PSA: I spent 3 years using the wrong contract templates from my state bar association

I used to just grab the standard service agreement from the state bar website for every client. Last month a client pushed back on a scope clause and I actually read the fine print. Turns out that template was written for general business consulting, not creative agency work. There was zero protection for intellectual property transfer timing. Had to renegotiate two existing contracts and missed out on $4,000 in licensing fees because I didn't know better. Anyone else found hidden gaps in those generic templates they thought were safe?

3 comments

3 Comments

dakotawood16d ago

Waaaaait hold on, you used a general biz template for creative work for 3 years? That's wild, those IP clauses are totally different beasts.

the_piper16d ago

3 years. Three whole years. My IP clause literally said "all work product" belonged to the client. For a logo that took me 12 hours to hand-draw. @dakotawood you're way too nice about it. I basically signed away my kids' college fund for a flat fee once.

jamesfox13d ago

Did you even try to negotiate that clause out @the_piper?