Independent Contractor Agreement Review
AI-powered independent contractor agreement review. Analyze your 1099 contract for worker misclassification risks, IP ownership traps, non-compete clauses, and unfair payment terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an independent contractor agreement and an employment contract?
An independent contractor agreement establishes a business-to-business relationship where you retain control over how and when you work. An employment contract creates an employer-employee relationship with different legal protections and tax obligations. Misclassification has significant tax and legal consequences.
Who owns the work I create as an independent contractor?
Under US copyright law, the creator owns the work unless there is a written agreement transferring ownership. Most contractor agreements include a work-for-hire clause that assigns all created work to the client. Before signing, check whether this assignment includes your pre-existing IP, tools, and whether you retain portfolio rights.
Can a contractor agreement include a non-compete clause?
Yes, and many do. Contractor non-competes must be reasonable in geographic scope, duration, and activity restriction. Non-competes that prevent you from serving other clients in your specialty are particularly overreaching for independent contractors who typically work with multiple clients simultaneously.
What payment terms are reasonable in a contractor agreement?
Reasonable contractor payment terms include Net-15 to Net-30, a kill fee of at least 25–50% of remaining project value if cancelled mid-project, milestone-based payments for long projects, and a late payment interest clause. Avoid agreements with no kill fee or very long net terms.