Payment & Escrow Policy
International Booking & Platform Access Agreement
Purpose and Scope
1.1. This Payment & Escrow Policy (the “Policy”) governs the payment structure, use of escrow systems, withholdings, refunds, settlement of funds, and related charges for operations carried out through the VIONS Platform, supplementing the Terms and Conditions of Use (“T&C”), the Artist Master Agreement, the Brand/Client Agreement, and specific Booking Agreements or Project Orders.
1.2. In the event of a conflict between this Policy and a specific Booking Agreement or Project Order, the provisions of such Booking Agreement or Project Order shall prevail with respect to what is expressly agreed for that transaction, and this Policy shall apply to all other aspects.
1.3. Booking Agreements and Project Orders may modify or supplement the payment structure, milestones, currencies, and cancellation rules set out in this Policy, provided that such modification is expressly recorded. In such case, the specific provisions of the relevant Booking Agreement or Project Order shall prevail for that particular transaction.
Specific Definitions of Payment and Escrow
2.1 In addition to the definitions contained in the T&C and in the Artist Master Agreement, the following definitions apply for the purposes of this Policy:
- "Escrow": a temporary funds-holding mechanism operated through the payment systems integrated into the VIONS Platform or through authorized third parties, intended to ensure compliance with payment obligations in favor of the Artist and/or VIONS.
- "Payment Provider": the financial institution or external payment processor (gateway, EMI, etc.) used by VIONS to process collections, maintain funds in escrow, and carry out settlements.
- "Reference Currency": the primary currency in which the fee for a Booking or Project is expressed (for example, USD, EUR), as indicated in the proposal or Project Order accepted through the VIONS Platform.
- "Artist Fee": the gross amount (before taxes and VIONS Commissions) agreed with the Client for the Booking or Project.
- "VIONS Commission": the applicable percentage (18%, 25%, or 30%) calculated on the gross amount of the Booking or Project, in accordance with the Artist Master Agreement.
- "VIONS Service Fee": the portion of the Commission or service charge that VIONS may retain from the Client in certain cases, particularly in cancellations attributable to the Client under this Policy.
Role of VIONS and Payment Providers
3.1. VIONS acts as an independent intermediary and professional broker and may be authorized to receive payments on behalf of the Artist, hold such payments in escrow schemes, and distribute them in accordance with this Policy and the applicable contracts.
3.2. Funds may be held in accounts operated by Payment Providers, pursuant to their own terms and applicable law. The Artist and the Client acknowledge that such Payment Providers are not controlled by VIONS and that their operation may involve additional charges for currency exchange, processing fees, or other items.
3.3. VIONS is not a financial or credit institution and does not provide banking, investment, or regulated custody services; its role is limited to coordinating, through authorized third parties, the receipt, holding, and distribution of funds arising from Bookings and Projects.
3.4. VIONS does not act as a fiduciary, trustee, financial institution, or regulated custodian. All funds are processed, held, and managed through authorized third-party Payment Providers, in accordance with their own terms and applicable law.
3.5. VIONS and/or its Payment Providers may apply KYC (Know Your Customer), anti-money laundering (AML), and compliance procedures as required under applicable regulations and may request additional information and documentation from Artists and Clients, and suspend operations until such verification is completed.
Payment Structure – GLOBAL SOUND (Bookings)
4.1 Proposals and acceptance
4.1.1. The Client shall submit, through the VIONS Platform or via authorized channels, a Booking proposal that shall include, among other details, the proposed fee, payment structure, Event date and location, as well as the Brand/Client’s logistical commitments.
4.1.2. Once the Artist accepts the proposal on the VIONS Platform or via the enabled mechanism, the corresponding Booking Agreement shall be deemed concluded and the financial terms shall become binding on both the Client and the Artist.
4.1.3. Any service fee, commission, or additional charge applicable to the Client shall be disclosed and visible before Booking or Project confirmation on the VIONS Platform or in the proposal sent, so that the Client is aware of the total cost of the transaction prior to acceptance.
4.2 Deposits and standard payment schedule
4.2.1. Full paymentby the Client.
(a) Once the Booking has been accepted by both the Artist and the Client, the Client must pay 100% of the total transaction amount (Artist Fee plus, where applicable, VIONS Commission and applicable charges) as a condition for the Booking to be considered confirmed.
(b) This amount shall be received through the integrated payment systems and held by VIONS and/or the Payment Provider in escrow, and shall not be automatically transferred to the Artist, except in the cases and within the timelines set out in this Policy and/or the relevant Booking Agreement.
4.2.2. Standard GLOBAL SOUND flow (DJ/live).
(a) In the absence of a different arrangement reflected in the Booking Agreement, the standard fund-release flow to the Artist shall be:
(b) At each release, VIONS shall deduct the applicable Commission (18% national or 25% international, as appropriate) and transfer to the Artist the net balance associated with that tranche.
4.2.3. In case of delay in payment by the Client, VIONS may take reasonable steps to manage collection (reminders, Booking suspension, cancellation), without assuming liability towards the Artist for such delay or any obligation to advance its own funds.
