Every clause,
read before you sign.
Paste a lease, an offer letter or a set of terms. FinePrint marks up every clause for auto-renewals, data sharing, arbitration, surprise fees and rights grabs, then tells you which three to read first.
What FinePrint looks for
Each clause is checked for these seven patterns, scored for how unusual it is next to a standard contract, and marked when a typical person would want to know about it.
Auto-renewal
This keeps the deal going, and usually keeps charging you, unless you cancel in time. The cancellation window is often short and easy to miss.
Data sharing
Your information can leave the company that collected it. Once it is with partners or advertisers, you have little say in where it goes next.
Arbitration
If something goes wrong, you may not be able to sue in court or join with others who were harmed the same way. A private arbitrator decides instead.
One-sided changes
The version you are signing may not be the version that applies later. Continuing to use the service often counts as accepting the new terms.
Fees and penalties
The price on the front page is not the whole cost. Leaving early, paying late, or normal wear can trigger charges that add up fast.
Liability cap
If they cause you a loss, this caps or removes what you can recover. Sometimes it also makes you pay their costs if a claim involves you.
Content and IP rights
Something you make, upload, or invent may end up owned or freely usable by them, sometimes including work done on your own time.
Plus two more
How aggressive the wording is on a four step scale, and whether a typical person needs to notice it.