What "Permanent Irrevocable Perpetual Right" Means
"Permanent Irrevocable Perpetual Right"
Writing articles to websites is fun, challenging, and can even be profitable, but did you know that some websites have the right to keep your work even after you've closed your account with them?
Sadly, it's true and if you haven't read the Terms of Service (ToS) closely enough you may be in for a nasty surprise down the road.
After getting burned at one site, I learned what the term "permanent irrevocable perpetual right and license" means when I see it in a site's ToS. It means you are giving the site's owners permission to use and profit from articles you have posted on their website - forever.
Furthermore, you can't reuse those articles you wrote. Ever.
And, it isn't just writing sites. Contest sites and even some publishers use this clause so they can use, alter, and continue to make money off your work for years to come.
Always read the Terms of Service, submission terms, and contracts before sending or uploading your work.
I think this is dirty and am upset that writers and artists are unaware of this clause when they create an account on websites or upload entries to contests.
"Permanent Irrevocable Perpetual Right"
© 2011 Rosa Marchisella