be entitled to appoint one or more subcontractors to carry out all or any of its obligations under this Agreement.
15.2. Modification: No modification of this Agreement (including any of the Services or Works to be provided hereunder) shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by, or on behalf of, each of the parties.
15.3. Waiver: A waiver of any right or remedy under this Agreement is effective only if it is in writing and it applies only to the circumstances for which it is given. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that (or any other) right or remedy.
15.4. Severance: If. any provision of this Agreement (or part of any provision) is found by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed not to form part of this Agreement, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected.
15.5. Independent Contractor: The parties acknowledge that ARC Creative is acting as an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to constitute or appoint either party as the agent, partner, joint venturer or representative of the other party for any purpose
whatsoever, or to grant to either party any right or authority to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, for or on behalf of or in the name of the other, or to bind the other in any way or manner whatsoever.
15.6. No Third-Party Beneficiaries: This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.
15.7. Assignment: The Client may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of ARC Creative.
15.8. Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to such subject matter.
15.9. Notices: Any notice or other communication required to be given under this Agreement or otherwise in writing may be sent by email or by first class pre-paid post to: ARC Creative, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005 for the attention of the Legal department. Any notice sent by
first class post shall be deemed received two working days after the date of posting. Any notice sent by e-mail shall be deemed received on the next business day after the date of delivery.
15.10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in New York, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in New York, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection with this Agreement. Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in Los Angeles, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of California and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Los Angeles, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection
with this Agreement.
15.11. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement.
ARC CREATIVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. INTERPRETATION
1.1. In these Terms, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement” means the Quote, these Terms and any Contract for Services.
“AI System” means advanced computer algorithms and technologies, including machine learning and any generative artificial intelligence software, tools or technologies.
“Client” means the person, firm, company or other entity who has instructed ARC Creative to carry out the Services (as defined below) as set out in this Agreement.
“Client Materials” means any goods, products and materials in whatever form (including all Intellectual Property Rights in the same) provided or made available by the Client to ARC Creative for use in connection with this Agreement, and including any master tapes, film negative prints, sound tapes, video tapes or visual images or sound held in any media.
“Confidential Information” means such information as ARC Creative may from time to time provide to the Client (in whatever form including orally, written, in electronic, tape, disk, physical or visual form) relating to this Agreement and the Works, and all know-how, trade secrets, tactical, scientific, statistical, financial, commercial or technical information of any kind disclosed by ARC Creative to the Client whether in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or which subsequently comes into existence, including any copies, reproductions, duplicates or notes in any form whatsoever.
“Contract for Services” means any subsequent contract for the provision of Services entered into between ARC Creative and the Client pursuant to these Terms.
“Intellectual Property Rights” means copyright (including rights in computer software), database rights, design rights, moral rights, trademarks, service marks, rights (registered or unregistered) in any designs, applications for any of the foregoing, trade or business names, and topography rights, know-how, secret formulae and processes, lists of suppliers and customers and other proprietary knowledge and information, internet domain names, rights protecting goodwill and reputation, and all intellectual property rights and forms of protection of a similar nature to any of the foregoing or having equivalent effect anywhere in the world and all rights under licenses and consents in respect of any of the rights and forms of protection mentioned in this definition.
“Quote” means a quote presented by ARC Creative in respect of Services to be provided to the Client.
“Services” means the services to be provided by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement and includes the Works (as defined below) arising out of the Services.
“Terms” means these terms and conditions of business.
“ARC Creative” means ARC Creative Studios LLC.
“ARC Creative Intellectual Property” means all rights, including Intellectual Property Rights, in and to (i) ARC Creative’s proprietary underlying software, libraries, engines, subroutines and development tools and utilities (in source code and object code form), including underlying models, rigging, animation data and all pre-existing intellectual property rights therein, which in each case are of general use or applicability in VFX and/or which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement and including any modifications of improvements of those whether made prior or during the course of this Agreement; and (ii) any other materials, in whatever form (including documents, information, data and software), which were in existence prior to the parties entering into this Agreement or developed independently of this Agreement.
“Works” means the products and materials created, developed and produced by ARC Creative for the Client pursuant to this Agreement.
1.2. Headings used in these Terms are purely for ease of reference and do not form any part of or affect the interpretation of these Terms.
