What should I know about perpetual licenses in client contracts for websites?

[GeorgeA]

I just had a potential client ask me to sign an agreement that includes a perpetual license for the work I do for them. This is for a fairly standard website build, and I'm not sure if that's a normal request or if I'm locking myself out of future opportunities by agreeing to it.

[OliviaAT]

That kind of clause pops up sometimes. For a website build I usually keep ownership of the code but license the use for a clearly defined period or rely on a standard client license that isn’t perpetual. Keeps me options open for future work.

[Mia18]

I did sign a contract with a perpetual license once, and it came back to bite me later because it locked me out of reusing components in new projects or pitches.

[CamilaJ]

I’ve pushed back by offering a time-bound license and reserving rights to reuse templates and tools I built, plus a maintenance or update plan that’s separate from the initial delivery.

[StephenA]

Is the real issue the license or the project scope?