Terms of Service

Last updated: February 2026

1. Scope of Services

LODE Publishing, operated by Clemens Lode Verlag e.K., provides professional book formatting services including but not limited to:

• Manuscript formatting and typesetting
• Conversion between document formats
• Creation of print-ready PDF files
• EPUB and e-book formatting
• LaTeX source file creation

2. Contract Formation

A binding contract is formed when we provide a written quote and you accept it, either in writing or by making payment. Free sample conversions do not constitute a binding contract for full services.

3. Pricing and Payment

All prices are quoted in Euros (EUR) and are subject to German VAT where applicable. Payment terms are specified in individual quotes. We accept bank transfers and major credit cards.

For projects requiring significant work before final approval, we may require partial payment up front.

4. Delivery

Estimated delivery times are provided with each quote. Delivery times begin after:

• Receipt of all necessary materials
• Clarification of all project requirements
• Payment of any required deposits

We will communicate any delays as soon as they become apparent.

5. Revisions

Each project includes two (2) rounds of revisions for design preferences such as:

• Font and typography adjustments
• Layout modifications
• Styling changes

Additional revisions or significant structural changes may incur extra charges, which will be quoted in advance.

6. Quality Guarantee

We guarantee error-free formatting according to your specifications. If we have made an error, we will correct it at no additional charge. This guarantee covers:

• Formatting errors introduced by our work
• Deviations from agreed specifications
• Technical issues with delivered files

The guarantee does not cover errors present in the original manuscript or new requests made after you have approved the deliverables.

7. Intellectual Property

Your Content

You retain all intellectual property rights to your manuscript content. By submitting materials, you grant us a limited license to process them solely for providing our services.

Deliverables

Upon full payment, you receive:

• Full ownership of formatted PDF and EPUB files
• Complete LaTeX source files (where applicable)
• Rights to modify, publish, and distribute your formatted work

LODE Template

The LODE LaTeX template remains our intellectual property. You may use it for your own projects but may not:

• Sell or distribute the template
• Use it to provide formatting services to others
• Remove or modify copyright notices

8. Confidentiality

We treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential. We will not share, publish, or disclose your content to third parties except as necessary for service delivery (e.g., team members working on your project).

9. Limitation of Liability

Our liability is limited to the contract value of the specific project. We are not liable for:

• Indirect or consequential damages
• Lost profits or revenue
• Delays caused by third parties or circumstances beyond our control

This limitation does not apply to damages caused by intent or gross negligence.

10. Cancellation

You may cancel a project at any time. Cancellation fees apply based on work completed:

• Before work begins: Full refund minus any processing fees
• After work begins: Payment for work completed to date

11. Dispute Resolution

We aim to resolve disputes amicably. If a resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be governed by German law and settled in the courts of Düsseldorf, Germany.

For EU consumers: Online dispute resolution through a central EU platform is no longer available (discontinued July 2025). You may contact your national consumer protection agency or an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body. We are not obligated and not willing to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

12. Withdrawal Right (Widerrufsrecht) — Digital Products

Right of Withdrawal

If you are a consumer based in the European Union, you have the right to withdraw from a distance contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period expires 14 days after the day the contract is concluded.

To exercise your right of withdrawal, you must inform us by a clear statement (e.g., email to info@lodepublishing.com) of your decision to withdraw from this contract.

Exception for Immediate Digital Delivery

For digital products (e-books, templates, software downloads), the right of withdrawal expires once download or access begins, provided that:

1. You have expressly consented to the immediate performance of the contract before the withdrawal period has expired, and
2. You have acknowledged that you lose your right of withdrawal upon the beginning of performance.

By checking the corresponding checkbox before purchase, you expressly agree that (a) we begin delivery of the digital product immediately, and (b) you lose your right of withdrawal once the download begins.

Widerrufsbelehrung (German)

Widerrufsrecht: Sie haben das Recht, binnen 14 Tagen ohne Angabe von Gründen diesen Vertrag zu widerrufen. Die Widerrufsfrist beträgt 14 Tage ab dem Tag des Vertragsabschlusses. Um Ihr Widerrufsrecht auszuüben, müssen Sie uns (Clemens Lode Verlag e.K., Bilker Allee 188, 40215 Düsseldorf, E-Mail: info@lodepublishing.com) mittels einer eindeutigen Erklärung über Ihren Entschluss, diesen Vertrag zu widerrufen, informieren.

Vorzeitiges Erlöschen bei digitalen Inhalten: Das Widerrufsrecht erlischt bei digitalen Inhalten (E-Books, Templates, Software-Downloads) vorzeitig, wenn Sie ausdrücklich zugestimmt haben, dass wir mit der Ausführung des Vertrages vor Ablauf der Widerrufsfrist beginnen, und Sie Ihre Kenntnis davon bestätigt haben, dass Sie durch Ihre Zustimmung mit Beginn der Ausführung Ihr Widerrufsrecht verlieren.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Changes will not affect ongoing projects that have already been confirmed.

14. Contact

For questions about these terms, contact us at: info@lodepublishing.com