Creator Guides

Usage Rights Explained

The #1 way creators lose money — and how to protect yourself.

The Biggest Mistake Creators Make

A brand pays you $500 for "one Instagram post." They never mention usage rights. 6 months later, your face is on their billboard, website, TV commercials, and product packaging — and you didn't get a single extra dollar. This happens every day.

What Are Usage Rights?

Usage rights define where, how, and for how long a brand can use the content you create. When you make content, you own it. You're licensing it to the brand, not giving it away.

Think of it like renting an apartment. The brand is the tenant, your content is the property. They pay rent (usage fees) for a specific lease term (duration) to use specific rooms (scope).

Duration: How Long?

30 days ($$)

Short campaign. Good for testing partnerships.

90 days ($$$)

Standard for most brand campaigns.

1 year ($$$$)

Long-term campaigns. Charge 2-3x your base rate.

Perpetual / Forever ($$$$$)

They can use it forever. Charge 5-10x your base rate. Think carefully before agreeing.

Scope: Where Can They Use It?

Organic Social Only

Brand can only post on their own social media channels. This is the most limited (and cheapest) option.

Pricing: Base rate

Organic + Paid Ads

Brand can use your content in paid advertisements on social platforms. Much more valuable!

Pricing: 1.5-2x base rate

All Media / Full Buyout

TV commercials, billboards, product packaging, print ads, websites — everything. Your face could be anywhere.

Pricing: 5-10x base rate

Whitelisting

Brand runs ads FROM YOUR ACCOUNT. People see ads that look like they're coming from you.

Pricing: 2-3x base rate, plus ongoing fees

How to Price Usage Rights

Here's a simple formula: Start with your base rate for creating the content, then multiply based on usage.

Total = Base Rate × Duration Multiplier × Scope Multiplier

Duration Multipliers

• 30 days: 1x
• 90 days: 1.5x
• 1 year: 2.5x
• Perpetual: 5-10x

Scope Multipliers

• Organic only: 1x
• + Paid ads: 1.5x
• + Whitelisting: 2x
• All media: 3-5x

Example:

Base rate: $1,000 • Duration: 1 year (2.5x) • Scope: Paid ads (1.5x)
Total: $1,000 × 2.5 × 1.5 = $3,750

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

"We'll own all the content" — No. You're licensing it, not selling it.
"Perpetual, worldwide, all media" — This should cost 10x your base rate, minimum.
No mention of usage rights — If they don't bring it up, assume they want everything for free.
"It's standard industry practice" — Maybe. But you can still negotiate.

Protect Your Content Rights

Our contract templates include clear usage rights clauses, so you never have to guess.

Get Your Contract Template

This guide is for informational purposes only. Consult an attorney for specific legal advice.

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