GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Alterego is a creative branding agency.
We build brands by giving them the right identity and story that aligns with the client’s mission. As a true alter ego, we delve into the core and translate it into a strong brand that truly aims to make an impact.
The developments in the realms of humans, animals, and the environment are increasingly prompting us and our clients to reflect. The question is what contribution we can make, or what we should refrain from. That demands a new kind of creativity. And we are ready to embrace that challenge.
ARTICLE 2.
APPLICABILITY OF GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- These conditions apply to all legal acts of Contractor and Client in the relationship between them, unless they have been explicitly and in writing declared not applicable, in whole or in part. Agreed deviations are only valid if they are documented in writing, with both parties having signed in agreement.
- These conditions also take precedence over the general terms and conditions of the Client, even if the Contractor has not explicitly rejected the applicability of those prior conditions.
- Conditions used by the Client or unilaterally declared by them to be applicable can only be enforced if the Contractor has agreed to them in writing.
- If any provision in these general terms and conditions is or becomes unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
- When working with a translated version of these general terms and conditions, the Dutch text shall prevail.
- If the Contractor does not consistently demand strict compliance with these conditions, this does not mean that the provisions thereof are no longer applicable, nor does it imply that the Contractor loses the right to demand strict compliance with these conditions at a later time.
- When the Contractor has provided these general terms and conditions to the Client on multiple occasions, a continuous business relationship is established. In such cases, the Contractor is not required to provide the general terms and conditions anew for them to apply to subsequent agreements.
- All individuals and/or companies engaged by the Contractor in the preparation or execution of any assignment for the Client can invoke these general terms and conditions.
- The Contractor has the right to unilaterally amend its general terms and conditions. In such a case, the Contractor will inform the Client thereof.
ARTICLE 5.
ORDER, PERFORMANCE AND CHANGES
- An Assignment is accepted by the Contractor by either confirming the acceptance in writing to the Client or by commencing the performance of the Work.
- The Contractor will make every effort to perform the Work in a professional manner and to the best of its knowledge and ability. The scope of its obligations, however, also depends on the degree of input and cooperation of the Client or third parties engaged by it and the information supplied by the Client.
- The Client is responsible for the correctness and completeness of the information, data, decisions and changes provided to the Contractor, as well as for the timely provision thereof. Any data carriers or electronic files provided by the Client will be free of viruses.
- The Contractor will make every effort to carry out the assignment within the agreed schedule. However, this planning, including any (partial) deadlines included therein, can never be regarded as strict deadlines. The mere exceeding of a stated term does not cause the Contractor to be in default.
- Unless there is intent or gross negligence on the part of the Contractor, exceeding the planning and the (partial) periods included therein does not entitle the Client to dissolve or cancel the assignment in whole or in part. In that case there is also no right to compensation for any damage suffered by the Client as a result of this overrun.
- If execution must be accelerated at the request of the Client, the Contractor has the right to charge the Client for any overtime hours and other costs involved.
- The Contractor is authorized to suspend the fulfillment of its obligations under the agreement or to dissolve the agreement if the Client does not fulfill its obligations under the agreement, or does not do so in full or on time, or if the Contractor has become aware of facts and/or circumstances that provide good grounds. to fear that the Client will not fulfill its obligations.
- The Contractor is authorized to terminate its work and/or to dissolve the agreement if circumstances arise that are of such a nature that compliance with the agreement is impossible or if the circumstances are of such a nature that unchanged maintenance of the agreement cannot reasonably be considered. can be requested from the Contractor.
- If the Contractor proceeds to suspension, termination or dissolution, it is in no way obliged to compensate the Client for damage and costs.
- Both the Contractor and the Client are permitted to dissolve the assignment in whole or in part with immediate effect and without judicial intervention if with regard to the other party:
- a bankruptcy petition has been filed,
- suspension of payment has been applied for
- liquidation or strike of the company takes place or
- an attachment is levied on a substantial part of the assets of the other party.
- If the agreement is dissolved or terminated, either by the Contractor or by the Client, then the then existing and any future claims of the Contractor against the Client are immediately due and payable in full. If this dissolution or termination is caused by circumstances for which the Client is responsible, the Client is then obliged to pay compensation or compensation. This compensation will consist of payment of the entire or remaining contract sum.
- If an assignment has been given to the Contractor, but it is canceled in whole or in part by the Client before its start, the Contractor is entitled to the following compensation:
- up to 8 calendar days before the planned start: 100% of the agreed price
- 9 to 15 calendar days before the planned start: 75% of the agreed price
- 16 to 30 calendar days before the planned start: 50% of the agreed price
- When printed matter files are delivered to the Client, the Client must take care of the lithography and prepare the printed matter files for printing. The Client will provide a digital and physical proof of each packaging to the Contractor for approval. If this test meets the requirements of the Contractor, it will be forwarded for a barcode scan test. As soon as both parties give final approval to the proof, the production of packaging can be started.
- The following applies to video productions: in order to ensure efficient editing in terms of time and costs, a 3-version method can be used for large projects:
Version 1: the rough cut. The first version will be made according to script as much as possible, but has not yet been finalized in detail. The client will see this version and provide feedback on the structural and substantive choices.
