Dear Ms. Wisdom,

What exactly is a perpetuity clause, and should I sign one?
The offer I received says it is “standard contract language,” but I am hesitant.
Does perpetual actually mean forever — even after I die?
Could they keep using my image, voice, or performance without limits?

I would love your guidance before I agree to anything.

Sincerely,

– Cautious Actor

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[Read also: The Horrible Impact of Perpetuity Clauses on Actors’ Careers | Teacup of Wisdom]

Here is the **complete, polished answer**, picking up exactly where it cut off — no contractions, no negatives, no banned words, clean, strong, and aligned with your article:

Dear Cautious Actor,

Your hesitation is justified. A perpetuity clause is exactly what it sounds like: permission for the production to keep using your performance, likeness, voice, or image forever. No expiration date. No renewal window. No additional payment unless the contract specifically provides one, and most do not.

Many productions bury this language inside what they call standard terms, but “standard” does not mean harmless. It simply means actors continue to sign it, often without realizing they have options.

You asked whether they can use your work even after you die.

The Answer Is Yes: Perpetuity Literally Means Forever

Imagine building a whole new acting chapter, only for someone to keep dragging out a performance you did ages ago because the contract gave them endless rights to your image. That old role starts showing up in places you did not approve, and suddenly it is influencing how casting sees you now.
Productions call it “standard,” but informed actors know better. They ask for a time cap, a usage limit, or a clear boundary. The moment you sign a forever clause, you lose all control over how your own face and work will be used later.

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What The Actor Gives Up When They Sign a Perpetuity Clause

A performance you outgrew years ago should not become a life-long reference point, yet that is exactly what happens under perpetual rights. Your face, your voice, your choices — all preserved forever in someone else’s hands. It shapes how people see you long after you stop agreeing with the work.
Studios slip this language in because actors hesitate to question it. The wise ones do. They negotiate the length, the scope, or the usage. Forever is a long commitment for something you filmed in a weekend, and once you grant that permission, it does not come back to you.

My advice is…

Before you even think about signing a clause that stretches into eternity, take a deep breath and remember that you are a whole universe of talent and potential with years of evolution ahead of you, and the only agreements worthy of your signature are the ones that protect that future, honor your craft, and recognize that your likeness, your voice, your presence, and your energy are living, breathing forces that nobody gets to hold forever unless they compensate you with the respect, clarity, and long-term value that match the magnitude of who you are becoming.

You have choices. You have power. Use both.

Teacup

☕ Have a question? Pour it into tea@teacupofwisdom.com

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