General Terms and Conditions

Scope

Geo Smith Editing offers the following editing services: proofreading, copy-editing, text revisions, developmental and scientific editing, final revisions, formatting checks. Editing work is carried out in US English or UK English as requested by the client.

Geo Smith Editing takes all reasonable care with the editing, formatting, and electronic transmission of documents. Geo Smith Editing will produce final edited documents that are written to the level of a native-English author. The client remains solely responsible for the scientific content and meaning, final formatting requirements, and use of the documents. Editing of a document involves no change to the ownership or copyright of the document, which are retained by the client at all times. Geo Smith Editing does not guarantee that the edited documents provided to the client will be accepted for publication in a scientific journal.

Procedure

Job requests:

When a job request is received, Geo Smith Editing will evaluate the quantity of editing work required based on the word count, the quality of the existing text, and the required deadline. This evaluation forms the basis for the fee shown in the quotation (offer).

The offer and fee:

Geo Smith Editing will email a quotation to the client following evaluation of the documents to be edited. The quotation shows the fee that will be invoiced to the client when the work is completed. The quotation is presented in both USD and the local currency of GeoSmith Editing, Swiss Francs (CHF). To convert from USD to CHF, GeoSmith Editing uses a global mid-market exchange rate at the time of the quotation. For particularly large editing jobs, Geo Smith Editing reserves the right to request an advance payment before the work commences, as well as payment instalments during the editing job (for example, if the job involves correcting a thesis with many chapters). If this applies, the requirement for an advance payment and/or payment instalments will be explained in the quotation. Due to the amount of sales, there is no obligation to pay VAT.

Establishment of a contract:

A contract is entered in to when the client sends an email to Geo Smith Editing confirming that the client accepts the quotation. In doing so, the client acknowledges that they have also read and accepted the General Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy. Geo Smith Editing will then confirm the order with the client and the editing work will proceed. The client must send all of the required documents to Geo Smith Editing before the editing work can start.

Electronic delivery of documents:

Once the editing work has been completed, the edited documents are returned to the client via email. Two versions are returned to the client: an “edited” version of the documents showing all suggested editorial changes, and a “final” version of the documents where all edits have been accepted (i.e., a clean version).

The invoice and payment:

After the documents have been returned to the client, the fee for the service will be invoiced. The invoice will be presented in Swiss Francs (CHF) and will show the same value as the original quotation. The invoice must be paid within 14 days. After 14 days a reminder will be sent by email. Geo Smith Editing reserves the right not to accept any further orders from the client if invoices are outstanding and until they have been paid in full.

Liability and returns

Geo Smith Editing undertakes to carry out its editing services carefully, so that there are as few inaccuracies as possible in the text after the work has been completed. However, if significant defects remain (such as major and embarrassing errors), the client must draw attention to the defects in writing within 14 days (the period begins on the day the edited documents are emailed to the client). If necessary, the client must also provide evidence of the defects using an annotated copy of the documents. If written notification is not received within 14 days, the order is considered fulfilled. Geo Smith Editing is only liable in the event of intentional or gross negligence and cannot be held responsible for indirect damage caused by errors or mistakes by the client. Overall, Geo Smith Editing can only be held liable up to the amount invoiced for the service.

If the client does not fulfil an agreed date, a new date will be agreed. Geo Smith Editing reserves the right to charge costs for the resulting effort. If Geo Smith Editing does not fulfil an agreed date, Geo Smith Editing will contact the client to negotiate a new agreed date.

Data protection

Geo Smith Editing understands the need to protect personal details and intellectual property. Information, data, and documents sent by a client are used only to determine the fee for the quotation, to make email contact with the client (for example, to provide a quotation), and to carry out the editing work on the documents provided. Geo Smith Editing holds documents in the strictest confidence and does not share or sell information or documents to any third party at any time. All reasonable steps are taken to ensure the security of documents and confidentiality of the client. The edited documents are emailed back to the client upon completion of the editing work. At no stage are third-parties included in emails.

Geo Smith Editing takes all reasonable steps to ensure data confidentiality and security. However, no liability is assumed if unauthorized persons access transmitted information during electronic data exchange.

The processing and collection of information, data, and documents may also be governed by the Geo Smith Editing Privacy Policy.

Final provisions

Swiss law applies. The place of jurisdiction is Maloja.