Your Brand Deal Contract May Already Own Your Content.

You worked hard to build your audience, your content, and your personal brand. And then you signed a contract.

Brands and marketing agencies know exactly what language to use. Most creators and small business owners don’t, until something goes wrong. And by then, the contract has already done the damage.

You don’t need a law degree to spot the red flags. You just need to know what to look for before you sign, and that’s exactly what this does.

What This Checklist Covers

Eight plain-language questions covering the contract clauses that strip creators and small business owners of their rights most often:

🕷️ Copyright ownership: who actually owns the content you create

🕷️ Work-for-hire clauses: when a brand becomes the legal author of your work

🕷️ Licensing vs. assignment: the difference between permission and permanent transfer

🕷️ Your name, voice, and likeness: what brands can and cannot do with your identity

🕷️ AI-generated replicas: the clause most creators don’t know to look for yet

🕷️ Exclusivity and non-compete language: how long a contract can lock you out of your own content lane

🕷️ FTC disclosure responsibility: who is legally on the hook if the disclosure is wrong

🕷️ Indemnification: when a contract makes you responsible for the brand’s legal problems

Each question includes a plain-English explanation of why it matters and what a red flag answer looks like.

This Is for You If:

✓ You’re a creator or influencer who signs brand deals

✓ You run a small business that works with marketing agencies or content creators

✓ You’ve ever seen the words “all rights,” “in perpetuity,” or “worldwide license” in a contract and wondered what they actually mean

✓ You want to know what you’re signing before it’s too late

If any of those sound familiar, that contract deserves a closer look. Download it free below.

About Julie King

I’m Julie King, an IP and patent attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. I help creators, influencers, and small business owners understand and protect their intellectual property, without the jargon and condescension.

I created this checklist because I’ve seen too many creators lose control of their content, their name, and their identity through contract clauses they didn’t understand. You shouldn’t need to hire a lawyer to know what questions to ask before you sign.

Need a review of your Illinois or Georgia brand deal, content creation, or marketing contract? Have questions about your copyright, trademark, or patent rights? I help creators and small business owners with IP matters nationwide (copyright, trademark, and patent questions don’t depend on which state you’re in). Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com

Avoid the Legal Horrors™ Podcast available on all major platforms | @kingpatentlaw on social media

What You Get

After going through this checklist, you’ll know exactly which clauses to flag, what each one actually means, and what questions to ask before you agree to anything. Two-page PDF. Free. Instant download—no credit card, no waiting.

This checklist is for general educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and contract terms vary widely. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney. Julie King | King Patent Law, PLLC | 301 N Neil St Ste 400, Champaign IL 61820. Contains attorney advertising material.