What is the most important clause for international freelance contracts?

The Governing Law and Dispute Resolution clause is critical. It dictates which country's laws apply and where you must litigate, which can be prohibitively expensive if not localized.

How should I handle international payments?

Always specify the currency, exchange rate risk, and payment terms (e.g., Net 30) in the contract to avoid currency fluctuations and late payment issues.

A TermScore is an AI-generated risk rating from 0 to 100 that evaluates the fairness and risk level of any legal document. A score of 86-100 means the contract is highly favorable, while 0-30 indicates dangerous terms you should walk away from.

What types of documents can TermScore analyze?

TermScore analyzes any legal document including freelance contracts, employment agreements, residential leases, NDAs, brand sponsorship deals, SaaS vendor agreements, and rental applications. Upload PDFs, Word documents, or images.

How much does TermScore cost?

TermScore offers a free plan with 3 scores per month. The Team plan is $15/month for 30 scores, and the Professional plan is $50/month for 500 scores with team collaboration features.

Is my document data secure?

Yes. Documents are processed in memory and analysis results are stored encrypted. TermScore never shares your document data with third parties and you can delete your data at any time from your dashboard.

What legal protections should freelancers include for international agency partnerships?

Essential Legal Protections for International Freelance Agency Partnerships

To protect your freelance business when partnering with international agencies, you must include a clear Governing Law and Dispute Resolution clause, define Intellectual Property (IP) transfer triggers, and establish specific payment terms in your local currency to mitigate exchange rate and enforcement risks.

1. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

When working across borders, the biggest risk is being forced to litigate in a foreign jurisdiction. If a contract is silent on this, you may be subject to the agency's home country laws, which could cost tens of thousands of dollars to navigate.

Key Clauses to Include:

Choice of Law: Explicitly state that the contract is governed by the laws of your home jurisdiction.
Venue: Designate your local courts or a specific arbitration body (e.g., ICC or LCIA) as the venue for disputes.
Arbitration vs. Litigation: Consider binding arbitration to avoid the complexities of international court enforcement.

Key takeaway: Never sign a contract that defaults to the agency's jurisdiction without consulting a local expert; the cost of international legal counsel often exceeds the value of the contract.

Action Item: Review your current contracts for a 'Governing Law' section. If it lists a foreign country, request an amendment to your home jurisdiction or a neutral third-party arbitration site.

2. Intellectual Property (IP) and Ownership

International agencies often demand 'work-for-hire' status, which can strip you of all rights to your work. You must define exactly when ownership transfers to prevent the agency from using your work before they have paid you.

IP Protection Checklist:

Conditional Transfer: Explicitly state that IP ownership transfers to the agency only upon receipt of full payment.
Moral Rights: In jurisdictions like the EU, retain your 'moral rights' to be credited as the creator.
Portfolio Rights: Ensure you retain the right to display your work in your portfolio, regardless of the agency's ownership.

IP Clause Type	Risk Level	Recommended For
Work-for-Hire	High	Avoid if possible
Conditional Assignment	Low	Standard for freelancers
License Only	Very Low	Best for creative assets

Action Item: Add a 'Conditional Assignment of Rights' clause to your standard contract template today.

3. Payment Terms and Currency Risk

International payments are subject to bank fees, exchange rate volatility, and tax withholding. You must define who bears these costs.

Payment Requirements:

Currency Specification: Always invoice in your local currency or a stable currency like USD or EUR.
Exchange Rate Clause: State that the agency is responsible for any bank fees or currency conversion losses.
Tax Withholding: Clarify that the agency is responsible for any local withholding taxes in their country, or provide a W-8BEN form to avoid double taxation.

Key takeaway: Use a payment platform that handles international compliance to ensure you aren't hit with unexpected 'intermediary bank fees' that reduce your net pay.

Action Item: Update your invoices to include a 'Payment Terms' section that explicitly states the agency covers all international wire transfer fees.

4. Termination and Exit Strategies

International partnerships can dissolve quickly. You need a clear 'kill fee' and notice period to protect your cash flow.

Notice Period: Require a minimum 30-day written notice for termination.
Kill Fee: Include a clause that pays you for all work completed up to the date of termination, plus a 20% penalty fee for early cancellation.
Data Return: Mandate that the agency must return or destroy all your proprietary data within 14 days of contract termination.

Action Item: Ensure your contract includes a 'Termination for Convenience' clause that protects your right to be paid for work-in-progress.

Managing these complex legal requirements manually is prone to error, especially when dealing with varying international standards. TermScore allows you to automatically analyze your freelance contracts to identify missing protections, risky jurisdiction clauses, and vague payment terms, ensuring you are fully protected before you sign.