Audit your contract
word by word.
Legal jargon is designed to confuse you. We're here to translate the traps so you can sign with confidence. The Klozo Glossary holds hundreds of legal terms used in creator contracts, updated frequently to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and legal developments.
1099-NEC
/ten ˈnaɪnti ˈnaɪn/
The U.S. tax form used to report non-employee compensation, specifically payments made to independent contractors.
"In January, every brand that paid you more than $600 in the previous year will send you a 1099-NEC form for your tax returns."
Save 30% of every check for the IRS! Mandatory for $600+ deals.
Acts of God
/ækts ɒv ɡɒd/
Extraordinary and unpredictable natural events, such as earthquakes or floods, that are beyond human control and excuse contract performance.
"A literal lightning strike destroys your camera gear an hour before a livestream, making it impossible to perform."
Standard in 'Force Majeure'. It protects you if a hurricane ruins your shoot.
AD Tagging
/æd ˈtæɡɪŋ/
The practice of using specific hashtags or platform tools to clearly label content as an advertisement or promotional material.
"Adding #ad to your TikTok caption to comply with legal requirements and maintain transparency with your audience."
Essential for transparency and to keep the algorithm happy.
Ad-sense Revenue Share
/ˈædsens ˈrevənjuː ʃer/
The percentage of advertising revenue generated by platform ads (like YouTube pre-rolls) that is shared with the content creator.
"YouTube keeps 45% of the ad revenue from your video and pays you the remaining 55% as part of the Partner Program."
You should keep 100% of your AdSense unless they paid a massive fee.
Advance vs. Guarantee
/ədˈvæns ˈvɜːrsəs ˌɡærənˈtiː/
An advance is money paid before any work is done; a guarantee is a promise of a minimum total payment regardless of performance.
"A brand gives you a $10,000 'Advance' on sales; if you only earn $8,000 in commissions, you usually still get to keep the full $10,000."
Advances are safer. Guarantees are only good if the brand is trustworthy.
Affiliate Links
/əˈfɪlieɪt lɪŋks/
Customized URLs used to track the source of traffic to a website, allowing a creator to earn a commission on any resulting sales.
"Using an Amazon Associates link for a camera lens; you get a small percentage of the sale price if a follower buys it through your link."
The engine of passive income. Ensure the 'Cookies' don't expire too fast.
Agency Fee
/ˈeɪdʒənsi fiː/
An additional fee, typically 20%, that a brand pays to a talent agency on top of the creator's actual rate.
"The brand pays $1,200 total: $1,000 for you and a $200 'Agency Fee' to your agent for facilitating the deal."
Ensure the brand pays this separately. It shouldn't come out of your talent fee.
Agency Markup
/ˈeɪdʒənsi ˈmɑːrkʌp/
The extra percentage an agency adds to a creator's rate when presenting it to a brand, which the agency keeps as profit.
"You charge $1,000; the agency adds a 20% 'Markup' and tells the brand you cost $1,200. You still only get $1,000."
If the markup is too high, it might make you too expensive and cost you the deal.
AI Cloning Consent
/ˌe| ˈaɪ ˈkloʊnɪŋ kənˈsent/
The explicit, written permission required from an individual before their voice or visual appearance can be replicated using generative AI models.
"A separate document you sign that specifically lists 'Voice Cloning' as an approved use for a one-time project fee of $10,000."
Demand a separate section and a premium fee for any AI cloning.
Alpha/Beta Testing
/ˈælfə ˈbiːtə ˈtestɪŋ/
An agreement where a creator receives early access to a product or feature to provide feedback and create content before its public release.
"You are invited to the 'Alpha Test' of a new camera; you get to use it for a month, but you can't show any footage until the official launch date."
Usually comes with a strict NDA. Don't leak 'Secret' features or you'll be banned.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
/ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv dɪˈspjuːt ˌrezəˈluːʃn/
Processes and techniques, such as mediation or arbitration, used to resolve legal disagreements outside of the traditional and often expensive public court system.
"Instead of a multi-year lawsuit, your contract requires 'ADR'; you and the brand meet with a professional mediator to settle your payment dispute in a single afternoon."
Cheaper and faster than court. Good for settling small disputes privately.
Ancillary Rights
/ˈænsəleri raɪts/
Secondary rights to a creative work that are related to but distinct from the primary use, such as rights for adaptations into books, toys, or video games.
"You make a popular web series; because you kept the 'Ancillary Rights', you can sell the rights to a toy company to make action figures of your characters."
Often hidden in 'Boilerplate'. If you write a hit script, they could own the movie rights.
Creator Contract Glossary
A comprehensive list of legal terms found in creator contracts, including perpetuity, indemnification, and exclusivity clauses. Understand the risks before you sign your next brand deal.