8 votes
Accepted

Is it bad to release work as free after it's sold?

Yes. It's exceptionally unethical in most instances unless it's agreed upon prior to the work being performed. In all probability the only reason this "program" was created was due to the client ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.5k
4 votes

Is it bad to release work as free after it's sold?

It is not "exceptionally unethical" as previously answered. Ethics has nothing to do with it as it is a matter of property. Just because a client pays you to develop a program for them does not ...
dhinson919's user avatar
4 votes

I found out that a client is using the work I did for him to sell fraud courses

Truth is.. even a contract won't protect you if you knowingly do something illegal. Imagine this... a woman hires you to steal her friends car.... you make her sign a contract that she is actually ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.5k
4 votes

Developing an app for someone but retaining ownership of source?

The application and source code is yours (assuming you wrote it) unless your contract specifically states this is "a work for hire". If you have no contract, the application and source code is yours. ...
GDD's user avatar
  • 246
3 votes

I found out that a client is using the work I did for him to sell fraud courses

TL;DR Is it appropriate that I make him sign an agreement to this effect? NO; there's absolutely no need. One may ask; for what purpose? You CANNOT be truly protected for premeditated acts, not ...
nyedidikeke's user avatar
2 votes
Accepted

I found out that a client is using the work I did for him to sell fraud courses

You should take the routine to make any client (friends, family, or not) sign a well done contract (you can search here to find many posts about that) that contains also a releasing agreement on any ...
Mario's user avatar
  • 2,044
2 votes
Accepted

Developing an app for someone but retaining ownership of source?

This depends on the contract you're working under (you're using a contract, right?), but generally with a work-for-hire gig, the source code you produce is also part of what you're selling. That ...
Michael McPherson's user avatar
2 votes
Accepted

How do I secure an idea when approaching a company?

Ideas by themselves are worthless. You can not sell just an idea. Whoever you are trying to sell it to doesn't know if your idea really is of any value to them. The only way to convince them that ...
Philipp's user avatar
  • 176
2 votes

How do I secure an idea when approaching a company?

There is no way you can make this happen the way you want it. Do you have a contact at this company? How will you get in touch with the right people? If it is indeed a major web services company you ...
user3244085's user avatar
  • 1,629
2 votes

Is it bad to release work as free after it's sold?

Where are you located? Where is the party that is hiring you located? Much of the advice in this column so far would be quite illegal in the United States, and potentially so even if you are not ...
Tom K's user avatar
  • 121
2 votes

Is it bad to release work as free after it's sold?

Normally such matters should be discussed beforehand. A development-contract should always clearly state ownership and exclusivity! What you could do, is reach out to the client and see what he ...
Daniel's user avatar
  • 1,030
2 votes

Is it correct to store freelance projects publicly on github?

You should never post sensitive source code publicly. I wouldn't pay you if I knew you'd share my project to the rest of the world. However, you may briefly write a description of the project on your ...
ABCD's user avatar
  • 734
2 votes

Can I distribute/sell the results of contracted work done for me?

You have to negotiate the ownership of the intellectual property when you hire an artist. Most artist will sell the rights, which is what you need, but it does generally cost more. By default, ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.5k
2 votes

Recruiter forwarding freelancer's profile without consent

There is no need not to come down with a sledgehammer, nor to worry. They have no right to do that without your consent and they know it. Send them an e-mail firmly asking to withdraw your CV and ...
Harry Cover's user avatar
  • 1,174
1 vote
Accepted

If I am licensing a website to a client, what should the copyright on the site say?

Copyrights indicate the owner of the IP. You could do © 2018 [Your Company]. Used with permission. Or © 2018 [Your Company]. Licensed to [Client Company]. Or Site Contents © [Client ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.5k
1 vote

Can I distribute/sell the results of contracted work done for me?

You need to get an attorney to write up a contract for you which covers your intended use, stipulating copyright and licensing agreements in advance. And then, you have to find an artist prepared to ...
PeteCon's user avatar
  • 207
1 vote

Is it correct to store freelance projects publicly on github?

I would not do this, as clients may have objections. You can try to make blog posts with specific screens trying to highlight something specific you worked on. You can contact and talk to your ...
Muhammad Asadullah's user avatar
1 vote

Is it correct to store freelance projects publicly on github?

My clients tend to think that everybody out there want a similar software I've done for them and are reluctant for the source code to be published. What I do to show my work is recording demo videos ...
derloopkat's user avatar
1 vote

Is it correct to store freelance projects publicly on github?

Many jurisdictions have statutes of implied contracts, implied warranties, and more which cover situations when a dispute arises and where no written documents exist describing the arrangement. If you ...
Doug12745's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote

Is it correct to store freelance projects publicly on github?

Unless you have explicit permission to do so, sharing source code that you are being paid to correct is a bad route to take. Many clients will have objections to the source code they are paying for ...
Elliot Padfield's user avatar
1 vote

Is it correct to store freelance projects publicly on github?

I would not post source code that was written for clients publicly unless you have explicit permission from said client. The easiest (by far) way you can have open-source code as a freelancer that ...
Amelia's user avatar
  • 1,227
1 vote

How do I secure an idea when approaching a company?

You can't. Even if you create an NDA that's legal, and have them sign it, I'm guessing you don't have the resources to actually fight a 'major webservices company' in court, while they probably have ...
Roman's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote

Developing an app for someone but retaining ownership of source?

Echoing previous responses, unless otherwise specified, work like this (where a client pays a contractor for work) is considered work made for hire under the US Copyright Act. In accordance with this, ...
Tom Griffin's user avatar
1 vote

Who own the "copyright" or intellectual property for the code you have written?

Because you do not have a contract in place, I suspect there are too many variables for anyone here to give you a precise answer. Possible answers are: Code belongs to the you within countries who ...
fiprojects's user avatar
  • 1,162
1 vote

Developing an app for someone but retaining ownership of source?

I am always using a clause saying that I keep the right to reuse the source code in other contexts (excluding unfair competition). If the customer refuses that clause, then the fee is higher as it ...
Harry Cover's user avatar
  • 1,174

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