Academy Voices Terms and Conditions (11/14/2024)

Welcome to Academy Voices, a voice-over casting and audiobook production website. By using our services and Website, you agree to these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). Please read these Terms carefully. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our Website.

1. Website Use

Academy Voices provides a platform for voice actors and narrators to showcase their talent and for rights holders to create and publish audiobooks. We do not guarantee any work or income from using our Website.

2. Account Registration

Users must create an account, submitting accurate and complete information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and accept responsibility for all activities under your account.

3. Content and Conduct

Users are responsible for any content posted, including voice samples, personal details, and comments. Content that is defamatory, offensive, or harmful is strictly prohibited. Academy Voices reserves the right to remove inappropriate content.

4. Ownership and Rights

All content on Academy Voices, including but not limited to text, images, logos, and software, is the property of Academy Voices or its content suppliers, protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Users may not reproduce or use our content without written consent.

For Royalty Share projects, narrators retain a 20-year right to royalties from the publication date. After 20 years, full rights to all revenue revert to the rights holder.

5. Project Fees and Payments

• Royalty Share Projects: No upfront costs are required; payment is based on shared revenue once the audiobook is distributed.
• Per Finished Hour (PFH) Projects: The PFH rate covers the final, fully edited, and mastered hour of audio content. Payment for PFH projects is required in full before final files are delivered, based on the agreed-upon PFH rate per project.

All payments are processed through our invoicing system. Academy Voices is not liable for any fees charged by your financial institution.

6. Per Finished Hour (PFH) Terms

For PFH projects, the following terms and conditions apply, aligning with industry standards:

• PFH Rate: The per finished hour rate reflects the cost for the fully produced, edited, and mastered final hour of audio. This rate is set in advance and includes narration, editing, mastering, and file delivery in a distribution-ready format.
• Quality Standards: All PFH projects are produced to industry-standard specifications, ensuring professional sound quality, accurate file formatting, and compatibility with major distribution platforms.
• Rights and Ownership: Once final payment is made, the rights to the finished audiobook files transfer to the rights holder. Academy Voices retains the right to showcase portions of the audiobook as samples or portfolio pieces unless explicitly requested otherwise by the rights holder.
• Approval Process: Rights holders will receive the first 15 minutes of the audiobook for review and feedback before the full production proceeds. Approval of this sample is required before production of the complete audiobook.
• Delivery and Payment: Upon completion, all final audio files will be delivered through Dropbox or another secure transfer method. Full payment is due before file delivery; if the project is canceled post-production, 50% of the total project cost will be due, covering Academy Voices' fee and the narrator’s compensation.

7. Royalty Share Terms

For Royalty Share projects, Academy Voices retains 20% of all revenue from sales, with remaining royalties split between the author, narrator, and Academy Voices as outlined. Payments are issued quarterly via PayPal, with sales reports provided.

YouTube Revenue Model: Revenue from YouTube is shared from a pooled model, with payouts based on each narrator’s total hours watched. Narrators receive 50% of YouTube-generated revenue based on watch time.

8. Royalty Share Audiobooks

Royalty Share audiobooks are produced, distributed, and managed entirely by Academy Voices. Key points include:

• Production and Distribution: Academy Voices handles all aspects of production and distribution, ensuring high-quality standards and wide reach.
• Royalty Payments to Narrators: Narrators receive 50% of royalties from all sales generated by the audiobook for a period of 20 years from the publication date.
• Rights Reversion: After the 20-year royalty period, all rights revert to Academy Voices, and narrators are no longer entitled to royalty payments.
• No Use for AI: Academy Voices guarantees that no audio from these projects will ever be used for artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning purposes.

9. Distribution Channels

Academy Voices distributes audiobooks across a broad range of platforms to maximize reach and accessibility. Distribution channels include:

• Findaway Voices
• Authors Republic
• YouTube
• Academy Voices
• Social Media Platforms

Through these channels, your audiobook will be available on major platforms such as Audible, Spotify, Google Play, Apple Books, and library apps, among others. A full list of these platforms is available upon request.

10. Production and Approval Process

• Initial Approval: Academy Voices submits the first 15 minutes of the audiobook to the author/rights holder for approval. Approval of this sample is required before proceeding with full production.
• Payment Due Upon Completion: Once the production is complete, the full payment is due before the final files are delivered.
• Cancellation Policy: If the author/rights holder chooses not to proceed after production and revisions are complete, 50% of the total project cost (including Academy Voices’ fee) will be due. This policy is in place to ensure narrators are fairly compensated, as they complete the entire project before receiving payment.

11. Prohibited Uses: Machine Learning and AI

Voice-over recordings from Academy Voices may not be used for training or developing machine learning models or AI systems without prior written consent from both Academy Voices and the talent involved. Any unauthorized use for these purposes is strictly prohibited.

Academy Voices commits to using recordings solely for intended purposes. Synthetic or AI voice use requires the voice actor’s express written consent.

12. Responsibilities of Voice Actors

Voice actors on Academy Voices are independent contractors, not employees. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account for reasons including:

• Non-compliance with Terms
• Providing false information on profiles or applications
• Inconsistent availability or unprofessional conduct
• Failure to meet project deadlines or quality standards
• Poor customer service, including unprofessional interactions
• Unauthorized fee changes or sharing of project terms with clients

Voice actors are not required to maintain a membership on Academy Voices to earn royalties from completed projects. They will have ongoing access to the website to view earnings and sales reports for these projects but will not have access to new auditions or casting opportunities without an active membership.

Actors must not attempt to discourage clients from using Academy Voices or post negative comments about our services publicly.

13. Dispute Resolution

Disputes arising from these Terms or the use of our Website are subject to binding arbitration. Users waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits.

14. Limitation of Liability

Academy Voices is provided "as is" and "as available." We disclaim warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We are not liable for damages related to Website use.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by Virginia law, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

16. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms. Continued use of our Website after changes implies acceptance of the new Terms.

17. Contact Us

For questions or concerns regarding these Terms, contact us at:

Anthony Pica Productions, LLC
7861 Indian Rd., Gloucester, VA, 23061
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (757) 268-8877