How to spot a commercial agent (and why you need to know how to spot one)

Commercial agents are special. They enjoy a unique legal position and enjoy a suite of legal rights and protections . A number of the core rights and protections enjoyed by commercial agents are absolute and will endure regardless of what the commercial agent and principal agree. But what does this mean in practice, and how can you identify whether you are, or have retained, a commercial agent to which such rights apply?