The Problem with 'Standard' Contracts
We built ClearTerm because we got tired of solo professionals being the only ones in the room without a legal expert.
The Story Behind ClearTerm
In 2022, we signed a 'standard' contract for a major creative project. Two months in, we realized we'd accidentally signed away the rights to our own internal design system. A month later, the client invoked a Net-90 payment clause we didn't even notice. We were the ones doing the work, but they held all the power.
Most freelancers are bringing a knife to a gunfight. Massive corporate legal teams spend months drafting 'Standard Master Service Agreements' designed to protect them, not you. They bank on you being too busy — or too intimidated — to read the fine print.
ClearTerm is the equalizer. We built this tool to translate predatory legalese into plain English, so you can spot the 'IP landmines' and 'payment traps' before they cost you your business.
ClearTerm is built and operated by synexa labs, a one-person software studio based in Bremen, Germany. Full provider details, including the registered address and VAT ID, are in the Impressum.
The Equalizers
Standard legal review is slow and expensive. ClearTerm is built for the freelancer workflow—fast, blunt, and protective.
Spotting the 'IP Landmines'
We flag 'Work for Hire' clauses that strip you of your rights to reusable tools, code, and frameworks—ensuring you keep what's yours.
Defeating the 'Net-90' Trap
Our AI identifies predatory payment windows and suggests professional negotiation language to get you paid in Net-15 or Net-30.
Watching for Secret Changes
Never wonder what changed in 'Draft v3.' We highlight exactly which edits increase (or reduce) your risk profile.
Fast, Peer-Level Clarity
No 50-page legal reports. We provide the 3 bullet points you need to know to sign with confidence or push back with power.
What we're aiming for
“Freelancers sign contracts drafted by people paid to protect the other side, usually without the time or the budget to have each one reviewed. ClearTerm exists to close part of that gap: to make the risky parts of an agreement legible in a couple of minutes, so you know what to ask about. It is not a lawyer and it does not pretend to be one — it is the read-through you would otherwise skip.”
What ClearTerm is, and isn’t
It is
- A fast read-through that flags clauses worth questioning
- A way to understand legal wording in plain English
- A starting point for a negotiation you were going to have anyway
It is not
- Legal advice, or a law firm
- A guarantee that a contract is safe to sign
- A replacement for a lawyer on anything high-stakes
The scoring method is documented in full, including what it looks for and where it can be wrong.
Stop signing in the dark.
Upload your next contract and see exactly where the risks are hidden. No jargon, just protection.