CD/DVD Duplication & Replication FAQ I Imperial Media : Los Angeles

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Why should I open an account with Imperial Media?

By opening an account with Imperial Media, you will have immediate access to the numerous benefits available to all of our new users, including:

Ordering online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Managing your account and reviewing project status
Creating price quotes, reordering or editing existing projects
Receiving product and service discounts
Downloading packaging templates
Uploading art and audio files

How do I open an account with Imperial Media?

Opening an account with Imperial Media is an easy, straightforward process. The following simple steps will guide you in setting up your account:

In the navigation bar, go to 'My Account' and in the drop down menu select 'Login/Sign Up'.
The next page to appear will be the 'Account Registration' page. In the lower right hand corner, click on the 'Register Now' button.
You will be taken to the 'IMS Registration' page. On the left side of the screen, select the 'Contact Information' button and fill out the form with all of your details and click on the submit button.
Proceed to Step 2 of the 'IMS Registration' page, which is the 'User ID/Password' section. Enter your email address and your own unique password and click on the 'Submit' button.
Continue to Step 3 of the 'IMS Registration' page, which is the 'Certificate of Resale' section. If you do possess a certificate, enter the appropriate information. If you do not, enter 'No'. Click on the 'Submit' button and you are done.

Imperial Media will send you an email with your User ID and Password. Use this information anytime you return to our website and want to manage your account. It really is that simple to open an account with Imperial Media.

What if I forget my username or password?

If you forget your user name or password, feel free to email us at info@imperialmedia.com. We will promptly send you back your account information. Or if you prefer, you can call us at 800.736.8273. Our customer service representatives will be glad to assist you.

What is EZ Quote?

Imperial EZ Quote is an entirely new feature within the media manufacturing industry that allows the client to fully customize their order. With EZ Quote the client can build and edit any number of orders with a whole host of possible variations and receive a price quote instantly in real time. With Imperial EZ Quote, fulfilling your media needs has never been easier.

How does EZ Quote work?

Using EZ Quote to build and or edit a quote is quite simple. EZ Quote software guides you through the entire process - from choosing the media format, to printing options, to a complete, packaged product. If there are any questions along the way, Imperial provides helpful tool tips to aid you with the process. When your order has been completed a summary page will appear. At this point you have the option of what to do with your quote. You can email the quote, save it, or proceed directly to purchasing your order. It really is that simple.

What is an IPR form?

IPR stands for 'Intellectual Property Rights' and is necessary for all orders placed with Imperial Media Services. Intellectual property by definition is product of the intellect that has commercial value. Intellectual property is divided into two categories: Industrial property, which includes inventions (patents), trademarks, and industrial designs; and Copyright, which includes literary and artistic works such as novels, poems and plays, films, musical works, artistic works such as drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures, and architectural designs. Rights related to copyright include those of performing artists in their performances, producers of recordings, and those of broadcasters in their radio and television programs. The IPR form is a necessary safeguard to protect the rights of everyone involved in creating digital media and is standard for all reputable duplication and replication facilities.

Why do I need to fill out this IPR Form?

In an effort to make sure Imperial Media does not duplicate or replicate pirated material, we require that this form be filled out before work begins on a project. This policy also protects our customers from piracy. Imperial will not accept jobs without this form completed correctly and signed by the customer.

What is the Replication Rights Form and do I need to fill one out?

If you do not own the rights to some or any of the content on your master, you must also submit a completed Replication Rights Form or a contract authorizing you to reproduce the content. This step is to ensure that the intellectual property owner has authorized the use of their material.

What is the Media Approval Form?

A Media Approval Form fully executed by you, the client, or your appointed representative, indicates that you have executed a comprehensive test or have waived the right to review the master and approve of its quality for submission to Imperial Media Services. The Media Approval Form authorizes Imperial Media Services to proceed with the media manufacturing process.

What if I have a 'cover' song on my CD?

If you are a musician who has recorded a cover version of someone else's song, you need to get a mechanical license authorizing you to reproduce their composition. You can find out who owns the copyright by contacting ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Then either contact the owner directly and negotiate your own rate, or contact the Harry Fox Agency and pay the prevailing statutory rate of $.091 for songs five minutes or less, or $.0175 per minute or fraction thereof over five minutes. For example, if one were to make a recording of a song that is less than five minutes in length (e.g. 4:07) and then manufacture and distribute 500 units of the recording, the total amount of royalties due would be $45.50. ($0.091 X 500 (units) = $45.50). Applications for less than 2,500 copies can be made online at http://www.songfile.com.

