Terms of Service
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Last updated: December 2025
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Family Tree Films website and your engagement of our services, including oral-history films, family-history documentaries, interviews, and all related media (“Services”). By using our website or commissioning a project, you agree to these Terms.
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1. Services
Family Tree Films produces customized films that preserve personal history, family stories, and interviews. Each project is unique and crafted according to the scope defined during consultation.
We reserve the right to decline any project that conflicts with our values or legal obligations.
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2. Payment & Scheduling
• A deposit may be required to reserve a production date.
• Final payment is due upon delivery of the completed film.
• Prices may vary depending on project complexity and travel.
• We are not responsible for delays caused by the client, weather, illness, or events outside our control.
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3. Client Responsibilities
You agree to:
• Provide accurate information necessary for production.
• Ensure access to locations and participants.
• Obtain any required permissions for filming in private locations.
• Review drafts in a timely manner.
You confirm that all submitted images, documents, and media belong to you or that you have permission to use them.
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4. Ownership of Materials & Copyright
A. Copyright of the Final Film
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, you (the client) own the copyright to your completed film. It’s your story — you own it.
B. Copyright to Raw Footage
Family Tree Films retains copyright to unedited/raw footage, interviews, and ancillary production elements.
This prevents third parties from misusing or altering your footage without our involvement.
C. Your Personal Materials
You retain ownership of all personal items you provide, including:
• Photos
• Documents
• Videos
• Audio recordings
• Genealogical materials
We claim no ownership over your family archives.
D. Promotional Use
With your consent, you grant Family Tree Films a non-exclusive, revocable license to use short excerpts, anonymized clips, stills, or screenshots for promotional purposes (website, social media, and marketing).
You may withdraw this permission at any time.
E. No Sale or Licensing
Family Tree Films will never sell, license, or distribute your film or footage to third parties without your explicit written approval.
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5. Revisions
Unless otherwise specified, your project includes a defined number of revision rounds. Additional revisions may incur a reasonable fee.
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6. Delivery of Completed Films
Family Tree Films delivers completed films using two secure formats:
A. Digital Delivery (Vimeo or Equivalent Platform)
Your finished film will be delivered via a private, password-protected Vimeo link (or an equivalent cloud-based hosting platform).
This link allows you to:
• Stream your film online
• Download a high-quality digital file
• Share the film with family and friends
• Maintain long-term cloud access
While we make every effort to keep your film hosted indefinitely, long-term availability may depend on third-party platform changes outside our control.
B. Physical Delivery (USB Drive or Archival Media)
You will also receive your film on a USB flash drive or other removable media.
This format allows you to store the film securely in your own home and make personal backup copies.
C. Client Responsibility for Long-Term Storage
We encourage clients to store copies of their films in multiple locations, including:
• Home computer
• External hard drive
• Cloud storage of their choice
• Physical media such as USB drives or archival discs
Family Tree Films is not responsible for long-term retention of digital files after delivery, although we may maintain internal backups as a courtesy.
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We are not liable for:
• Loss of physical media after delivery
• Changes in third-party hosting platforms (such as Vimeo)
D. Replacement Copies
If you lose your digital copy or USB drive, we may provide a replacement if archived backups are available.
Fees may apply for replacement media or retrieval.
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7. Data & Privacy
Your privacy is taken seriously. All data handling complies with our posted Privacy Policy.
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8. Limitation of Liability
Family Tree Films is not responsible for:
• Lost or damaged personal materials provided by you
• Loss of data due to third-party platform failures
• Events outside our control
• Emotional distress caused by sensitive family topics uncovered during interviews
Our maximum liability is limited to the amount you paid for the Services.
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9. Termination
Either party may terminate the project.
Deposits may be non-refundable if pre-production work has been completed.
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10. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.
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11. Contact
Family Tree Films
P.O. Box 2244
Columbia, MD 21045
410-449-4451