Benchmark
Whether the contract stops you from taking competing work, for how long, and how narrowly it defines a competitor.
Typical range
No exclusivity on standard project work. Where a client needs it (a retainer, or a direct competitor concern), a narrow scope for a defined term (often 3-6 months) with a retainer or premium attached.
Off-market
A broad clause barring the designer from working with any company "in a similar industry" for a year, with no added fee. That quietly removes a chunk of the designer's market for free.
Typical range
No topic exclusivity on standard assignments. Where a client needs it, a narrow bar on directly competing pieces for a short window (often 30-90 days), or a defined non-compete on a specific named competitor.
Off-market
A clause preventing the writer from covering an entire subject area or industry for any other client, with no time limit and no added compensation.
Typical range
None on one-off productions. On retainers or category-sensitive brand work, a narrow exclusivity on named competitors for the engagement term plus a short tail (often 30-90 days), reflected in the rate.
Off-market
A clause blocking the videographer from working with any brand in a broad category, extending well past the project, with no retainer or premium to compensate.
Typical range
A short 2-7 day category window around posting is routine and often unpaid. Beyond that, a common convention is to price it: roughly +20-35% of the fee for a 30-day category lockout, +50-75% for 90 days, and +75-100% for six months.
Off-market
A broad, whole-industry lockout for six to twelve months folded into the base fee with no premium, blocking the creator from a large share of potential sponsors for free.
Typical range
None on standard shoots. For commercial clients with a competitor concern, a narrow category exclusivity for a defined term, reflected in the fee, is the appropriate structure.
Off-market
A clause barring the photographer from shooting for anyone in a broad industry for a year after a single shoot, with no added compensation.
Typical range
None on one-off builds. On retainers or where a direct-competitor conflict is real, a narrow named-competitor restriction for the engagement term plus a short tail, reflected in the rate.
Off-market
A clause barring the developer from building for any company in a broad sector for a year after a single project, with no compensation.
Typical range
Where a client needs it, exclusivity limited to named direct competitors for the engagement term, priced into the retainer. Broad, open-ended exclusivity is compensated as a premium or declined.
Off-market
A clause barring the consultant from advising anyone in a broad industry, during and long after the engagement, with no added compensation.