1.3. The words “include” and “including” shall not be construed restrictively.
1.4. Any reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time.
2. FORMATION OF CONTRACT
2.1. The Services will be carried out in accordance with these Terms, any Quote, and any subsequent Contract for Services to the exclusion of any other terms and conditions the Client seeks to impose whether orally or in writing, unless agreed otherwise in writing by the parties.
2.2. All representations, conditions or warranties, or other terms concerning the Services which might otherwise be implied or incorporated in this Agreement, whether by statute, common law or otherwise are, to the maximum extent permitted by law, excluded from this Agreement or any variation thereof, unless expressly accepted by ARC Creative in writing.
2.3. No employee, consultant or agent of ARC Creative has the power to make any statement or representation about the Services offered, their fitness for any purpose or any other matter.
2.4. Upon requesting Services from ARC Creative, the Client shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and these Terms shall become binding as between the Client and ARC Creative, notwithstanding the absence of any formal acknowledgement.
2.5. The Client and ARC Creative may enter into a Contract for Services or agree a Quote which will constitute a separate binding contract between the parties which shall be deemed to incorporate these Terms. In the case of any conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and any subsequent Contract for Services/Quote, these Terms shall take precedence.
3. PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
3.1. ARC Creative will invoice the Client for the prices quoted in respect of Services to be provided at the times set out in the relevant Quote or Contract for Services.
3.2. ARC Creative shall be entitled to make an adjustment to any quoted prices in the event that additional costs are incurred, or likely to be incurred, by reason of:
3.2.1. the Client Materials (or any part thereof) being, in the reasonable opinion of ARC Creative, in any way defective, in an unsuitable format (or a different format to that which ARC Creative is expecting to receive the same) or of unsuitable quality for normal processing;
3.2.2. any information supplied by the Client or any third party in connection with this Agreement and the Services being inaccurate or incomplete, or failing to give ARC Creative a full and accurate indication of the work involved and/or time and resources required; or
3.2.3. changes by the Client or any third party in its requirements for the Services or Works or delays caused by the Client including in giving its approval; or
3.2.4. exceptional circumstances outside the control of ARC Creative, including currency fluctuations and changes in third party costs.
3.3. Subject to clause 3.4 and unless otherwise agreed by ARC Creative in writing, all invoices rendered by ARC Creative are payable within 28 days of the date of invoice and any interim invoices are payable within 7 days of the date of invoice.
3.4. ARC Creative expressly reserves the right, at its sole option, to require payment by instalments during the performance of this Agreement and/or to require payment of all amounts due to ARC Creative in respect of Works to be provided prior to delivery of such Works.
3.5. The Client shall pay all amounts owing to ARC Creative in full and shall not exercise any rights of set off against invoices submitted.
3.6. Payment of all amounts shall only be made in the currency in which they are invoiced and shall not be subject to any deductions or charges whatsoever.
3.7. In the event of default in payment by the Client under this Agreement, ARC Creative shall be entitled, without prejudice to any of its other rights or remedies, to suspend any further performance of the Services without notice and to charge interest on any amount outstanding at the rate of the lesser of one and one-half percent (1.5 percent) per month or the highest amount permitted by law, from the due date of payment to the actual date of payment.
3.8. All sums payable under this Agreement are exclusive of sales, use and any other taxes, which shall (if and to the extent applicable) be payable by the Client at the rate and in the manner from time to time prescribed by law.
3.9. The Client shall pay any withholding tax or other similar taxes applicable for the Services or otherwise required by law to be deducted from any payment by the Client to ARC Creative pursuant to this Agreement. Should the Client be required to pay any such withholding or make such deduction on account of tax, the Client shall pay such additional amount as will ensure that ARC Creative receives, free and clear of any tax or other deduction or withholding, the full amount
which it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required. The Client shall indemnify ARC Creative against all costs, claims, expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) and/or proceedings arising out of or in connection with such payments. The Client and ARC Creative shall cooperate in good faith to respond to any query from the applicable tax authorities in connection with withholding tax or other similar taxes and shall each make available to the other any information or documents and all relevant approvals or authorizations which the applicable tax authorities may reasonably require.
4. PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY
4.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, all times specified in a Quote or Contract for Services for performance of the Services and delivery of the Works are given in good faith but are not guaranteed by ARC Creative.