Can Imperial Media make my songs show up on iTunes?

For the track information on your CD to show up in iTunes, it must be submitted to the Gracenote CDDB (CD Database). This is a simple process that anyone can do within iTunes. If you insert your CD while you're connected to the internet and the song titles appear as "Track 01", "Track 02", and so on, the Gracenote CDDB has no information for the CD. You can enter the track information in iTunes and then send the information to Gracenote so that others can benefit from your work. In iTunes, it just takes the following, simple steps:

Select the CD and choose File > Get Info.
Click Info and enter the CD information.
To submit the information to Gracenote, choose Advanced > Submit CD Track Names.

Within a few business days your CD information will be available for anyone using iTunes.

What is a certificate of resale and why would I need one?

Not everyone has or needs a certificate of resale. It completely depends upon your particular circumstances whether the use of a resale certificate is applicable or not. Under many state laws, which vary by state, when you purchase tangible personal property for resale, the transaction is not subject to sales or use tax, provided the sale is properly documented. In other words, if you are going to resell the product purchased from Imperial to other people, such as a retailer, and you have the proper documents, using a resale certificate allows you to avoid paying taxes twice.

How can I change information on my account?

You can edit your Imperial Media account information at any time. Simply sign into your account using your User ID and Password. Once you are inside your account you will see a number of navigation tabs near the top of the screen. Click on the 'Edit Account' tab. Across the left side of the screen there will be a number of buttons, including 'Edit Contact Information', 'Edit User Id/Password', 'Submit Certificate of Resale' and 'Submit Credit Application'. Click on the appropriate button and enter your updated information. Click on the 'Save Changes' button and you are done. At Imperial Media it is just that simple.

What is your payment policy?

At Imperial Media Services, 75% of the total gross amount of the bill is due at the time the order is placed. The deposit is necessary to cover the material costs of your project. The 25% balance is due upon completion of the order.

What credit cards do you accept?

Imperial Media accepts all major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover.

How do I apply for a line of credit from Imperial Media?

Imperial Media does extend credit terms for certain preferred customers. If you are a new customer, the first order placed must be paid for by cash, check or credit card. For the second or later orders, credit terms may be applicable. You may be offered credit after you have completed a 'Credit Application', passed a credit check, and subject to the approval of Imperial Media's management.

How much does it cost to have my order shipped to me?

At Imperial Media there is not one set cost for shipping. Shipping costs are calculated based on weight, size and distance of the individual order. Imperial uses either UPS or Federal Express for all shipments so we can track your order and ensure its timely arrival.

Are there handling fees for my shipment?

When you use Imperial Media's EZ Quote system any handling fees are included in your quote. Box lot and weight are factors that determine the actual cost.

Under 'Shipping Method' what is 'Will Call'?

This simply means that when your order is completed and ready, Imperial Media 'will call' you. You can then come to our Santa Monica location to pick up your order.

Why isn't Imperial's website accepting my credit card?

The most common reason for credit card problems is simple typographical error. Try entering your card number again. If that fails to address the problem, it might be due to your card being expired or some other issue with the account. If this is the case, you will need to contact your bank directly and discuss the issue.

What is a 'Pending Order' or a 'Completed Order'?

A 'Pending Order' is a project that has been ordered and is in some phase of the media manufacturing process, but not yet complete. A 'Completed Order' is project that has been finished by Imperial Media and is now in the client's possession. You also have the option of reordering a 'Completed Order'. However, there is no possibility of revising a 'Completed Order'.

How can I place a reorder?

You can place a reorder on any previously completed project Imperial Media has done for you in the past. Simply sign into your account using your User ID and Password. Once you are inside your account you will see a number of navigation tabs near the top of the screen. Click on the 'Order History' tab and your 'Completed Orders' and 'Pending Orders' will appear on the screen. 'Pending Orders' cannot be reordered until they have been completed. To reorder a 'Completed Order', click on the appropriate project. The 'Purchase Now' button will appear. Click on the 'Purchase Now' button and a 'Transaction' window will appear. Complete the transaction and your reorder will be submitted.