HELP! do i need to "buy the rights" to artwork & business logo designs that I had designed for me??

**youngbizguy** · 09-14-2010 05:41 PM

Hey guys great forum..

So i paid a graphic designer for a business logo design as well as various other web design pieces.

i also plan on buying artwork from him to print onto t-shirts etc.

in this scenario do i either need to have him sign some kind of legal document that relinquishes his ownership of the photos once i pay him??

**altwebdesign** · 09-14-2010 06:27 PM

in a word, Yes.
I always draw up contracts saying i own the code and for the client to own rights to the code i usually charge a little extra based on the fact they can re-use it and re-sell it.

These terms i agree before the project is started to avoid any confusion at the end of a project

**youngbizguy** · 09-14-2010 08:46 PM

im sorry could you please clarify what you mean?you own the code but the clients own the rights to the code? dont you "own the rights" to the code simply by "owning" it? hmm im confused. isnt "owning" the same thing as "owning the rights"?

are informal contracts legally binding? for example if i just typed up something for the designer that says "you __his name__ hereby relinquish all rights pertaining to this design present & future to me __my name__ upon receipt of payment in the amount of $$xyz on this day of (a/b/c) this month of this year" ?

**altwebdesign** · 09-15-2010 07:40 AM

what i ment was, any custom code i create is owned by me.
occasionally a client will want 100% ownership of the code this includes me signing over any ownership rights to the code and allowing the client to do what they want with the code, wetherr that be modify or re-sell it. I get no gain from it.

It's always good to have something written down and signed, but with online the way it is, im not sure on how water tight they are, it's always best to go see a solicitor/lawyer and have them represent you.

**Noble_Soul** · 10-10-2010 03:46 AM

Hello,
I'm an artist/graphic designer. My artwork is very valuable to me. I will want to maintain as much control of each design as I can. When I design a logo or illustrate a picture for someone I sell them only the usage of that image. I maintain the creative rights to the art/design. So if I were asked to draw a picture for someone I would ask what the artwork is going to be used for and how often it will be used. I would then make a contract for the usage of that to be signed by the client. This contract would state something like, "One time usage for 1000 t-shirts." The contract could be for a period of time as well, it just depends, each contract is different based on the client. If you wanted to purchase the complete rights to a design or illustration, meaning unlimited use for an unlimited amount of time, then I'm going to ask for a lot of reimbursement, because I will be forfeiting any possible future income of that design or art. Keep in mind, what if the client's business goes under in a year, can I resell the art to someone else? Maybe the client's business becomes very successful and they sell the company including the now intangible asset (my art/design) for millions of dollars. If I don't have a contract stating what my part in the ownership of that is then I get nothing.

Something to consider; if your designer hasn't already talked to you about this before the project has even begun then you may want to consider their experience. I would have this agreement/contract drawn up and signed before I even starting making anything. Working with someone inexperienced may be an advantage for you to get a lower rate, but it also might be a negative reflection of the quality of work you're getting. It might also save you some time and money down the road by avoiding lawyers, copyright laws, and cease and desist orders.

Good luck