4.2. Notwithstanding that ARC Creative and the Client may have agreed that time is of the essence in respect of specified Services or Works, the time for performance of the Services or delivery of the Works shall in every case be dependent upon prompt receipt of all necessary information, materials (including Client Materials), final instructions and/or approvals from the Client. The Client acknowledges and agrees that any changes to its requirements and/or the occurrence of any of the circumstances in clause 3.2 may result in delay in performance or delivery, for which ARC Creative shall not be liable. In such instance, the Parties shall agree in
good faith alternative timelines and an additional budget to cover the delays.
4.3. Where the Works are to be delivered electronically, the Client acknowledges and agrees that:
4.3.1. electronic delivery is not a completely secure medium of communication and that an unauthorized third party may intercept, tamper with or delete the Works to be delivered electronically; and
4.3.2. electronic delivery may involve reliance upon third party providers and data carriers, over which ARC Creative has no control.
4.4. ARC Creative shall not be responsible for and shall have no liability to the Client or any third party for:
4.4.1. any delay in delivery or any non-receipt of any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.2. any loss or damage (including loss of data) that results from any person gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically;
4.4.3. use or disclosure of any data obtained by any third party as a result of that third party gaining unauthorized access to any Works delivered electronically; and
4.4.4. any loss or damage resulting from any malfunction of or the introduction of any viruses, worms, logic bombs, time locks, time bombs, trojan horses and/or bugs to any equipment and/or software used to effect and/or receive any Works delivered electronically.
4.5. The Client warrants that:
4.5.1. ARC Creative's receipt and use of the Client Materials in accordance with this Agreement shall not infringe the Intellectual Property Rights and/or data privacy rights of any third party;
4.5.2. the Client has full capacity and authority to enter into and perform the relevant Contract for Services and that the individual agreeing to or signing it is duly authorises to bind the Client legally;
4.5.3. the Client has all the rights necessary to grant the licenses granted hereunder; and
4.5.4. the Client shall comply with applicable laws that are applicable to it.
4.6. The Client agrees that:
4.6.1. it shall reasonably cooperate with ARC Creative in all matters relating to the Services including the delivery of any materials required by ARC Creative for the provision of the Services;
4.6.2. it shall comply with all of ARC Creative’s reasonable instructions and provide, in a timely manner, such information as ARC Creative may reasonably require, and ensure that it is accurate and complete in all material respects. It shall provide its approval over the Services by the dates reasonably given to it. ARC Creative shall not be liable for delays and costs incurred caused by the Client’s failure to comply with this clause;
4.6.3. If the Client requires any additional work, reformatting, changes to creative, deviation or amendment to the Quote/Contract for Services including but not limited to a change to the schedule, design direction, technical methodology or script in a way that impacts the Works, workflow and/or volume of work (together the “Changes”), then these Changes shall only apply if agreed between the Parties in writing and signed. In such instances, ARC Creative shall agree to an extension of time for the performance of the Services and an additional fee to cover the costs of such Changes. If such Changes cannot be agreed, ARC Creative shall be entitled to either: (a) continue providing the Services as initially agreed without those Changes; or (b) terminate this Agreement and invoice for all Services provided to date of termination including all costs and expenses incurred to date of termination.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
5.1. The Client acknowledges that ARC Creative (or its third-party licensors) owns, and shall retain ownership of, ARC Creative Intellectual Property, and ARC Creative shall not at any time be required to deliver to the Client any of ARC Creative Intellectual Property whatsoever.
5.2. The Client acknowledges and agrees that if in the course of performing the Services (including any processing or production of materials on behalf of the Client) ARC Creative discovers or devises any techniques or know-how, all rights of every kind in and to such techniques and know-how shall belong to and vest in ARC Creative and shall be deemed to be ARC Creative Intellectual Property for the purposes of this Agreement.
5.3. ARC Creative shall retain ownership and possession of, any and all rights (including all Intellectual Property Rights) in and to, any original character design, ideas or concepts presented or created by ARC Creative as well as any working files and project files produced in relation to this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. Where the Client requires a license to use any such original character design, ideas or concepts, for whatever purpose, the terms of such license shall be agreed by the parties in writing pursuant to a Quote and/or any subsequent Contract for Services.
