Intellectual Property Rights Policy

At Epicus Marcom Inc., we believe the strongest creative outcomes are achieved through collaboration, trust, and clear expectations. Intellectual property policies are not about restriction or control. They exist to support healthy partnerships, protect the integrity of creative work, and ensure long-term success for both clients and agency.

Intellectual property policies also exist to respect the creative professionals behind the work. Creative directors, copywriters, and designers invest time, expertise, and creative judgment into developing solutions, and protecting that work helps ensure it is used appropriately, consistently, and with proper context.

By clearly defining ownership and usage, we are able to maintain continuity and remain actively involved as brands and initiatives grow. This framework reflects standard practice across leading agencies and helps avoid misunderstandings as work evolves beyond a single deliverable.

Ownership of Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Epicus Marcom Inc. retains ownership of all intellectual property created during the course of a project.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Concepts and creative direction
• Designs, layouts, and compositions
• Marketing and branding materials
• Systems, templates, and production methods
• Drafts, working files, and source files

Ownership is retained regardless of whether the work is delivered digitally or physically.

Client License for Use

Upon full payment, clients are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the final, approved deliverables for their intended business purpose. This license allows clients to:

• Use and reproduce the final delivered files as required for the agreed project
• Deploy the work in the formats and channels for which it was created

This license does not include:

• Ownership of the intellectual property
• Rights to modify or repurpose the work beyond the original scope
• Rights to sublicense, resell, or transfer the work to third parties
• Access to or ownership of working or source files

Any expanded usage, exclusivity, or transfer of ownership must be agreed to in writing and may be subject to additional fees.

Working and Source Files

Editable working files, including but not limited to layered PSDs, AI files, InDesign packages, templates, and other internal production assets, are not included in standard project deliverables.

These files remain the property of Epicus Marcom Inc. and are considered part of our internal creative process. If release of working or source files is required, this must be negotiated separately under a licensing or buyout arrangement.

Pre-Existing and Client-Supplied Materials

If a client supplies logos, brand assets, source files, or other materials created by third parties, ownership of those materials remains with their original rights holder.

By providing such materials, the client represents that they have the legal right to authorize their use.

Any original creative work, adaptations, or new elements produced by Epicus Marcom Inc. using client-supplied materials remain our intellectual property unless otherwise agreed in writing. Clients are granted a license to use the combined final output for its intended purpose.

Modifications and Derivative Use

Clients may not alter, adapt, or extend the use of delivered work beyond the original agreement without prior written consent. This includes:

• Creating derivative works based on our designs
• Reusing design elements for new projects
• Modifying files internally or through another vendor
• Building independent initiatives using our creative systems or layouts

We are always open to discussing revisions, extensions, or new applications of existing work through continued collaboration.

Third-Party Use

Providing our work to third parties, including other agencies, contractors, or internal teams, for modification or reuse outside the agreed scope is not permitted without written authorization from Epicus Marcom Inc.

Collaboration and Continuity

Our IP framework is designed to encourage partnership over extraction. Simply handing over internal production files and disengaging often leads to fragmented execution, inconsistent messaging, and diluted results.

By retaining ownership of working files while licensing final deliverables for use, we are able to maintain creative consistency, provide long-term stewardship, and support clients as initiatives scale and evolve.

Our goal is not to limit our clients, but to work alongside them as a trusted creative partner. When expanded usage, editable files, or ownership transfer is required, those conversations are welcome and handled transparently.

Breach of Policy

Unauthorized use of Epicus Marcom Inc.’s intellectual property may result in revocation of usage rights, additional licensing fees, and legal remedies where appropriate.

Definitions

• Intellectual Property (IP): All original creative work, concepts, designs, systems, and materials created by Epicus Marcom Inc., whether delivered or not.
• Deliverables: The final, approved files provided to the client as part of an agreed project.
• Working / Source Files: Editable production files used to create the deliverables, including layered design files, templates, and internal production assets.
• License: Permission granted to a client to use the final deliverables for a defined purpose without transferring ownership.

Acceptance

By engaging Epicus Marcom Inc., clients acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined in this Intellectual Property Rights Policy unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Legal Framework

This policy reflects established principles of copyright and intellectual property law under applicable Canadian, U.S. and international regulations. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, intellectual property rights remain with the creator, with clients granted defined usage rights as outlined above.