Commercial and commissioned work.
WHAT TO AGREE IN WRITING
What is being produced What is delivered, and in what form Timescale What the client provides Fee and payment terms Rights granted, precisely Credit and attribution Revisions included What happens if the project is cancelled Approval process
WHY RIGHTS PRECISELY
It is the term that determines the work's future value.
WHAT TO SPECIFY ABOUT RIGHTS
Permitted uses Territory Duration Exclusivity Whether the client may modify the work Whether they may sublicense
WHY MODIFICATION MATTERS
Work altered and still attributed to you affects your reputation.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT CREDIT
Whether you are credited, and how.
WHY
Credit builds your record, and it is easily omitted if not agreed.
WHAT TO TAKE UPFRONT
A deposit, always.
WHY
Creative work produced for one client has no other buyer.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT CANCELLATION
What is payable if the project stops.
WHY
Projects are cancelled after substantial work.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT APPROVAL
Who approves, and that approval concludes that stage.
WHY
Work reopened after approval is where creative projects become unprofitable.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT DELIVERY
That final files are released on final payment.
WHY
It is the only leverage that exists.
WHAT TO KEEP
Working files, and the agreement.
