Terms of Service

Last updated: May 2026

Welcome to the website and services of Lee Gruber Studio (“Studio,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). By accessing this website or engaging our illustration, design, licensing, consulting, or creative services, you agree to the following Terms of Service.

These terms are intended to create a clear, respectful working relationship between the Studio and our clients.

1. Services

Lee Gruber Studio provides illustration, branding, creative direction, licensing, consulting, visual development, and related creative services for clients in publishing, hospitality, retail, editorial, packaging, advertising, interiors, and cultural projects.

All services are subject to availability and may be modified, declined, or discontinued at our discretion.

2. Project Agreements

All commissioned work requires written approval before production begins.

Project scope may include:

• deliverables

• timeline

• usage rights

• licensing terms

• revision rounds

• payment structure

• production specifications

Email approval, signed estimates, proposals, invoices, or contracts constitute agreement to proceed.

3. Pricing & Payment

Project pricing is customized based on scope, complexity, licensing, timeline, and intended usage.

Unless otherwise agreed:

• a non-refundable deposit is required to reserve project scheduling

• final files are delivered after final payment is received

• rush timelines may incur additional fees

• invoices are due according to the payment schedule outlined in the project agreement

Late payments may result in paused work, delayed delivery, or additional fees.

The client is responsible for all applicable taxes unless otherwise stated.

4. Revisions

Reasonable revisions are included within the scope outlined in the project agreement.

Additional revisions, concept changes, expanded scope, or direction changes outside the agreed process may incur additional fees.

Requests that substantially alter approved work may require a new estimate or project agreement.

5. Copyright & Ownership

Unless otherwise stated in writing, Lee Gruber Studio retains all copyright and intellectual property rights to all artwork, sketches, concepts, drafts, and final creative work.

Clients receive only the specific usage rights or license outlined in their agreement.

No artwork may be:

• altered

• resold

• sublicensed

• reproduced

• distributed

• trademarked

• used for AI training

• minted as NFTs

• repurposed beyond the agreed usage

without prior written permission.

Unused concepts and preliminary materials remain the property of the Studio.

6. Licensing & Usage

Usage rights are granted only after full payment has been received.

Licensing may vary based on:

• geography

• duration

• industry

• product category

• exclusivity

• media placement

• print quantity

• digital distribution

Expanded usage beyond the original agreement requires additional licensing.

Unless exclusivity is explicitly purchased in writing, the Studio retains the right to:

• display work in portfolios

• publish work for self-promotion

• share process materials

• license unused concepts elsewhere when appropriate

7. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

• provide accurate project information

• supply required materials on time

• review work promptly

• secure permissions for any materials they provide

• ensure all supplied content does not infringe third-party rights

Delays in communication or approvals may affect timelines.

8. Cancellations & Kill Fees

If a project is canceled after work has begun, the client is responsible for payment covering work completed up to the cancellation date.

Depending on project stage, this may include:

• deposits

• hourly labor

• development time

• reserved production scheduling

• licensing holds

Completed work remains property of the Studio unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9. Portfolio & Promotion Rights

Unless covered by a confidentiality agreement, the Studio reserves the right to display completed or in-progress work for:

• portfolio use

• social media

• awards submissions

• publications

• interviews

• exhibitions

• marketing purposes

Confidential launches or embargoed projects will be respected when communicated in writing.

10. Website Content

All content on this website, including artwork, writing, branding, graphics, photography, layouts, and designs, is protected by copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without permission.

Unauthorized use of website content is prohibited.

11. AI & Machine Learning Restrictions

No artwork, images, writing, process materials, or creative assets from this website or Studio projects may be scraped, downloaded, reproduced, or used for:

• machine learning

• generative AI training

• dataset creation

• synthetic media generation

• prompt engineering databases

without explicit written consent.

12. Limitation of Liability

The Studio is not liable for:

• indirect or consequential damages

• business interruption

• lost profits

• printing/vendor errors outside our control

• third-party misuse of artwork

• delays caused by client communication or external production vendors

Maximum liability shall not exceed the total fees paid for the project in question.

13. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of West Virginia, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes arising from services or agreements shall be resolved in the appropriate courts of West Virginia unless otherwise agreed in writing.

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Updated versions will be posted to this page with a revised effective date.

Continued use of the website or services constitutes acceptance of updated Terms.

15. Contact

For project inquiries, licensing requests, or legal questions, please contact me.