Brand Deal Contract Review Checklist

Go through this before signing any sponsorship or brand deal contract. Brands send first-draft contracts expecting negotiation — creators who don't push back leave significant money and rights on the table.

Quick Reference — Good vs. Bad Terms

IP Rights

Good: Limited license, specific platforms, defined time period

Bad: "Perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide assignment of all rights"

A license is not an assignment. Never assign copyright in a first-draft deal.

Exclusivity

Good: Named competitors only, 30–90 days, content category defined

Bad: "All competitive brands in the category" with no definition

Without a defined list of competitors, "exclusivity" can freeze your entire income.

Payment Terms

Good: 50% on signing, 50% on delivery — or Net-30

Bad: Net-60, Net-90, or "on brand's approval" with no timeline

Include a kill fee of 25–50% if the brand cancels after you've created content.

Revisions

Good: "Up to 2 revision rounds; additional rounds billed at $X/hr"

Bad: "As reasonably requested" with no cap or timeline

Without a revision cap, one deliverable can become six weeks of back-and-forth.

Red Flags — Check Each One

Perpetual IP AssignmentThe brand owns your content forever across all media for any use. They can run your video as a paid ad two years from now — and owe you nothing. Push back: "I grant a limited license, not an assignment. Usage in paid ads requires separate usage rights compensation."
Broad Exclusivity"You agree not to work with any competitive brand for 12 months." Without defining "competitive," this can lock you out of entire income categories. Push for a named competitor list and a 30–90 day window.
Unlimited Revisions"Creator will revise content as reasonably requested." No cap, no timeline. Add: "Brand is entitled to up to 2 rounds of revision requests. Additional revisions will be billed at $[rate]/hour."
Net-60 or Worse Payment TermsNet-60 means 60 days after delivery. Net-90 is three months. For a one-time deliverable, these are unreasonable. Push for Net-15 or Net-30 with a kill fee if the brand cancels after you've created content.
Unlimited Morality Clause"Brand may terminate at its sole discretion for any conduct inconsistent with brand values." Without defining "brand values" or requiring cause, you can be terminated without pay for anything. Push for: "Termination for cause requires written notice and 7-day cure period."

Negotiation Steps — In Order

1
Replace assignment with a limited licenseRedline: "Creator grants Brand a non-exclusive, limited license to use the Content on [specific platforms] for [X months] for organic social only." Add: "Paid ad usage requires separate written agreement and usage rights compensation."
2
Define the exclusivity scope tightlyReplace vague exclusivity with: "Creator will not create sponsored content for the following named competitors: [Brand A, Brand B, Brand C] during the campaign period of [X days after delivery]." Nothing broader.
3
Add a revision capAdd to the deliverables section: "Brand is entitled to 2 rounds of revision requests. Each round must be submitted within 5 business days. Additional revision rounds requested by Brand will be billed at $[rate]/hour."
4
Restructure payment timelineCounter with: "50% on contract signing, 50% within 14 days of delivery approval. If Brand cancels after content creation begins, a kill fee of [25–50% of deal value] is owed within 14 days."
5
Define approval and FTC termsAdd: "Brand will approve or request revisions within 5 business days of content submission. Brand is responsible for FTC disclosure compliance review. Silence for 7 business days constitutes approval."

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