Copestake Limited

Company Registered in England Number 5308939 VAT Reg. Number 878 5861 53
Directors: C A Copestake, K Bulmer

This section includes our Terms and Conditions for Public Relations and Business Communications including press releases; Feature writing; Photography; Web Content writing; Writing for advertisements, marketing collateral and business documentation.

Please note that the term “for Publication” covers recorded, printed and electronic (broadcast, internet) media.

1. Public Relations and Business Communications 

2. A meeting is arranged with the Client to discuss and assess requirements.

3. An overview is prepared, based on the background to the business, and a need for assistance in Public Relations is established. This overview will include a detailed Proposal on the way forward, based on findings in the initial meeting. If the Client is in agreement with the Proposal, a proposal form is included, to be signed by the client; this is to state the client’s acceptance of the proposal in principal. If the Client is in disagreement with any aspect of the Proposal, another meeting may be arranged.

4. All work is costed separately and agreed with the client prior to commencement. A standard cost form is available to view.

5. All written work produced, including media alerts and press releases, will be agreed and signed off by the client before release.

6. Copyright is owned by Copestake Ltd until full and final payment on each invoice is received.

2. Feature Writing for Publication

1. “The Author” is defined here as Kate Copestake, C. Copestake or Catherine Copestake

2. All written work originated by the author is copyright COPESTAKE Ltd and may not be used in any form; printed, electronic or photographic without written consent from the Company. COPESTAKE Ltd retains copyright on all published work even if work has been paid for by a publisher. If a new agreement is formed with publisher, the Author retains copyright until all monies outstanding are paid in full.

3. All photographic images supplied for publications, printed media or electronically (internet or broadcast media) are the copyright of the photographer and cannot be used without the photographer’s written permission and following payment of any outstanding amount.

4. All photographs and images created by the photographer for publication must be clearly credited as such.

5. All interviews in recorded form are the property of the Author.

6. The creator of all written work supplied has the right to be identified by her full name in any piece published (ie Kate Copestake, C. Copestake, Catherine Copestake) in a font size no smaller than the published piece. The Author’s email address should be carried at the end of the piece wherever possible – Kate@Copestake-Ltd.com EXCEPT FOR in the case of ghost writing, when terms will be agreed prior to publication

7. The Author retains the right to display all written work on the website www.Copestake-Ltd.com  unless agreed otherwise with publisher. Downloading for distribution, copying etc is forbidden under the 1988 Copyright Act

3. Photography for Public Relations, Press Releases and Web Content/Electronic Media

Photography remains the copyright of the photographer in all cases in perpetuity under the 1988 Copyright Act. Our photographers will waive the right to ownership of photographic images on payment of invoice.

4. Provision of copy for Websites, Adverts, Documents etc including correction and proof reading 

1. A written quote will be prepared for all copywriting. The client signs to accept the quote.
2. There is a base charge for the read-through of any document to be proof-read. The document will be costed depending on size.

3. Each job is assessed  for requirements along with the Client, usually by telephone or email – for example simple corrections, “massage and condition”, complete re-write

4. The Client then receives written confirmation of order, by email, fax or post, with an estimate timeframe for the job, how the copy will be delivered and when. The deadline is always agreed with the client.

5. The Client signs to accept the job; work commences.

6. All quotes are guaranteed for 60 days.

7. VAT is charged on all work at the U.K. national rate

8. In the case of websites or other third-party working - If a copywriting job continues after 60 days past the start date through no fault of Copestake Ltd, and after drafts have been submitted, then an invoice is raised for 50 % of the outstanding amount. This amount will then be payable in 30 days.

9. All proof-read and prepared text must be signed off by the client before it is released for use.

10. ONLY on sign off and payment of any outstanding amount in full, is copyright assigned to the client 

Proofreading - Please Note:
Any names and titles of persons; numbers within the text are assumed correct. COPESTAKE Ltd will not alter the spelling of any persons name or title without first checking with the Client. Numerics, including dates, ages, and financial statements are assumed correct and will not be proof-read, (except in the case of obvious mistakes, for example 9184 for the date 1984). All Addresses and Postcodes will be agreed with the client. In the case of a business prospectus or similar, all documentation should be passed to the Client’s legal team for final assessment.

5. Web Content Copyright

Web content includes any content produced for a client’s website by Copestake ltd. This can include photography (see note above), copywriting, blogs, graphics, animation and logos.

All web content remains the copyright of Copestake Ltd until payment is made in full, under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act. The site is then signed over to the client. All clients are advised to seek clarification if content is supplied via a third party, for instance in the case of another company supplying the website design but not some or all of the content

1. Payment Terms

All quotes are guaranteed for 60 days.
VAT is charged on all work at the rate of 17.5%
We accept payment by cheque raised on a UK bank account
We accept payment by BACS

If a copywriting job continues after 60 days past the start date through no fault of Copestake Ltd, then an invoice is raised for 50% of the outstanding amount. This amount is then payable in 30 days.

Web Copy - payment by the client to Copestake Ltd is not dependent on the site for which it is intended being completed and/or made live on the internet by an unrelated party (eg the website designer or web builder). We are happy to supply the client with content, or the website designer direct. Please also see Web content copyright.

Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date. COPESTAKE Ltd reserves the right to claim statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate for late payment in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

Failure to settle outstanding amounts within an agreed time will result in Copestake Ltd raising a Letter Before Action, stating the following:

If payment is not made within seven days of the date on the letter, we shall issue legal proceedings in the County Court. If court action becomes necessary, we are entitled to claim, in addition to the outstanding amount, 8% over Bank of England base rate (approx 13%) under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (interest) Act 1998 as amended. We shall also seek recovery of the cost of recorded delivery (approx £1.00), court fee payable (£30.00), the Hearing Fee (£25.00), Loss of Earnings (£50.00 per day) and travel expenses.
Amounts as at August 2008