1. Service Content, Ownership, Licensing, and Rights
a) Service Content
The services provided by Blukokoro (hereinafter referred to as “Studio”) include the development of comic books, graphic novels, and other creative works. This encompasses various materials such as illustrations, scripts, panels, text, layouts, and digital copies (collectively, “Content”). The Service may also involve the use of third-party tools or assets and may include AI-enhanced media transformations.
b) Ownership
The Client retains full rights, title, and interest in all Content created under this Agreement. The Studio does not claim ownership over any of the work created for the Client but reserves the right to use specific elements of the Content (e.g., panels, designs) for its portfolio and promotional purposes. This does not infringe on the Client’s ownership or rights to exploit the work.
c) Non-Exclusive Licensing Mandate
Blukokoro is granted a non-exclusive mandate to help the Client find potential licensees for the Client’s project across various media and merchandise categories. Blukokoro acts solely as an intermediary, facilitating licensing opportunities, with all final approvals resting with the Client. Blukokoro will not independently license the work without the Client’s explicit approval.
d) Digital Sales on Blukokoro’s Platform
If the Client chooses to sell digital copies of their work on Blukokoro’s website, Blukokoro will retain a 20% commission on each transaction, with the Client receiving the remaining 80%. The Studio manages the digital sales platform and will deduct any applicable taxes and fees before revenue sharing.
2. Subscription Service
a) Monthly Deliverables
Clients enrolled in the subscription service will receive a set number of deliverables each month, depending on the specific subscription plan chosen. These deliverables typically include pages or panels of the comic book.
b) Pagination Timeline
Once the Client confirms the dialogues for a particular set of pages, Blukokoro will complete the pagination process (i.e., finalizing the layout and positioning of panels and text) within a maximum of 25 days from confirmation. This ensures a consistent production schedule and allows the Client to plan the next steps of the comic book’s development.
3. Comic Book Creation Process
The creation of a comic book or graphic novel is a multi-step process, which involves close collaboration between the Client and the Studio to ensure the final product aligns with the Client’s vision. The process is broken down into the following stages:
a) Style Definition
The comic book creation process begins with the definition of the art style, which includes visual elements such as character design, environment details, color schemes, and overall aesthetic. This stage ensures that the final product has a consistent look that aligns with the Client’s creative goals.
b) Character Development
Following style definition, the Studio and Client collaborate on character development. This includes defining the key visual and personality traits of each character, ensuring that they resonate with the story’s theme and target audience.
c) Panels and Dialogue Definition
Once characters are developed, the Studio moves on to panel planning and dialogue writing. In this stage, the Studio works with the Client to define the structure and flow of the panels, setting the pacing and visual narrative of the story. Dialogues and narrative text are drafted and refined in collaboration with the Client to ensure that they reflect the intended tone and messaging.
d) Pagination
The final step is pagination, which involves finalizing the layout of the panels and placing the dialogue within the comic book pages. The Client’s approval of the dialogue is required before this stage can begin, and the completed pagination will be delivered within 25 days after confirmation.
4. Use of Content for Promotional Purposes
a) Portfolio and Promotional Use
The Studio retains a limited, non-exclusive, revocable license to use the Content for promotional purposes. This includes showcasing the work in the Studio’s portfolio, on social media, or in other marketing materials. The Client’s ownership is unaffected, and the Studio’s use is restricted to promoting its services.
b) Transformation into Other Media
Blukokoro reserves the right to use AI and other tools to transform the Content into other media formats, such as videos, animations or interactive experiences. This is done solely for branding, promotional, portfolio or internal research purposes, without affecting the Client’s ownership or commercial rights to the original work.
5. Pricing and Payment
a) One-Time and Subscription Payments
Blukokoro offers both one-time payment options and subscription services. Prices for one-time projects are outlined in individual contracts, and subscription services offer a set number of deliverables per month. Prices are subject to change, and any modifications will be communicated before starting a new project or subscription period.
b) Payment Terms
Payments must be made according to the agreed-upon schedule. Failure to meet the payment schedule may result in the suspension of services until outstanding amounts are settled. For subscription services, payments are required on a recurring monthly basis, and the Client is responsible for timely payments.
6. Revisions and Project Pauses
a) Revisions
The Client is entitled to one revision per page or panel at no additional cost. Further revisions will incur additional fees or be counted against the total deliverables for the project.
b) Non-Response and Pauses
If the Client fails to respond within 15 days after receiving deliverables or revision requests, the Studio may pause the project. Work may resume up to 20 days after the Client resumes communication, subject to the Studio’s availability.
7. Cancellation and Termination
a) Cancellation by the Client
The Client may cancel at any time. If canceled after work has begun, the Studio reserves the right to use completed portions of the work for portfolio, promotional or branding purposes, and the Client may be charged a cancellation fee to cover incurred costs. The Client will retain ownership of the work produced up to the cancellation point.
b) Termination by the Studio
Blukokoro reserves the right to terminate the Agreement if the Client fails to comply with payment schedules or other contractual obligations. In such cases, the Studio retains any payments made and reserves the right to use completed work for promotional purposes.
8. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law
a) Dispute Resolution
In the event of any disputes, both parties agree to attempt to resolve the issue through negotiation. If unresolved, mediation or arbitration may follow under the rules of an agreed arbitration association in Turin, Italy.
b) Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of Italy, and all legal proceedings will take place in the Tribunal of Turin, Italy.
9. Confidentiality
a) Confidentiality
All information exchanged during the project is considered confidential unless otherwise stated. Both parties agree not to disclose confidential project details without prior written consent.
By using Blukokoro’s services, the Client agrees to these Terms and Conditions.