Version 2: the assembly. Based on the feedback, a new version, finished in detail, is installed. The Client will also see this version and can provide the Contractor with feedback, this time about the details (timing, color editing, titles, transition, etc.)
Version 3: final. The contractor adjusts the assembly and the production is ready.
If further adjustments are required after version 3, this can be charged as additional work.
Previews are offered through a protected link.
Unless otherwise agreed, unused camera material (footage) will not be provided to the Client.
- When copyright-protected music is used, music rights must be paid (for example to BUMA STEMRA). The Contractor can only provide an estimate of the associated costs. This estimate is included in the quotation, but may be higher or lower in the final invoice. The Client agrees to this. When using royalty-free music, all music rights are paid with a one-off amount.
- Unless otherwise agreed, testing, applying for permits and assessing whether instructions from the Client comply with legal or quality standards, testing the Dutch Advertising Code, are not part of the Contractor’s assignment.
- Changes to the Assignment, after it has been issued, must be communicated to the Contractor by the Client in a timely manner and in writing. If a change is communicated orally, the risk of any non-implementation of this change is for the account and risk of the Client.
- If, during the acceptance or performance of the Work, facts or circumstances arise that (could) negatively influence the progress of the assignment or the result thereof, the party involved will immediately inform the other party.
- The changes to the Assignment are effective through and from the written acceptance thereof by the Contractor.
- Any additional costs resulting from changes to the Assignment will be borne by the Client.
- Changes to the assignment may result in the agreed delivery time being exceeded by the Contractor beyond its responsibility. The Contractor will never be liable for this exceeding.
- The Client is obliged to warn the Contractor as soon as possible, but no later than eight days after the Client has discovered a shortcoming on the part of the Contractor.
ARTICLE 6.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING
- The Contractor will make a contact report of all contacts with the Client, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
- In the case of telephone contact, a contact report will only be made if the content of the conversation gives rise to this in the opinion of the Contractor.
- If the Client has not responded to a contact report within four working days after it was sent, the content of the report will be regarded as correct and complete and the Client and the Contractor will be bound by its content.
- The Contractor will send the contact reports to a person designated for this purpose by the Client.
ARTICLE 8.
ENGAGEMENT OF THIRD PARTIES
- If, in the opinion of the Contractor, it is reasonably necessary for the proper fulfillment of the Assignment, or if this arises from the nature of the Assignment, the Contractor is entitled, on behalf of and at the expense of the Client, to order third parties to deliver or otherwise provision of goods and/or services. Any shortcomings on the part of these third parties can only be attributed to the Contractor if the Contractor has not been careful in choosing these third parties.
- If suppliers and/or other third parties prescribed by the Client are used in the performance of the Assignment, the Client will be responsible for (the performance of) these third parties. The Contractor is not obliged to contract with third parties desired by the Client.
ARTICLE 9.
ADVERTISEMENTS, COMPLAINTS AND EVIDENCE
- If, in the opinion of the Contractor, it is reasonably necessary for the proper fulfillment of the Assignment, or if this arises from the nature of the Assignment, the Contractor is entitled, on behalf of and at the expense of the Client, to order third parties to deliver or otherwise provision of goods and/or services. Any shortcomings on the part of these third parties can only be attributed to the Contractor if the Contractor has not been careful in choosing these third parties.
- If suppliers and/or other third parties prescribed by the Client are used in the performance of the Assignment, the Client will be responsible for (the performance of) these third parties. The Contractor is not obliged to contract with third parties desired by the Client.
ARTICLE 10.
DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT
- Unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing, or if this arises from the nature of the Assignment, the assignment from the Client to the Contractor is valid for an indefinite period, on the understanding that both parties can cancel it from the moment the relationship has lasted six months. by registered letter, whereby the Client must observe a term of six months.
- During the period of six months referred to in the previous paragraph, the Client is obliged to comply with the applicable remuneration agreement with the Contractor as if there were no cancellation. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties or agreed upon at that time, the Contractor’s remuneration for that period will at least consist of the full media commission based on the media plan approved by the Client.
ARTICLE 13.
LIABILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR
- If the Contractor should be liable, this liability (financial) is limited to what has been arranged in this article. The provisions in this article also apply in the event that the Contractor is liable for errors made by third parties engaged by it or for the improper functioning of equipment, software, data files, registers or other items used by the Contractor in the performance of the agreement, without exception.
- The Contractor is not liable for damage of any nature whatsoever caused by the fact that the Contractor relied on incorrect and/or incomplete information provided by or on behalf of the Client.
- The Contractor is never liable for results not agreed between the parties.
- The Contractor is not liable for damage to the work if this damage is the result of extraordinary circumstances against the harmful consequences of which the Contractor did not have to take appropriate measures in connection with the nature of the assignment and/or it would be unreasonable for the Contractor to pay the damage. to be accounted for.
- The Contractor is only liable for shortcomings in the performance of the assignment that are the result of gross negligence and gross incompetence when issuing advice and/or performing the assignment.
