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 ...
- 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 ...
- 149
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 ...
- 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. ...
- 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 ...
- 227
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 ...
- 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 ...
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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, ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
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 ...
- 81
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 ...
- 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 ...
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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, ...
- 111
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 1,174
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible