General Terms
and Conditions

1. Scope and Applicability

1.1 These General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter “GTC”) apply to all contracts, services, and business relationships between Step V Studio GbR, represented by its managing partners Vasilii Gurev and Nicole Schwabauer, Rennweg 57, 84034 Landshut, Germany (hereinafter “Step V Studio”, “we”, “us”) and the contracting party (hereinafter “Client”, “you”), unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.

1.2 These GTC apply exclusively to business clients (B2B) within the meaning of § 14 BGB (German Civil Code), legal entities under public law, and special funds under public law. The conclusion of contracts with consumers within the meaning of § 13 BGB is expressly excluded. By entering into a contract with Step V Studio, the Client confirms that they are acting in the exercise of their commercial or independent professional activity.

1.3 Step V Studio provides professional services in the following fields:

• Photorealistic 3D visualization and still rendering
• 3D animation and cinematic product content
• Digital product rendering and CGI
• Moodboard and storyboard development
• Creative direction and visual concept development
• Marketing and campaign management
• Social media management and content strategy
• Consulting (3D visualization, marketing, brand strategy)
• Web development and design
• Logo design and graphic design
• CAD-to-Web 3D model conversion
• Other creative, technical, and consulting services as individually agreed

1.4 These GTC apply to all present and future business relationships, regardless of whether the agreement is made electronically, in writing, or verbally. They shall also apply to future transactions without the need for renewed reference.

1.5 Any terms and conditions of the Client that deviate from, conflict with, or supplement these GTC shall not become part of the contract, even if known to Step V Studio, unless Step V Studio expressly agrees to their validity in writing. Silence on the part of Step V Studio shall not constitute acceptance.

1.6 For cross-border transactions, these GTC also apply. Mandatory provisions of the law of the Client’s country of residence that cannot be derogated from by agreement shall remain unaffected.

1.7 Individual agreements made with the Client in individual cases (including side agreements, supplements, and amendments) shall in all cases take precedence over these GTC. A written contract or written confirmation by Step V Studio shall be authoritative for the content of such agreements.

2. Conclusion of Contract

2.1 All offers, quotations, cost estimates, and price lists provided by Step V Studio are non-binding and subject to change unless expressly designated as binding in writing. They constitute an invitation to the Client to submit an offer.

2.2 If the Client provides a briefing orally, by phone, or via video call, Step V Studio will prepare a written re-briefing summarizing the project requirements, scope, and specifications. If the Client does not object in writing within three (3) working days of receipt, the re-briefing shall be deemed accepted and shall form part of the contractual basis.

2.3 A binding contract between Step V Studio and the Client is concluded when one of the following occurs:

(a) Step V Studio confirms the Client’s order or project assignment in writing (including electronic form, e.g., email);

(b) Both parties sign a written contract, project agreement, or statement of work;

(c) Step V Studio commences the provision of services following a clear, documented assignment by the Client and the Client’s acceptance of these GTC;

(d) The Client accepts an offer or order via the sevDesk Client Portal (e.g., by marking the offer as “accepted” or otherwise confirming acceptance through the platform);

(e) The Client makes the agreed advance payment (Anzahlung) as specified in the offer or contract.

2.4 The scope of services, deliverables, project milestones, timelines, and fees are specified in the individual contract, project confirmation, statement of work, or written offer. Any amendments, additions, or extensions to the agreed scope require written confirmation by Step V Studio and may result in adjustments to timelines and fees.

2.5 Briefings, project outlines, reference materials, and specifications provided by the Client form the basis for the contract. The Client is solely responsible for ensuring that all information provided is accurate, complete, and timely. Step V Studio is not liable for delays, additional costs, or deficiencies resulting from incomplete, incorrect, or late information or materials supplied by the Client.

2.6 Step V Studio reserves the right to refuse orders or projects at its own discretion, in particular if the content, purpose, or nature of the project violates legal provisions, ethical standards, or is incompatible with the values and positioning of Step V Studio.

3. Project Workflow, Milestones & Checkpoints

3.1 All projects follow a structured, milestone-based workflow consisting of defined checkpoints. The standard project workflow includes the following phases:

Phase 1 – Discovery & Briefing: Kick-off call, project briefing, requirements gathering, and alignment on creative direction, deliverables, and timeline.

Phase 2 – Concept Development: Creation of moodboard and storyboard (blocking out) based on the approved briefing. The Client receives the concept for review at Checkpoint 1.

Phase 3 – Production: Upon approval of the concept, Step V Studio proceeds with full production (3D modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, rendering). The Client receives a pre-render preview for review at Checkpoint 2.

Phase 4 – Final Delivery: Upon approval of the pre-render preview and receipt of the corresponding payment, Step V Studio delivers the final renders and assets in the agreed formats and quality.

3.2 The exact number and nature of project phases and checkpoints may vary depending on project complexity and shall be defined in the individual contract or offer.

