6 Ways to Stop Getting Played as a Creative
- The Karak
- Aug 1, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 10
Inspired by Minal at The Karak® Conversations
In the creative world, talent alone isn’t enough. Whether you’re designing, directing, DJing, or writing, you need to protect your value. At The Karak® Conversations, creative professional Minal delivered a powerful segment on how creatives can stop getting exploited. Here’s a breakdown of six essential ways to protect your work, time, and worth.
1. Always Formalize with Scope, Fees and Agreements
“Once you’ve shared your scope, your fees, and your terms and conditions, you send your service agreement.”
Before starting any work:
Define the scope: what you’ll do, how many versions, delivery formats
Set your fees and payment terms: 50/50 split, upfront retainer, etc.
Clarify any extra charges if the client goes outside the original scope
Always send a contract, whether it’s an NDA, service agreement, or both
2. WhatsApp Is Not Your Legal Safety Net
“WhatsApp can only be taken once it’s in court. The most professional way in this industry is through email.”
It’s tempting to hash out project details on voice notes or DMs, but legally, that’s weak footing. Keep all critical communication via email, especially:
Approvals
Budget agreements
Change requests
This isn’t about being formal. It’s about being protected.
3. Only the Authorized Person Can Sign Your Contract
“The person that needs to sign your contracts is the one authorized by the trade license.”
In the UAE, only the authorized signatory listed on the company’s trade license can legally bind them to a contract. Usually, this is the General Manager or Director.
Always ask:
Who is the authorized signatory?
Can you include their Emirates ID copy with the signed contract?
4. Keep a Paper Trail (Even for Casual Projects)
“Put everything in writing. Just like a minutes of the meeting.”
Creatives often thrive in fluid, informal settings. But a casual meeting can turn into a disagreement if it’s not documented. Get into the habit of:
Sending follow-up emails after meetings
Reiterating deliverables and deadlines
Referring back to agreed terms in writing
This builds clarity and accountability.
5. Read the Fine Print Carefully
“Don’t just sign because you saw the number. Did you see that little line that said: ‘hitherto and there shall not be…’?”
Contracts are full of legal language that can:
Transfer your intellectual property without clarity
Deny you credit or visibility
Impose penalties unfairly
Always read carefully. If it’s unclear, ask or use ChatGPT to help you understand the clauses. ChatGPT cannot provide you with legal advice but it can explain the clauses in plain english. If the contract is still unclear, always reach out to a lawyer / legal consultant.
6. Know the Law (And Use It)
“We have this amazing tool called ChatGPT… You put it in and it translates it for you.”
Creative laws in the UAE are public and accessible online. You can:
Use ChatGPT to translate Arabic legal texts
Ask ChatGPT to summarize what a specific law says
Understand your rights without the need to immediately hire a lawyer
You don’t need a lawyer for every small issue, but you do need to understand your baseline rights.
It’s easier than you think and a great first step in self-protection.
Legal Resources for UAE-Based Creatives
Here are two essential links every creative in the UAE should save and explore:
Comments