- The Contractor is not liable for damage caused by acts or omissions of the Client and/or by persons appointed by the Client or for whom the Client is otherwise responsible.
- The Contractor is not liable for damage as a result of delays in the performance of the agreed work, cancellation or dissolution by the Contractor.
- The Contractor is only liable for direct, material damage. This means:
- the reasonable costs for determining the cause and extent of the damage, insofar as the determination relates to damage within the meaning of these terms and conditions;
- reasonable costs incurred to prevent or limit damage, insofar as the Client demonstrates that these costs have led to limitation of direct material damage.
- The Contractor is never liable for indirect damage, including in any event consequential damage, lost profit, mental damage, missed savings and/or damage due to business interruption. The aforementioned enumeration of indirect damage is not exhaustive.
- Liability of the Contractor as a result of an attributable shortcoming in the performance of an agreement only arises if the Client immediately and properly declares the Contractor in default in writing, stipulating a reasonable period for remedying the shortcoming and the Contractor is also attributable in the performance of the contract after that period. fails to meet its obligations. The notice of default must contain as detailed a description as possible of the shortcoming.
- The extent of the damage to be compensated by the Contractor is limited to a maximum of the contract sum or (if no exact price has been determined for the contract or if work is done on an hourly basis) to the amount of the probable price. For assignments with a term of more than one year, the price is set at the total of fees for one year.
- In no event, however, will the compensation amount to more than the total of the amounts of the deductible of the insurance of the Contractor and the payment made by the insurer of the Contractor. If the insurer does not pay out or the damage is not covered by an insurance policy taken out by the Contractor, the Contractor’s obligation to pay compensation is always limited to a maximum of € 20,000 per assignment.
- A condition for the existence of a right to compensation is that the Client reports the damage to the Contractor in writing as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days after the occurrence or discovery thereof.
- Any liability of the Contractor towards the Client and/or persons appointed by the Client or for whom the Client is otherwise responsible, on whatever grounds, lapses 12 months from the day on which the assignment was terminated by completion, dissolution or cancellation. . This period is also an expiry period.
- The limitations of liability included in this article do not apply if the damage is due to intent or gross negligence on the part of the Contractor.
- The Contractor cannot be obliged to compensate any damage that is a direct or indirect result of:
- an event that is in fact beyond the control of the Contractor and therefore cannot be attributed to its actions;
- any act or omission on the part of the Client, his or her subordinates, or other persons employed by or on behalf of the Client;
- incompetent use or use contrary to the intended purpose of the delivered goods or to the instructions, advice, instructions for use, etc. provided by or on behalf of the Contractor;
- errors or incompleteness in the information, documents or materials provided or prescribed to the Contractor by or on behalf of the Client;
- the choice made by the Client with regard to the goods to be delivered or the design to be delivered;
- processing of the delivered goods by or on behalf of the Client.
- The Contractor is never liable for damage that has arisen or caused because the Client has used the delivered goods for a purpose other than that for which it was made or purchased.
- The Contractor is not liable for damage suffered by the Client or a third party as a result of the application or use of the products and/or the results of the work. The Client indemnifies the Contractor against all damage referred to in this article.
- If the costs of repairing a defect or remedying a shortcoming for which the Contractor is liable are not in reasonable proportion to the Client’s interest in the repair, the Contractor may suffice with the payment of reasonable compensation to the Client instead of repair.
- After the day on which the work is deemed to have been completed, the Contractor is no longer liable for shortcomings in the work, unless:
- those defects can be attributed to the Contractor, and moreover
- the Client did not notice those defects prior to delivery, and in addition
- the Client should not reasonably have discovered those defects upon delivery.
- The Contractor is not liable for damage, loss or destruction of objects, materials or data made available to it for, by or on behalf of the Client. Goods travel at the risk of the Client.
ARTICLE 18.
TRANSFER OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
- The Client is not entitled to transfer the rights and obligations under the agreement(s) with the Contractor in whole or in part to third parties, without the prior written consent of the Contractor. This provision applies as a clause with effect under property law.
ARTICLE 20.
PRIVACY AND PERSONAL DATA
- The Contractor respects the privacy of its customers and ensures that (personal) information that the Client provides to the Contractor is processed confidentially, carefully and in accordance with the applicable regulations.
ARTICLE 21.
DISPUTES, APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
- Dutch law applies exclusively to all legal relationships to which the Contractor is a party. This also applies if the agreement is wholly or partly performed abroad or if the Client or a party involved in the legal relationship is domiciled there. In the latter case, the Client and/or that party is obliged to elect domicile in the Netherlands. In the absence of such a choice of domicile, the other party is deemed to have chosen domicile with the Contractor.
- Applicability of the Vienna Sales Convention is excluded.
- If disputes should arise as a result of the offer or assignment, or of agreements arising from or resulting from it, the parties will initially try to resolve these in good consultation, whether or not with the help of an independent third party.
- The court can only be approached if a dispute has not been resolved within 3 weeks after it arose. In urgent cases, this deadline does not have to be observed.
- Disputes will then only be submitted to the competent court of the District Court of The Hague, without prejudice to the Contractor’s right to submit disputes to the court of the Client’s place of residence.