Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : copryright and freelance work?
sisko
06-07-2004, 12:29 PM
I've just started freelancing, and towards the end of my first project, I just thought about copyrighting.
For the site I'm working on, I've done just about everything...layout design and coding, photography, graphic design, even much of the actual content.
How do I copyright that? Or do I even copyright it? Are the rights typically handed over to the company?
I mean, I'd like credit for my work, should that extend only to a "design provided by ..." statement and no more?
Thanks in advance
Nevermore
06-07-2004, 12:46 PM
Anything you make is automatically copyrighted to you, without you having to do anything at all. As for the design by... statement, I wouldn't put one on a site they're paying for, since it could irritate them. Just linking from a protfolio page seems more appropriate.
sisko
06-07-2004, 09:25 PM
Originally posted by cijori
Anything you make is automatically copyrighted to you, without you having to do anything at all. As for the design by... statement, I wouldn't put one on a site they're paying for, since it could irritate them. Just linking from a protfolio page seems more appropriate.
Thanks for the advice :)
Originally posted by cijori
As for the design by... statement, I wouldn't put one on a site they're paying for, since it could irritate them.Most clients don't mind, as long as you don't get gaudy with it. I usually will just insert something like "Web Design by Infinity Web Design (http://www.infinitywebdesign.com/)" or something similar.
shimon
06-11-2004, 11:19 AM
Certainly you should feel free to link to it. Take credit for it - you did it after all. I know some clients who don't mind a little logo on their site saying "made by" or whatever, so long as it's tastefully done, os have a polite chat with them, see how they feel.
But as for the copyright, you won't own this at all if you were paid for the job - it's simple employment law. If you're paid to do a job, your employer owns the copyright for everything you do, it's as simple as that and always has been, (regardless of whether you're a developer, designer, architect, shop assistant or a llama with great sewing skills.)
buntine
06-11-2004, 12:01 PM
Isnt there some exceptions to that rule when the services provided are contractual?
sisko
06-11-2004, 03:49 PM
Originally posted by shimon
But as for the copyright, you won't own this at all if you were paid for the job - it's simple employment law. If you're paid to do a job, your employer owns the copyright for everything you do, it's as simple as that and always has been, (regardless of whether you're a developer, designer, architect, shop assistant or a llama with great sewing skills.)
That's what I thought, but wasn't too sure, which is why I asked, that stupid llama statute just screws everything up :)
As for the "designed by" statement, I figured "when in doubt, ask." I don't forsee huge problems, but its best to not cause any in the first place if it can be helped.
Aronya1
06-11-2004, 05:20 PM
Originally posted by shimon
(regardless of whether you're a developer, designer, architect, shop assistant or a llama with great sewing skills.) Now you've gone too far. Everybody knows llamas can't sew... But they can bake a mean quiche!
shimon
06-14-2004, 04:20 AM
I wonder what llama tastes like... I imagine it to be like ostrich but with more mammal.
Can anyone confirm? ;)
Aronya1
06-14-2004, 12:47 PM
Tastes like chicken, doesn't it? ...Doesn't everything?
buntine
06-14-2004, 01:40 PM
Yer, it tastes a little bit like stay on topic. grrr.:p
treasurehunter
07-31-2004, 10:10 PM
Originally posted by buntine
Isnt there some exceptions to that rule when the services provided are contractual?
In the US, a "work for hire" copyright is owned by the client. If the job is done "on spec" [speculation, not specification] the creative author retains ownership of the copyright. So if they hire you before you do the work they own it. If you do the work, and then make the sale it's yours.
Disclaimer: that's the way the US law read a few years ago, but I don't believe it has changed, and it is fairly similar in most other countries.
Intensity
08-07-2004, 03:15 PM
Who is the owner of the actual website??!!! That is why you have a Service Agreement for!!! But is can be quite difficult to tell the client that he is only paying for the services that the website provids instead of actually buying the site itself. This should be clearly communicated. Again... have fun.
Copyright in regards of context of your website, like it was said before, is automatically copyrighted.
Pictures and graphics, if you want you can embed an ineffective watermark that a qualified / knowledgable internet user can easily overcome, go ahead since there are ways to track these.
About given your clients site a signature, if asked, out of my experience, the client should'nt have a problem with it with.
treasurehunter
08-07-2004, 08:00 PM
Intensity is indeed correct that your client automatically owns his website, and all the work he hires you to do.
The US Copyright Office: http://www.copyright.gov/ has all the info you should know about copyrights in the US. Click on "Copyright Basics" and then click on "Who can claim copyright".
In that section you'll see what I was referring to in my first post.