California Freelance Writing Agreement

CALIFORNIA FREELANCE WRITING AGREEMENT

Effective date: [__/__/____]

Before you use this: Confirm that the parties, $250 compensation threshold, and writing services meet Bus. & Prof. Code § 18101 and Labor Code § 2778(b)(2)(J). For that writing category, the contract must state the pay rate, intellectual-property rights, and a defined payment time, and the worker must meet the stated replacement, work-location, and other-client conditions. Complete the payment and service-list dates before signing.

Publisher or client: [________________________________], mailing address [________________________________] ("Client")

Writer: [________________________________], mailing address [________________________________] ("Writer")

Client and Writer agree as follows.

1. Assignment and editorial process

Writer will prepare [article / newsletter / website copy / script / other: __________] about [topic: __________] for [publication or channel: __________]. Intended audience, length, voice, style guide, required sources, and prohibited claims: [________________________________].

Client will provide a single, consolidated edit request within [____] days after each draft. The fee includes [____] revision rounds addressing the agreed brief. A change in topic, target length, audience, or format requires a written change order. Final copy will be delivered in [file format or publishing system: __________]. Client controls final editorial approval and publication.

2. Research, supplied material, and attribution

Writer will identify quotations, facts requiring verification, and sources in [citation format: __________]. Client will provide access to [interviewees / documents / products: __________] by [__/__/____]. Writer will obtain approval before using paid research, photographs, or third-party text. Client authorizes use of material it supplies for this assignment and will secure rights to that material. Bylines and credit will read [________________________________] ☐ or no byline will be used. Client may edit final copy for style and accuracy without attributing new factual claims to Writer.

3. Fees and cancellation

Total fee: $[____]. Deposit: $[____] due [__/__/____]. Balance: $[____] due [____] days after [draft delivery / final acceptance / invoice]. Writer will submit an itemized list of services rendered by [__/__/____] for Client's payment processing. The final payment date or precise method for determining it is [________________________________]. Reimbursable expenses require advance written approval and receipts. If Client cancels, Writer will receive $[____] for a completed outline, $[____] for a completed draft, and approved noncancelable expenses; amounts already paid count toward those sums. Writer will deliver all work paid for in its current form.

4. Copyright and use of copy

Choose one treatment for Writer's original copy delivered under Section 1 ("Final Copy"):

☐ Assignment. Writer hereby assigns to Client, effective upon full payment of the agreed fee, Writer's copyright in the Final Copy. Writer will sign reasonable documents confirming that transfer. Client may review unpublished drafts internally before payment.

☐ License. Writer retains copyright and, upon full payment, grants Client a ☐ nonexclusive ☐ exclusive license to publish, reproduce, and adapt the Final Copy only as follows: [channels, territory, duration, translation or syndication rights: __________________________________]. Further uses require Writer's written permission.

Writer keeps rights in preexisting notes, methods, and separately identified material: [________________________________]. Quotations, photographs, and other third-party content remain subject to their owners' rights and licenses. This Agreement does not treat every commissioned piece as a work made for hire; the signed assignment or license above controls the rights Writer conveys.

5. Confidentiality and review

Writer will keep unpublished plans and materials supplied by Client confidential until Client makes them public, except for information already public or independently obtained without restriction. Writer may show published work in a portfolio ☐ with attribution ☐ only after written consent. Each party will promptly tell the other about a claimed factual error, plagiarism, or unauthorized use and cooperate in a correction.

6. Relationship and governing terms

Writer controls the means of drafting and cannot bind Client. This records the parties' intent; applicable law controls classification. Either party may terminate for a material breach that remains uncured [____] days after written notice. [STATE] law governs, subject to mandatory law. Changes require both parties' signed writing. Notices go to the addresses above or updated addresses supplied in writing.

California freelance-worker terms

For a transaction covered by the California Freelance Worker Protection Act, Client will furnish Writer a signed copy of this Agreement, physically or electronically, and retain its copy for at least four years (Bus. & Prof. Code § 18103). The agreed payment date or calculation method entered above controls. If the Agreement does not specify when Client will pay, payment is due no later than 30 days after completion of the covered services, subject to other applicable law (§ 18102). The itemized services, their values and rates, both mailing addresses, and the service-list submission date entered above are part of this Agreement (§ 18103).

Client signature: __________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Writer signature: __________________________ Date: [__/__/____]