AI Policy

Deranged Doctor Design does not use generative AI to create or generate artwork, images, illustrations, or other visual elements for our cover designs. Every cover is created by human designers using licensed stock photography, photo manipulation, typography, and other traditional digital design techniques.

We never knowingly license or use stock images that are labeled or identified by the stock provider as AI-generated.

We carefully select all stock images using our professional experience and judgment, and we do not knowingly purchase or use images that appear to be AI-generated or AI-enhanced, even if they are not labeled as such. However, because we rely on third-party stock providers, we cannot guarantee that a licensed stock image has never undergone undisclosed AI generation or enhancement before being made available for licensing.

Our final artwork may not be uploaded to, processed by, modified with, animated by, used to train, or otherwise used in any generative AI software, AI image generator, AI editing tool, or machine learning system without our prior written permission.

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Acceptance of Terms

By booking or commissioning a project with Deranged Doctor Design, the client agrees to these Terms & Conditions. A signed agreement is not required. These terms are considered accepted once the client requests our services by email and proceeds with a booking or commission.

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Booking & Deposits

A non-refundable booking deposit is required to reserve each project slot.

Deposits reserve studio time and are therefore non-refundable, except where required by applicable law.

Project start dates refer to the date work begins, not the delivery date. Estimated delivery times may vary depending on project complexity and the speed of client communication and approvals.

Projects may be rescheduled once, subject to availability. Additional rescheduling requests may require a new booking deposit.

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Communication

All communication with Deranged Doctor Design is conducted via email. Instructions, approvals, or revision requests sent through other communication platforms are not considered official unless confirmed by email.

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Payment

Final payment is due before any final files are delivered.

If payment is made by bank transfer, all transfer fees and banking charges are the client's responsibility.

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Stock Images & Licensing

Deranged Doctor Design creates covers using legally licensed stock photography and other licensed design resources.

The cover price includes the standard license for all stock images used in the project.

The client agrees to comply with the licensing terms of all third-party assets incorporated into the cover.

The standard stock license generally covers:

• ebook editions

• paperback and hardcover editions

• audiobook covers

• promotional materials

• print runs up to the limits specified by the applicable stock provider and license
   

If additional licenses or Extended Licenses become necessary because of higher print runs or different commercial usage (such as merchandise), obtaining those licenses is the client's responsibility.

Deranged Doctor Design is not responsible for penalties or claims resulting from the client's use of the artwork beyond the scope of the included licenses.

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Ownership & Usage Rights

Upon receipt of full payment, the client receives an exclusive license to use the final cover design created by Deranged Doctor Design, subject to the rights and licensing terms applicable to any third-party stock images, fonts, or other licensed assets incorporated into the design.

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The client may not:

• resell the artwork

• sublicense the artwork

• transfer the artwork to another person or company

• use the artwork outside its intended purpose without obtaining the appropriate licenses
   

If a publisher, audiobook company, subscription box, merchandise company, or any other third party wishes to use the design, they must first obtain permission from Deranged Doctor Design and purchase any required rights or licenses.

Audio covers included with our cover packages are intended solely for the client's own audiobook edition. Third-party commercial use requires separate permission.

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Alterations to Cover Designs

Our cover designs may not be altered, modified, adapted, or otherwise changed without our prior written permission. This includes changes to typography, imagery, colors, layout, effects, or any other design elements. Any approved use must preserve the integrity of the original design.

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Client-Supplied Materials

If the client provides photographs, illustrations, fonts, logos, or any other material protected by copyright or intellectual property rights, the client confirms that they have obtained all necessary permissions for its use.

The client accepts full legal and financial responsibility for any copyright or licensing disputes arising from client-supplied materials.

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Logo Projects

Author logos are created using custom artwork combined with commercially licensed fonts.

Clients agree to comply with the licensing terms of any third-party fonts incorporated into the logo.

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Revisions

Reasonable revisions are included during the design process.

Revision requests that significantly change the approved concept, original brief, or overall design direction may be quoted separately or require a new project.

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Proofing & Printing

The client is solely responsible for carefully reviewing every aspect of the final design before publication.

This includes, but is not limited to, spelling, grammar, back cover copy, author information, ISBN and barcode placement, trim size, spine width, layout, printer specifications, and the printing quality of the final product.

For every printed book, the client must order and inspect a physical proof copy before approving mass production.

This is particularly important for hardcover editions, dust jackets, foil stamping, sprayed edges, embossing, and other specialty finishes. 

If the client chooses to proceed with printing or production without ordering and approving a physical proof, they do so entirely at their own risk and accept full responsibility for any resulting errors, production issues, or costs.

Deranged Doctor Design is not responsible for printing errors, production issues, or text mistakes that remain after the client's final approval.

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Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Deranged Doctor Design shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, lost sales, business interruption, reputational damage, or data loss arising from or related to our services or the use of the final artwork.

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Deranged Doctor Design shall not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by the client or any third party in connection with the printing, reprinting, correction, replacement, shipping, production, publication, distribution, uploading, or reproduction of materials using the artwork. This includes, but is not limited to, printing and reprinting costs, replacement copies, shipping costs, printer charges, platform fees, production costs, and costs resulting from errors or issues discovered after the client's approval of the final files.

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The client is solely responsible for reviewing and approving all final files, specifications, text, dimensions, and other project details before publication or production. Once final approval has been given, any costs associated with subsequent corrections, changes, reprints, replacements, or reproduction are solely the client's responsibility.

Deranged Doctor Design shall not be responsible for printing or production issues caused by third-party printers, publishing platforms, manufacturers, distributors, or other service providers, including differences in color, cropping, alignment, print quality, materials, finishes, or production methods.

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Deranged Doctor Design shall not be responsible for claims, restrictions, removals, licensing changes, or other issues arising from third-party stock providers or licensed resources, provided that the relevant asset was legally obtained and used by Deranged Doctor Design in accordance with the applicable license at the time of purchase and use.

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The client assumes full responsibility for any use, modification, reproduction, publication, distribution, or commercial exploitation of the artwork that falls outside the agreed scope of the project or the applicable third-party licenses.

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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Deranged Doctor Design's total liability arising out of or relating to any project or service shall not exceed the amount actually paid by the client to Deranged Doctor Design for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

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Indemnification

The client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Deranged Doctor Design from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses arising from client-supplied materials, unauthorized use or modification of the artwork, use of the artwork beyond the scope of applicable licenses, or the client's publication, printing, distribution, reproduction, or commercial use of the artwork.

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Portfolio Rights

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Deranged Doctor Design reserves the right to display completed projects on our website, portfolio, social media, promotional materials, and marketing channels.

Deranged Doctor Design retains copyright to all preliminary concepts, draft files, working files, and unused designs.

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Project Refusal & Cancellation

Deranged Doctor Design reserves the right to accept or decline any project.

We also reserve the right to cancel a project if communication becomes unreasonably difficult, the project substantially departs from the original brief, the client fails to comply with these Terms & Conditions, or continued revisions no longer lead toward a satisfactory final result.

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Credit

The client agrees to credit the cover with:

Book cover designed by Deranged Doctor Design

on the book's copyright page or in the acknowledgements whenever reasonably possible.

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Cover Resale

The client may not resell, transfer, or offer the completed cover design for sale without prior written permission from Deranged Doctor Design.

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Final Agreement

By booking or commissioning a project with Deranged Doctor Design and commissioning our services, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

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