5.4. Subject to clauses 5.1 to 5.3 above and any other terms agreed pursuant to a Quote or Contract for Services, all title and Intellectual Property Rights in and to the Works (excluding ARC Creative Intellectual Property), shall pass to the Client only upon the Client paying to ARC Creative all sums due and payable under this Agreement. To the extent required, the parties may agree on terms for the license of ARC Creative’s Intellectual Property (or any part of it) incorporated into the Works, to enable the Client to receive the benefit of the Works.
5.5. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free license to use the Client Materials to the extent necessary for ARC Creative and/or its suppliers to provide the Services and the Works.
5.6. The Client acknowledges and agrees that Intellectual Property Rights in and to underlying materials processed by ARC Creative in the performance of the Services and/or embodied in the Works may be owned by third parties and that the use by the Client of the Works shall be subject always to the Client obtaining any and all necessary licenses and consents from the relevant underlying rights’ owner(s).
6. AI USE
6.1. Client acknowledges and accepts that, from time to time, ARC Creative may use any AI System and utilise any Client Materials within such AI System for the performance of its Services, including (without limitation) for the development of any AI System-generated output (“Output”) under this Agreement.
6.2. ARC Creative shall remain responsible for the AI System that it selects for the purposes of the provision of the Services, save to the extent that Client requires ARC Creative to utilise a certain AI System for the provision of the Services (“Client AI System”).
6.3. Where Client requests that a Client AI System is required to be used by ARC Creative, ARC Creative: (i) shall not be liable or responsible for any delays or damages howsoever arising from the (non) performance or operation of any AI System (including but not limited to security and privacy breaches); (ii) makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) and has no indemnity obligations regarding any claims arising out of (a) actual or alleged infringement of any intellectual property or other third party rights in connection with or relating to the Output; or (b) Client’s ownership rights of all or part of the Output.
6.4. Subject to clause 6.3, ownership of the Output shall vest in Client pursuant to clause 5 of this Agreement or the extent permitted by applicable laws.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1. Where Confidential Information has been disclosed to the Client, the Client acknowledges that such Confidential Information has been disclosed in confidence, may have considerable value and is of significant importance to ARC Creative.
7.2. The Client further acknowledges that ARC Creative makes no representation with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any Confidential Information, except to the extent agreed by ARC Creative in writing.
7.3. The Client agrees to keep the Confidential Information, including ARC Creative Intellectual Property provided to the Client pursuant to clause 5, in complete confidence and not to disclose it to any third party. Except as expressly permitted under this Agreement, the Client shall not use, copy in whole or in part, modify or adapt the Confidential Information in any way without ARC Creative’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in its absolute discretion.
7.4. The Client may use the Confidential Information only for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and for no other purpose. The Client may disclose the Confidential Information to such of its officers, employees and agents to whom disclosure is necessary for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement provided the Client shall ensure such officers, employees and agents observe the obligations of confidentiality imposed by this clause and the Client shall be liable for any failure by them to do so.
7.5. The Client shall not be in breach of this clause if it discloses Confidential Information where such disclosure is required by law, regulation or order of a competent authority provided that ARC Creative is given, where possible, reasonable advance notice of the intended disclosure and a reasonable opportunity to challenge the same.
7.6. The Client acknowledges that any breach of its confidentiality obligations under this clause would cause ARC Creative irreparable and unquantifiable damage and that ARC Creative shall be entitled to seek and obtain (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative in contract or at law) injunctive or other equitable relief against or in respect of any actual or threatened breach of this clause by the Client.
7.7. On receipt of a written demand, the Client shall return to ARC Creative, or destroy at ARC Creative’s option, any and all written documents or materials containing Confidential Information, together with all copies thereof, and if ARC Creative should so require the Client shall, when returning documents or materials, provide to ARC Creative a certification duly executed by an officer of the Client confirming that the Client has complied with all of its obligations under this clause.
8. TERMINATION
8.1. Except where otherwise stated in a Quote or Contract for Services, this Agreement will expire on completion of the Services to be provided pursuant to it.
8.2. This Agreement (and any Services to be provided under it) may only be terminated with the written consent of ARC Creative and in accordance with these Terms (and if applicable, the terms of any subsequent Contract for Services). The giving of consent shall not in any way prejudice ARC Creative’s right to recover from the Client full compensation for any loss or expense arising from such termination of this Agreement.