4.3 Use of escrow and custody of funds
4.3.1. 100% of the amount paid by the Client shall initially remain in escrow, internally divided into:
4.3.2. Funds will only be released to the Artist when the timing and conditions milestones set out in this Policy and in the Booking Agreement (for example, T-3 days and post-event) have been met, or, in the case of cancellations, in accordance with the rules set out in section 5.
4.3.3. Under no circumstances shall the Client be required to make direct payments to the Artist outside the payment and escrow systems enabled by VIONS for Bookings covered by this Policy.
4.3.4. The escrow mechanism is designed as a neutral structure intended to protect both the Client and the Artist, ensuring that funds are only released when the agreed obligations are fulfilled (milestones, Event performance, deliverable acceptance), in accordance with this Policy.
4.4 Settlement to the Artist and Commission Collection
4.4.1. Once the corresponding milestones have been met (T-3 days and post-event without material incidents), VIONS shall:
(a) deduct from the escrow funds the applicable VIONS Commission (18% national or 25% international); and
(b) transfer to the Artist the resulting net fee, in the Reference Currency or, if so agreed, in its equivalent in another currency applying the Payment Provider’s exchange rate on the settlement date.
4.4.2. Settlement timelines will depend on the Payment Provider’s processing and will be indicated on the Platform or in the Booking Agreement (e.g., within 5–10 business days after the release date).
4.4.3. VIONS undertakes to ensure that funds received from the Client are allocated and released in accordance with the agreed milestones and timelines, subject only to Payment Provider processing times and the existence of duly notified operational disputes.
Cancellations, no-shows, and refunds – GLOBAL SOUND
5.1. Cancellation attributable to the Artist (100% refund)
5.1.1. If the Event is canceled for reasons attributable to the Artist (including unjustified no-show) and no rescheduling agreement acceptable to the Client is reached:
(a) VIONS shall refund the Client 100% of the amounts actually paid for the Booking, including VIONS’ Service Fee or Commission, except for any non-refundable Payment Provider charges which, where applicable, will be deducted from the refunded amount.
(b) The Artist shall not receive any payment for that Booking and acknowledges that they may be liable to the Client for any additional damages under the Booking Agreement and applicable law.
5.1.2 Strikes and reliability.
(a) VIONS may internally record incidents or “strikes” linked to cancellations attributable to the Artist, in order to preserve the reliability of the Booking system.
(b) In the event of repeated or multiple cancellations or no-shows attributable to the Artist, VIONS may limit visibility, temporarily suspend or permanently terminate the Artist’s access to the Platform and/or terminate the Artist Master Agreement, without prejudice to other actions provided for in that agreement.
5.2. Cancellation attributable to the Brand/Client (90% refund, 10% VIONS fee)
5.2.1. If the Event is canceled for reasons attributable to the Client (including unilateral cancellation without justified cause) and no rescheduling agreement is reached:
(a) VIONS shall refund the Client ninety percent (90%) of the amounts actually paid fot the Booking; and
(b) VIONS shall retain the remaining ten percent (10%) as a Service Fee, in respect of platform, management, and Booking administration costs.
5.2.2 As a general rule, in such case the Artist shall not be entitled to any fee, unless the Booking Agreement expressly establishes a minimum cancellation compensation. Any exception must be recorded in writing in that Booking Agreement.
5.2.3 Unless expressly agreed otherwise in the Booking Agreement, the Artist shall not have an automatic right to a cancellation fee in the event of cancellation attributable to the Client. However, the Parties may agree in the Booking Agreement on a cancellation fee in favor of the Artist for late cancellations, which shall prevail over this Policy for that specific Booking.
5.3. Force majeure and rescheduling
5.3.1. 5.3.1. If cancellation is due to force majeure and the Parties agree to reschedule the Event:
(a) amounts may be kept in escrow for the new date; and
(b) VIONS’ Commission shall only be adjusted if the new financial agreement differs substantially from the original.
5.3.2 If rescheduling is not possible, VIONS will assess a reasonable refund scheme on a case-by-case basis, taking into account expenses actually incurred by the Artist and by VIONS, and the rules of the Booking Agreement.
Payment Structure – STUDIO (Projects)
6.1 Project Proposals and Acceptance
6.1.1. STUDIO Projects shall be formalized through proposals or Project Orders describing the creative scope, deliverables, timelines, total fee, and milestone-based payment scheme.
6.1.2. Acceptance by the Client, through the VIONS Platform or via the designated written mechanism, concludes the financial agreement and triggers the payment and delivery obligations.
6.2 Milestone and Escrow Scheme
6.2.1. Once the proposal has been accepted by both the Artist and the Client, the Client must pay 100% of the total Project amount, which shall be received by VIONS and/or the Payment Provider and held in full in escrow.
6.2.2. 100% of the funds shall be released to the Artist by milestones, in accordance with the structure defined in the Project Order (for example, 50% upon approval of drafts / 50% upon final delivery), or according to the scheme indicated in the accepted proposal.
