This agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by contracting journalist (“Writer”), and Lankford Productions & Media Group, Inc. (“MN1”).
In consideration of the mutual covenants made herein, the parties agree as follows:

Parties. Writer is engaged in the business of writing articles and other materials on a freelance basis. MN1 is engaged in the business of news curation, publishing and distribution.

Parties

Writer is engaged in the business of writing articles and other materials on a freelance basis. MN1 is engaged in the business of news curation, publishing and distribution.

Relationship

The parties expressly agree and acknowledge that the relationship created by this Agreement is one of Independent Contractor. MN1 is not the employer of Writer, and Writer is not, and will not be treated as, an employee of MN1 for federal tax purposes, or any other purposes.

Contract Period

This agreement will begin on the date set forth below and shall continue until terminated as provided by either party. If either party violates a term of this Agreement, then the other party (the “Non-breaching Party”) may terminate this Agreement, effective immediately upon delivery of written notice of termination by the Non-breaching Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Agreement at any time for any or no reason, effective upon thirty (30) days written notice. MN1 reserves the right to cancel this agreement immediately for breech of ethics by Writer at any moment with notice to writer.

Services to be Provided by Writer

Writer agrees to submit, on his or her sole initiative, written articles to MN1 on the focused subjects with topics to be delivered in advance (the “Articles”), according to statements by MN1 as defined on MarketNewsFirst.com/SFO (https://marketnewsfirst.com/sfos). The manner and method of producing these Articles is solely at the discretion of Writer; MN1 has no right of control over Writer’s manner or method of performance under this Agreement. Writer will submit Articles in accordance with the schedule of copy deadlines being used by the MN1.

Representations and Warranties of Writer

By submitting an Article to MN1, Writer represents and warrants that the Article is Writer’s original work, that the Article is not owned by any third party, that the Article is accurate, that the Article has not been obtained by unlawful means, that the Article has not been previously published in any manner or medium, specifically including, but not limited to, print or electronic means, and that publication of the article by MN1 will not violate any copyright or other intellectual property right of any third party.
Further, Writer consents to adhere to the Journalistic Code of Ethics as published on MarketNewsFirst.com/Ethics https://marketnewsfirst.com/ethics.
Further, MN1 reserves the right to edit each article before publishing. MN1 will format each article to AP Style and edit to AP Style standards of editing and reporting to writer.
Further, Writer consents to MN1 editorial refusal to publish articles, at the sole discretion of MN1, and upon refusal, to reject payment for such refused article by MN1. Writer understands that in such case of “refusal” MN1 shall, at MN1’s behest, provide reason for refusal of such article.


Compensation

MN1 agrees to pay Writer per Article published by MN1. Under no circumstances will Writer be paid on an hourly, daily or other basis that is a function of time. Writer acknowledges and agrees that MN1 will only pay writer for Articles that are published and MN1 has the sole and exclusive authority to determine whether or not to publish any and all Articles submitted by Writer.
Writer agrees that supportive media submitted with each article by Writer is included in the fees agreed upon for each article and includes, per photograph and or video or similar content published in conjunction with an Article; however, Writer understands and agrees that MN1 may publish, at its sole discretion, any number of photographs less than or equal to those submitted by Writer with the Article.

Taxes

As an Independent Contractor, Writer shall be responsible for the reporting, deposit and payment of any and all federal, state, and local taxes, including but not limited to income taxes, FICA taxes, and unemployment taxes incidental to the performance of, or payment under this Agreement.

Assignment and Ownership of Intellectual Property

Writer hereby understands and agrees that all Articles submitted to, and published by, MN1 under this Agreement shall be considered works for hire, and further, to the extend any intellectual property right does not pass pursuant to a work for hire, Writer hereby assigns to MN1 all rights to publish the Article, and all previously submitted articles of Writer, in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which it can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, including without limitation the rights to archive, republish, edit, repackage or revise any Article in any manner as MN1 sees fit. The rights conferred upon MN1 by this agreement shall be exclusive to MN1 for a period of Three (3) years after the first date MN1 initially publishes the Article.