3.3 Each checkpoint serves as a decision point for the Client: the Client may either approve and proceed to the next phase, request an included revision (see Section 4), or discontinue the project subject to the cancellation terms in Section 8.

4. Revisions & Amendments

4.1 Each project includes two (2) revision rounds at the designated checkpoints:

Revision 1: At Checkpoint 1 (Moodboard & Storyboard/Concept phase)

Revision 2: At Checkpoint 2 (Pre-render preview, before final delivery)

4.2 Each included revision round covers reasonable adjustments within the originally agreed scope and concept. Revisions that constitute a fundamental change in creative direction, scope, or concept (e.g., complete redesign, new concept, additional deliverables) are not covered by the included revision rounds and will be treated as additional services.

4.3 Any revision requests beyond the two included rounds, or revisions requested outside of the designated checkpoints, shall be charged as follows:

• Initiation fee per additional revision round: €200.00 (net)
• Hourly rate for revision work: €150.00 (net) per hour

4.4 Revision requests must be submitted in writing (email is sufficient) and must clearly describe the desired changes. Vague, contradictory, or incomplete revision requests may result in additional revision rounds at the Client’s expense.

4.5 Step V Studio will provide a time and cost estimate for additional revisions before commencing work. Commencement of additional revision work constitutes acceptance of the associated costs by the Client.

5. Deliverables & File Formats

5.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following deliverables are included in the standard project scope:

• Moodboard (digital, PDF or image format)
• Storyboard / Blocking Out (digital)
• Final renders in the quality and resolution as specified in the contract/invoice
• Final animation files in the format and resolution as specified in the contract/invoice

5.2 The following are expressly not included unless separately agreed and compensated:

• Project files, scene files, or working files
• 3D models, textures, materials, or assets
• Raw render files or unprocessed output
• Source files in any proprietary or editable format (e.g., .blend, .max, .psd, .ai, .c4d)
• Additional formats, resolutions, or aspect ratios beyond what is specified

5.3 Exception – CAD-to-Web projects: For projects specifically contracted as CAD-to-Web conversions, the deliverables include the final 3D model in GLB format suitable for web integration, in addition to any other agreed deliverables.

5.4 Requests for additional deliverables, file formats, or assets beyond the agreed scope shall be treated as additional services and charged at Step V Studio’s current rates.

5.5 All deliverables are provided digitally via secure download link, email, or file-sharing platform, unless otherwise agreed. Step V Studio is not obligated to retain or archive project files, working files, or deliverables beyond fourteen (14) days after final project acceptance.

6. Fees, Payment Terms & Invoicing

6.1 All fees and prices quoted by Step V Studio are net amounts in euros (EUR) and are subject to the applicable statutory value-added tax (VAT/Umsatzsteuer), if required by law.

6.2 The agreed remuneration, project fees, or rates are specified in the individual contract, written offer, or project confirmation. Additional services, changes, or extensions requested by the Client will be charged at Step V Studio’s current rates unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6.3 Payment Structure – DACH Region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland):

• 50% advance payment upon contract conclusion / project launch (due before commencement of concept development)
• 50% payment upon completion of production, due before final delivery of materials

6.4 Payment Structure – International Clients:

• 50% advance payment upon contract conclusion / project launch
• 20% payment upon concept approval (Checkpoint 1)
• 30% payment upon final delivery

6.5 Payment Structure – Large-Scale Projects (regardless of region):

• 30% payment upon project launch
• 25% payment upon concept approval (Checkpoint 1)
• 25% payment at production midpoint
• 20% payment upon final delivery

6.6 The applicable payment structure is determined by project scope and Client location and will be specified in the individual offer or contract. Step V Studio reserves the right to propose alternative payment structures for individual projects.

6.7 All invoices are due for payment within fourteen (14) days of invoice date, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Invoices are issued electronically via email or the sevDesk Client Portal.

6.8 Final deliverables will only be released upon receipt of all outstanding payments. Step V Studio retains the right to withhold delivery of final materials until full payment has been received.

6.9 In the event of payment default, Step V Studio is entitled to:

• Charge statutory default interest at the rate of 9 percentage points above the base rate (§ 288 Abs. 2 BGB) for business clients
• Charge a flat reminder fee of €5.00 per reminder
• Suspend all further services and deliveries until all outstanding payments are settled
• Take legal action and/or engage debt collection agencies; all resulting costs shall be borne by the Client

6.10 The Client may only offset or withhold payments against claims that are undisputed or have been legally established.

6.11 The Client’s obligation to pay the agreed fees remains unaffected by subjective opinions, personal taste, or individual preferences regarding the delivered work, provided that the services have been rendered in accordance with the contract and professional standards.

6.12 All advance payments, deposits, and payments made are non-refundable, subject to the cancellation provisions in Section 8.