work for hire
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- twooh
I'm generally new to constructing my own contracts with direct-to-client jobs, but is it normally acceptable to accept a 'work for hire' clause?
I just don't want to get into a position where the client isn't happy, and refuses to pay the final installment, while I am legally obligated to hand over the source files.
Thoughts?
- robotron3k0
if the project is small 50% down, the other 50% on delivery. if the project is big 33% at start, 33% midway, and the rest at delivery. The client should have already seen your work and knows what you can do. make sure there is not scope creep by the client (adding too many requests to the agreed work) they do it all the time. Make sure you give them 3-4 reviews written in the contract.
If it's a digital project and you are nervous about handing your files over put an easter egg in it, I have done this in the past.
The rest is trying to be honest and have good business ethics. The rest have faith in you abilities and that you will kick ass.
- twooh0
I pretty much have all that, and we've agreed to watermark the deliverable until i get the final installment. But does work for hire mean anything other than losing my right to authorship, in our field?
- babaganush0
As far as I understand you are right about giving up authorship rights as 'Work for hire'. I would make sure you have a RIGID set of deliverables drawn into any contract. They should be for hire not the tools you use to make those deliverables - all files etc. This is what distinguished you from a business (to clients) as opposed to freelance (the client owns your time and everything you do in the billable hours).
- twooh0
good point. thanks