When using the PitchMark® platform, you have the autonomy to define the specific terms under which a client can use your work. These criteria are captured directly on the PitchMark® certificate, creating an official and indelible record of the agreement.
Under normal circumstances, the person you are pitching to is under no obligation to buy or use your certificate. But if a client refuses to pay the licensing fee but still uses your idea, the PitchMark® certificate serves as a critical layer of defence by providing indelible documentary evidence of your ownership and the terms offered.
If a prospect objects to your inclusion of a PitchMark® certificate, it typically leads to one of two outcomes: it either initiates a necessary conversation about Intellectual Property (IP) rights, or serves as a warning sign about the client's intentions.
There is no cost to sign up with PitchMark®, and no charge for generating PitchMark® certificates.
The PitchMark® IP Governance Certification is a specialised program designed for the client side—the companies and agencies that receive pitches—to formalise how they handle third-party Intellectual Property.
The public pitch feed, located on the homepage of the PitchMark® website, acts as a public record of pitching activity designed to create transparency and deter idea theft. While it makes the transaction visible to the community, it is structured to protect the actual content of the idea.
PitchMarking differs from traditional copyright and Non-Disclosure Agreements by focusing on active deterrence and formalized evidence rather than just legal recourse after a theft has occurred. While traditional laws such as copyright, trademarks, and patents exist, they often fail to fully protect ideas, especially in the early informal stages of a pitch.
Creators have the autonomy to set their own prices for their licenses, as PitchMark® does not dictate specific fees. Creators should negotiate this with their prospects. However, here are some ideas for how innovators can determine the right price.
Six things to know: How creators can monetise their pitches by selling them the rights to an idea even if they are not hired for the full production. This feature transforms the traditional "all or nothing" pitch into a more flexible commercial transaction.
Five ways a PitchMark® certificate serves as a multifaceted deterrent against idea theft by formalising the pitching process and signalling to recipients that a creator is prepared to defend their IP rights. Rather than relying on new legal layers, it focuses on prevention and transparency.
