They're not an entirely free service, no: https://perma.cc/sign-up

> New users are able to create ten free links on a trial basis. After using the trial, individuals must either be affiliated with a registrar or sign up for a paid subscription.

Not what people are asking for. What you're ruling out is the equivalent of expecting cryostasis subscribers to sue if there's ever a service interruption.

Conventional business models as currently implemented are fundamentally misaligned to the timescales associated with this product category. Products like these need a level of stability that can only be accomplished at the charter level of the corporation -- it needs to be fundamentally incapable of reneging on promises made.

Without that kind of reassurance, why should anyone trust this service with their links? The exchange is incredibly unequal. They receive full, permanent control of the content, access, and monetization of all things which I cite. I receive... a promise that my links will do what they already do, but maybe last longer.

Right, which makes this whole contingency plan worth less than the ink and paper it is written. It's their weasel words of saying they know that their entire marketing plan of "permanent" anything is outlandish. However, this is the exact type of marketing that attracts VCs. Might as well add "making the world a better place" in there too

You can create an obligation for yourself or make a binding statement of intent.

Indeed memoranda in the UK, created when registering a company, require it. You state the intended services. Companies weasel around it by making broad milquetoast claims.

A statement binding the organisation to release their data and cede all copyright should the site be terminated, for example, would demonstrate good faith and go a long way to reassuring people that it wasn't wasted effort.