6.2.3. Each time a milestone is met and the Client confirms acceptance of the corresponding deliverable within the VIONS Platform (or through the designated channel):
(a) VIONS shall deduct from the milestone amount the 30% STUDIO Commission; and
(b) transfer to the Artist the net balance associated with that milestone.
6.2.4. The final percentage shall be released only after final Project delivery and the Client’s express acceptance, at which point 100% of the amount allocated to the Artist under the Project Order shall be deemed released.
6.3 Settlement and 30% Commission
6.3.1. The 30% STUDIO Commission shall always be calculated on the gross amount of each milestone or of the Project, as defined in the Project Order, and shall be automatically deducted before settlement to the Artist.
Settlement timelines shall be subject to the Payment Provider’s processing times and will be indicated on the Platform or in the Project Order itself.
6.4 Refunds and Disputes in STUDIO Projects
6.4.1 Cancellation attributable to the STUDIO Artist.
(a) If the Project is canceled for reasons attributable to the Artist before final acceptance by the Client, VIONS shall refund the Client 100% of the amounts actually paid, including any VIONS Service Fee, except for non-refundable Payment Provider charges.
(b) The Artist shall not be entitled to any fees for the Project and VIONS may record strikes and/or suspend their access to the STUDIO division, depending on seriousness and recurrence.
6.4.2. Cancellationattributable to the STUDIO Client.
(a) If the Client cancels the Project without justified cause and no rescheduling or scope redefinition is agreed:
(b) If there is a dispute as to the degree of Project progress, VIONS may act as a good-faith mediator and propose a partial refund scheme adjusted to the work actually performed, without assuming the role of legal arbitrator.
Currencies, Exchange Rates and Charges
7.1. Default currency by Client region. As a general rule, operations handled through VIONS shall be invoiced and charged in the following currencies:
(a) Transactions with Clients based in Europe: invoiced and charged in euros (EUR)
(b) Transactions with Clients based outside Europe: invoiced and charged in United States dollars (USD).
As a general rule, operations involving Clients based in Europe shall be invoiced and charged in EUR, and operations involving Clients based outside Europe shall be invoiced and charged in USD, unless the Parties expressly agree otherwise in the relevant Booking Agreement or Project Order.
7.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties may expressly agree in a Booking Agreement or Project Order on a different currency, in which case the provisions of that document shall prevail for the specific transaction.
7.3. Where currency conversions are required, the exchange rate in effect at the time of the transaction, as determined by the relevant Payment Provider, shall apply and may include that provider’s own conversion fees or charges.
7.4. The Artist and the Client acknowledge that exchange rate fluctuations between the date of Booking/Project confirmation and the effective date of payment or settlement may impact the final amounts received in their local currency, without creating additional liability for VIONS.
7.4. Unless expressly agreed otherwise, exchange-rate fluctuations and conversion fees shall be borne by the party receiving funds in its local currency, without giving rise to additional liability for VIONS.
Taxes, Withholdings and Invoicing.
8.1. VIONS Commissions are calculated on the gross amount of the Booking or Project, before any taxes and withholdings that may apply in the Client's or Artist's jurisdiction.
8.2. Each Party shall be responsible for reporting and paying the direct and indirect taxes applicable to it under the laws of its country.
8.3. VIONS may issue invoices for its Commissions and Service Fees, and/or on behalf of the Artist where provided for in the Artist Master Agreement or specific agreements, in accordance with applicable regulations.
Operational disputes and freezing/release of funds
9.1. In the event of operational disputes between Client and Artist, VIONS may offer assistance as a good-faith mediator to help facilitate a solution, without assuming the role of legal arbitrator or guarantor of the outcome.
9.2. While a dispute is duly notified and pending, VIONS may temporarily freeze the escrpw funds associated with the Booking or Project until:
(a) The Parties reach a written agreement; or
(b) There is an applicable court or arbitral decision; or
(c) VIONS makes a reasoned decision on partial or total release, based on available evidence.
9.3. VIONS may act as a good-faith mediator between the Parties to facilitate dispute resolution but shall not act as arbitrator or final decision-maker, unless expressly agreed in writing in a Booking Agreement, Project Order, or specific dispute-resolution clause.
Fraud, Chargebacks and Security
10.1. If VIONS or the Payment Provider detects indications of fraud, unauthorized use of cards or accounts, or chargebacks, VIONS may suspend the release of funds, reverse transactions, and/or temporarily block Platform access while the case is investigated.
10.2. In the event of a chargeback affecting a Booking or Project already settled to the Artist, VIONS may:
10.3. VIONS will implement reasonable security measures to protect the integrity of transactions.
Policy Modifications
11.1. VIONS may amend or update this Payment & Escrow Policy at any time, in accordance with the notification mechanisms set out in the T&C.
11.2. Continued use of the VIONS Platform and participation in new Bookings or Projects after publication of an updated version shall constitute acceptance of the new version.
11.3. This Policy shall be interpreted together with the T&C, the Artist Master Agreement, the Brand/Client Agreement, and the specific Booking Agreements or Project Orders.