Portfolio / self-promotion rights clauses, explained
Your right to show the work in your portfolio and case studies. A full IP assignment plus a broad confidentiality clause can technically prohibit you from ever mentioning the project.
Market standard
The freelancer may display completed, publicly released work in their portfolio and marketing, subject to reasonable confidentiality for anything not yet public. A short embargo (e.g. until launch) is normal.
Red flags
- No portfolio right and a broad NDA covering 'the existence of the engagement'
- Client approval required for every portfolio use with no time limit
- Perpetual ban on identifying the client
Suggested wording
Notwithstanding the confidentiality and IP provisions, the Provider may identify the Client and display the released Deliverables in the Provider's portfolio, case studies, and marketing, once the work is publicly available.
Check your actual contract
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Review my contractIs this normal in…
- Portfolio / self-promotion rights in a design services agreement?
- Portfolio / self-promotion rights in a software / web development agreement?
- Portfolio / self-promotion rights in a copywriting & content agreement?
- Portfolio / self-promotion rights in a video production agreement?
- Portfolio / self-promotion rights in a marketing services agreement?
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