Terms of Use: Media Licensing & Ownership

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All media content, including but not limited to professional photography, cinematic video, aerial drone footage and audio recordings , remains the sole intellectual property of John Sawyer Media. Original copyright is maintained by John Sawyer Media at all times.  Raw audio files and session projects remain the property of John Sawyer Media until final payment is received.

Upon full payment, the Client is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the delivered media for the sole purpose of marketing the specific property or listing associated with the service. This license remains active for the duration of the listing or until the property is sold or leased. For recording services, the Client is granted a license for distribution of the final Master Recording upon full payment.

• Third-Party Use: Media may not be sold, leased, or gifted to third parties (e.g., other agents, contractors, or staging companies) without express written consent from John Sawyer Media.
• Alterations: Clients may not significantly alter, crop, or edit the media in a way that misrepresents the original work or the property.
• Social Media: When sharing media on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, credit to John Sawyer Media is appreciated but not required unless specified for editorial use.

• Booking Retainers: A non-refundable retainer may be required to secure your date and time for both media shoots and studio sessions. This retainer is applied toward your final balance but is forfeited if the session is canceled without sufficient notice.
• Payment Terms:
• Real Estate & Media: Full payment is due upon delivery of the final media. Watermarked previews may be provided prior to payment.
• Recording Studio: Payment for studio time is due at the end of each session. Final "Master Recordings" or project files will not be released until the project balance is paid in full.
• Cancellation Policy:
• Notice Required: Cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
• Late Cancellations: Cancellations made within less than 24 hours of the scheduled start time will result in the loss of the retainer.
• No-Shows: Failure to arrive for a scheduled session without notice will be billed at the full rate of the booked time.
• Refunds: Due to the service-based nature of our work, all payments are final once services have been rendered. If a technical failure occurs on our end, we will offer a reschedule or a pro-rated refund.

• Studio Rules & Conduct: To ensure a productive and safe environment at Vermont Recording Studios, clients and their guests must adhere to all posted studio rules. We reserve the right to terminate a session immediately, without refund, if any person acts in a manner that is dangerous, illegal, or interferes with the studio’s operations.
• Equipment Liability: The client assumes full financial responsibility for any damage to studio property, including but not limited to microphones, instruments, furniture, and recording gear, caused by the client or their guests through negligence or intentional misuse.
• Ownership of Masters: All raw audio files, session projects, and stems remain the sole property of John Sawyer Media until the project is paid for in full. Upon final payment, the client is granted a license to use the final "Master Recording" for their intended distribution.
• File Storage & Backups: While we strive to maintain project archives, we are not a long-term storage facility. We will retain project files for 30 days following the final session. It is the client’s responsibility to request and secure their own backups within this timeframe.
• Limitation of Liability: We are not responsible for any loss of data or session time due to equipment failure, power outages, or "acts of God." In such events, our liability is limited to rescheduling the lost time or a refund of the session fee.

John Sawyer Media reserves the right to use any media created for marketing, portfolio, and social media promotion of our services, unless a non-disclosure agreement is requested by the Client in writing prior to the shoot.

Platform & Payment Terms  All orders must be placed through our official booking portal. By using this portal, you agree to the integrated terms of our partner, Real Estate Media Hero.

• Automated Release: Professional media assets are released automatically via the portal immediately upon successful payment of your final invoice.
• Secure Processing: Payments are processed via Stripe. By submitting your payment, you agree to be bound by Stripe’s Services Agreement.