My heart does go out to this guy, but this is yet another case of "know what you're signing, or hire a lawyer who will." The perpetrator in this case happened

My heart does go out to this guy, but this is yet another case of "know what you're signing, or hire a lawyer who will." The perpetrator in this case happened to be an actual fraudster-in-sheep's-clothing, but even among friendly business partners, contracts are drafted for the maximum benefit of the author. If you have any doubt whatsoever about whether a clause puts you in jeopardy, strike or rewrite it until you're 100% sure you're not getting fucked.