Legal Terms in Plain English
FindLaw and legal dictionaries define legal words. Lay The Terms explains what those words usually mean inside real agreements and what to double-check before accepting.
Broad content license
A clause that lets a platform host, copy, display, modify, sublicense, or distribute content you upload.
Forced arbitration
A dispute clause requiring claims to be handled by a private arbitrator instead of a public court.
Class action waiver
A clause saying users cannot join together in a group lawsuit.
Auto-renewal clause
A subscription term that renews automatically unless you cancel in time.
Cancellation clause
A term explaining how and when a user can end a service, subscription, lease, or contract.
Liability cap
A clause limiting how much money one side can recover if something goes wrong.
Indemnity
A clause requiring one party to cover legal claims, losses, or costs for another party.
Data sharing
Privacy language allowing personal information to be shared with affiliates, vendors, partners, or authorities.
AI training rights
Terms that let a company use user inputs, outputs, content, or feedback to train or improve AI systems.
Lease deposit clause
A lease term explaining when a landlord can keep some or all of a security deposit.
Refund policy
A clause explaining when money can be returned after cancellation, failed service, billing mistakes, or dissatisfaction.
Perpetual license
A license that can continue forever, even after you stop using the service or delete your account.
Unilateral changes
A clause letting one side change terms, prices, policies, features, or access rights without a new signed agreement.
Termination clause
A clause explaining when an account, subscription, lease, or agreement can end.
Content license
Permission you give a platform to host, display, copy, process, or reuse content you upload.
Governing law
A clause choosing which location’s law applies to the agreement.
Jurisdiction
A clause saying which courts or locations can hear disputes.
Non-compete
A clause limiting where, when, or how someone can work for competitors after a relationship ends.
Confidentiality
A clause requiring information to be kept private.
Intellectual property
Rights in creative work, software, brands, designs, inventions, content, or business materials.
Early termination fee
A fee charged when a contract, lease, subscription, or service agreement ends before the stated term.