8.3. Notwithstanding clause 8.2 and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to ARC Creative, the Client may give ARC Creative written notice of termination of this Agreement (and any Services to be provided thereunder), provided that where such notice is received by ARC Creative:
8.3.1. less than 24 hours prior to the date for performance or the commencement of performance of the relevant Services (the “Start Date”) or less, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, the applicable amount chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date; and
8.3.2. less than five working days but more than 24 hours prior to the applicable Start Date, ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client one half of the full price specified in the Quote or the relevant Contract for Services or, if none is stated, one half of the applicable amount that chargeable to the Client based on ARC Creative’s rate card current at the Start Date, in each case reflecting the fact that ARC Creative is unlikely to be able to secure an order for the Services and/or to reallocate the resources allocated to the Client’s order within the specified timeframes. In addition, ARC Creative shall be entitled to recover all its costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.4. Either party shall also be entitled to terminate: (a) should the other breach this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within seven (7) days of having received a written notice detailing the breach; and/or (b) the other party suspends or ceases, or threatens to suspend or cease, carrying on all or a substantial part of its business. In such instance, ARC Creative shall be paid for all Services provided to date of termination, all costs and expenses incurred and committed to date of termination.
8.6. Any provisions of this Agreement which by their nature are intended to survive termination or expiration (including clause 7 (Confidentiality) and clause 9 (Liability and Indemnity)) shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
9. LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
9.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude or in any way limit either party’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, any claim that cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law or fraud.
9.2. Subject to clause 9.1 and without prejudice to any other provision of these Terms, the Client agrees that:
9.2.1. this Agreement states the full extent of ARC Creative’s obligations and liabilities in respect
of the Works and performance of the Services;
9.2.2. under no circumstances shall ARC Creative be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage whatsoever, including but not limited to any loss of profits, business interruption, loss of goodwill, loss of use or corruption of data or software;
9.2.3. ARC Creative’s entire liability for any loss suffered by the Client under or in connection with this Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, shall be limited to an amount equal to the fees paid by the Client in accordance with this Agreement.
9.3. The Client shall indemnify and hold harmless ARC Creative and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against all claims or proceedings and all loss and damage of any kind, costs, proceedings, damages and expenses (including legal and other professional fees and expenses) awarded against, or incurred or paid by, ARC Creative as a result of or in connection with:
9.3.1. any defamatory or libellous matter or any infringement or alleged infringement of a third party’s Intellectual Property Rights or other rights arising out of the supply or use of the Client Materials in relation to the Works and/or in the course of carrying out the Services and/or misuse by the Client of the Works;
9.3.2. any damage to property in the course of carrying out the Services as a result of any act or omission of the Client (including its officers, employees, consultants and agents); and
9.3.3. any breach by the Client, including its officers, employees, consultants and agents, of any of these Terms or the terms of any Contract for Services.
9.4. ARC Creative expressly disclaims all warranties, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to the services provided under this agreement, including without limitation all implied warranties of merchantability, quality, fitness for a particular purpose, and warranties arising from a course of dealing, usage or trade practice.
10. INSURANCE
The Client shall maintain and keep effective at all times insurance policies with reputable insurers as are sufficient to protect the Client against any loss or liability which it may incur or suffer arising out of this Agreement, including professional indemnity, public liability and employers’ liability with each such cover to be no less than USD $1M and insurance which covers the Client for any damage or loss for which ARC Creative is not liable pursuant to the these Terms, and which protects the Client against any accidental loss, damage or destruction to any Client Materials or any other materials of any kind supplied by the Client to ARC Creative while in the possession or control of ARC Creative. ARC Creative may at any time request the Client to provide copies or certificates of insurance or other evidence to prove compliance with this clause.
11. STORAGE OF CLIENT MATERIALS
11.1. ARC Creative shall be under no liability whatsoever in respect of any loss or damage to or destruction of the Client Materials (whether such Client Materials are in the possession of ARC Creative or otherwise) and it is the Client’s responsibility to ensure that it has appropriate back-up copies of all Client Materials.
11.2. In accordance with clause 9 above, the Client shall insure all Client Materials to their full value against all risks.
11.3. The Client shall provide details to ARC Creative for the return of the Client Materials within two months from the date of confirmation of a Quote or Contract for Services, as applicable. If the Client does not provide ARC Creative with details for the return of the Client Materials, ARC Creative shall send the Client Materials to its archive upon completion of the Services and ARC Creative shall be entitled to charge the Client reasonable storage charges for doing so.
