I've recently started doing some freelance web design work and just finished a complete revamp of a local business website.
The previous design was done by another designer. I know this as the previous footer has a "designed by.." linking to his website. The website linked to is a business portfolio for the designer showing off his work and ways to contact him for new work.
The problem is he is still linking to the this local business as his work even though it is now my work. Surely he is not aware of that a new design has recently been completed.
I am not sure how long if ever it will be until he checks all his links and makes sure they're still valid. So I'm not sure how, or if, to inform him to no longer use this site in his portfolio.
I could email him, but I don't want to come off as rude by essentially saying "I just overrode all your previous hard work and now I need to not point to it anymore" or potentially cause bad blood between him and the business for not choosing to work with him again.
I could also ask the local business to inform him but I feel it is not really their duty.
I could also just ignore it, but of course I don't really want others claiming my hard work, as well as I believe it could cause problems for him if he shows up at an interview and opens up a link to a site he's never seen.
How should I proceed?