This clause gives one party the right to use feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide during the contract. If you suggest a feature to a software company, this clause might let them use your idea in their product without paying you or crediting you. This is high-risk because you might casually mention a brilliant idea that becomes their next bestselling feature, and you'll have no claim to it. The legal principle here is that ideas themselves aren't usually protected by copyright or patent law unless they're written down in a specific way, so a contract clause can easily hand over your suggestions for free.
Delete or heavily restrict this clause if possible—most companies don't actually need a broad license to your feedback. If the other party insists on keeping it, narrow it to feedback about their existing products only, and add language that you retain rights to any feedback you clearly mark as confidential or proprietary. Never agree to a clause that lets them use your feedback without any restriction; at minimum, require them to acknowledge you as the source if they use it publicly. ---
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this clause mean in simple terms?
This clause gives one party the right to use feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide during the contract.
Why should I care about this clause?
If you suggest a feature to a software company, this clause might let them use your idea in their product without paying you or crediting you.
What are my options?
This is high-risk because you might casually mention a brilliant idea that becomes their next bestselling feature, and you'll have no claim to it.
How does this affect small businesses?
The legal principle here is that ideas themselves aren't usually protected by copyright or patent law unless they're written down in a specific way, so a contract clause can easily hand over your suggestions for free.