Archive for month: July, 2016

Welcome to another Wordy Wednesday! This week, we’re clarifying and defining words that are often found in contracts (dun dun dun!).

Here are 3 key terms that are supremely important to understand, especially if they come up in your next release!

1. USAGE
   Why is usage in capital letters you ask? Well, it’s because the statement of usage is one of the most important parts of the project! The usage is how the client will be using your likeness and where they will be using it. For example, if the usage is for [2 years, web-only, non-broadcast] then it means that the client will use your advertisement for 2 years and will only use it online.
2. “In Perpetuity”
   Legalese for forever. When a model or actor gets paid, the client is buying the right to their likeness for a certain length of time (ex: a 3-year contract). If the client wants the rights to your likeness in, let’s say, a print ad “in perpetuity“, it means that they are buying it to use forever. Pro tip: Pay attention to the conflicts that signing an “in perpetuity” contract might hold. If you aren’t sure, ask your agent!
3. Exclusivity
   Basically, this means that your likeness belongs exclusively to the client for the given length of time in your contract. Another competitor cannot even consider using your likeness during that time.

Your contract is a key part of the job that you should read very carefully. Make sure you go over the details with your agent, and clarify any questions you may have. Agents are meant to protect the working actor/model!

That’s it for this week’s Wordy Wednesday! We’ll be back next week for a new Wordy Wednesday!