11.4. Where Client Materials are supplied or specific instructions are given by the Client, ARC Creative accepts no liability for any reduction in the quality of the Services caused by defects or errors in or the unsuitability of such Client Materials or by ARC Creative’s use of the Client Materials or adherence to any of the Client’s specific instructions.
12. CUSTOMER INPUT AND ACCESS TO/USE OF ARC CREATIVE’S PREMISES AND CONTENT
12.1. The Client shall be solely responsible for ensuring that all information, advice and recommendations given to ARC Creative either directly or indirectly by the Client or by the Client’s employees, consultants or agents are accurate, correct and suitable. Acceptance of or use by ARC Creative of such information, advice or recommendations shall in no way limit the Client’s responsibility hereunder, unless ARC Creative specifically agrees in writing to accept responsibility.
12.2. The Client hereby undertakes to ARC Creative to ensure that all of its personnel (including its employees, consultants and agents) who at any time have access to any premises occupied by ARC Creative or at which any of ARC Creative’s equipment shall be kept, shall at all times:
12.2.1. observe all rules, policies and regulations in force at the applicable premises, including all health and safety regulations and any rules governing the use of equipment and/or facilities at the applicable premises; and
12.2.2. keep confidential and not divulge or communicate or make any use of any Confidential Information which the applicable person shall become aware of as a result of being present at the applicable premises.
13. PUBLICITY
13.1. ARC Creative may publicize, advertise and market the Works on its website(s), social media site(s), blog(s), in pitches to third parties, in connection with any appropriate industry awards, or in any other manner, as ARC Creative may in its sole discretion decide, without the prior written consent of the Client.
13.2. The Client hereby grants to ARC Creative a perpetual and royalty-free license to use the Works throughout the world for the purposes of clause 12.1 above and in order for ARC Creative to promote its business by whatever means it sees fit. If credits are used as part of the Works, then ARC Creative shall be given credits as mutually agreed between the Parties.
14. FORCE MAJEURE
In the event of the Services being prevented, delayed, or in any way interfered with by any act of government, war, industrial dispute, strike, breakdown of machinery or equipment, pandemic, accident, fire, acts of god or by any other cause beyond ARC Creative’s control, ARC Creative
may, at its option, suspend performance of or terminate this Agreement, without liability to the Client for any resulting damage or loss, such suspension or termination being without prejudice to ARC Creative’s right to recover all sums owing to it in respect of Services and Works delivered and costs incurred up to the date of suspension or termination.
15. GENERAL
15.1. Subcontractors: ARC Creative shall be entitled to appoint one or more subcontractors to carry out all or any of its obligations under this Agreement.
15.2. Modification: No modification of this Agreement (including any of the Services or Works to be provided hereunder) shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by, or on behalf of, each of the parties.
15.3. Waiver: A waiver of any right or remedy under this Agreement is effective only if it is in writing and it applies only to the circumstances for which it is given. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that (or any other) right or remedy.
15.4. Severance: If. any provision of this Agreement (or part of any provision) is found by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed not to form part of this Agreement, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected.
15.5. Independent Contractor: The parties acknowledge that ARC Creative is acting as an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to constitute or appoint either party as the agent, partner, joint venturer or representative of the other party for any purpose
whatsoever, or to grant to either party any right or authority to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, for or on behalf of or in the name of the other, or to bind the other in any way or manner whatsoever.
15.6. No Third-Party Beneficiaries: This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.
15.7. Assignment: The Client may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of ARC Creative.
15.8. Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to such subject matter.
15.9. Notices: Any notice or other communication required to be given under this Agreement or otherwise in writing may be sent by email or by first class pre-paid post to: ARC Creative, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005 for the attention of the Legal department. Any notice sent by
first class post shall be deemed received two working days after the date of posting. Any notice sent by e-mail shall be deemed received on the next business day after the date of delivery.
15.10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in New York, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in New York, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection with this Agreement. Should the Quote be with ARC Creative in Los Angeles, this Agreement or any dispute relating to its subject matter shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of California and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Los Angeles, for the purposes of adjudicating any matter arising from or in connection
with this Agreement.
15.11. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement.