Every brand deal comes with a contract. And every contract is written by the brand's legal team — which means it's written to protect the brand, not you. That doesn't make brands evil. It means you need to actually read what you're signing.
Most creators don't. They see a number they like, skim the pages, and sign. Then six months later they find out the brand is running their face as a paid ad, they can't work with any competitor in their niche, and they have no legal recourse because they agreed to all of it.
Here are the 7 things Tally's AI contract reviewer flags most often — and what to do about each one.
1. Perpetual usage rights
What it looks like
"Brand shall have unlimited, perpetual, worldwide rights to use, reproduce, and distribute Content in any media now known or hereafter developed."
"In perpetuity" means forever. The brand can use your face, your voice, your content in any context for the rest of time. They could sell it to another company. They could edit it. They could use it in a campaign you'd never agree to. And you signed away the right to stop them.
Industry standard is 6–12 months of usage rights. Anything beyond that should cost significantly more. Perpetual rights aren't automatically wrong — but they should be priced like the asset transfer they are.
2. No kill fee
What it looks like
The contract simply has no mention of what happens if the brand cancels the project before you deliver.
You blocked out your schedule. You turned down other work. You bought props, planned shoots, maybe even started creating. Then the brand kills the project. Without a kill fee, you get nothing for all of that.
Kill fees are standard. Most range from 25–50% of the total fee, depending on how far along the project is. If you've already delivered content and they decide not to use it, you should still get paid in full.
3. Unlimited revisions
What it looks like
"Creator shall make all revisions and modifications as reasonably requested by Brand until Brand is satisfied with the Content."
Without a revision cap, you're signing up for an endless feedback loop. The brand's social media intern, their marketing director, their CEO, and their CEO's spouse all get to weigh in. Revision six looks nothing like revision one, and you've spent three times the hours you planned for.
Two rounds is standard. Some creators allow three. Always specify that feedback must be consolidated (one round of notes, not a dozen separate emails) and written (not verbal).
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4. Overly broad exclusivity
What it looks like
"Creator shall not promote, endorse, or be affiliated with any competitor of Brand in the beauty, wellness, personal care, or lifestyle categories for 6 months."
Exclusivity isn't inherently bad. It's reasonable for a brand to ask you not to promote a direct competitor the day after their campaign goes live. The problem is scope and duration.
"No beauty brands for 6 months" could eliminate half your income. "No competing facial serums for 30 days" is fair. Always push for the narrowest category definition possible and a short window. And always charge separately for exclusivity — it's not included in the base rate.
5. Net 90+ payment terms
What it looks like
"Payment shall be remitted within 90 business days of receipt of final deliverables and Brand's written approval."
Net 90 business days means you might not see money for 4+ months after you delivered the content. And "after Brand's written approval" gives them an easy way to delay indefinitely — if they never formally approve, the clock never starts.
Always push for Net 30. And always include a late payment clause. A 1.5% monthly fee sounds small, but it keeps brands honest. Without it, you have zero leverage when the check is late.
6. Brand can edit your content
What it looks like
"Brand reserves the right to edit, modify, crop, or alter Content as Brand sees fit without prior approval from Creator."
This is how a creator ended up with a Confederate flag photoshopped onto their shirt. That's an extreme example, but even minor edits can be a problem — the brand cuts your video in a way that changes the message, adds a voiceover you didn't approve, or pairs your content with messaging you disagree with.
You should always retain approval rights over how your content is used and modified. Your reputation is the asset. Protect it.
7. One-sided termination
What it looks like
"Brand may terminate this agreement at any time for any reason upon written notice to Creator." But the contract has no equivalent clause letting you walk away.
If the brand can terminate but you can't, you're trapped. What if the brand gets caught in a scandal? What if they change their product in a way you're uncomfortable with? What if the person you're working with is abusive? You need a way out.
Termination should always be mutual. And it should always trigger the kill fee if you've already started work.
How to use this checklist
Every time you get a contract from a brand, scan for these 7 things before anything else. If you find more than two red flags, the contract needs serious renegotiation. If the brand refuses to budge on perpetual usage rights or won't add a kill fee, that tells you something about how they treat creators — and it's usually a sign to walk away.
The brands worth working with expect you to negotiate. They've seen redlines before. The ones who get offended when you ask for standard protections are the ones most likely to take advantage of you.
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Tally's AI contract reviewer flags every red flag on this list automatically — plus suggests counter-language and negotiation scripts.
Try Tally Free →The bottom line
Contracts aren't scary. They're just documents written by someone who isn't you, optimized for someone who isn't you. Your job is to read them, know what's normal, and push back when something isn't.
Every clause on this list is negotiable. Most brands will agree to changes if you ask professionally. The ones who won't are telling you who they are — listen to them.