15
votes
My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?
Client wants me to steal secret plans from the CEO of his competing company.
He sent an email today detailing where I can find the plans, how to break into his offices, and a schedule for when the ...
- 17.3k
14
votes
Client owes me substantial money, I got another job full-time, client wants me to hand over keys to next developer without payment
Generate an invoice marked "past due". Send certified. That's all you can really do in your case, at this step, without getting an attorney involved. The $10,000 is probably more than any state's ...
- 5,304
10
votes
Accepted
How do freelance web developers approach security and liability?
I'm a freelance web developer and security researcher, so my experience may be a little biased.
In general, web development is a pretty insecure mess. More experienced developers are generally seen ...
- 1,227
9
votes
Client threatening legal action constantly
Life's too short..
You have 2 choices....
Invoice for the work you've completed. Wait until that invoice is paid. Then tell him you're done.
You'll package everything and prepare to deliver things ...
- 17.3k
9
votes
Accepted
Employer Via Freelancing Platform Threatening To Take Legal Action Against Me
Sounds like you're using Upwork? If not, let me know and I'll adjust this.
Personally, I've been using Upwork for over a year and pretty much stopped using it because of low-quality clients.
If there ...
- 897
9
votes
Client owes me substantial money, I got another job full-time, client wants me to hand over keys to next developer without payment
Unless you receive payment, I don't believe you are obligated to do anything.
It's your fault to some degree for letting outstanding invoices "build up over time". You should never allow that to ...
- 17.3k
8
votes
Do you own the right to publish someone's work after you pay them?
Unless your contract specifically states that you own all rights or the right to resell/redistribute the work... then NO you do not have the right to resell or redistribute anything under any ...
- 17.3k
7
votes
Bartering - client has cancelled and is asking for money
If you two have no contract, then what is he breaching? on the other hand, the mutual understanding is valid in front of the law.
I'd say that he was not acting correctly, from what you wrote. He ...
- 14.2k
7
votes
Accepted
I.T home support - protecting myself
Although open-ended, I'll try to address it as best as possible.
GET A CONTRACT DRAWN UP ASAP! Do not offer remote support, except to those you know quite well, and personally.
The contract should ...
- 6,833
7
votes
Employer Via Freelancing Platform Threatening To Take Legal Action Against Me
Ignore it. If escrow was used for payments, they had to relinquish their hold on the escrow.... if they did so without approving of the work, it's not your problem.
Bullying you into more work, or a ...
- 17.3k
6
votes
Using client's idea to develop an app
Obviously, I (or anyone here) have not been part of your negotiations or development, but I can tell you, you're only going to add fuel to the fire. You're also going to put yourself into a legally ...
- 746
6
votes
What do I need when I want to work as freelance developer in Ireland (Dublin)?
Tax law is complicated the world over, and as a general rule you should seek the advise of a tax specialist in the jurisdiction where you'll need to pay taxes, they'll also likely be able to ...
- 442
6
votes
Accepted
Legal document/vinculation for being paid with future profits
Step 1 - Run away.
Step 2 - Refer to step one.
I say this because this is how many freelancers get stuck doing work for free, or much less than they should be. Future profits mean nothing when you're ...
- 6,833
6
votes
Risks of paying freelancer / subcontractor in Iraq / Kurdistan?
First, kick the notion that people in a part of the world are all linked to terrorism, somehow. It's completely baseless, racist, and xenophobic.
You're getting legitimate business/services from a ...
- 1,227
6
votes
My freelancer stopped responding and we paid him more than he's completed, how to handle?
I'm assuming you are not looking to extend the business relationship, but to end it. In addition, I'll assume it's more important getting the website done than getting perhaps $500 back after a ...
- 3,682
6
votes
Accepted
Can I be held responsible for HIPAA violation?
I would suggest asking for a contract to be made, or you make one and ask it to be signed. The purpose of a contract is to protect both parties.
You can simply state (the contract should be more in ...
- 897
6
votes
Is Refund Consulting legal?
Refund consulting (e.g. telling people that you can help them to locate lost or unclaimed money or property, in return for a fee or a percentage of the money claimed) is, as far as I'm aware, ...
- 883
5
votes
Client refusing to pay
Be aware, even if you were to pursue something like small claims court and win, it's still your job to collect. A court won't collect for you. They merely allow you to legally pursue avenues of ...
- 17.3k
5
votes
Bartering - client has cancelled and is asking for money
The doctor can't unilaterally modify the terms of your original agreement.
Your agreement gives you both the option of using one anothers' services, with no specific mention of cash compensation. ...
- 5,304
5
votes
Accepted
An employer hasn't paid me for months already. Should I keep working with them?
It sounds like your employer is having financial problems, possibly the end client not paying them, but the fact that they hired another contractor for something else, indicates they have money, you ...
- 1,366
5
votes
Handling a client that doesn't pay after services are delivered
Friend, you have screwed yourself on this one, unfortunately.
The best you're going to be able to do to mitigate this situation is hiring an attorney in Arizona to represent you. You will have to ...
- 5,304
5
votes
If I transfer the work to my friend without notify the client, is it ok?
Is it moral and professional? No!
Do people do this (including large companies)? Yes.
I can't say I never done it without client's knowledge, but each time I get into trouble as I have to act as a ...
- 14.2k
5
votes
Client threatening legal action constantly
It is good the customer has paid you. Unless contracted to provide services to them for the rest of your life, consider it ample opportunity to reconsider your relationship. I would avoid a customer ...
- 1,152
5
votes
My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?
If you really need the job I'd look for comparable software that would be legal to use.
Personally, I'd drop the project like a hot potatoe.
- 435
5
votes
Can client demand a refund for software that fails specifications?
Obviously, the following is not legal advice, but just some general advice from a seasoned freelancer / consultant:
It looks like your client is right in demanding a partial refund, given that you ...
- 301
5
votes
Accepted
Can I anonymously use my public LLC?
If you want to create an air-gap between yourself and the company that you're consulting for (so that people who have access to the company records for your freelancing LLC and your own personal ...
- 883
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible