Morals clause

A morality clause (also known as a morals clause, bad boy clause or bad girl clause) is a provision within a contract which curtails, restrains, or proscribes certain behavior of parties to the contract.

A morality clause is used as a means of holding the parties to a certain behavioral standard so as not to bring disrepute, contempt or scandal to other individuals or parties to the contract and their interests. It attempts to preserve a public and private image of such a party to the contract. In essence, one party to the contract is purchasing the other party's good name or reputation. These clauses are most seen in contracts between actors and their studios, the field of education (especially minors), athletes and their organization or proprietors of a product that the athletes may endorse or as a part of a marital settlement. Commonly proscribed activities include the use or abuse of alcohol, the use of illegal drugs or narcotics or illegal or illicit sexual activity, but many morality clauses are written vaguely.