What are the red flags in a freelance contract with a perpetual license?

[Alexander_P]

I just had a potential client ask me to sign a contract that includes a perpetual license for the work, but they’re only paying the project fee once. This feels off, like they could reuse my designs for any future product line without ever paying me again. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of licensing clause in a freelance agreement?

[AriaS]

I ran into a similar thing last year. They asked for a perpetual license and paid only once. I pushed back, offered a limited scope for the initial project and a separate fee for any future uses, but they weren't convinced. It felt risky to me.

[AdamSM]

The problem is future uses and product lines reusing the same work without extra pay.

[Scarlett61]

I tried offering a limited scope for the original work and a separate fee for future uses, but it felt like splitting hairs and hard to measure value.

[Victoria_R]

I sometimes wonder if the whole thing is about the payment model more than the rights themselves. Do you think the real bug is the money flow or the scope?