I've had contracts presented to me from companies like this, and I usually just cross those bit out. I expect them to come back with some alternative, surprisin

I've had contracts presented to me from companies like this, and I usually just cross those bit out. I expect them to come back with some alternative, surprisingly some don't and just leave the bit out - which often removes the IP bit totally. Always gives me a chuckle, the problem with large companies is they have a whole legal team which has to justify their existence so they make these outlandish clauses. The people you're dealing with don't care they just have work to do. The trouble is when things go wrong and legal gets involved and all the crazy clauses become active, like probably happened here. I've had so many times the people I'm dealing with say 'oh don't worry about that bit' its just standard, my reply is always oh well lets cross it out - some do, some don't. If they don't then red flags start flying. (IANAL)